This piece was written during the London 2012 Olympic glow. It predates the explosion of TFSAs in popularity. It also predates the FIRE movement going mainstream. The message hasn’t aged: financial journeys are marathons, not endless treadmill sessions. In 2025, celebrating milestones matter even more because constant economic noise makes us forget how far we’ve come. Don’t forget how much farther you have to go, either.
I have seen a few closing ceremonies in my life. I really liked the London Olympics (2012) closing ceremony. It featured a lot of music I love, along with some interesting and weird bits. The Wish You Were Here – Burning handshake recreation was impressive. It was comparable to the Eric Idle – always look on the bright side of life performance. London did a good job ending off their Olympics with a rousing good time. Even Madness, my favorite band, made an appearance.
Will there be a closing ceremony for your financial career? Will there be a whole bunch of fun music played? Will folks be thrilled and excited about the entire thing? Somehow, I doubt that will happen for any of us, but we can always hope.
Will you have a flag bearer for your finances for this closing ceremony? Your RRSP for making retirement possible, or maybe your pension? Your financial advisor maybe for giving you good advice? I can assure you if this ever happens to me, Nortel will not be invited.
I think the whole metaphor of a Financial Closing ceremony is unachievable (unless you strike it rich and then have no financial worries), however there are a few things the closing ceremonies can teach use financially:
- When you achieve something big in your life, have a party and invite your friends. If you finish something important, be sure to celebrate too. I don't think you need to know who's attending your party. If you do, make sure you invite me. If you can't afford to invite the who, stick with a case of beer. Get 3 bags of chips, and rent a movie from Netflix.
- All things end, no matter what we think. Even that debt you never thought you could pay off will eventually be resolved in some way. This could happen by paying off the debt, by bankruptcy, or by your death.
- You cannot please everyone so stop trying. I have heard people complain about this and that. As long as you make yourself happy (financially), you will be fine. The other thing to remember is that you will get lots of people commenting on what you are doing. I am talking about your CTV and NBC. Ignore them because they know less than you.
- No matter what happens, you must ask if you are at the right financial party when the giant inflatable Octopus deploys.
- Finally: Always look on the bright side of life, no point in being morose about the whole thing.
You know what most folks’ financial “closing ceremony” looks like? A sad scroll through their CRA account, maybe a Timmy's double-double, and a sigh that sounds like the Leafs being eliminated from the Stanley cup. Nobody claps, nobody sings “We are the Champions,” and certainly nobody invites me for beer and chips (cheap folk).
We’ve turned money into guilt. Pay off a credit card? “Could’ve done it sooner.” Buy a used car cash? “Still too fancy a car”. Just enjoy the win. Pop the cheap lite beer. Life’s short, the debt’s long, and the only fireworks you’re guaranteed are the CRA’s e-mails.
