Issue XVI | The 2025 NFC Divisional Round at Soldier Field

It’s pretty incredible to me to see how far I’ve come on my own personal finance journey. I started as a penny-pincher who tried to squeeze every ounce of work out of my dollars. Little things like leaving the lights on in an empty room used to irritate me. Truthfully, it still kind of does, but not because I’m thinking about the $0.20 it’s going to cost on the electric bill.

I still have penny-pincher tendencies, but I am able to think through those and make better decisions despite my initial reaction. This was a breakthrough I had with a recent client who also likes to penny-pinch. We summed up the realization like this:

Being able to think about our thinking is what makes us human; if we couldn’t, we would be dogs.

Now, after all that, why is Issue XVI of The Trident called “The 2025 NFC Divisional Round at Soldier Field”?

Well, a couple weeks ago, my brother and I went to see the Chicago Bears host the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field for the NFC Divisional Round playoff game. I had never been to a Bears game and I’ve always wanted to go to a cold outdoor football game; this opportunity just felt like the perfect time. We bought the tickets, $750 each, and got to see one of the most incredible throws in playoff history (if you know, you know.)

The part of this story that inspired me to write this Issue was what happened after the game. As I told people I went to the game, they all asked a version of this question: “How did you get the tickets?”

A past me that didn’t think so much about personal finance and people’s relationship with money wouldn’t have thought twice about that question. This version of me was drawn to it very quickly.

Why is the assumption that I didn’t simply buy tickets?

I started this Issue talking about how much of a penny-pincher I was. A $750 ticket for a single playoff game wouldn’t have even been a thought. But I’ve grown, and this is how.

Money is a tool, and a strong one at that. It can help you build the life you want today and tomorrow. I live so much of my todays for tomorrow, I really do. But I spent that money intentionally, within a plan, and I now have a memory that will last me a lifetime.

20 degrees, real feel of 9 degrees, snowing, with my brother. What a game.

What a life.

If you want help figuring out how to get from where you are to where you want to be, consider working with me! I too am on this journey and have the experience and knowledge to help you come along with me. Schedule a free 30 minute consultation below, or take the “Is Financial Coaching Right for You?” questionnaire to see where you stand with your personal finances! 

Until next time!