Evelyn Jacks: Six Laws of a Long and Happy Life

Wondering if we’ll ever get summer this year? Here’s something to ponder if you’re stuck at the cottage in the rain. . .the six laws of a long and happy life.

This, by default, means the need to avoid life's sure end for as long as possible.

How and why do people die in Canada? According to a study by Kathryn Wilkins for Statistics Canada entitled, “Predictors of Death in Seniors,”[1] there are some remarkable findings related to education, income and lifestyle:

• The likelihood of dying at a younger age is greater for those who have not completed post-secondary education compared with those who have.
• For men, source of income is a predictor of death (those who rely on public sources die sooner than those who rely on other sources).
• Men and women who are widowed are more likely to die at a younger age than those who are married or living with a partner.
• Seniors who are active die later than those who are inactive.
• People who drink alcohol at least once a month are less likely to die at a younger age than those who abstain or drink less frequently.
• If you smoke regularly, you will die sooner than someone who does not smoke.

It would appear we can extract from this list, six “Laws of a Long and Happy Life,” in Canada at least, and make a point of communicating these principles early to younger generations in the family:

• Law #1:  Invest in your post-secondary education.
• Law #2:  Be self-sufficient.
• Law #3:  Find the right partner and commit to that person for life.
• Law #4:  Exercise.
• Law #5:  Drink alcohol moderately.
• Law #6:  Don’t smoke.

Nonetheless, even if you place a checkmark next to each of these laws, there is no escaping the inevitable: planning for end of life is important, especially from a tax and financial planning point of view. 

It’s Your Money. Your Life.  Start with Law #1 – Invest in your post-secondary education with Knowledge Bureau’s Tax, Succession and Estate Planning courses. They are online, so you can even do them at the beach, when the sun comes out!  Early bird tuition reductions and summer registration ends June 30.

Evelyn Jacks is President of Knowledge Bureau and author of 50 books on tax and personal wealth management. She is also the founder and director of the Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC). The theme of this year’s three day think tank in Ojai, CA Nov 10-13 will be “Back to the Future – Collaborative Wealth Management.”  Follow Evelyn on Twitter at @EvelynJacks.