Time to talk about time

It was time to have the big talk.

I realized that this week. Daughter is stepping deep into her first full-time job, eyes crossing at all the benefits she needs to pick.

“Why would I take money out of my paycheck and put it into a 401k?” she asked, doing math like a 22-year-old.

Time to cue up one of the most important life lessons an elder can pass along to a child.

“Let’s talk about time,” I offered.

Not surprisingly, this was not met with the same level of excitement I might’ve received had I offered, “Let’s go buy you a new car,” or “Let’s go buy you your own condo where you can live rent free.” Not even close in response. But, oh so much more important.

How do you convincingly explain life truisms from the vantage point of having lived?

I don’t claim to deserve any points for style.

I launched into a dizzying array of points about how a dollar saved when you’re 22 is so much more valuable than the one you save at 55.

“I’m going to contribute some, but not everything I can,” Daughter shared about her current plan.

Oh, to be 22 and think that a new iPhone or expensive pair of jeans is the most valuable thing your new salary can buy you.

I cued up for Part II of the talk.

“There’s nothing more valuable than time,” I continued on seeing her eyes begin to glaze over as I took more of her time.

I understand the look.

I had it, too, 30 years ago as I was setting out on my career.

Or was it five minutes ago, because that’s what it feels like.

Retirement?

Why would I save for something old people in Geritol commercials did?

You don’t know what Geritol is, Dear Young Reader. Google it.

You’re young enough to not remember a time when that was the answer for everything.

For you, I have the same answer as I have for Daughter. These years fly by.

It goes from watching your parents retire, to older coworkers, to a few members of your high school class because they saved like crazy or got lucky with stock options. Suddenly, your contemporaries will be talking, “What’s next?”

It happens super-fast.

So fast that you will think life is playing a joke on you.

Which is why some will also realize they didn’t give themselves enough time to plan for their future.

“You don’t want that to be you,” I wrapped up my argument.

Did I successfully make my case?

Is there any way to truly convey how fast all of this goes?

Will daughter up her 401k contribution from 3-5%?

I guess only time will tell.

Daryn Kagan is the author of the book “Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor’s Thoughts On Losing Her Job, Finding Love, A New Career, And My Dog, Always My Dog.” Email her at Daryn@ darynkagan.com.