AARP talks about August being a month to focus on your legacy. Most people want to know how they will be remembered when they’re gone, and how they’ve influenced their loved ones. Each of us, whether we work on it or not, will leave some kind of memory to our families. Whether it’s positive or negative depends largely on how we live today. A legacy could be a financial inheritance, but it encompasses more than simply monetary value. It’s the traditions you pass down to your family, the way you treat your neighbors, and even your hobbies and lifestyle. Here are some tips for creating a legacy of which you can be proud:
- Build relationships with your family and friends. It’s the people you influence that shape your legacy. As you share your hobbies and knowledge with your children and grandchildren, you create memories for them. They may even come to enjoy your love of golf or sewing, then pass that love onto their own children. You can also learn to appreciate what they enjoy and stay active and alert by sharing.
- Create your family tree. Today, there are many tools which can help you create your family history. Don’t make your family tree just about dates and places, although that is very helpful to family members who want to know more about your heritage. Add some personal stories that enrich the facts and provide a background for what your life was like. Ask siblings and parents to be involved and build a family history that demonstrates where you came from.
- Write a letter to your family telling your survivors what you would say if you only had a few short hours left in your life. This can be twofold. First, make sure your family has the business of your life. Make sure your executor has the account numbers and financial data to get things done without having to spend your financial legacy on legal fees. Get your electronic data in order and find out how to make a will to allow your family to deal with your social media accounts and emails. What do you want done at your funeral? Tell them. You don’t need to give this information to your loved ones today, just make sure it’s available when they need it. The letter could also tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. Talk about what it meant to be part of their life and what you hope they impart to their own loved ones.
- Contribute to a charity. If you have the money, set up a college fund or annuity to continue giving back to the community. If you don’t have a lot of money, give time to a nonprofit. Whether you walk dogs at a local animal shelter or help inmates learn to read, this time is part of your legacy that you leave to your family. It’s how you’ll be remembered when people think of you.
- Live life fully. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of each day and forget to enjoy the garden of roses outside your door. Many people get so stressed in a storm that they forget to remember how good the rain feels and how much it helps the environment.
- Teach your family the values you want them to have. Help your children learn to save money by demonstrating good habits. Eat together as a unit and talk about the day. Show your kids what’s important. If you don’t have children, mentor a young person who needs an adult they can trust.
Don’t make August the only time you focus on your legacy. Make good choices every day so that you are remembered positively. Share your life with those around you and pass on what you know.