10 years ago, I stumbled across something that rocked me harder than finding out Starbucks rewards don’t roll over.
It wasn’t a finance book.
It wasn’t a “how to make six figures in your sleep” course.
It was a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse who spent years listening to people’s last thoughts.
But hold your horses and stick with me here, because the financial lessons hiding in these regrets? Well, my friend, let’s just say they’re huge.
Intrigued yet? Yeah, so was I! So, let’s just start by breaking this all down shall we?
The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying
Here’s what Bronnie’s patients said on their way out:
✅ I wish I’d lived true to myself, not what others expected
✅ I wish I hadn’t worked so hard
✅ I wish I’d shared my feelings
✅ I wish I’d stayed in touch with friends
✅ I wish I’d let myself be happier
Now, most of these don’t sound like financial regrets. But ohhhhhh, they are.
Let me tell you how and why.
1. “I Wish I’d Lived True to Myself” = Stop Spending to Impress People
We’ve all been there—buying things we don’t need to impress people we don’t even like. (Hi, $300 TikTok-approved blender.)
Living true to yourself financially means:
- Make a budget that fits your real life—not what you see on Instagram.
- Don’t spend money just because you’re afraid of missing out.
- Spend money on things that make you happy—even if it’s a fun little side hustle on Etsy.
You don’t have to be rich to be aligned. You just have to stop outsourcing your life to someone else’s expectations.
2. “I Wish I Hadn’t Worked So Hard” = Make Your Money Work for You
O.k., this one hit hard…..
How many of us are stuck in the “work, crash, repeat” cycle? Working 60-hour weeks while our dreams collect dust?
If you want to avoid this regret:
- Start building passive income now (Think: faceless YouTube, digital downloads, blog monetization)
- Automate your savings and investments
- Learn the difference between being busy vs. building wealth
Money is a tool. Use it to buy back your time—not just more “stuff.”
3. “I Wish I Shared My Feelings” = Talk About Money with the People You Love
Money talk can feel like a root canal. But not talking about it? That’s how people end up in debt, divorced, or dodging financial reality like it’s a swarm of bees.
Whether it’s:
- Talking to your partner about shared financial goals
- Telling your friends you’re on a budget (no, you don’t want to split the $180 dinner three ways)
- Opening up to a mentor about your dream to quit your 9–5 and build something real…
Speaking up financially is an underrated superpower.
4. “I Wish I Stayed in Touch With Friends” = Community Over Competition
A rich life is never a solo mission.
You need people who:
- Cheer you on when you launch your Etsy shop with zero sales
- Share coupon codes and cashback hacks like they’re state secrets
- Send you TikToks about making money while you sleep (and mean it)
Want to avoid burnout? Want to stay motivated? Build your money circle.
5. “I Wish I Let Myself Be Happier” = Stop Waiting to Enjoy Your Life
“I’ll be happy when…”
“I’ll start saving when I make more…”
“I’ll launch my side hustle when I feel ready…”
Nope. Start now. Even messy. Even broke. Even with Cheeto dust on your keyboard.
Financial happiness isn’t about being a millionaire, it’s about being intentional with your right now.
And guess what?
Every dollar you save, every fear you face, every risk you take—Future You is already cheering.
Regret Costs More Than Failing Ever Will
If you’re scared of failing, hear this: regret is expensive.
It’ll cost you time, peace, and the dreams you never chased.
- So, try that side hustle.
- Invest even if it’s just $5.
- Learn about money even if it feels overwhelming.
- Ask for help.
- Set boundaries with your budget.
- Say yes to that weird-but-exciting project.
Take one step. One awkward, scrappy, slightly terrifying step.
Because the only thing worse than making the wrong move? Is never moving at all.
Let’s Flip the Regret Script
Instead of:
❌ “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard…”
✅ “I’m building multiple income streams so I can work less.”
Instead of:
❌ “I wish I’d lived true to myself…”
✅ “I’m living on my terms—and spending according to my values.”
Instead of:
❌ “I wish I’d let myself be happy…”
✅ “I let myself celebrate every financial win—no matter how small.”
What the Regrets of the Dying Can Teach Us
Want motivation that’ll knock your socks off?
Go visit a retirement home.
You’ll see what real wealth looks like:
- Time well spent
- Risks taken
- Relationships nurtured
- Lives lived
None of them are bragging about their shoe collection.
They’re wishing they’d bet on themselves sooner.
So don’t wait until you’re 70 to start your dream business.
Don’t wait until “someday” to pay off debt, ditch toxic spending, or ask for that raise.
The Best Time Was Yesterday. The Second Best Is Now.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. (Spoiler: no one does.)
You just need to start.
Scared, messy, unsure—but start.
Start the budget.
Start the blog.
Start the side hustle that lights you up.
Start saving—even if it’s $1 a day.
Start now.
Because no one ever said, “I wish I’d waited longer to go for it.”
They said, “I wish I’d believed in myself sooner.”
Your Challenge This Week
Here’s your Maya Money Move™ (yup, I’m officially branding that! lol):
Do one thing your future self will thank you for. Just one.
- Open that high-interest savings account
- Pitch that freelance gig
- Post your first TikTok side hustle idea
- Create your budget (Cheeto fingers optional)
And then come back next week—because over here, we’re building lives that don’t just look good on Instagram.
They feel good.
In your wallet, and in your heart.
