Day 3: Stop Waiting – Why Farmers Need to Invest in Life, Not Just Land
“The business of life is the acquisition of memories.” — Bill Perkins
I’ll cut you off right now; this post isn’t about spending all your money by the time you die. It’s about living with intention. And yes, it's very relevant to farming.
Farming is not a short-term endeavor. It’s a labor of love and sacrifice, often marked by debt early in life, with a long-term goal of retiring debt-free while owning land and equipment that can be passed on to the next generation — along with a lifestyle and a value system.
Farmers are some of the hardest-working people on earth. It’s easy to feel like there’s never enough time or money for anything beyond the farm. But here’s the truth: time is your most precious resource, and unlike grain, you can’t store it in a bin for later.
One of the most powerful ideas in Die with Zero is that life is a moving balance between health, time, and money—and that balance shifts as we age. Early in life, we tend to have more time and health but less money. Later in life, money often peaks, but health quietly (and then rapidly) declines. The tragedy? Too many people wait to live until the one resource they can’t buy back—health—is already gone.
Another way to look at it is this:
In your 20s and 30s, time and health are relatively abundant, but money is tight.
In your 40s and 50s, all three can briefly overlap—if you’re intentional.
In your 60s and beyond, money may finally be plentiful, and you’ve regained your time with retirement, but health is increasingly scarce.
Most people—and especially farmers—get the magnitude wrong. We over-invest money early, telling ourselves “someday” we’ll slow down, travel, or enjoy life. But someday never arrives when climbing the mountain, chasing kids, or working the farm or ranch isn’t as easy—or even possible.
Image from Real Ag Stock
The goal isn’t to die with the most money. It’s to live with the richest experiences while you’re physically able to enjoy them. For farmers, that means finding a balance between building the farm and building a life.
Farming demands decades of commitment—debt, dirt, and drive—in pursuit of a legacy. But the question worth asking is this: what memories are you building along the way? What moments are you living before you hand the farm off?
Because land can be passed down.
Money can be saved.
But time—and the health to enjoy it—only moves in one direction.
Why Farmers Need This Mindset
Holding Onto Farm Plans Too Long
Too many farmers keep their succession plans close to the chest, waiting for “the right time.” Waiting too long can rob your children—and you—of valuable time together. Involving the next generation early fosters trust, experience, and a shared legacy.
Not Letting the Next Generation Lead
You don’t have to hand over the keys tomorrow, but involving future leaders in decisions now builds their confidence, connection, and peace of mind. It’s an investment in both your legacy and their growth.
Skipping the Little Things—Like Harvest Lunch
Sounds small, but it’s huge. Farming often feels like a race against the clock, yet those 30-minute meals with family or your team may not boost yields, but they can be the memory that lasts longer than the harvest and helps keep us grounded. Those are the memories that outlive the work.
Lessons from Die With Zero That Hit Home on the Farm
Your Life = Your Experiences
A new tractor depreciates. A weekend fishing trip or harvest lunch with your kids pays "memory dividends" for decades.
Stop Hoarding for Someday
Yes, save responsibly. But don’t let “someday” steal today’s joys. Take the trip. Join the event. Make the memory, but don’t miss living now.
Spend at the Right Time
Your body won’t always keep up with your dreams. Plan adventures while you’re healthy enough to enjoy them. Take that hunting trip or family vacation while you can still enjoy it.
Give While You’re Alive
Whether it’s mentoring, gifting land early, or sharing your story—don’t wait until it’s too late to enjoy the benefits of giving. Acts chapter 20 verse 35 quotes Jesus as saying ... “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Want to Read It?
Die With Zero by Bill Perkins is currently under $10 on Amazon (Prime eligible). A small investment that might just reshape how you live your one and only life.
Garret Brown
Founder | Market Advisor
Having grown up on a farm, Garret respects the wide range of skills needed to run a successful operation and recognizes farmers are often stretched thin trying to do it all. This understanding, along with his affinity for markets, fuels his drive to make tough marketing decisions simpler for farmers.
Leveraging his experience in grain origination and margin management, Garret analyzes technical and fundamental market information. With the assistance of CODAK’s algorithmic signaling platform, he puts together buy/sell recommendations while working with the CODAK team to create strategies that accommodate each farmer’s personal risk tolerance, on-farm storage capacity, and break-evens.