Would you spend $10K on this?
No judging...plus my picks for what to read/watch/listen to right now
Friends,
I try to pride myself on not judging how each of us spends our money.
But I kinda lost it last week when I saw this headline from a WSJ piece titled
“The 10K baby photo.”
The article went on to explain that apparently now parents shell out thousands for portraits of their newborn in fashion shoots as sweet as a Disney movie or as raucous as a punk-rock club. Parents have paid as much as $11,000 for complicated photo settings with multiple albums and framed images.
But then.. these photos. They really WERE good. I can’t stop looking. And you can see that they really are priceless. If you have the cash.
Some fun facts:
The best time for photographing newborns is when they are between five and 10 days old and can fall asleep easily.
Baby photographers use space heaters to keep babies toasty and sound machines to lull them to sleep.
Like adult models, some newborns need a little fixing up. They can show up with baby acne, so photogs often smooth out their faces in postproduction.
Newborns have what is known as a startle reflex, which causes them to move suddenly when they hear a loud noise. Assistants often help hold babies and the assistants’ hands are often edited out of photos.
Reading, listening and watching recommendations
Some of these will be money-related but some will just be things I want to share because I think you will enjoy them.
Reading: The Measure by Nikki Erlick
You can order a copy here.
The premise:
Everyone wakes up and has a box at the doorstep with a string that correlates to the length of their life. The story follows eight ordinary people who must make the choice whether to open the box and live with the consequences.
I’m about a third of the way through but it really has me thinking:
Would I open the box? (truth: yes)
How would I handle knowing the length of my life?
Would I judge people by how long a lifespan they have?
And of course being the super nerd that I am: Wouldn’t this be GREAT for financial planning?
Question: How would knowing your lifespan—and that of others—impact how you live and who you spend time with during your life?
Leave your take by clicking on the comments button below.
Listening: The Venture:F Podcast
I speak to Laura Nix Gerson about everything from how I started my entrepreneurial venture to our new family consulting offerings at my growing company Financial Wellness Strategies.
Oh, and did I mention I now offer a limited number of free mini-consulting sessions for the financial grownup community? Learn more here.
Schedule your free consultation HERE.
Watching: Full Swing (Netflix)
It’s a reality show with actual plot twists that no one could have predicted.
I was so excited for the second season of Full Swing that I had it on my calendar for this week. Although me being me, I do fall asleep quickly when I turn anything on so I’m 2 episodes in but it will be my primary screen time focus this weekend. I never really was into watching golf on TV—until I saw the first season. OMG. Who knew! Binge Season One if you didn’t watch it then let’s all discuss what happened next.
Golf Digest has some great behind the scenes dish on the second season of the documentary. I also like this piece titled “Netflix’s golf series gets the big moments right” about it in the Athletic.
Cozy up with book time.
Pick up a copy of “Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life by Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart” and then reach out.
I’d love to zoom into your book club or come in person to talk to your school, parents’ group or company.
I do both in-person and virtual book chats (in addition to the Financial Wellness workshops) and am actively scheduling for spring and summer 2024.
Please invite me!
Email me at bobbi@financialwellnessstrategies.com and we’ll make a date.
Here’s a little more info:
“Launching Financial Grownups” will teach GEN X-ERS AND BABY BOOMERS how to help younger generations including Millennials and Gen Z become financial grownups. We all have a stake in their success.
The book is full of ways to open the conversation about money and guide those next-generation emerging adults to live their best financial lives.
And yes, it makes a GREAT gift for parents, grandparents, and anyone in an older generation looking to learn how to help emerging adults.
Lets connect on TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn and please share any ideas in the comments (or just say hi!).
Results from last newsletter’s poll:
Apparently we are ready to go back to school… but if not, the lottery will work.
I hope this note provided value and smiles!
If you enjoyed it please share it with family, friends and colleagues using the link below.
I truly appreciate your support.