Episode 111 – Living the Long Life: Blue Zones and Financial Wellbeing

The Financial Wellbeing Podcast

Diving into the intriguing secrets of life longevity in global Blue Zones – regions identified by National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner where people have extended lifespans. We’ll discuss the lifestyles and habits that contribute to their extended lifespans and how these insights can enhance our relationship with money for financial wellbeing. Curious about global longevity hotspots or seeking financial wisdom, this episode will inspire positive change!

Welcomes & Introductions

Haven’t read Chris Budd’s Financial Wellbeing books? Take a look here

Want to have a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here

Whats on Todays Podcast?

Exploring the places in the world where people live the longest – how they live and how it can inform our relationship with money

Tight Ass Tommo

Featuring shaving your beard in the garden and leaving the hairdressers with more hair than you started with

Tip of the week – exploit a family member or friend with excellent DIY skills to just spend on materials cost and a steady supply of tea

Blue Zones

Dan Buettner, a National Geographic journalist tasked with finding world mysteries found places around the globe where people lived considerably longer than average and asked why.

The 5 areas people live the longest

• Nuoro Province, Sardinia, Italy
• Icaria, Aegean Island, Greece
• Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
• Loma Linda, California, USA
• Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

The triangle of good old age;

• Living a long time
• Without disability
• Dying quickly

Is it the geography? Yes, the hilly features and self propelled mobility mean they exercise through daily movement. The environment in which they live leads to a better outcome when it comes to keeping fit.

Factors common to the Blue Zones

• Moving naturally
• Diet, less meat more pulses & beans
• Alcohol, 1-2 glasses of wine a day with friends
• Faith with regular meetings
• Keeping close knit as families
• Sense of purpose
• Downshifting each day, slow down and reflect to reduce stress
• Finding the right tribe, being around others who follow the same lifestyle

The Institute for Financial Wellbeing is a like minded community for financial planners

The Blue Zone project – applying the principles found in these communities in other cities around the world. By changing the environment where people live to help them succeed through making better choices.

Finding purpose – consider the following to help find options for your purpose

• What do I enjoy?
• What am I good at?
• What are my values?
• Who can I help?

The importance of social interactions

It’s not about changing habits for a happier life. It’s about creating an environment in which we live so good choices can happen naturally.

5 Tips to create an environment for a better relationship with money

• Find what gives you purpose and enjoyment
• Analyse your spending, find what works for you
• Automate savings
• Mute adverts
• Mute stock market news, your money should work for you, not stress you out!

Want to know more?

• Dan Buettner Books
• Live to 100 on Netflix