Mirror, Mirror on the Wall… What Does My Future Financial Self Foretell?

Recently, I used an app to try on new glasses. Unlike other apps that add animal ears or turn me into a Disney princess, this one gave me a surprisingly realistic glimpse of what I might look like with different frames. It was fun—until I wondered what I might look like a few decades from now.

Many of us have played with digital transformations, but when it comes to seeing the older version of ourselves, we tend to look away. As autumn leaves swirl and Halloween draws near, it’s the perfect time to peek behind the curtain. This season invites us to face the unknown—not with fear, but with curiosity. In my years guiding clients as a Certified Financial Planner, I’ve come to see that embracing your future self isn’t a trick; it’s one of life’s greatest treats for your financial well-being.

Science backs this up: envisioning yourself years ahead is a proven way to make wiser money decisions, strengthen motivation to save, and build habits that support lasting financial health.

 Greater Motivation to Save

When you take time to connect with your future self—even using technology like age-progression or virtual reality—saving becomes deeply personal. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has found that when people “meet” their older selves, they’re twice as likely to set aside funds for retirement and long-term goals.

Think of it as befriending the ghost of your future self—the one who whispers, “Thank you” every time you make a thoughtful financial choice today.

 Improved Financial Decisions

Regularly picturing your life years ahead helps strengthen your values, cut down impulsive spending, and encourage consistent saving. Researchers call it “future self continuity”—that magical connection between who you are and who you’re becoming.

When you take time to see that future version of you, it’s like turning on a light in a dark hallway. Suddenly, the path forward feels clearer, calmer, and a little less spooky.

Reduced Temporal Discounting

Visualization helps us value future rewards over instant gratification. When you mentally “fast-forward,” it becomes easier to pass up small, fleeting treats for bigger, lasting benefits—a key to growing your future financial options.

It’s the financial equivalent of not eating all your Halloween candy in one night—saving some for later makes the sweetness last.

Increased Retirement Preparedness

People who visualize their future lifestyle tend to set realistic goals and stick to them. They aren’t just hoping for the best—they’re planning for it.

Autumn is nature’s reminder to prepare. Just as squirrels stash acorns for the colder days ahead, envisioning your future lifestyle helps you gather what you’ll need for your own season of renewal, reward and reflection.

Greater Life Satisfaction

Connecting with your future self enriches more than your bank account—it deepens your sense of fulfillment. When your financial decisions support both your present joy and future peace, life feels more aligned, more abundant, and more alive.

The treat isn’t just in financial security; it’s in knowing you’re caring for yourself and those you care about across time—past, present, and future.

Envisioning Your Future Financial Self

Here are some simple, yet spellbinding ways to bridge the gap between now and what’s next:

• Write a Letter to Your Future Self
  Find a quiet moment, light a candle, and write to yourself ten years from now. Share your hopes, fears, and a little financial wisdom. Your future self will thank you for the foresight.
• Create Visual Representations
  Gather images or mementos of the life you want—places to visit, ways to give, people to share it with. A vision board is more than creative fun; it’s a cauldron for motivation and meaning.
• Role-Play Conversations with Your Future Self
  Have a “fireside chat” with your future self—alone, with loved ones, or a financial mentor. Ask what advice they might offer. You may be surprised how much wisdom you already hold.
• Use Digital Tools and Apps
  Experiment with apps that let you glimpse an older version of yourself or project your future financial assets. These “time-travel tools” make your long-term goals feel real and reachable.
• Journal Your Financial Vision
  Regular journaling helps anchor your dreams and strengthen your commitment to thoughtful saving and spending. Think of it as your own spellbook for a life well-planned.
• Participate in Workshops or Group Experiences
  Join a group focused on envisioning your future self. Sharing reflections with others can add insight—and maybe a touch of magic—to your financial journey.

The curiosity that makes us try on new looks through an app isn’t so different from imagining our future selves—it’s all about seeing what’s possible. Halloween reminds us that transformation isn’t something to fear; it’s something to explore.

I’m grateful to still have my parents—at 94 and 88—offering a living portrait of what my own future might hold. Their choices, attitudes, and stories help me ask: what do I want to carry forward, and what might I change?

It can feel eerie to picture yourself decades from now, but that reflection in the mirror isn’t a ghost—it’s a guide. When you make time to meet your future self through reflection, creativity, and conversation, you transform uncertainty into intention.

So this Halloween, while others carve pumpkins, you might carve out a little time to look ahead. Because the best kind of magic is the kind you make for yourself—by saving wisely, planning intentionally, and living fully—today, tomorrow, and for all the seasons still to come.

Danielle Howard is a Certified Financial Planner ® Practitioner.  She can be reached at 970-306-6613 or connect@daniellehoward4u.com