If so, I feel for you, as I’ve been there myself and stayed there intermittently for years.

But once we got out there in the kayak on that crystal-clear water, all I could think about was how happy my wife and I were as we were enjoying that experience together. So, ask me now, was it worth it? Let me just save you a lot of time and energy, and give you the answer to that messy equation: Spend the money!

Do you have something you want to do with someone you love, and the money to pay for it, and the only reason you’re not doing it is that you have this nagging feeling that you should be saving the money for some vague goal beyond the basic ones you have already articulated for yourself? Spend the money! Then, do it again. And again. And the next time? Spend the money!

Did I mention spend the money?

If it feels as if I’m trying to drill this message into your brain, it’s because I am. After all, what else is the money there for? O.K., for when you get sick, for when you get old, for when your kids need some financial help. I know. For a million good reasons.

But you already have every “real” financial adviser and financial pornography network under the sun telling you to save. Just think of that as one side of the coin: Save for tomorrow. I’m here to tell you not to forget about the other side: Spend for tomorrow.

Because it’s not just money you’re going to need in the distant future. You’re also going to need a lifetime of priceless memories and invaluable experiences to remind you what a great life you’ve lived.

I can promise you this: If you find yourself looking back one day, only to realize you have no such memories, you’ll be doing a very different calculation.