It’s a day that only happens every four years. Just like the Olympics and Presidential elections, we observe Leap Day today.  The extra date on the calendar brings an extra day’s pay for some and explanations to kids on why February doesn’t always have 29 days. Then tomorrow March rolls in and we push on towards Spring.
Because it takes more than 365 days (365.24 to be exact) for the Earth to orbit the Sun, Pope Gregory XIII added February 29 in 1582 to what we now know as the Gregorian Calendar to synchronize the solar calendar to the ones that we hang on our walls. So, what do we do with the extra day?
I then began to think about things that I do once every four years. I vote in the Presidential elections, watch the Olympics, and usually clean out my sock drawer. Others will attend a high school or college graduation or buy a new car.  But with only one extra day every four years, how do you make it count? What makes it different than any other Monday?
The word leap is defined as jumping or springing a long way. In the past four years, have you leapt forward towards financial freedom? What changes have you made to ensure your success in meeting your financial goals? We are all four years older since the last time we saw the number 29 on our February calendar.   Live up its namesake and use this day to take the next leap towards planning for your future. For some, that could be developing a budget to control spending urges. For others, it could be consolidating old retirement accounts to invest with a purpose.  Â
Whether it’s your first leap or your fiftieth, take advantage of this extra time to plan for your future. You’ll have to wait four more years to have another day like this.
