How Cows, Monkeys, and Dogs Crafted Our 85 Years
if I live to 85, this is my advice to my grandkids....Life is a play.
In the beginning, God crafted lifespans and roles for all creatures, balancing purpose with time. To the cow, God granted 60 years but tasked it with endless toil, plowing fields for human harvests. The cow, weary of such labor, surrendered 30 years, choosing a simpler life of 30 years grazing in peace.
To the monkey, God gave 30 years but demanded that it entertain humans with tricks and chatter. The monkey, craving freedom over performance, gave up 15 years, settling for 15 years of playful swinging through the trees.
To the dog, God also gave 30 years, with the duty of guarding human homes, ever watchful. The dog, loyal but longing for rest, relinquished 15 years, content with 15 years of companionship and naps in the sun.
When it was time to create humans, God assigned them 25 years to live freely, to explore the world with joy and wonder. But the animals’ surrendered years found their way to humanity. From the cow, humans gained 30 years (ages 25 to 55), a season of hard work, building lives, and caring for others, much like the cow’s labor in the fields. From the monkey, they received 15 years (ages 55 to 70), a time of playfulness, laughing with grandchildren, and rediscovering life’s simple joys. Finally, from the dog, humans inherited 15 years (ages 70 to 85), a phase of quiet loyalty, watching over their homes and loved ones, content in their familiar spaces.
And so, a human’s life became a tapestry of 85 years, woven from divine gifts and animal sacrifices: youth to explore, adulthood to toil, midlife to play, and old age to guard with love.
It teaches that life’s meaning comes from embracing the distinct contributions of each stage: exploration in youth, hard work in adulthood, joy and playfulness in midlife, and quiet loyalty in old age.
The animals’ sacrifices highlight how human life is enriched by the qualities of other beings, encouraging gratitude and mindfulness in how we live out our years. Ultimately, the story urges us to accept and find purpose in the natural progression of life, recognizing that each phase builds a meaningful whole.
Life is a stage, and you’re the lead actor in an 85-year play, divided into four acts: Youth (0–25), Work (25–55), Play (55–70), and Rest (70–85). Each act has a unique role, inspired by the story of the animals’ gifts to humanity. To perform brilliantly, you’ll need a script that blends financial planning with personal growth,
Life as a Stage: Your 85-Year Playbook
You’re the lead in an 85-year play, split into four acts: Youth (0–25), Work (25–55), Play (55–70), and Rest (70–85). Each act has a role, inspired by the cow, monkey, and dog’s gifts to humanity. With smart financial planning and a bold mindset, you’ll nail every scene. Here’s how to perform each act.
Act 1: Youth (0–25) – Explore & Start Smart
Role: The Dreamer, free to explore like the story’s young humans.
Mindset: Soak up life, learn fast, and plant seeds for wealth.
Plan:
Save early: Put $100/month into RICh Account (parent help to funds). At 7% return. By age 25, you will have $81,200
Learn money: Master budgeting and avoid credit card debt. Use apps like YNAB or excel to track spending.
Grow skills: Invest in education or side hustles to boost future income from platform like udemy etc…
Power Move: Auto-save 10% of any income. Dream big, but start small. - this will enhance your seed money account
Act 2: Work (25–55) – Build Like the Cow
Role: The Hustler, toiling like the cow to build a strong future.
Mindset: Work hard, stay focused, and balance life with purpose.
Plan:
Max savings: Put $500+/month into RICh acc. Aim for 20% of income.
With seed money $81,200, + $500 monthly, automate this into a good RICh account at 7% p.a.
By age 55, you would have $607,056
Invest smart: Use portfolio allocation eg: 80% equity & 20% bond and fixed income
Crush debt: Use debt snowball to settle debts.. Build an emergency fund ($10,000–$20,000).
with no debt, you can invest more monthly.
Learn the power of DCA.
Learn Dave ramsey Baby Steps to financial peace.
Protect yourself: Get term life , disability insurance & medical card coverage.
Power Move: Automate savings and check your budget monthly to stay on track.
Act 3: Play (55–70) – Live Like the Monkey
Role: The Joy-Seeker, swinging free like the monkey with grandkids.
Mindset: Enjoy life’s rewards while keeping your nest egg safe.
Plan:
Check savings: A $1.5 million portfolio gives ~$60,000/year (4% withdrawal). Shift to 60/40 equity/bonds.
Budget fun: Set aside $10,000/year for travel or hobbies.
Plan health: Budget $6,000/year for Medicare costs. Give to family or charity.
Power Move: Make a “joy list” of 5 must-do experiences and fund them.
You retire at age 55 in 2024 with $1,500,000. Your portfolio grows at 6% annually, and you withdraw 4% of the portfolio value each year. Below is the projection of your annual withdrawal amounts and remaining portfolio value from age 55 to 85.
Act 4: Rest (70–85) – Guard Like the Dog
Role: The Protector, watching over your home like the loyal dog.
Mindset: Find peace, share love, and leave a legacy.
Plan:
Your retirement money will not finish with the 4% withdrawal - you will still end up with $3.2 million legacy for your next generation.
Simplify: Update wills and trusts. Gift to heirs or causes.
Power Move: Write a legacy letter sharing your story and values.
