The Odds We Live By

Among last week’s headlines, two very different stories stood out. The first was impossible to miss: a nearly $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot finally found winners in Texas and Missouri. Big lottery wins always dominate attention—after all, who doesn’t like to imagine what they’d do with a billion dollars? 

The second story received a bit less coverage. It described a reporter testing a suit developed by MIT researchers to mimic the experience of being 80 years old—slower movement, reduced strength, diminished vision. Unlike the Powerball fantasy, this is a future many of us are statistically likely to reach. 

And that contrast matters. The odds of winning Powerball are roughly 1 in 292 million. The odds of living to 80? About 50/50, and better with healthy habits. The lesson isn’t to stop dreaming, but to prepare for the future we’re most likely to live. A thoughtful strategy toward long-term goals can create stability and meaning over time—no lottery luck required.

These articles contain insights that can strengthen both your financial skills and your future. Enjoy!