Patience and Perseverance: What Bourbon and Firefighters Teach Us About Building Financial Strength

I was in Kentucky recently, wandering the famous Bourbon Trail. Let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like standing in a rickhouse surrounded by row after row of barrels, the air thick with the sweet, smoky smell of aging bourbon. It’s humbling to realize that what you’re sipping today may have been put into that barrel 10, 15, even 20 years ago.

The first time I really connected with distilling wasn’t actually in Kentucky but on a tour down in Tennessee. Listening to the stories of master distillers - how they dedicate their lives to turning corn, rye, yeast, and water into something that people savor decades later - gave me a whole new respect for the craft. It’s not about instant results. It’s about patience, perseverance, and a stubborn commitment to the process.

And that got me thinking: firefighters live by those same values every day.

Firefighters, Bourbon, and the Long Game

Just like a barrel of bourbon needs time in charred oak to mature, firefighters know their work takes preparation, discipline, and endurance. The firehouse isn’t about cutting corners or quick wins - it’s about showing up, putting in the training, and being ready when the call comes.

Thomas Edison once said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” 

He didn’t invent the lightbulb overnight. He tested thousands of filaments, failed more times than he could count, and finally found the right one.

Firefighters do the same. They drill, train, and repeat until muscle memory kicks in when it matters most.

And if we’re being honest - good financial planning works the exact same way.

Building Wealth: No Shortcuts Allowed

For public safety professionals, money management often comes with its own set of challenges: long shifts, overtime that can come and go, and career transitions like DROP programs or early retirement. But the principles are universal: it’s not about winning the lottery or chasing the next hot stock. It’s about steady, consistent effort - setting aside money, investing with purpose, and letting time do its work.

Think of the bourbon industry’s standards: to even call itself “straight bourbon,” whiskey has to be aged at least two years in new charred oak barrels. There’s no way to rush that process - it’s the years that transform something raw into something rich and valuable.

Your financial strategy works the same way. Markets go up and down. Life throws curveballs.

But with patience, steady saving, and the magic of compounding, what feels small today grows into confidence tomorrow.

The Power of Time

Firefighter and financial educator Tony Vidler once said, “Time is the most powerful financial tool you have - but only if you use it wisely.” 

And he’s right.

I’ve seen firefighters who started contributing early to their 457(b) plans retire with incredible flexibility, the ability to travel, spoil the grandkids, and still sleep easy knowing the bills were covered. I’ve also seen folks who delayed and then had to play catch-up, realizing that patience can’t be retroactive.

The good news? You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start and stick with it!

Where to Turn for Guidance

Navigating pensions, Social Security, DROP programs, Medicare, and 457(b) options can feel overwhelming. That’s why resources like the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF) and the National Institute for Firefighter Financial Education (NIFFE) exist.

They’re designed specifically to help public safety professionals like you understand your benefits and make informed decisions.

A Toast to the Future

At the end of the day, your financial journey really is a lot like crafting a fine bourbon. It takes vision, patience, and the willingness to let time and steady effort work their magic.

So, pour yourself a metaphorical glass of patience, put your financial plan on a slow burn, and keep at it. Your future self will thank you for the discipline and consistency you practice today.

As I often remind the firefighters I work with:

“Save early in your 457(b) so you’ll have choices - choices about when to retire and how to spend your retirement.”

And that’s the point: patience and perseverance now give you the freedom to enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard to build.

If you’d like help making sense of your pension, 457(b), or retirement strategy, let’s connect. Together, we’ll create a plan that fits your life and supports the retirement you deserve.

Here’s to building financial strength that lasts - slow and steady, just like a good bourbon.

- Shannon

Sources

1. Edison, T. (c. 1903). Quoted in Harper’s Monthly Magazine.

2. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits. TTB.gov