What “Catchy Country” and “Classic Money” don’t have in common

I don’t listen to a lot of country music these days, but I hear there’s some new songs on the radio that are getting some attention. One in particular is a Top 10 called “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes. I have yet to listen to this song in its entirety and honestly, I don’t plan to. But the couple times I’ve heard it, the comment by those around me is always the same. “It’s catchy” they say. And I’ll admit, the tune does seem to have a particular rhythm and tune that some folks are probably attracted to. I’m not one of them though.

That said, there’s obviously many more people who do enjoy the song and find it catchy because of its ranking on the radio. And if that’s the kind of music they want to listen to, I’m sure Walker and his country music colleagues will be happy to keep producing it.

Me on the other hand, I’m more interested in songs by artists that aren’t even on the radio anymore. At least not on a regular basis. Artists like George Strait, Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks, Lonestar and Vince Gill. Heck even more than that I enjoy songs from Dwight Yoakum, Hank Williams and Merle Haggard. I like what you might call the “classics”.

Now we could have an entire conversation on the differences in country music today vs 30 years ago. But the fact remains, in my mind, that there is a distinct difference in “catchy” and “classic”. I’m sure Fancy Like won’t be on the radio much a year from now. Heck, maybe even 6 months from now. There will be another catchy tune that everyone loves to listen to by then and the Top 10 will be full of a complete new set of songs. But not only will it not be on the radio, I’m sure people won’t reminisce about country music and request that song 10 years from now when it would be deemed a classic.

On the other hand, there are hundreds and maybe even thousands of people who can sing “Check Yes or No”, “Austin”, “We Shall Be Free”, “Amazed” and “Don’t Let Love Start Slipping Away” by heart, nearly 30 years later. They are classics that will always be appreciated, requested and reminisced by country music fans.

Because “classic” always outlives “catchy”.

Now what does that have to do with money?

Well it seems that more and more opportunities are popping up for people to make and manage money faster through investing, cash apps, online marketplaces and such. Everything from direct deposit cards to cryptocurrency, even mobile investing apps, are designed to make it look cool and quick to get your paycheck and invest in the next big idea.

Some of these opportunities will probably be around longer than others. And some may actually yield some success. But the reason people get excited about them is they are “catchy”.

Now, while there are probably thousands of people that utilize these methods and opportunities with short-term success, they are hundreds of thousands more that stick with the “classic” forms of making and managing money. I’m talking about consistently saving into a retirement account and budgeting your money every month. Things that may look boring or outdated, but are proven to work. There’s nothing new and exciting about putting your money into a mutual fund, until you realize that 30 years of doing it every single month has now made you a millionaire!! And budgeting is for old people…until it helps you pay off your house in 7 years vs 30.

The classic ways of managing and investing money will be ignored by many because they aren’t cool. But the folks that embrace them for decades will always reminisce when they retire with more money than they ever dreamed possible.

Call me old school, but I’m sticking with classic country and classic money! How ’bout you?

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