By Marc C. Shaffer
When we talk about investing at Searcy Financial® Services and Allos Investment Advisors, we often talk about retirement accounts, budgeting, and building a strong financial foundation.
But there is another kind of investment that requires very little money and only a small amount of time.
It is the investment of documenting your story so future generations understand who you are, what shaped you, and what wisdom you want to leave behind.
For many families, mine included, the past is not talked about often. My family has always been very private. Stories from previous generations were rarely shared and some chapters were not perfect. Even so, those stories are meaningful. They help explain who our loved ones were, the challenges they faced, and the values that shaped them.
Helen Keller once said, “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” This captures why preserving stories matters. Even if the memories are imperfect, they become part of the fabric of our families. They become a bridge for the next generation.
This is why I love Storyworth. It gives families a simple, organized way to collect stories that would otherwise go untold. Weekly prompts arrive by email with thoughtful questions about childhood memories, milestones, personal lessons, and defining moments. At the end of the year, Storyworth turns all of those answers into a beautifully bound book that can be kept, shared, and treasured.
I did not know about Storyworth before my mom passed away in 2023.
While her memory lives on, I often imagine how meaningful it would be to sit with my kids and read her Storyworth book today. One of my children had the chance to meet her and one never did. Having her words, her stories, and her voice captured in a book would be something I would cherish every day.
“To record the details of our journey is to give voice to what matters.” This simple reminder captures what Storyworth makes possible. You do not need to be a writer. You do not need to know where to begin. The system guides you through one story at a time so the process feels comfortable and achievable.
How Storyworth Works
Here are the basics of the service and what you can expect.
- Weekly Questions:
Your storyteller receives one question each week by email. They can type their answer, upload it in their account, or use phone dictation to have it transcribed. - Personalized Prompts:
They can choose from hundreds of questions or you can customize them to better reflect your family’s history and values. - Photos and Layout:
Photos can be added throughout the year. At the end of the process, you can edit, rearrange, and refine the stories before final printing. - Printed Book:
A full year of prompts plus one hardcover book is one annual subscription (ninety-nine dollars at the time of publishing). You can purchase additional copies for family members, with pricing that varies based on page count and color options. - Flexible Cadence:
If weekly prompts feel too fast, the schedule can be adjusted to every other week or monthly. The important thing is progress, not perfection.
Oscar Wilde once wrote, “Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.” Storyworth helps ensure that diary is not lost, forgotten, or tucked away where future generations will never find it.
Why Storyworth Matters
At its core, Storyworth is about legacy. It is about capturing moments and lessons that would otherwise disappear over time. For families who do not naturally sit around and talk about the past, Storyworth creates a gentle way to gather what truly matters. It helps children and grandchildren understand their roots.
It creates connection even between generations who never had the chance to meet. It preserves wisdom, perspective, humor, and even the difficult truths that shaped someone’s life. And most importantly, it reminds us that the memories we capture today can shape the stories told tomorrow.
Preserving memories is one of the most meaningful investments you can make. If this encourages even one family to begin documenting their story, it will be worth it. As C. S. Lewis said, “You cannot go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” This is your chance to start now and gift future generations something truly lasting.
Please Note: There are many services available that are similar to Storyworth. Please review the services and choose based on your personal preference.
The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions, which may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by others in the firm, and are meant for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. is not compensated by this vendor, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.