A few months ago, I met a CEO while on a morning run. That’s not a metaphor—it was 7:12 AM on a Saturday, and I was jogging through the park, earbuds in, playlist doing its job, when this man (gray tee, perfect form, definitely faster than me) nodded as he passed by.

Have you ever noticed that planning for a vacation can feel exciting, tangible, and even somewhat urgent, while saving for retirement often feels abstract and distant? You're not alone. This phenomenon is a modern-day puzzle that taps into our psychology, society, and even technology. Understanding why we prioritize vacation funds over retirement savings requires diving deep into human behavior, the culture of instant gratification, and, surprisingly, some clever marketing strategies.