The most unexpected advice from a financial adviser? Spend it.

I’ve spent most of my career helping people protect, grow and pass on their wealth. But occasionally, I find myself giving the opposite advice.

Spend some of it.

This summer was a good reminder why.

I rented a villa in San Sebastián for a month and invited my family to come and go as they pleased.

With my mum, six siblings, plus partners and their own families, that meant a revolving door of people. Different combinations around the table. Long lunches. Even longer evenings. And my two-year-old niece happily scooting around the pool in nothing but a nappy.

It was magic. It was chaotic. And to borrow a Mastercard phrase, completely priceless.

I know how fortunate I am to be able to do something like that. But it also reminded me of something I talk about surprisingly often with clients.

What are we actually saving and investing for?

Building wealth matters. So does protecting it and thinking carefully about what happens to it next.

But there can be a danger in becoming so focused on accumulating wealth that we forget to enjoy what it makes possible.

That doesn’t have to mean a month in San Sebastián.

It might be taking the whole family away for a week. Buying the car you’ve always wanted. The bag you’ve had your eye on. Finally booking those flying lessons.

Whatever your version is, there are moments when the financially sensible decision might actually be to spend the money.

Not recklessly. Not at the expense of tomorrow.

But deliberately, on the people and experiences that make all the planning worthwhile.

Because you can leave people money. Or you can sometimes use it to give them memories while you’re still here to share them.

And with the world serving up a fairly relentless stream of bad news, there’s something to be said for creating a little good news of our own.

For me, some of the best moments this summer were also some of the simplest.

Heading into San Sebastián for a txikiteo, the Basque tradition of moving from bar to bar, having a pintxo or two and a glass of txakoli or cider before moving on.

Then keep walking, keep ordering and see where the evening takes you.

Back living between London and Dubai now, I’m already missing it.

But I’ve brought home a useful reminder.

A good financial plan shouldn’t just help you accumulate wealth. It should help you enjoy it.