A Smart Rabbit Has Three Burrows: A Gen X & Boomer Guide to Wealth in Shaky Times
You’ve probably heard the old adage:
“A smart rabbit has three burrows.”
Sounds cute, right? But it’s actually one of the sharpest wealth lessons you can take on board today.
In a nutshell, it means: don’t rely on one single hole in the ground to keep you safe. Have backups. Have options. Be ready to move when things shift.
And let’s face it — in today’s economic climate, if you’re a Gen Xer or a Boomer, this is more than just rabbit wisdom. It’s survival.
The Old Plan Is Dead
Remember when the roadmap was simple?
- Work for 40 years
- Pay off the mortgage
- Collect the pension or super
- Retire with a gold watch and maybe a caravan trip around Australia
That plan worked for our parents. But the world’s flipped since then.
Inflation eats into savings. Interest rates jump around like a kangaroo. Markets crash overnight. Healthcare costs keep climbing. And let’s not even start on what governments might do to retirement rules down the track.
One burrow is no longer enough.
What Three Burrows Look Like Today
Here’s how this adage translates into the modern wealth game:
1. The Stability Burrow
Your pension, superannuation, or conservative investments. The stuff that ticks over quietly and gives you a base level of comfort.
2. The Growth Burrow
Shares, ETFs, property, or even a business. Something with upside. It carries more risk, but also gives your money room to grow instead of shrinking under inflation.
3. The Flexibility Burrow
This is the one most people forget. It’s your safety valve — side income from consulting, freelance gigs, a rental, or even a “work from anywhere” setup overseas. It’s the thing that keeps cash flowing if the other burrows collapse.
Why This Matters for Gen X & Boomers
- We’ve seen crashes before. Remember 2000? 2008? 2020? If you were caught in those with only one burrow, you know the pain.
- Retirement is longer than ever. You might be retired for 20–30 years. That’s a long time to rely on one income stream.
- Life throws curveballs. A health scare, a government policy change, a market downturn — any of those can wipe out a single burrow.
Having three gives you resilience.
Real-World Example
I’ve got a mate, early 60s, who did it right:
- Super takes care of the basics.
- Rental property brings in steady cashflow.
- Semi-retired consulting work keeps him engaged and brings in bonus income.
If one dries up, he’s still got two others. That’s the rabbit strategy in action.
The Takeaway
You don’t need to be rich to think like a smart rabbit. You just need to be strategic.
One burrow is risky. Two is better. Three gives you peace of mind.
So, if you’re a Gen Xer staring down retirement or a Boomer already living it — take a look at your burrows.
How many do you have? And what can you start digging today?
Part 2 Coming Soon! Here: https://markwhitby.me/a-smart-rabbit-has-three-burrows-part-2/
