Hello Dear Reader,
I think I've cracked it. I think I've got a balance of doing what I want to do, when I want to do it and making sure I can afford it when I do. It's not been easy and at one stage the big thing that held me back from making my own decisions was doubt in what I was doing. It went something like this.....
"My mum/dad/sister/best friend/bin man...... saved all his life and died three minutes after he retired". It can happen to anyone, me and DB are of course anyone. We could work hard and live carefully and die the minute we walk out of the car park with the retirement clock into the path of Keanu Reeves driving a dodgy bus! You'd be amazed how often people think that my life would be better if I: went to restaurants, concerts, the theatre, had posher holidays (I think I already have posh holidays) bought what ever I wanted when ever I wanted. Once, those types of remarks would have instilled doubt about myself, my choices and make me question if I was missing out.
"When you retire you won't be as healthy as you are now". Yep, heard that one too. Healthy enough to do what is what I ask? I like riding my bike but I've no intention of taking it in an iron man triathalon and a bimble around the forest on a track is doable at any age. I like walking but have no intention of stomping up Kilimanjaro at any age. Again, those remarks might once have had an effect but I've learned to live quite happily with the knowledge that I might be less or more healthy tomorrow or the day after that. I can take that risk.
"The world is a dangerous place and you never know what's around the corner so live for today". I did think that one was a bit much to be honest. Some of us are old enough to remember IRA bomb threats, bags being taken away by bomb squads and mainland terrorists who spoke the same language as us. Didn't piss myself with fright then and I'm still not scared of whatever bogeyman we should be worried about today or tomorrow.
I know what makes financial common sense to me. I will have a limited income when I retire so it is sensible to me to make long term arrangements. I also make day to day common sense decisions that are financially based. My decisions are made with my head and not my heart. They are thought out, restrained and never ever made out of fear, guilt, nagging or gullibility. I don't spend money to be part of a crowd, to keep up with the Jones or have I ever followed a trend.
I'm a happy bimbler!
I'm never happier than when I'm having a bimble, a potter or a quiet time.
I don't get bored.
I can and do amuse myself.
I don't need to be entertained.
I don't need a crowd, to be fed by someone is 'whites' and the future will bring what it will bring.
I ask myself, before any investment, any purchase, any account is opened, anything is replaced......does it make financial sense?
If anyone else chooses to live their lives and never ever ask that question then they can carry on and do so. I'm happy to live and let live. Those of us who live by quiet restraint in our own sweet way are not doing anyone else any harm and really should be allowed to do so without interference.
Over to you Dear Reader, does anyone else get their ears chewed either occasionally or frequently because you choose to save rather than spend? I wonder if I'm the only one?
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxxx