We’re in a similar boat. A few extra windfalls have us over 100% and there are a bunch of ‘nice to have’ things that we’ve been talking about. We moved into our new to us long-term home about two years ago and now that we have a better handle on expenses are looking at improvements we’d like to do.
I made a list when we bought of all the things we needed to do and a wish list of what we would like to do and we’ve added to both over the last two years. We could theoretically do all of the wish list items, as well as some addition recreational purchases we’ve been considering. and still be at 100%. But I worry that when we’re done with the list it will keep growing and we’ll be too used to spending.
The upside is that even in retirement, time is a limiting factor. It takes a lot of time to plan a major project and iron out the details, bids, etc. So it’s somewhat naturally self limiting. And we’ve been funding the extras out of some part time contract work DH has been doing.
So I get it. Spending the money is stressful when it’s above budget and you’re looking at many years of future spend with sorr hanging out there. Maybe set aside a portion of the extra you weren’t expecting from your retirement package to fund 2-3 special projects, just like you’d treat a bonus if you were still working?
I made a list when we bought of all the things we needed to do and a wish list of what we would like to do and we’ve added to both over the last two years. We could theoretically do all of the wish list items, as well as some addition recreational purchases we’ve been considering. and still be at 100%. But I worry that when we’re done with the list it will keep growing and we’ll be too used to spending.
The upside is that even in retirement, time is a limiting factor. It takes a lot of time to plan a major project and iron out the details, bids, etc. So it’s somewhat naturally self limiting. And we’ve been funding the extras out of some part time contract work DH has been doing.
So I get it. Spending the money is stressful when it’s above budget and you’re looking at many years of future spend with sorr hanging out there. Maybe set aside a portion of the extra you weren’t expecting from your retirement package to fund 2-3 special projects, just like you’d treat a bonus if you were still working?