Are you the Gumby who had that web site with all those spreadsheet files and a lot of them financially oriented? ... a vague memory from the past. I seem to remember that Gumby had an academic background.
Are you the Gumby who had that web site with all those spreadsheet files and a lot of them financially oriented? ... a vague memory from the past. I seem to remember that Gumby had an academic background.
Reddit beer money activities,
Not me. I have been a Navy submariner, a nuclear engineer, and a lawyer, but never an academic.
That was Gummy, not Gumby.
Not me. I have been a Navy submariner, a nuclear engineer, and a lawyer, but never an academic.
I get this every time I talk about the farm. "Oy! The prices!"
Since I eat mostly fish and tropical fruit, that's free. If I had to, I could live on just avocados. I've cut down a few hundred avocado trees because it's better than walking on guacamole.
Property taxes are high but only because the property reverted from agricultural to residential when I bought it. Once I get this place recertified AG, taxes will be less than Las Vegas. And since I bought the place when Kilauea was blowing lava all over the south side of the island, I was the only person who put an offer in. The state income tax doesn't affect me because I don't have an income -- and won't until proceeds from selling coffee exceed expenses restoring this farm.
As for Las Vegas, that place is dirt cheap. I couldn't stand living there. But it was cheap. And salaries are high because that's the only way to entice people to live in an inhospitable desert. There are loads of people who manage to lose all their money there -- but that's a self control issue, not a cost of living issue.
I realize that I am unnecessarily frugal. For example, we have never had cable tv. I recently subscribed to Netflix. Last night, when we were deciding what to watch, DH picked something from a free streaming service to watch. I reminded him that I was canceling Netflix at the end of the month and if there was anything he wanted to see he should go ahead and watch it now.
Really? I can well afford Netflix but I am super careful about anything that is an ongoing expense.
Here you only need to generate, IIRC, ~$1,000/year in agricultural revenue (not profit) to qualify
Never had cable, but buy the freshest organic apples of my favorite varieties without even looking at the price. When it came to groceries, I've always been a "buy the best food" person.
More importantly, what does this mean?
I have a history of excessive frugality (see here), but in recent years I've started to loosen the purse strings a bit. IMHO, what's the point of being FIREd if you can't spend a little money on creature comforts like Netflix? The trick is to identify what's important to you, what brings you joy, and figure out how to incorporate those things into your life in a reasonably affordable way. For me, watching some good TV every night while making and eating dinner is a very comforting thing, so I would never be without Netflix (or similar) just to save $13/month. Other examples might be having a car, or a washer/dryer, or high-speed Internet. None of those things is a necessity, and you can save lots of money by forgoing them. But if you can easily afford to have them, and they bring you some measure of happiness/joy/comfort/convenience, then why deny yourself?
+1. I don't like to vacuum or mop floors so I have 3 robotic vacuums and 2 moppers, which probably aren't frugal because of the electricity use, but still cheaper than a housekeeping service.
... in recent years I've started to loosen the purse strings a bit. IMHO, what's the point of being FIREd if you can't spend a little money on creature comforts like Netflix? The trick is to identify what's important to you, what brings you joy, and figure out how to incorporate those things into your life in a reasonably affordable way. For me, watching some good TV every night while making and eating dinner is a very comforting thing, so I would never be without Netflix (or similar) just to save $13/month. Other examples might be having a car, or a washer/dryer, or high-speed Internet. None of those things is a necessity, and you can save lots of money by forgoing them. But if you can easily afford to have them, and they bring you some measure of happiness/joy/comfort/convenience, then why deny yourself?
Most housekeeping services around here do much more than floors. Ours cleans an scrubs the bathroom (toilets, shower, etc), dust our blinds and furniture, cleans the kitchen completely, makes up fresh beds, takes out trash, etc, etc.
That was Gummy, not Gumby.
Not me. I have been a Navy submariner, a nuclear engineer, and a lawyer, but never an academic.
Short version: I'm too frugal (cheap?) and struggle with spending my money.
So, my questions for anybody reading and/or interested:
- Am I the only one that struggles with spending money?
- Does anybody else have problems with being "too frugal"?
- How does one overcome these kinds of struggles?
Some time this spring I stopped spending. And I've only just realized this.
I don't really get why - perhaps because the markets are down - but my personal economy is doing just fine and while lower valuations might mean less money to spend eventually I still have plenty - much more than I planned on having when I retired.
In 2000 and 2008 I was working and those downturns did not really register. So perhaps there is some fear of the unknown and anxiety in play?
I have a pension too and even spend less than that!
Not that being frugal is bad in it self. But I have saved and invested - and it seems silly not to use it. I need to get myself out of this funk.
No, it will not amount to BTD.
To me, BTD is when it drives your WR to more than 4%.
I am nowhere near that point. Just taking baby steps.