Retirees Thrive Regardless of Nest Egg

[FUEGO]

I still think you are frugal! I don't even have a weed whacker any more. Instead I just pay somebody to do it. Time to pat yourself on the back.

Yeah, if I had a few million I'd be paying Jose or Maximino $35 every two weeks and toss the fancy weed whackers in the trash (not being racist; these are the two people I would actually call to mow my grass in a non-hypothetical sense).

I might even give up my $150 balsamic vinegar habit and redirect the savings toward outsourcing the lawn care, especially during July and August.

 

[RobbieB]

Hehe, I don't have a lawn just weeds. I'm thinking on what to do out there, maybe some kind of rock garden. The gophers dig it all up every year.

 

[Mulligan]

Well I did blow a grand on 2 nights in Monterey with a bay front view so close you can spit into the water and another grand on food, booze and in room massages -

Three grand in 3 days is really fun!

Now we are talking....Lets keep it up!


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[ejman]

My front lawn is about an acre. The lawn tractor just went on the Fritz (it starts sputtering and then it dies when the blades are engaged - If somebody knows what causes this please let me know) so I just finished mowing with my push mower. I'm exhausted but the exercise actually feels good!

 

[W2R]

My front lawn is about an acre. The lawn tractor just went on the Fritz (it starts sputtering and then it dies when the blades are engaged - If somebody knows what causes this please let me know) so I just finished mowing with my push mower. I'm exhausted but the exercise actually feels good!

You need some hungry goats to cut back a lawn that big! just kidding. That's a lot of work and as long as you enjoy it and benefit from it, why not?

Hiring a lawn guy is one of those additional expenses that many eventually find necessary as they grow older. But luckily, if prior discussion threads are correct, we will all be spending less in the "slow go" and "no go" years so it all works out.

 

[FUEGO]

Hehe, I don't have a lawn just weeds. I'm thinking on what to do out there, maybe some kind of rock garden. The gophers dig it all up every year.

Lawn guys can fix that problem too. Not that I would spend a lot of money making my wildflowers and clover turn into boring regular green grass.

 

[Hermit]

No condo in Aspen, but I do have a timeshare in Vail! My week will be coming up in about a month.

 

[papadad111]

Mankind is known to thrive despite lots of adversity. Having a small nest egg, in the relative history of mankind for the last millennia or two, shouldn't make much of a difference !

Retirement is a new concept only existing for the last 50-75 years. In the past, people worked pretty much up until they died.

 

[Danmar]

I do have millions and I like it, it actually simplifies my life and makes it easier and more fun. No, not gonna buy that condo in Aspen either but I'll tell you what I do buy.

The most expensive stuff I can find. Well, not really the most expensive with regards to caviar and stuff of that nature, but here's a good example. I bought an Echo weed whacker at home depot. I used to buy the "value" stuff and it would work for a couple years and then croak. Not to mention it was not well balanced, hard to start and vibrated. That Echo cost 3 times the cheapies. Starts easy, runs smooth and my arms don't ache after from the vibes and the imbalance. Sweet!

So, when I go to the hardware stores now, I don't agonize over the choices, I just get the best stuff there.

I've also discovered the joys of real Balsamic vinegar, the traditional stuff from Italy. Costs a hundred and fifty bucks for 3 and a half ounces. And of course the superautomatic coffee machine that makes you swear there's a little barista cranking away inside.

Yup, if you don't buy the new house and the Maserati you can really go crazy on the small stuff -

Wow! That is the kind of post you don't see here very often. Most of the bragging relates to what people don't spend. I'm with you. I like being able to splurge. Leaving for Italy tonight and our first hotel is about 1,700 Euros a night. Often spend more. One of our weaknesses is expensive hotels.

 

[jabbahop]

My front lawn is about an acre. The lawn tractor just went on the Fritz (it starts sputtering and then it dies when the blades are engaged - If somebody knows what causes this please let me know) so I just finished mowing with my push mower. I'm exhausted but the exercise actually feels good!

My guess is a problem with the seat cutoff safety switch. We had that problem you described.


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[jabbahop]

We are splurging on lie flat business class seats to Hawaii for our family of five. It is an 11 hour flight from Newark to Honolulu and I found a great deal that was only about $500 more per seat. Next year all kids will be on college so who knows how many of these full family trips we will be doing so I thought I would pamper us a bit.

We are typically the opposite of Danmar and go relatively inexpensive on the rooms and food. Costco and a kitchen saves a lot in Hawaii!


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[REWahoo]

My guess is a problem with the seat cutoff safety switch.

+1

It does sound as if it is related to the safety system, probably the seat. You might also want to look at the reverse cutoff system if your mower is so equipped (shuts the mower off if you try to back up with the blade engaged unless your ignition key is in the override position).

 

[2017ish]

....

The most expensive stuff I can find. Well, not really the most expensive with regards to caviar and stuff of that nature, but here's a good example. I bought an Echo weed whacker at home depot. I used to buy the "value" stuff and it would work for a couple years and then croak. Not to mention it was not well balanced, hard to start and vibrated. That Echo cost 3 times the cheapies. Starts easy, runs smooth and my arms don't ache after from the vibes and the imbalance. Sweet!

...

Hopefully, you'll have as good of an experience with Echo as I have -- was using my 25 year old chain saw this weekend after reassembling the chain brake. Bought back in the days when Echo wasn't even offered in the big box hardware stores. That and the line trimmer (which breathed its last after two decades of [ab]use) were good investments even though it hurt to pay for them at the time.

 

[kcowan]

Yes we are leaving June 10th for Amsterdam, then Bruges, then touring until June 26th in Metz for the 8 day bike/barge trip. That is a bucket list item. Also showing DW Alsace-Lorraine where I was posted with the air force. Koblenz-Cologne and then Paris.

The biking trip is with 2 other couples from Vancouver and the total capacity is 5 couples. The Euros exchange is favourable right now. However, if we were paying 1700 a night, we would feel obliged to spend the day there and not see Italy! Our price per night varies from 120 to 520 Euros per night. (Except for the bike/barge which is $835 USD per night! But that includes meals, helmets, bikes, T-shirts.)

 

[tps7742]

My front lawn is about an acre. The lawn tractor just went on the Fritz (it starts sputtering and then it dies when the blades are engaged - If somebody knows what causes this please let me know) so I just finished mowing with my push mower. I'm exhausted but the exercise actually feels good!

It's great you are healthy enough to mow a 1 acre plus with a push mower IMO if this is your choice. As stated already it sounds like either your seat safety switch or the reverse safety mechanism. You also have a very nice lawn!!

 

[bclover]

Wow! That is the kind of post you don't see here very often. Most of the bragging relates to what people don't spend. I'm with you. I like being able to splurge. Leaving for Italy tonight and our first hotel is about 1,700 Euros a night. Often spend more. One of our weaknesses is expensive hotels.

lol,
and here I thought I was the only one. heck just last week i was told basically I should feel guilty because I spent money on a luxury vehicle and have to pass homeless guys on the street.

generally I have found that if you've accumulated wealth, you are then told the "acceptable' ways to spend it.
On this forum it is perfectly fine to drop tons of money on travel, evidently "experiences" are good but you by no means should ever blow money on "toys". new cars are evil, jewelry is especially forbidden.


Have fun in Italy. I'm going in 2017. luxury hotels are my thing also. they had to drag me from the four seasons in Paris and I'm a firm believer that if heaven really exist the action takes place at the Paris Ritz. lol

 

[devans0]

I get inordinate pleasure by sharing a portion of my money to the guys with cardboard signs. I know it isn't smart but I do it anyway.

 

[bclover]

I get inordinate pleasure by sharing a portion of my money to the guys with cardboard signs. I know it isn't smart but I do it anyway.

i think it's wonderful. I know one women who's life was changed 100% by the random kindness of a stranger.

 

[FUEGO]

The juxtaposition of the $1700 euro hotel room with the guy troubleshooting his old riding lawnmower then mowing an acre with his push mower. Perfect illustration of how some folks can thrive on $25k while others thrive on millions.

 

[Nemo2]

The juxtaposition of the $1700 euro hotel room with the guy troubleshooting his old riding lawnmower then mowing an acre with his push mower. Perfect illustration of how some folks can thrive on $25k while others thrive on millions.

Just another case of à chacun son goût I guess......DW & I commented to each other about the €1,700....not something we'd choose to do, regardless of the amount of money available to us.......it's just not who we are, but if someone else enjoys it, and can afford it, "Good luck, and keep pumping money into the world economy".

 

[2017ish]

The juxtaposition of the $1700 euro hotel room with the guy troubleshooting his old riding lawnmower then mowing an acre with his push mower. Perfect illustration of how some folks can thrive on $25k while others thrive on millions.

The two are not mutually exclusive. Weird how our minds work--I spent 4 hours in 90 degree heat yesterday line trimming along our driveway and mowed area of our property. Darned if I will pay someone to do that and get half the work quality as mine. But, no problem in dropping big bucks on meals or a dive boat that is comparable per day to Danmar's hotel room.

To each his/her own.

P.S.--relating to the "Good years" thread.... 4 hours of line trimming at 56 is FAR harder than the full work days of line trimming at 19!

 

[Mulligan]

Just another case of à chacun son goût I guess......DW & I commented to each other about the €1,700....not something we'd choose to do, regardless of the amount of money available to us.......it's just not who we are, but if someone else enjoys it, and can afford it, "Good luck, and keep pumping money into the world economy".

Some people are just wired not to spend money. My dad has a million liquid, everything paid for and they dont even spend their monthly SS checks let alone the investment income. And I am the one that suffers for it.....Last month I showed up to visit and next thing you know I am scrubbing and washing his entire house. I was exhausted. I told him I didnt want to do it and just hire someone for $200 like my neighbor just did that week. Of course he says, dont worry about, I will get it done somehow....Ya, he walks with a cane and is going to stand on a ladder in a truck bed reaching the high spots. Gets me every time. Next week I have to work on his patios "when I visit".


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[RobbieB]

Now that is low. He's not going to spend the dough so he guilts you? Amazing.

I enjoy DIY home improvement stuff although I have hired more jobs (especially tree trimming) as I age. I am painting the house myself and it's kinda fun as well as good exercise (I know because I ache after)

But that's the point eh? Do want you want and do what you like with your dough because it your dough and you earned it. As I said I retired before I even knew this site (or others like it) existed and if I had planned all this out in advance I would know stuff like my spending and my SS and other stuff and I could have retired earlier than I did. But I didn't and now I have a bigger stash than I would have had and I plan on having fun!

 

[Music Lover]

The juxtaposition of the $1700 euro hotel room with the guy troubleshooting his old riding lawnmower then mowing an acre with his push mower. Perfect illustration of how some folks can thrive on $25k while others thrive on millions.

Even if I was very, very well off, I probably couldn't justify $1700 for one night in a hotel...the value for the dollar just isn't there.

 

[Mulligan]

Now that is low. He's not going to spend the dough so he guilts you? Amazing.

I enjoy DIY home improvement stuff although I have hired more jobs (especially tree trimming) as I age. I am painting the house myself and it's kinda fun as well as good exercise (I know because I ache after)

But that's the point eh? Do want you want and do what you like with your dough because it your dough and you earned it. As I said I retired before I even knew this site (or others like it) existed and if I had planned all this out in advance I would know stuff like my spending and my SS and other stuff and I could have retired earlier than I did. But I didn't and now I have a bigger stash than I would have had and I plan on having fun!

Although it does get mentioned a bit more here in this forum, I suspect you are in the vast minority of people who can transition from being frugal for a purpose, to enjoying the fruits of your labor. Age may have something to do with it though. Someone who has been frugal for 60 years the habit is just too ingrained to change.
I do not personally know anyone who accumulated wealth to enjoy a good retirement. But I know a lot of people who are very frugal with wealth. They all are similar in they gave generously to their church or family if needed, but never spend anything on their self other than the very basic necessities. My Dad fits that mode and many old school farmers I know. I have one friend whose Dad cancelled his only real hobby reading daily newspaper because it jumped $5 a month. Too expensive! Yet turns around and gives his son (my friend) a 100k to build his house.


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