Can't stop savers mentality

[omni550]

gayl,

G Adventures does not charge a single supplement if you are willing to have them match you up with a same sex roommate.

I've not done a tour with them, but friends have and spoke highly of their experience.

https://www.gadventures.com/about-us...h-gadventures/

omni

[RunningBum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by omni550 gayl, G Adventures does not charge a single supplement if you are willing to have them match you up with a same sex roommate. I've not done a tour with them, but friends have and spoke highly of their experience. https://www.gadventures.com/about-us...h-gadventures/ omni

For someone looking to loosen the purse strings a bit, I don't think there's a need to room with a stranger. Maybe it's just me that it doesn't appeal to me. But the OP seemed receptive to my thoughts about upgrading travel, and this seems a step back.

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningBum For someone looking to loosen the purse strings a bit, I don't think there's a need to room with a stranger. Maybe it's just me that it doesn't appeal to me. But the OP seemed receptive to my thoughts about upgrading travel, and this seems a step back.

I agree. I once shared a room with someone I didn't know, and it was fine, but these days, privacy is non-negotiable for me.

[Scuba]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Closet_Gamer It sounds like you've had a pretty rough road. Perhaps direct some income towards charities that help people who find themselves in similar straights. It will burn down some cash, get you spending, help someone, and there is ample evidence that helping others generates more happiness than marginal consumption. Just a thought.

+1
Giving to a cause meaningful to you can be very satisfying and if part of why you are reluctant to spend involves a feeling of guilt, perhaps giving funds to a charity would ease that guilty feeling.

[Scuba]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunset Great, and I still recommend trying a river cruise, it is luxury travel, they are generally adults only, ours had a 16-17 grand daughter for 1 guest, but it was with special permission. I did appreciate the lack of screaming/running kids that we normally find on Carnival.

Or try one of the smaller/luxury ship lines - Windstar, Sea Dream, Seabourne, Oceana, or Crystal. Maybe you'll enjoy the experience more and will start spending more on travel. Better yet, charter a private crewed yacht with friends.

[Teacher Terry]

The first year we were retired I was nervous and limited spending. After that we started to spend more on what makes us happy which is traveling, eating out and other experiences. I would never share a room with a stranger. Ugh!

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningBum For someone looking to loosen the purse strings a bit, I don't think there's a need to room with a stranger. Maybe it's just me that it doesn't appeal to me. But the OP seemed receptive to my thoughts about upgrading travel, and this seems a step back.

If I were traveling as a single, no way would I share room. I need alone time, especially if traveling as part of a group where you share the day and meals together. Even with family, LOL.

[Sojourner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 If I were traveling as a single, no way would I share room. I need alone time, especially if traveling as part of a group where you share the day and meals together. Even with family, LOL.

+1

[Danmar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxfirev5 My plan is self fulfilling as I spend what the portfolio generates. Why would I want to save more. By not touching the principal do I meet the definition of a saver?

Likewise here. However, since the portfolio keeps increasing I recently decided to liquidate small amounts of stock and bump our spending a bit. I expect the portfolio will, nevertheless, continue to increase. My plan is to keep my divs increasing by about 5% per year to make sure inflation on my total income, including non cola pension, is covered. This will allow for fairly significant liquidations, at least till we get some negative market event.

[freedomatlast]

Even though I am FI but not yet ER, I'm trying to learn to spend more by paying others to do chores that I would rather not do, such as wallpaper removal, painting, etc. I'd much rather spend that time biking, hiking or kayaking. This is hard for an avid DIYer.

[Choices]

After spending 20 minutes in a store looking at towels for our new but old home I gave up! I then spent most of an hour comparing pricing, weight , thickness, etc on several sets on line. I may have saved $10.00 . When will the madness stop?
And who pays $150.00 for a blinking shower curtain?
We've got it, but I am having a helluva time spending it and so is the OH, except for his new car.
The prices for stuff we hardly ever buy are crazy. We just bought a new mattress and springs and the guy gave us two $100.00 pillows. Glad to take them but the pillows weren't all that special.

[iloveyoga]

I agree that it is not always easy to change spending habits. Things we have done:
DH does not like to fly, but will go if it is first class. We have the $$, so I can go along with this. (I like it too.)
We are really going to loosen up the purse strings next year and reno our back yard, including a pool and new deck. We did a lot of the prep work late this summer. Side benefit, this has been a fun project for us to work on together.
Hmmm number 3, I guess I still need to keep working on this too!

[FreeBear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freedomatlast Even though I am FI but not yet ER, I'm trying to learn to spend more by paying others to do chores that I would rather not do, such as wallpaper removal, painting, etc. I'd much rather spend that time biking, hiking or kayaking. This is hard for an avid DIYer.

Yep, me too! I used to do almost everything around the house and car. I've powered rodded my main sewer line in the middle of the night, in the winter. I had to shovel part of the yard just to locate the cleanout!

Now I live in a townhouse with an HOA and use the stealership for my auto work. Yes, it's 2-3X the cost of my DYI, but like you I'd rather be outside having fun

[gayl]

Yeah .... I'd be lost without my gardener & son. (1/3 acre)

I cannot share a room when traveling and prefer 4-5☆ (Hilton = 4☆) and I won't do group tours but will hire drivers. I will do economy plus if on an aisle, otherwise business class. Yes, I'm spoiled so next year's trip to Ukraine will be interesting as I'll be "roughing" it - lodging wise