athena53
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
- Joined
- May 11, 2014
- Messages
- 7,403
I would have to agree with others who have expressed this sentiment:
If you are controlled by relatively minor changes in finances (A Tax Return?!) that require adjustments to such things as thermostats, travel, eating out, plastic bags, garage doors, etc., etc., etc....Well, then one isn't really Financially Independent are they ?
I agree. About 40% of my spending is charitable donations and travel. I'm also funding the grandkids' 529 accounts. Cutting any of those would be painful to me; our church Treasurer would be VERY distressed (but understanding) if I cut my pledge, and DS and DDIL would be happy with whatever I've already put aside in the 529s. Still, it means I can cut a lot without having to cut back on groceries or live in a house that's too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. I already have many of the cheap habits listed in earlier posts but it's good to know that if the market tanked I have wiggle room.