Our spending has improved tremendously in retirement because we have the time to do it right. Much of our stuff is repaired instead of pitched. We've learned to cherry-pick our purchases, especially now that we have plenty of storage space and we aren't moving every few years. We even keep track of local retailer's sales calendars and we scope out a potential deal for months. We watch the classifieds and we regularly shop Goodwill, too, so sometimes we'll buy just because we can trade up at a profit.
Yet earnings are another matter. I used to run a handyman hobby business and I still have a small group of neighborhood customers. Once or twice a year I'll get a call to install a light fixture or fix an oven or unclog a sink. I charge $25/hour plus materials and it's rarely more income than the cost of a good longboard. I'd do it for free but people seem happier to pay, so why make them uncomfortable?
But now we've been asked if we paint houses. (Of course we do!) Despite Hawaii's brutal sun, hardworking termites, & occasional torrential rain, many overcommitted homeowners get away with painting once a decade (or less) because there's no winter penalty for neglect. By the time some Hawaii homeowners are ready to paint, they're looking at a major carpentry/patching/cleaning/priming job before the first drop of paint will stick to the wall. $4000 estimates are common for a 3-BR single-story house, but I think spouse & I could do the job for $1000 & supplies. Efficient, honest, hard-working, no supervision required-- we're the best deal in town.
OTOH, why the heck would we want to do the job?!? One reason could be our frugal lifestyle-- both a habit and a personal challenge. Much of our frugality is unconscious reflex or just setting a good example for the kid. We certainly don't deprive ourselves, but we still enjoy picking up stray pennies and we scout the neighborhood discards on bulk-pickup day. Garage sales are a joy, and people know to call us if they're trying to dispose of building supplies or old furniture. Some of it ends up in our house, but a lot of it just goes to charity (of course for a tax deduction).
It's certainly not financial anxiety. We analyzed ER for months before we made the decision and we've both turned down several job offers. Employment is out there if we want it, but after two years we can't imagine why we would.
It's not boredom or loneliness, either. Three or four days of painting is a major liberty impact and subject to schedule conflicts. In fact several times Murphy's Law of Breakdowns & Family Crises has popped up just as I was ready to go do a job, and at the end of some days I've had quite enough of my fellow humans. While our own home is our best handyman's advertisement, there's plenty of maintenance & garage organizing to occupy my time. And I doubt that I'll ever get up in the morning and think "Oh damn, I have to go surfing AGAIN."
I sure don't want to rule the world's biggest handyman business-- that's too much commitment and REAL work.
I guess my motivation is that I'm flattered at being handed a thousand bucks to enjoy myself by shopping at home improvement stores, fixing things up, and spending a few hours outdoors with classic rock on the stereo. I've done my part to improve the neighborhood (and our property values!) and I can leave that much money in savings to compound its earnings.
Anyone else feeling their way through this? Is it a character quirk or just an age-related phase? Should I disengage and train myself to pass up these good deals so that I can go surfing instead? Or will I grow out of it by the time I'm as life-experienced as John Galt?
Yet earnings are another matter. I used to run a handyman hobby business and I still have a small group of neighborhood customers. Once or twice a year I'll get a call to install a light fixture or fix an oven or unclog a sink. I charge $25/hour plus materials and it's rarely more income than the cost of a good longboard. I'd do it for free but people seem happier to pay, so why make them uncomfortable?
But now we've been asked if we paint houses. (Of course we do!) Despite Hawaii's brutal sun, hardworking termites, & occasional torrential rain, many overcommitted homeowners get away with painting once a decade (or less) because there's no winter penalty for neglect. By the time some Hawaii homeowners are ready to paint, they're looking at a major carpentry/patching/cleaning/priming job before the first drop of paint will stick to the wall. $4000 estimates are common for a 3-BR single-story house, but I think spouse & I could do the job for $1000 & supplies. Efficient, honest, hard-working, no supervision required-- we're the best deal in town.
OTOH, why the heck would we want to do the job?!? One reason could be our frugal lifestyle-- both a habit and a personal challenge. Much of our frugality is unconscious reflex or just setting a good example for the kid. We certainly don't deprive ourselves, but we still enjoy picking up stray pennies and we scout the neighborhood discards on bulk-pickup day. Garage sales are a joy, and people know to call us if they're trying to dispose of building supplies or old furniture. Some of it ends up in our house, but a lot of it just goes to charity (of course for a tax deduction).
It's certainly not financial anxiety. We analyzed ER for months before we made the decision and we've both turned down several job offers. Employment is out there if we want it, but after two years we can't imagine why we would.
It's not boredom or loneliness, either. Three or four days of painting is a major liberty impact and subject to schedule conflicts. In fact several times Murphy's Law of Breakdowns & Family Crises has popped up just as I was ready to go do a job, and at the end of some days I've had quite enough of my fellow humans. While our own home is our best handyman's advertisement, there's plenty of maintenance & garage organizing to occupy my time. And I doubt that I'll ever get up in the morning and think "Oh damn, I have to go surfing AGAIN."
I sure don't want to rule the world's biggest handyman business-- that's too much commitment and REAL work.
I guess my motivation is that I'm flattered at being handed a thousand bucks to enjoy myself by shopping at home improvement stores, fixing things up, and spending a few hours outdoors with classic rock on the stereo. I've done my part to improve the neighborhood (and our property values!) and I can leave that much money in savings to compound its earnings.
Anyone else feeling their way through this? Is it a character quirk or just an age-related phase? Should I disengage and train myself to pass up these good deals so that I can go surfing instead? Or will I grow out of it by the time I'm as life-experienced as John Galt?
) to appointments, cut lawns, shovel snow in the winter, and do pall bearer services. 4 hours a day max. I make about $1000 month doing what I like. I'm happy, and I make sure Mrs. Zipper's gourmet supper is ready for her when she gets home.
