I'm I a fool?

[dreamaker]

No one on their death bed ever wished that they worked harder, worked more or saved more.  They usually wished that they lived more.  You did what you needed to provide for your family.  Now it is play time.  I don't plan on dieing with a full pocket.  My wife is provided for when I die but we saw her dad with a load of savings and he died at 49 and said that we were not going to do that.  He never went anywhere or did anything. 

I say this with no disrespect!!  But maybe Dad didn't want to go to those places, It doesn't make him a failure in life because he didn't travel. I can relate to him, I have no desire to go to Vegas, Hawaii, Grand Canyon, the Dragon and so on. In my opinion, people due allot of those thing, for bragging rights, if you look at some of the members reply's, you will see some of them with  maps of where they have been, I am not saying its wrong, but it is still flaunting. Myself I travel for my pleasure, not to impress others. But its not wrong to travel, if you enjoy it, and it is not wrong if others don't desire it!!!

[bscrive]

No one on their death bed ever wished that they worked harder, worked more or saved more.  They usually wished that they lived more.  You did what you needed to provide for your family.  Now it is play time.  I don't plan on dieing with a full pocket.  My wife is provided for when I die but we saw her dad with a load of savings and he died at 49 and said that we were not going to do that.  He never went anywhere or did anything. 

I say this with no disrespect!!  But maybe Dad didn't want to go to those places, It doesn't make him a failure in life because he didn't travel. I can relate to him, I have no desire to go to Vegas, Hawaii, Grand Canyon, the Dragon and so on. In my opinion, people due allot of those thing, for bragging rights, if you look at some of the members reply's, you will see some of them with  maps of where they have been, I am not saying its wrong, but it is still flaunting. Myself I travel for my pleasure, not to impress others. But its not wrong to travel, if you enjoy it, and it is not wrong if others don't desire it!!!

It is not that my father-inlaw didn't want to travel, he was waiting until he could retire to travel.  He never made it.  When he got cancer, most of his money went to pay for medication.

[dreamaker]

The objective is to be financially smart, not to deprive oneself, if they want certain pleasures. But to get obsessive over the fact you didn't get all the brass rings you expect in life, is not a failure, it is a hype. When the big guy in the sky, decides to pull the plug on us, it is what it is. I say enjoy, but be smart. I have had family members treat like I am in violation of life, because I chose to be financially stable, and I should not be allowed, to have the thing I do. You figure that out, I don't understand it. Every night I say a prayer of thanks for my health, that is the best investment I ever made.

[cookiedough]

No one on their death bed ever wished that they worked harder, worked more or saved more.  They usually wished that they lived more.  You did what you needed to provide for your family.  Now it is play time.  I don't plan on dieing with a full pocket.  My wife is provided for when I die but we saw her dad with a load of savings and he died at 49 and said that we were not going to do that.  He never went anywhere or did anything. 

I say this with no disrespect!!  But maybe Dad didn't want to go to those places, It doesn't make him a failure in life because he didn't travel. I can relate to him, I have no desire to go to Vegas, Hawaii, Grand Canyon, the Dragon and so on. In my opinion, people due allot of those thing, for bragging rights, if you look at some of the members reply's, you will see some of them with  maps of where they have been, I am not saying its wrong, but it is still flaunting. Myself I travel for my pleasure, not to impress others. But its not wrong to travel, if you enjoy it, and it is not wrong if others don't desire it!!!

My dad was the same way, although he lived to be 76.  He had to retire at age 55 due to major health reasons well before he wanted to retire.  I even seen him cry over having to retire way too early in life, hardest thing he had to do since unable to walk/do his job he has been at for 33 years.  He said in his late 50's he always wanted to travel with my mom (not a traveler just liked to stay home all the time) back home in ND and other places.  He NEVER did any of it, just sat around the house and watched TV and drank beer/brandy and hanged around the bars until his health finally started going downhill in his early 70's. 

We kept telling him when we were in our 20's and outta the house to just go on the open road and travel, but for some reason or another,  they never did any of it.  Am sure he regretted it some to not visit relatives back home, but it is what it is. 

I may end up doing the same thing as him when I get older if I make it that far, but sure hope not.  I know my lifestyle vs. say 10-15 years ago has slowed down big time.  We use to go fishing and boating and out and about traveling every single weekend, now not so much at all. 

[Firefighter]

Hey Cookiedough, you kind of worry me when you say your lifestyle has slowed the last so many years.

I have worked two and three jobs at a time all my life, and never had time or money to do much. No big family vacations, always felt if I wasn't working I was wasting time.

My body is slowing down now, which is why I plan to retire next year. I hope to do while I still can. I want to ride to other places (adventure for me) instead of well beaten path, buy a boat and maybe catch fish,etc.

I hope to be able to do these things while I can, but right now I feel tired.  Firefighter

[weeder]

I’m 55 and have only have four real jobs, Army, orange juice plant electrician, field engineer for a manufacture of bulk packers and now an engineer for a plastic bottle manufacturer. I’m lucky to have never been un-employed and have worked for some very good companies. My wife of 36 years and I decided that it would be best if she was to stay home with the kids. She started volunteering at the school so she would have the same hours as the kids and then that turned into a job at the schools.  We have stayed away from credit cards and paid cash for most things that we have.  I now own most of what I have. Have money in the bank and have saved for retirement. I have no idea what my credit score is because I froze it years ago. My wife and I have always said that if we don’t have the cash to buy it then we can’t afford it.

My brother on the other hand has also had good jobs with good companies and has been married a long time. Both him and his wife work. Together they make a little more than me. But they, like most Americans spend it. They have nice vacations, nice cars and nice things. But they have a net worth of less than zero. Both he and his wife will have small pensions plus Social Security and some savings in a 401ks.

My wife and I have done what we thought was right by living within our means and saving for a rainy day and retirement. Now I’m starting to think that was foolish. Even when I was in my 20s I didn’t think I would ever see a dime of Social Security because it would be broke from the baby boomers before I retired. I’m even more sure of it now. I’m sure that what I have and have saved will be taxed to pay for the ones that did not save. That’s why I think now that my brother was right and I’m a fool.

I just wanted to see if anyone else felt like this.

Thanks, David in Fletcher NC.

David :      this is a touchy tough topic to tackle  because  the emotions and personal shyste comes into play .

Im going/gone thru  the same dilemna  to a degree.

Apperently you have a soul and a conscience  .  That's a good thing.

My opinion; the choice you made is the right one and Ill tell you why.

A few years ago I read  an article written by ( I cant remember who now)  a popular writer  that addressed this issue.   

He stated that the US economy of the last 30 years  WAS NOT REAL.    Credit and debt created a reality  that  a person can have everything right now , live 'THE DREAM'   and be happy.

In otherwords your brother dosent live in reality but you do.    YOU DIDNT BUY THE LIE.

Its like if I say to you take these drugs for the next 30 years and youll feel happy and wealthy.  Well that's what your brother did.   That is  what American finance has created ; a bunch of credit junkies.

David , you may be going thru a financial  midlife crisis.   It will pass.   Juststay flush and liquid .

I have siblings that rub it in my nose to .   But the life they led the last 30 years wasn't real, it was a creation of easy debt and finance.

What type of person would your brother be if he didn't have the lifestyle that longterm debt gave him?   

You think you missed out David?    Hell, then go to Vegas and buy a $2000 a night #10 hooker and use your credit card!!!!    no difference.

He'd be like you , a good man that has a conscience and gives a crap.

The USA lifestyle that unlimited debt created  has built a house of cards and a false illusion of wealth.

sit tight , be right and  the tsunami  of the grim reaper coming to collect will  destroy  the debt slaves.  sleep good at night -- don't doubt.

Be right and sit tight ,   and your soul is yours and not sold.