I retired 3 years ago at age 60. I retired from a lucrative career with only intermittent stress. People don't usually leave the job I had and many seemed to die before retirement (federal workforce - I saw many that seemed to be dragging retirement out much longer, presumably because they had a lot of banked PTO. I had came onboard mid-career, so I did not have that benefit).
....but I couldn't bear it any longer, after 38 years in the workforce without a break...combination private industry and feds.
Even though I had done my due diligence, a few weeks afterward, I began to panic, wondering if what I had done was too crazy...too irresponsible and feared running out of money (illogical, but true).....it did not help that the media at that time (2021-2022) was swamped with inflation news...so, I clamped down tightly on my spending and worked a few odd jobs for side cash.
So, here I am, now 3 years out and even though my health care expenses have increased (maxing out now the deductible on my HDHP), I am still a long way from even touching my accounts in a substantive way unless I buy a new vehicle (current car is a 2013 model) or pay for a permanent home with cash (renting now)...I have not yet begun to draw on Social Security.
So....I don't want to be the proverbial wealthiest person in the graveyard, I have laid off on the side jobs and started loosening the wallet - things like meal delivery, travel and splurges here and there....mostly gifts and the like.
So...I am curious for any others who've been through this....when you decided to finally treat yourself....what kinds of expenditures brought you the most joy/satisfaction/comfort? I realize this is personal, but I'd like to know.
if I end up buying a home, I already have a list of upgrades I am willing to spend on....(walk in shower, any flooring upgrades, etc.)
I've done some thinking on this, there's got to be a line where spending to make your life easier/more comfortable is possible without being wasteful or being taken advantage of (by not negotiating on a major expense for example).
**edited to add: also part of my "problem" is that I don't have any interest in acquiring things that will end up needing to be maintained....I dislike additional responsibilities***
I guess being frugal for so long makes this an actual challenge.
....but I couldn't bear it any longer, after 38 years in the workforce without a break...combination private industry and feds.
Even though I had done my due diligence, a few weeks afterward, I began to panic, wondering if what I had done was too crazy...too irresponsible and feared running out of money (illogical, but true).....it did not help that the media at that time (2021-2022) was swamped with inflation news...so, I clamped down tightly on my spending and worked a few odd jobs for side cash.
So, here I am, now 3 years out and even though my health care expenses have increased (maxing out now the deductible on my HDHP), I am still a long way from even touching my accounts in a substantive way unless I buy a new vehicle (current car is a 2013 model) or pay for a permanent home with cash (renting now)...I have not yet begun to draw on Social Security.
So....I don't want to be the proverbial wealthiest person in the graveyard, I have laid off on the side jobs and started loosening the wallet - things like meal delivery, travel and splurges here and there....mostly gifts and the like.
So...I am curious for any others who've been through this....when you decided to finally treat yourself....what kinds of expenditures brought you the most joy/satisfaction/comfort? I realize this is personal, but I'd like to know.
if I end up buying a home, I already have a list of upgrades I am willing to spend on....(walk in shower, any flooring upgrades, etc.)
I've done some thinking on this, there's got to be a line where spending to make your life easier/more comfortable is possible without being wasteful or being taken advantage of (by not negotiating on a major expense for example).
**edited to add: also part of my "problem" is that I don't have any interest in acquiring things that will end up needing to be maintained....I dislike additional responsibilities***
I guess being frugal for so long makes this an actual challenge.
Statistics: Posted by MrWasabi65 — Sun May 26, 2024 3:25 pm — Replies 9 — Views 773