Fear is the mind-killer

[Cortopassi]

I have a cousin who married a religious Christian who had a bunch of children with her and said, "God will provide." As far as I know, though, it was my dad who has been providing.

Thanks for a hearty laugh. If I was religious maybe I could have used that line on my kids...

[Pointedstick]

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself.

Bingo!

I just wonder if the lilies ever have to pay property taxes or an electric bill though. Speaking for myself, I'm still sold on the idea of becoming financially independent so that I have more choices available to me - but constantly tinkering with, worrying over, and trying to optimize investments is not what I'm after. Totally agree with that.

After I reached FI, even though I had all the time in the world to work on open-source software (my current passion project), I didn't actually start doing it until I had a new job on the horizon. I had to do a lot of hard, assumption-challenging thinking to figure out why that was.

What I eventually realized was that ERE didn't give me the feeling of freedom that I was looking for. Instead I just felt stagnant and stuck, and my money worries actually increased since there was no backup income in case my portfolio underperformed or shrunk. It made me realize that I needed to seek out the desired state of psychological liberation elsewhere, and that financial independence for me could never involve having juuuust enough money with a perfect micro-optimized portfolio; instead I need a great huge honkin' stash--and for that, I need to keep working, preferably at a job that I can actually enjoy instead of dreading. Of course, now that I've found such a job, I don't really want to stop working anytime soon! I know I will eventually, but that's why I'm still saving.

[jacksonM]

(Most) Humans need productive activity to feel complete. ERE sounds a lot better than it advertises for many people. Financial freedom after a 30+ year career gives an entirely different feeling of peace.

This is very true. I've been retired for two years now. Bought myself a little pontoon boat with a motor to take up fishing and I must say that as much as I like spending the day fishing in the bayou this pales in comparison to how I feel after a day working on a project around the house and seeing it through to completion. I think the very best day in those two years that I can remember was one day when I was putting in a new flower bed behind my house and it was probably the first day in a very long time that I was physically active to the point of exhaustion for the entire day. I didn't even have the energy to take a shower before going to bed. And that was a wonderful feeling.

[Kriegsspiel]

Not sure how long it's been since you've gone to school or kids to school

Graduated from college a decade ago. No kids that I know of.

If the school choice was wide open, we could have found one for a full ride, sure.

After one semester finished (last final was today) the end result I see and hear in talking with my daughter is, ehhh, it's a school like any other likely is. Likes it, but not crazy. No green ND blood coursing through her veins yet. My big thing is ND alum are huge in networking, and she'll have many more avenues open for jobs because of that.

Well, I hope it turns out to be a good choice anyways.

[Kriegsspiel]

I think I'm much lazier than PS, and even I have picked up some work after becoming FI. I recall Jacob talking about this, but jobs can be interesting if they let you do something that you can't do by yourself. Like, launch a cruise missile, drive a school bus, or smash subatomic particles together.

[dualstow]

Not sure how long it's been since you've gone to school or kids to school

Graduated from college a decade ago. No kids that I know of.

[doodle]

After I reached FI, even though I had all the time in the world to work on open-source software (my current passion project), I didn't actually start doing it until I had a new job on the horizon. I had to do a lot of hard, assumption-challenging thinking to figure out why that was.

What I eventually realized was that ERE didn't give me the feeling of freedom that I was looking for. Instead I just felt stagnant and stuck, and my money worries actually increased since there was no backup income in case my portfolio underperformed or shrunk. It made me realize that I needed to seek out the desired state of psychological liberation elsewhere, and that financial independence for me could never involve having juuuust enough money with a perfect micro-optimized portfolio; instead I need a great huge honkin' stash--and for that, I need to keep working, preferably at a job that I can actually enjoy instead of dreading. Of course, now that I've found such a job, I don't really want to stop working anytime soon! I know I will eventually, but that's why I'm still saving.

This is pretty much what happened to me as well. I think things might be different if I lived a more subsistence style life where my basic daily needs couldn't be met by just flipping a switch or turning a faucet handle. Although it would be an adjustment, I often wonder whether or not a "Dick Proenneke" lifestyle wouldn't best suit my temperament. There is a great deal of satisfaction, security, and over all connection to the so called marrow of life when you must take control of your own survival to the degree that Mr Proenneke did. (A youtube search under his name will bring up some videos that he shot living in Alaska. I found them inspiring). Although our modern society reduces many anxieties related to our survival, I think in some ways it also opens up space for us to fill with other ones.

What I have done currently as money has become less of an issue in my life is transition my labor to pursuits that interest me....working as a bike mechanic, part time handyman (I enjoy solving unique problems) and Ive considered taking jobs as a car mechanic and welder's assistant just to learn more. School is out of the question....I prefer learning on the job and getting paid...for more complicated things theres always youtube :-).

As far as investments I guess I'm with the permanent portfolio for life. I don't have the guts for the big stock market swings. The latest drop has not affected me in the least and that is important to me. I'm risk averse....not everyone is built the same.

[l82start]

i am absolutely amazed by the Dick Proenneke movie and book, i got both as a gift from pbs and i turn it on and watch just to escape city life and de-stress... what an outstanding life choice..

[Libertarian666]

It's great to be young and know everything; I remember it well.

Now I'm old and I realize I don't know everything.

But I do know that having a solid financial position is very nice, not least because it lets you work on your own projects rather than having to work on someone else's.

[vnatale]

It's great to be young and know everything; I remember it well.

Now I'm old and I realize I don't know everything.

But I do know that having a solid financial position is very nice, not least because it lets you work on your own projects rather than having to work on someone else's.

But your not knowing certainly does NOT include politics and certain areas of investing! Or, at least that is the way you come across so confidently in stating your opinions in those areas...

Vinny

[Libertarian666]

It's great to be young and know everything; I remember it well.

Now I'm old and I realize I don't know everything.

But I do know that having a solid financial position is very nice, not least because it lets you work on your own projects rather than having to work on someone else's.

But your not knowing certainly does NOT include politics and certain areas of investing! Or, at least that is the way you come across so confidently in stating your opinions in those areas...

Vinny

The fact that I have strong opinions on a number of topics doesn't mean that I think I know everything. I'm perfectly capable of making that distinction.

[vnatale]

It's great to be young and know everything; I remember it well.

Now I'm old and I realize I don't know everything.

But I do know that having a solid financial position is very nice, not least because it lets you work on your own projects rather than having to work on someone else's.

But your not knowing certainly does NOT include politics and certain areas of investing! Or, at least that is the way you come across so confidently in stating your opinions in those areas...

Vinny

The fact that I have strong opinions on a number of topics doesn't mean that I think I know everything. I'm perfectly capable of making that distinction.

Tell me any differences between the following way I am going to describe myself and how you'd describe yourself......If I am confident in my knowledge regarding an issue then I quite strongly state my opinion. If I'm not confident in my knowledge then I am silent.

Vinny

[Libertarian666]

It's great to be young and know everything; I remember it well.

Now I'm old and I realize I don't know everything.

But I do know that having a solid financial position is very nice, not least because it lets you work on your own projects rather than having to work on someone else's.

But your not knowing certainly does NOT include politics and certain areas of investing! Or, at least that is the way you come across so confidently in stating your opinions in those areas...

Vinny

The fact that I have strong opinions on a number of topics doesn't mean that I think I know everything. I'm perfectly capable of making that distinction.

Tell me any differences between the following way I am going to describe myself and how you'd describe yourself......If I am confident in my knowledge regarding an issue then I quite strongly state my opinion. If I'm not confident in my knowledge then I am silent.

Vinny

The difference is that if I'm not confident in my knowledge I may say "I think this is the case but I don't have enough information to be certain."