Glenn/RZ500
Well-known member
Like every politician, insurance co.`s will do what works for their benefit, and will F you over for every dime. Straight to Hell with them all.
Steps towards a simpler life
- Thread starter Jampy00
- Start date
Wow, I’m getting way off topic here. Burning down your house and dealing with insurance companies is definitely not a step towards simplifying your life.This is on topic though, I just found out that a lifelong friend passed away of a heart attack yesterday morning at the age of 63. Live every day like it’s your last because one day it will be.
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Condolences. And
agree, don't wait..do what makes you happy.
Too true.
No one ever said on their death bed, "I wish I had worked more..."
Sorry to hear about your friend.
…or “If only I could have installed just one more pot light”.
Mikedezo44
Well-known member
For the last 4 or 5 years I haven't been buying much other than fuel and groceries. I think I already mentioned on here after my trip to Thailand last winter (4 months) living in condos and hotels, I came home and made conscious effort to make some room and clear out some stuff (pricey junk) that I didn't see myself using anytime soon. Had people coming by from marketplace almost daily for weeks. Sold my second vehicle, my motorcycles (then bought a new Seadoo, whoops
). I still walk through my house on days I'm bored and look for things to sell. Have a basement full, sheds, garage...it's still a lot to deal with and will take a considerable amount of time to sell it off down the road.
I often think I can go to Bestbuy and buy whatever fancy 75 inch tv I want, or go spend 10 or 20 grand on a home stereo setup sounds fun, but why? With no planned kids, or family to leave anything to I think about having to get rid of it all some day for pennies on the dollar. I don't even have an interest to go into the mall and buy a nice shirt anymore, because the last couple I did are still in the closet from years a go. I'm fine with my 9 year old 50 inch samsung TV. Nobody to impress. Hoping to retire early (early to mid 40's, and spend many many years travelling for half the year/relaxing on a beach somewhere) I think that will bring me more enjoyment than material things. All that being said I still spend too much time on marketplace looking for things I don't need but have been better at not buying.
Currently work about 1-3 days a week (April- mid November) so not like "retirement" is going to be much different for me as I can still take on the jobs I want/don't want. Am in a unique situation but have a pretty stress free life as it is.
). I still walk through my house on days I'm bored and look for things to sell. Have a basement full, sheds, garage...it's still a lot to deal with and will take a considerable amount of time to sell it off down the road.I often think I can go to Bestbuy and buy whatever fancy 75 inch tv I want, or go spend 10 or 20 grand on a home stereo setup sounds fun, but why? With no planned kids, or family to leave anything to I think about having to get rid of it all some day for pennies on the dollar. I don't even have an interest to go into the mall and buy a nice shirt anymore, because the last couple I did are still in the closet from years a go. I'm fine with my 9 year old 50 inch samsung TV. Nobody to impress. Hoping to retire early (early to mid 40's, and spend many many years travelling for half the year/relaxing on a beach somewhere) I think that will bring me more enjoyment than material things. All that being said I still spend too much time on marketplace looking for things I don't need but have been better at not buying.
Currently work about 1-3 days a week (April- mid November) so not like "retirement" is going to be much different for me as I can still take on the jobs I want/don't want. Am in a unique situation but have a pretty stress free life as it is.
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Keep it up.
We went through a few small towns over the weekend and they didn't seem as cozy as I thought they would be. Small towns are susceptible to the down and outers as well.
The thought of moving out of Toronto isn't necessarily a good one. Downtown London has deteriorated, not that it's small.
The thought of moving out of Toronto isn't necessarily a good one. Downtown London has deteriorated, not that it's small.
I think this could be said for any city, town, village.
Having been to that swanky acreage of yours it's not hard to see how much saner things would be than in the big smoke.
I retired around Covid. (After being cooped up with the Squeeze for 5 weeks solid and it didn't come to blows I figured I could safely pull the trigger). Life is good. I've said it before but after a lifetime of cautious spending it can be hard to start turning on the tap now that I'm at the spending part instead of the saving part.
That said the Squeeze and I just got back from spending a week on the Isle of Mann watching the Manx Grand Prix. Pics and vid to follow.
Years ago I met an expat in Costa Rica when we were arranging to hand off some things for school kids there. She originally worked in Montreal and her job was high stress and she had been told there was a high chance of stroke from heart issues etc. She decided to sell everything, quit her job and move to Costa Rica with her young children. Her health improved drastically but her kids had a few initial issues adapting. She said the biggest issue was dealing with no big screen TVs, no fancy cars, no buying the latest greatest thing. Her kids were told they could only go to school if they had their own desk as the school didn't have enough. They had to adapt to less and it became way less stressful. She got a job helping with tourist tours and wakes up in the morning listening to the wildlife and views of the amazing flowers and greenery. Doesn't regret a thing.
Stuff is a drug and you can get hooked on it. I spent the first seven or eight years of my life in my grandparent's rustic rural house in Manitoba. It didn't have running water or central heat. My grandmother cooked on a massive wood stove that also heated the house. Walking a mile wasn't an OMG moment.
Sadly, I don't recall her doing anything but work but for me, I was happy. It's hard to miss things you don't know exist. However, I wouldn't want to go back that far in stuff.
Touring Amish Ohio, I talked to some of the locals and one related a tourist envying the peaceful life. He was reminded that the one horsepower buggies didn't have heat in the winter or air conditioning in the summer. He was also told that one could become a little bit Amish by just giving up a little bit of stuff.
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Mad Mike
Well-known member
I don’t think you need to go to Costs Rica for that.
I can exited the corp world earlier this year and am trying small town living in Northern Ontario (for the summer). I wake up to wildlife noises, regularly bears, moose, the occasional lynx and drop into my yard, all kinds of birds and small fur bearers too.
I can be in pristine wilderness with miles of trails, secluded lakes and raging rivers inside 10 minutes. Hunting and fishing are world class. A decent small house can be had for under $200k (or rent one for $1800/mo). We have a decent hospital is in town, airport with direct flights to Toronto, long haul and local bus services, and next year a passenger rail connection to Toronto.
Most stuff costs about the same as Toronto, we have most big box stores.
Most stores close early Saturday, and little is open Sunday.
My biggest beef so far is you can’t get a haircut unless you book it 3 days in advance.
No monkeys or bananas… I’m ok with that.
People seem to be split between two groups as they approach retirement.
One group spent 105% of their income and are dependent on a lottery win to enable retirement as it is typically envisioned.
No forced retirement at 65 means no golden years. For their employers it means no fresh blood due to the cost of forced terminations. No one is happy.
The other group could have a paid for home, fat bank balance, liquid assets, RRSPs and paid for toys. A good advisor will tell them they'll die rich but it falls on deaf ears. They can't let go of the frugal nature.
Glenn/RZ500
Well-known member
Do you have a link to your Thailand trip? I`ve been looking at a Retirement Visa there and been speaking with a member of another bike forum who made the jump from California to Thailand, with his wife about 15 years ago. I meet the qualification for the Visa, but it`s obviously a big step on many fronts. I feel I should have done this 10 years ago when I retired. I`ve done well here and am set for the remainder of days. Thing is there`s nothing holding me here, family, wife, job, commitments.. nothing. The gnawing regret eats at me about indecision and fear of not making a move. All I see is a diminished future in Canada, the crumbling healthcare, taxed to death and more never ending rules and laws, endless expenses, from a useless, corrupt government in it for themselves, nothing gets done for the peoples benefit...ever.For the last 4 or 5 years I haven't been buying much other than fuel and groceries. I think I already mentioned on here after my trip to Thailand last winter (4 months) living in condos and hotels, I came home and made conscious effort to make some room and clear out some stuff (pricey junk) that I didn't see myself using anytime soon. Had people coming by from marketplace almost daily for weeks. Sold my second vehicle, my motorcycles (then bought a new Seadoo, whoops
I often think I can go to Bestbuy and buy whatever fancy 75 inch tv I want, or go spend 10 or 20 grand on a home stereo setup sounds fun, but why? With no planned kids, or family to leave anything to I think about having to get rid of it all some day for pennies on the dollar. I don't even have an interest to go into the mall and buy a nice shirt anymore, because the last couple I did are still in the closet from years a go. I'm fine with my 9 year old 50 inch samsung TV. Nobody to impress. Hoping to retire early (early to mid 40's, and spend many many years travelling for half the year/relaxing on a beach somewhere) I think that will bring me more enjoyment than material things. All that being said I still spend too much time on marketplace looking for things I don't need but have been better at not buying.
Currently work about 1-3 days a week (April- mid November) so not like "retirement" is going to be much different for me as I can still take on the jobs I want/don't want. Am in a unique situation but have a pretty stress free life as it is.
365 days of sun and no snow shoveling?
Mad Mike
Well-known member
That’s just a preference. Personally I don’t care for tropical weather - too hot and muggy. And I love the snow.
If I’m feeling really cold, I have a 1st world place in Florida II can fly to in 2.5 hrs for $250 return. Gets me respite from winter if I need it, bonus is I get to commiserate with mostly Republicans.
AllistonGT
Well-known member
l've never seen a hearse pulling a safe.
