………….. in your Golden Years!
The money you have worked for most of your life is now ready to be spent. But I know from experience that it is easier said than done. After all we have been used to saving our money, to being careful and not wasting any and always being reasonable how we spend it. The nest egg we have built that way is comforting, but now is the time to change the rules and have that nest egg do something for us.
I got my first wake-up call when my husband tried to book a cruise for us from Berlin to Prague. When he finished talking to the travel agency and told me the price my reaction was that this was more than I thought we should spend. He had no comment at first. But after a while he looked at me and said, “Well, if you want your heirs to go instead, we won’t go!”
It took me only a second to say ‘book it’ because suddenly I was scared that I might not go if I don’t go now, that my time might be limited. No, don’t misunderstand me, I do want my heirs to go on a cruise too, but honestly, I don’t want them to go instead of me!
Many friends of mine who are also in their Golden Years don’t buy or do things they would like by using excuses like, “I can get that cheaper somewhere else” or “I don’t really need that” (you don’t have to need it to want it) or “I have to think about it” – really – why?
Oh, yes and then there is ‘since I don’t know how long I will live I have to be careful.’ True – but what our generation has learned when it comes to spending money will never make us go crazy or reckless. So letting a few more dollars slip out of our purse for extra pleasures will not ruin us. And if you are healthy listen to my friend Carol who, when paying for a treat, always says ‘at least I am not spending it on medication.’
If you take this little pep talk to heart – the extra dollars spend will give you joy you deserve.
And Never Forget – A Smile Changes Everything! Brigitte
Believing that even sad events can teach us something I want to share the upsetting news that hit me this week. Filled with sadness I realized that it was a kind of wake-up call. A wake-up call, not just for me, but it should be for every older person who has been told – and we hear this advice very often – be careful how much money you spend because you don’t want to outlive your money.
The other day when I was putting on my favorite black pants, and one of the four sweaters I wear all the time, finishing it with a duffel coat I have worn all winter, it occurred to me that I wear these items all the time. Then I asked myself why? The answer was easy – because I feel very comfortable in them – because I look good in them – because they stand up to wear and tear. They are like old faithful friends, and I can always rely on them to make my day. The reason? I bought the best quality I could afford.
Brigitte
Ready to Live Longer 