I’m a big fan of Dave Ramsey. The only thing I disagree with is his view on CCs. I think he does not promote their use because most people have no self control with them. I put everything I can on my CCs, rack up airline miles and pay them off every month.
funny you say that, I was telling my buddy that very thing the other day as it's my biggest divergence from Ramsey. I've assumed he takes that zero tolerance on credit card approach because if he gives an inch everyone will take that as a green light to keep on acting the fool with them. He also adds that 'studies show' people, even those like you and me that pay the thing off every month & never fork over a penny in interest, buy more with credit cards than they would if they paid in cash. Something about the psychology of handing over cash makes it more difficult than handing over a piece of plastic so you spend more with the plastic. BUT then he goes on to say in the very same breath he uses a debit card for everything
, kind of laughable because that kills the whole horror of handing actual cash thing over...
I once had a boss tell me that he believes you should rack up as much debt on your credit cards as you can, because in the end, "You only live once".
your one-time boss was a retard
In the company parking lot, mine was always the oldest vehicle there. They could never understand how I could be making so much more money than (most of) them, and yet choose to drive a 30-year-old truck. They didn't identify with my approach, nor I with theirs.
my old Subaru sits in lots surrounded by Benzes & Porsches my contemporaries
must drive, talk about a lack of understanding of what makes me tick, I swear sometimes they look at me like I'm from another planet
You said you're not into going to the gym. Though what if it was a 2 min walk to a gym you're paying for? Community pool and club house included. I'm a Poker player, they even have a small Poker table. The 'bar' area has lockers, so you can lock your booze in there and always have it available. Their house is 2 bedroom with tiny yard, but very nice inside, modern, etc.
It's not the distance to the gym that deters me, it's that I don't much enjoy communal exercise, lines, waiting... I've had a very simple gym everywhere I've lived since I was a kid, designed for my own manner of working out; I walk downstairs & I'm there. Also, I'm not a fan of treadmills, stationary bikes and all that other cardio crap, I walk 5 miles a day outside, always have, and ride my bike outside. Fresh(er) air & sunlight are good things, so is real scenery, and rain, darkness, wind, even bitter cold in the winter, not a huge fan of the last one but it all keeps me connected to the outdoors in addition to everything else I do outside
My dad died last May, he was 86. He often talked about regretting that he didn't travel more. Always wanted to go to Europe and some other places. So I don't know how old you are. Though consider what you want on your bucket list and plan to do those things.
I believe owning is better than renting. Real estate rarely goes down in value and recovers quickly when it does. So buying now, even if you're only keeping it 10 years or so, could be a good investment. Sell when you really want to downsize and that becomes retirement money.
I agree with your dad, travelling is pretty important, and I have been a good bit over the past 10 years, moments after dropping my youngest off at college I was on a plane and haven't stopped since. I'll be 60 next go around and plan on continuing to travel, though I will say it isn't quite as exciting as it once was. I love being other places & seeing new things, not as much of a fan of the getting there & back part. We really need that Star Trek transporter gizmo to come on line.
I think you're right about owning vs. renting too, I've always seen it that way, I've only recently thought of the possibility of renting.
I had another idea the other day, maybe dump everything, sell the house, put what i need to keep in storage & just flop around the planet for a year, a month here, a month there... see what happens.
