In another thread Wobbot was bemoaning, as usual, the perilous state of his
fincances. Set me to thinking. How much *do* you need to lead a
reasonable life as a retired middle-aged runner?
An example.
Due to circumstances upon which I've no intention of elaborating, I
liquidated all my assets a couple of years ago and placed the resulting sum
into a discretionary trust for my kids. Consequently - for all intents and
purposes - I'm as poor as a church mouse. Sure, I have some funds salted
away for a rainy day, and a reasonable pension, but as I rent my home and
have to shell out for greedy kids I find I spend very little on myself.
I sat down this morning and calculated that I'd spent an average of just
over sixty two pounds sterling per week on myself over the past year. That
includes food, clothing, travel - in fact everything apart from
accommodation and cars. I excluded those 'cause we only rent a large
property to ensure space for a rather noisy family, and I'd be happier on my
motocross bike than in a car were it not for the need to carry boys around.
During this time I travelled to five countries, lived quite comfortably and
can't, offhand, think of anything I denied myself.
So, Wobbot, were's the difference between you and I? Why do you see the
glass half-empty and I half full? More to the point, why don't you *do*
something with your life?