I can relate. We just got back from Hawaii. We took a snorkeling trip, didn’t ever get more than a 1/4 mile offshore. I was the only one (I think) who got seasick. Had to skip the second dive because the bobbing in the water was too much! We have an 8 day Galápagos Islands cruise on a small catamaran in April. I’ll be loading up on the Dramamine!
We built our house and took a 2.65% mortgage almost 5 years ago. Our combined mortgage payment, insurance and property taxes amount to about 10% of our income. Sleep very well at night.
I was a bread salesman for 32 years and retired at 55. Worked for Hostess/Wonder bread for 7 of those years. Took my pension, moved to Colorado, got my CDL and drove for a gas company for 7 years. Retired again and started traveling full time in our motor home. Did gas line surveying where they paid us to travel and fulfill survey contracts all over the country. Did that for 4 years, retired again built our house near our son and grandkids. Now fully retired at 71. Life is good!
I was going to rake the leaves but then the wind came up and blew them into my neighbor’s yard. Not unhappy about that since my neighbor is a complete putz.😏. Sometimes procrastination is it’s own reward.
I’ve never understood the need to pay big bucks for a steak I can make just as well at home. Texas Roadhouse or Longhorn Steakhouse are good values. Usually when we go out it’s for ethnic food that we can’t make at home. Or bbq. Here in the South, you definitely don’t need to spend big bucks on great bbq.
Comments
The one half of the 1%.
Post: How the Other Half Live: The Reality Check
Link to comment from January 14, 2026
I can relate. We just got back from Hawaii. We took a snorkeling trip, didn’t ever get more than a 1/4 mile offshore. I was the only one (I think) who got seasick. Had to skip the second dive because the bobbing in the water was too much! We have an 8 day Galápagos Islands cruise on a small catamaran in April. I’ll be loading up on the Dramamine!
Post: How the Other Half Live: The Reality Check
Link to comment from January 13, 2026
We built our house and took a 2.65% mortgage almost 5 years ago. Our combined mortgage payment, insurance and property taxes amount to about 10% of our income. Sleep very well at night.
Post: Mortgage in Retirement
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
NOT getting up at 2AM with Wednesday and Sunday off was the greatest joy of retiring. Looking back, not sure how I did it either!😏
Post: What Age Did You Retire—and What Made You Decide It Was Time?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
I was a bread salesman for 32 years and retired at 55. Worked for Hostess/Wonder bread for 7 of those years. Took my pension, moved to Colorado, got my CDL and drove for a gas company for 7 years. Retired again and started traveling full time in our motor home. Did gas line surveying where they paid us to travel and fulfill survey contracts all over the country. Did that for 4 years, retired again built our house near our son and grandkids. Now fully retired at 71. Life is good!
Post: What Age Did You Retire—and What Made You Decide It Was Time?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
Slate freely acknowledges their left wing bias. Doesn’t mean they can’t make a valid argument. The same would be true for a right wing publication.
Post: Thanksgiving: The Keeping Story
Link to comment from November 28, 2025
Everyone in my family knows if they can’t think of anything else to get me, a good bottle of bourbon is always welcome!
Post: The Magic of the Season: From Turkey to Rollercoaster Spending in 72 Hours.
Link to comment from November 28, 2025
I was going to rake the leaves but then the wind came up and blew them into my neighbor’s yard. Not unhappy about that since my neighbor is a complete putz.😏. Sometimes procrastination is it’s own reward.
Post: Four People, One Stupid Observation
Link to comment from November 17, 2025
You must listen to David Sedaris narration of his experience as a department store Santa Claus elf. A classic…and hilarious!
Post: Purple Handcuffs and the Gift of Time
Link to comment from November 12, 2025
I’ve never understood the need to pay big bucks for a steak I can make just as well at home. Texas Roadhouse or Longhorn Steakhouse are good values. Usually when we go out it’s for ethnic food that we can’t make at home. Or bbq. Here in the South, you definitely don’t need to spend big bucks on great bbq.
Post: Three Peas and a Reality Check. (A Very Tiny Rant)
Link to comment from November 5, 2025