Thanks Dave and Cmonkey. Yes I guess its going ok. Housing will take a more long term change your right. I havent put any drastic plans in place yet (eg caravan) since I am tossing up whether to move for a while overseas next year. I am pretty happy now as I just got paid again on 1st December so got another big whack of money to jump my net worth up higher again.
@oldpro- wow that really is quite an innovative measure for dealing with drinks. Dining and drinks last month was $180 so still too high. Maybe I should try something like that.
Part time work full time happiness
Re: Bon voyage
There is a phenomenon I have observed when you leave 'home' and live in other places. Even your best friends and close relatives may not keep in touch. I think the same kind of thing may happen when someone is pursuing a goal such as ERE. When you start focusing your time and energy on FIREing, you have in a sense left the world most people live in.
It seems to me that people see you as having 'left' their world. It isn't as if they suddenly stop caring about you but it is YOU that left them and somehow the onus is all on YOU to keep a connection going. It might seem reasonable to expect that both parties would share equally in keeping the connection alive but that just isn't what my experience has shown me happens. It is always the person who LEFT that has to make the effort.
I've had to explain this same thing to my wife who still sometimes complains that her family and friends never seem to pick up the phone and call, she always has to call them to keep in touch. As I have learned and told my wife she needs to understand and accept, psychologically, YOU left, in their subconscious. You are no longer in their 'world' and their life just goes on without you. I doubt many, if any, even realize consciously that they are making no effort to keep in touch. Why would they, you aren't in their world anymore.
I hope I have explained what I am trying to convey thrifty. People still like you but it may not seem as if they do. And yes, YOU have to make all the effort. That's just the way it is.
It seems to me that people see you as having 'left' their world. It isn't as if they suddenly stop caring about you but it is YOU that left them and somehow the onus is all on YOU to keep a connection going. It might seem reasonable to expect that both parties would share equally in keeping the connection alive but that just isn't what my experience has shown me happens. It is always the person who LEFT that has to make the effort.
I've had to explain this same thing to my wife who still sometimes complains that her family and friends never seem to pick up the phone and call, she always has to call them to keep in touch. As I have learned and told my wife she needs to understand and accept, psychologically, YOU left, in their subconscious. You are no longer in their 'world' and their life just goes on without you. I doubt many, if any, even realize consciously that they are making no effort to keep in touch. Why would they, you aren't in their world anymore.
I hope I have explained what I am trying to convey thrifty. People still like you but it may not seem as if they do. And yes, YOU have to make all the effort. That's just the way it is.
Re: Bon voyage
Thanks Oldpro. Yes I do know what you mean. Effort on my part is required.
Re: Bon voyage
I wish there was an upvote button here, I'd be slamming it repeatedly. Well said.OldPro wrote:There is a phenomenon I have observed when you leave 'home' and live in other places. Even your best friends and close relatives may not keep in touch. I think the same kind of thing may happen when someone is pursuing a goal such as ERE. When you start focusing your time and energy on FIREing, you have in a sense left the world most people live in......
Re: Bon voyage
Indeed!blackbird wrote:I wish there was an upvote button here, I'd be slamming it repeatedly. Well said.OldPro wrote:There is a phenomenon I have observed when you leave 'home' and live in other places. Even your best friends and close relatives may not keep in touch. I think the same kind of thing may happen when someone is pursuing a goal such as ERE. When you start focusing your time and energy on FIREing, you have in a sense left the world most people live in......
The isolation that comes with the ERE territory is very real. At first it's difficult to notice it because you just get busy with reaching the ERE goal. But yes, I think eventually people feel that you have left their world, and because of that we have to work extra hard to rekindle friendships.
Re: Bon voyage
I completely agree, although I have always felt outside the world of others. It is more noticeable now that we have embraced ERE. We have a couple of 'couple' friends and we have nothing in common with them other than enjoying each other's company. Even then we hardly ever get together these days. Usually we have to make the effort.
Re: Bon voyage
Almost everything in life comes at a cost of one kind or another and this is just one of those things. On the other hand you can adopt a 'glass half full' attitude (it is all about attitude) to the whole issue.
For example, you know that obnoxious relative you wish wasn't part of your family? Well, you don't have to keep in touch out of 'obligation' anymore. If they don't make the effort, no reason for you to do so either.
For example, you know that obnoxious relative you wish wasn't part of your family? Well, you don't have to keep in touch out of 'obligation' anymore. If they don't make the effort, no reason for you to do so either.
Re: Bon voyage
Happy New Year everyone!
My monthly tally up for December is:
- Assets $94,000
- Less tiny credit card balance and student loan of $16500 approx
Net Worth = $77,200
My savings rate was 66%.
Am doing pretty well this month as my net worth has increased $5k in one month. Although my savings rate and increase in net worth were large this month, it was actually quite a spendy month (I got paid three times this month so income was high). I spent $320 on Christmas gifts and $400 on dining and drinks outings. Well it was December after all, only one month a year, and by next year I will be more ERE trained to cut those sections down (especially gifts).
I am very much looking forward to my assets hitting $100k. This will be a big milestone for me. And I consider my student loan to barely qualify as a liability or a debt in real terms so despite my net worth being lower than that, I will consider $100k assets significant for me.
My monthly tally up for December is:
- Assets $94,000
- Less tiny credit card balance and student loan of $16500 approx
Net Worth = $77,200
My savings rate was 66%.
Am doing pretty well this month as my net worth has increased $5k in one month. Although my savings rate and increase in net worth were large this month, it was actually quite a spendy month (I got paid three times this month so income was high). I spent $320 on Christmas gifts and $400 on dining and drinks outings. Well it was December after all, only one month a year, and by next year I will be more ERE trained to cut those sections down (especially gifts).
I am very much looking forward to my assets hitting $100k. This will be a big milestone for me. And I consider my student loan to barely qualify as a liability or a debt in real terms so despite my net worth being lower than that, I will consider $100k assets significant for me.
2015 to 2016
I wanted to do a bit of a review of 2015 and set a way forward for 2016.
I have just done the figures and for the first 7 months of ERE (starting in June 2015) I have saved 61% of my after tax income and increased net worth by $27.5k! I am very pleased with this result as I initially set a target of 50%. I then revised my target to 55%. However in the months I earn more money I seem to have saved well in excess of those targets due to a systemic change in habits resulting in the overall savings rate to be high.
For 2016 I am setting my savings target at 60%. However I have noticed that on a couple of occasions I have foregone opportunities to be engaged in activities or experiences due to not wanting to spend any money. I think this is affecting the level of my happiness at times and I think may be compromising my relationships with other people (which is more important than saving). Going forward I am wanting to focus more on mundane expenditure rather than avoiding one off costs for experiences and opportunities to enrich relationships with others.
I have compiled a list of goals that I have for 2016. These may be subject to review or ongoing assessment. But I wanted to post them for a reminder and accountability. Overall I think overall many of the goals are synergistic and interact with each other.
Relationships:
- Focus first on kindness and generousness to others.
- Provide a specific complement to someone at least once a week.
- Be open and honest and trusting to others at all times rather than suspicious unless evidence suggests I should behave otherwise with such person.
- Allocate time once a week to spend time enriching a relationship.
- Answer my phone when people ring.
- Refrain from gossiping negatively about other people.
- When having negative thoughts about others think about one positive feature they possess.
- Call all family members once a month.
Spiritual development:
- Read 1 book per month.
- Meditate 5 times a week.
- Schedule one thing for myself each week that lifts my spirits.
- Go hiking/swimming/surfing/exploring somewhere beautiful once a month.
- When an opportunity to do something highly fulfilling arises and/or which builds relationships I will do it regardless of it costing me money or being outside of my budget.
- Engage in agnostic spiritual activities once a month.
- Constantly remind myself what others may or may not think is irrelevant most of the time.
Health
- Eat no processed food except 1 bag of rice crackers a week.
- Learn how to use callipers properly and reach 9% bodyfat levels by end of May 2016
- Attend yoga once a week.
- Do at least one hour of reasonably rigorous exercise 6 days a week.
- Stretch 6 days a week.
- Become flexible enough that I can sit down with legs in front of me and flat and lean forward and comfortably pull both feet towards me with my hands.
- Regularly read and research material and safe and effective exercise strategies.
- Drink herbal tea in most evenings and afternoons when not socialising rather than any other kind of drink.
Financial
- Save 60% of after tax income.
- By end of May 2016 reach $108k in assets and net worth of $95k.
- Limit food spending to $450 a month.
- Make my own cost effective protein bars.
- Make my own moisturising cream.
- Make my own SPF moisturising cream.
- Buy a bicycle and ride it.
- Dry-clean my own work clothing.
- Build a fourth income stream.
- Buy an airlock and make my own country wine.
- Pro-actively arrange low cost and fulfilling activities and events and invite others.
- Focus on reducing mundane uninteresting expenses such as food and accommodation.
I have just done the figures and for the first 7 months of ERE (starting in June 2015) I have saved 61% of my after tax income and increased net worth by $27.5k! I am very pleased with this result as I initially set a target of 50%. I then revised my target to 55%. However in the months I earn more money I seem to have saved well in excess of those targets due to a systemic change in habits resulting in the overall savings rate to be high.
For 2016 I am setting my savings target at 60%. However I have noticed that on a couple of occasions I have foregone opportunities to be engaged in activities or experiences due to not wanting to spend any money. I think this is affecting the level of my happiness at times and I think may be compromising my relationships with other people (which is more important than saving). Going forward I am wanting to focus more on mundane expenditure rather than avoiding one off costs for experiences and opportunities to enrich relationships with others.
I have compiled a list of goals that I have for 2016. These may be subject to review or ongoing assessment. But I wanted to post them for a reminder and accountability. Overall I think overall many of the goals are synergistic and interact with each other.
Relationships:
- Focus first on kindness and generousness to others.
- Provide a specific complement to someone at least once a week.
- Be open and honest and trusting to others at all times rather than suspicious unless evidence suggests I should behave otherwise with such person.
- Allocate time once a week to spend time enriching a relationship.
- Answer my phone when people ring.
- Refrain from gossiping negatively about other people.
- When having negative thoughts about others think about one positive feature they possess.
- Call all family members once a month.
Spiritual development:
- Read 1 book per month.
- Meditate 5 times a week.
- Schedule one thing for myself each week that lifts my spirits.
- Go hiking/swimming/surfing/exploring somewhere beautiful once a month.
- When an opportunity to do something highly fulfilling arises and/or which builds relationships I will do it regardless of it costing me money or being outside of my budget.
- Engage in agnostic spiritual activities once a month.
- Constantly remind myself what others may or may not think is irrelevant most of the time.
Health
- Eat no processed food except 1 bag of rice crackers a week.
- Learn how to use callipers properly and reach 9% bodyfat levels by end of May 2016
- Attend yoga once a week.
- Do at least one hour of reasonably rigorous exercise 6 days a week.
- Stretch 6 days a week.
- Become flexible enough that I can sit down with legs in front of me and flat and lean forward and comfortably pull both feet towards me with my hands.
- Regularly read and research material and safe and effective exercise strategies.
- Drink herbal tea in most evenings and afternoons when not socialising rather than any other kind of drink.
Financial
- Save 60% of after tax income.
- By end of May 2016 reach $108k in assets and net worth of $95k.
- Limit food spending to $450 a month.
- Make my own cost effective protein bars.
- Make my own moisturising cream.
- Make my own SPF moisturising cream.
- Buy a bicycle and ride it.
- Dry-clean my own work clothing.
- Build a fourth income stream.
- Buy an airlock and make my own country wine.
- Pro-actively arrange low cost and fulfilling activities and events and invite others.
- Focus on reducing mundane uninteresting expenses such as food and accommodation.
Re: 2015 to 2016
I smiled when I read this. I am awful about answering the phone and keeping in touch with people. Chatting on the phone is awkward for me. It should be used to set up times to meet and/or to transmit important information.thrifty++ wrote: - Answer my phone when people ring.
Re: Bon voyage
Yep its such an introvert thing. I just really dislike the interruption of it when I am in the middle of other things. But I know this habit frustrates and upsets other people.
Re: Bon voyage
Me too! At the same time, it's also frustrating when people assume I've read their e-mail or FB invite or whatever just because they sent it. So there's really no good answer when someone thoughtfully asks what the best way to contact me would be...
Re: Bon voyage
Great job on the 61% savings rate and the 27.5K saved! That is no small sum.
I do the same thing with phones. In fact I have my phone set to go to voicemail if the number is not in my contacts. If they leave a voicemail I know it was important enough to call them back. Otherwise its ignored. DW is the only one that might call from my contacts and that is maybe twice per year. Phone is rarely used!
I do the same thing with phones. In fact I have my phone set to go to voicemail if the number is not in my contacts. If they leave a voicemail I know it was important enough to call them back. Otherwise its ignored. DW is the only one that might call from my contacts and that is maybe twice per year. Phone is rarely used!
Re: Bon voyage
Thanks Cmonkey1
Oh if its a number I don't recognise I definitely don't answer it. I'm more focussing on the ones I actually do know who at the moment I still dont bother answering1 lol
Oh if its a number I don't recognise I definitely don't answer it. I'm more focussing on the ones I actually do know who at the moment I still dont bother answering1 lol
Re: Bon voyage
For the first month of the year I kicked off by meeting my savings target of 60% spot on.
Net worth:
Assets - $95,800
Less tiny credit card balance and student loan of $15,500
Net worth = $80,100
My net worth has not risen as high as my estimate or my savings would expect due to my assets being decimated last month. Still there now. However I am sure everyone else is in the same boat in that regard.
My flatmate is now moving out in a couple of weeks. Has been a great flatmate. Shame that he is going. Also its going to be a bugger paying all the rent for this place. Its going to be hard for me to meet my savings target for a while. Will see.
Net worth:
Assets - $95,800
Less tiny credit card balance and student loan of $15,500
Net worth = $80,100
My net worth has not risen as high as my estimate or my savings would expect due to my assets being decimated last month. Still there now. However I am sure everyone else is in the same boat in that regard.
My flatmate is now moving out in a couple of weeks. Has been a great flatmate. Shame that he is going. Also its going to be a bugger paying all the rent for this place. Its going to be hard for me to meet my savings target for a while. Will see.
Re: Bon voyage
Good way to kick off a new year. Despite markets dropping so much, your net worth still went up. The power of savings!
I am in the same boat although my savings were also eaten away...renovations.
I am in the same boat although my savings were also eaten away...renovations.
Re: Bon voyage
Thanks CMonkey. Your renovations do look very impressive though. 
Im sure the assets will climb back up at some point.
Im sure the assets will climb back up at some point.
Re: Bon voyage
I really like your goals and activities related to building relationships and joy. Great job defining those and I hope that stuff goes well for you!
Re: Bon voyage
Thanks C40. Execution is another story. But thanks for the reminder. I have just looked at them again. I have found these to be the most challenging goals but also the most fulfilling.