ERE is Path to Meaningful Life - MMM style FI year 4

[Stasher]

I just finally posted last weeks minimalist challenge purge of decluttering and hope to get this weeks cleared up and posted up tomorrow.

For Week 25 on June 23 - 29 the following 25 items were collected
3 - old silicone & caulking tubes (recycling)
1 - dirtbike skid plate (sold)
1 - damaged tire tube (recycled)
1 - dirtbike toolkit (thrift store)
2 - camping coolers (gave to my son)
1 - storage rubbermaid tote (gave to my daughter)
2 - clothing items (thrift store)
3 - books (street corner free library)
1 - camp kettle (thrift store)
1 - camp cook set (thrift store)
2 - socket ratchet wrenches (thrift store)
2 - combination wrenches (thrift store)
1 - putty knife (thrift store)
2 - damaged screwdrivers (recycled)
2 - mind puzzle games (thrift store)

Final dividends were disbursed into my trading brokerage account for Q2 and keeping with my asset allocation goals I put all the funds into VCN (Canadian Equity Index following the TSX stock market). I'm sitting at roughly a 35 bond/65 equity split right now which seems ok to me with all the volatility in the global trade market currently.

My only spike in spending last week was on gas for my car as this time of year I enjoy traveling to the further away mountains riding and hiking the different trail networks. I'm extremely content with our consistent spending habits, they aren't overly frugal or ERE level but far below the traditional consumer.

I did a lot of mountain biking and also helped with a big women's offroad enduro moto event as a trail guide/support/sweep, over 100 stoked ladies descended on our PNW region for an amazing festival. I also met some friends of a friend to share my local community and mtb knowledge with them which included a big ride. They are looking to relocate here and wanted the inside scoop.



Mountain summit outlook over the major river valley estuary to the ocean from the top of the MTB trails.



Coast Salish Hulq'uminum for "Bumble Bee" which is the name of this downhill flowy mtb trail.

[Mousse]

I did a lot of mountain biking and also helped with a big women's offroad enduro moto event as a trail guide/support/sweep, over 100 stoked ladies descended on our PNW region for an amazing festival. I also met some friends of a friend to share my local community and mtb knowledge with them which included a big ride.

This all sounds like such a great time! As always, loving your pictures

[Stasher]

Thanks @Mousse

For a lot of good quality items we are getting rid of, we either walk them down to the thrift store or we set them on the sidewalk along our house for free. (which has been a lot lately with the minimalist game challenge)

Well finally all our good karma from giving away free things has come full circle thanks to my frugality and unwillingness to pay the crazy price new patio furniture is selling for. Found this perfectly great 3 piece outdoor sofa made of solid wood and high quality cushions out front a house a couple blocks fown for free. Wood could use a sand and fresh stain and I have no problem living with the sun faded cushions. Our cat immediately approved and fell asleep on it right away

The funny thing in this photo is that the red cushions on the couch I found for free in town on the sidewalk as well 2 years prior. The two chairs we spotted in the return discounted section at our Canadian Tire store for 50% off and the table we found for free 11 years ago roadside, just keep painting it to keep it in one piece lol

[ertyu]

Looks like an excellent place to hang out. Couch looks good, structurally sound. I personally would give it a coat of -something- more for the weather protection than anything.

Last but not least, all hail to the cat . Old, fat, and lazy -- a mood, as the kids (now 30 yolds, I guess) say on the internet.

[Henry]

Stasher scavengers up a an entire outdoor patio set and the cat shits up the whole picture by sitting ass backwards on the couch. It's why I hate cats. Outside of humans, they're the only animal in the kingdom that feels the need to be contrarian for its own sake. You would never see a dog pulling that shit unless it was just bonafide fucking stupid.

[Stasher]

LOL yes on both replies to cats, one day love 'em second day they are a-holes

Right after I wrote out my list for week 25 of the ERE minimalist decluttering challenge I got to work getting the last few items for my week 26.

For Week 26 on June 29 - July 6 the following 26 items were collected
10 - old duplicate screwdrivers (thrift store)
1 - automotive electrical repair kit (gave to my son)
1 - cycling chamois shorts in storage (garbaged)
1 - glass vase (thrift store)
1 - hardcover journal/notepad (thrift store)
1 - decorative storage tin (thrift store)
6 - combination wrenches (gave to son in law)
1 - allen key set (gave to son in law)
1 - MX helmet (gave to son)
1 - MX boots (gave to son)
1 - MX knee pads (gave to son)b
1 - new in box truck front rotor (gave back to son)

[Stasher]

Enjoyed the chat here on the forums talking about other useful numbers or data points for EREmites. That got me thinking that sharing my response here in the journal as reference is a good placeholder.

I think the key number to reflect on for me is how much longer we have left in a healthy state to enjoy our best years. Now this is more important on say the MMM forums where the "one more year syndrome" is a bigger concern, ERE types tend to already know that working more is just to feed excessive consumerism.

So with that I really appreciate this calculator > Rich, Broke or Dead?
https://engaging-data.com/will-money-last-retire-early/

Hopefully this is interesting data for EREmites. For example when plugging my age (just over 50) and my investments into that calculator, I have 25% chance of having 5x more money than when I started at age 70 but also have a 22% chance of being dead. Food for thought.

[birding]

I enjoyed reading that conversation too. And stumbled across that calculator from another ere's journal (2Birds1Stone ?) as well. Indeed food for thought. I wouldn't say I fall into the poor health / smoker mortality table, but still motivational to do better physical activity-wise. (Got out for a bike ride yesterday!) But remember, the 22% could be skewed high for an Uphill Athlete as yourself