Portugal rather than Spain (Algarve) but I imagine it's pretty similar. Imo Iberia is the most interesting part of Europe; great weather, low COL, safe, lot of history. The bureaucracy isn't really a problem if you are just buying a property, though I agree renting first is a good option. Jerez is a great city not far from the Portuguese border.
Frugaldoc's journal
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Well, I turned the big 5-0 today. I thought I would be more depressed than I am. Perhaps my grandmother passing away last week inoculated me against any self-indulgent lamentations over getting older.
I sat down and thought about what would make this, the 51st year of my life, a “win”. I listed five things and chose the one thing to devote most of my time to. If I failed at everything else but achieved this, I would still consider the year a win.
1. I am lean, fit, and healthy. *
2. I have a net worth > $1 million.
3. I spend quality time with people I care about.
4. I earn my Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer warfare device.
5. I am in a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
Those may seem like vague goals and to an extent they are. Some are partially out of my control (net worth). The ‘lean, fit and healthy’ goal required me to sketch out a list of metrics I want to meet to fulfill that goal. Now I need to work on process goals that I will implement each day.
February update
Spending
$2030 of spending in February, keeping me on track to spend <$40k this year. There was some additional spending in Osaka at the end of the month that will be reflected in March’s numbers. I really wanted to buy Cal Newport’s new book, “Slow Productivity” but stayed true to my book buying moratorium. I also found a store with great paper products (stationary, etc) but I resisted. I am determined to use up the supply of stationery and blank notebooks I already have.
Fitness
Increased walking with a few trips to the gym. I have set a goal of walking/running one mile every day for the next 100 days. It doesn’t sound like much, but I want to get the habit started and will likely do more once I find myself down in the gym. Flight deck operations start at the crack of dawn most days so if I want to walk/run I need to head below decks to use the treadmills that have an incline.
Reading
Completed ‘The Almanack of Naval Ravikant’. Lots of good stuff in there, even if I don’t agree with all of it. Almost done with the Warren Buffett biography “The Snowball”. While a great capital allocator, I can’t but feel a bit sorry for him when I read some of the stories of his life. In many ways, he seems childlike in many aspects of his personality.
Work
Still debating on extending in this assignment through summer of 2026 so I can have the Rota, Spain assignment. It wouldn’t be that bad, especially if we make the home port shift to San Diego in the latter half of 2025 as planned. But that seems up in the air. I could also go to Djibouti for a year to secure the Rota assignment. That could be an interesting assignment. Financially beneficial as well (tax breaks) but does not support the goal of being in a healthy, fulfilling relationship.
I sat down and thought about what would make this, the 51st year of my life, a “win”. I listed five things and chose the one thing to devote most of my time to. If I failed at everything else but achieved this, I would still consider the year a win.
1. I am lean, fit, and healthy. *
2. I have a net worth > $1 million.
3. I spend quality time with people I care about.
4. I earn my Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer warfare device.
5. I am in a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
Those may seem like vague goals and to an extent they are. Some are partially out of my control (net worth). The ‘lean, fit and healthy’ goal required me to sketch out a list of metrics I want to meet to fulfill that goal. Now I need to work on process goals that I will implement each day.
February update
Spending
$2030 of spending in February, keeping me on track to spend <$40k this year. There was some additional spending in Osaka at the end of the month that will be reflected in March’s numbers. I really wanted to buy Cal Newport’s new book, “Slow Productivity” but stayed true to my book buying moratorium. I also found a store with great paper products (stationary, etc) but I resisted. I am determined to use up the supply of stationery and blank notebooks I already have.
Fitness
Increased walking with a few trips to the gym. I have set a goal of walking/running one mile every day for the next 100 days. It doesn’t sound like much, but I want to get the habit started and will likely do more once I find myself down in the gym. Flight deck operations start at the crack of dawn most days so if I want to walk/run I need to head below decks to use the treadmills that have an incline.
Reading
Completed ‘The Almanack of Naval Ravikant’. Lots of good stuff in there, even if I don’t agree with all of it. Almost done with the Warren Buffett biography “The Snowball”. While a great capital allocator, I can’t but feel a bit sorry for him when I read some of the stories of his life. In many ways, he seems childlike in many aspects of his personality.
Work
Still debating on extending in this assignment through summer of 2026 so I can have the Rota, Spain assignment. It wouldn’t be that bad, especially if we make the home port shift to San Diego in the latter half of 2025 as planned. But that seems up in the air. I could also go to Djibouti for a year to secure the Rota assignment. That could be an interesting assignment. Financially beneficial as well (tax breaks) but does not support the goal of being in a healthy, fulfilling relationship.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Happy birthday. The day I turned 50 was the last day my father was cognizant. He died five days later. I could have sworn I screamed when the hospice nurse called it but my wife who was right there besides me said I didn't. No more Happy Birthdays for me. 49 of them is enough. Now everyone calls me sir, like I'm fucking Sidney Portier.frugaldoc wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:33 amWell, I turned the big 5-0 today. I thought I would be more depressed than I am. Perhaps my grandmother passing away last week inoculated me against any self-indulgent lamentations over getting older.
I sat down and thought about what would make this, the 51st year of my life, a “win”. I listed five things and chose the one thing to devote most of my time to. If I failed at everything else but achieved this, I would still consider the year a win.
1. I am lean, fit, and healthy. *
2. I have a net worth > $1 million.
3. I spend quality time with people I care about.
4. I earn my Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer warfare device.
5. I am in a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
Those may seem like vague goals and to an extent they are. Some are partially out of my control (net worth). The ‘lean, fit and healthy’ goal required me to sketch out a list of metrics I want to meet to fulfill that goal. Now I need to work on process goals that I will implement each day.
In your top five list, eliminating 4 because who knows what the fuck that is, and conflating 3 and 5 because I only care about one other person, I have achieved three. Better to have than not to have but from here on out you live under the shadow of death, the rest of your days with the increasingly warmer breath of the angel of death blowing down your neck and the raw ache of earthly disillusionment and dissatisfaction drilling through your innards creating the nail hole for the rattle of death. Or maybe that's just me. But that's been my story since I turned 50.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Wellllll.... let me just wish you a happy birthday, frugaldoc. With many more happy years to come 
Keep us posted on whether you extend this assignment or do something else. Are there perhaps yet other options for you, or could they maybe open up over the next months?
Keep us posted on whether you extend this assignment or do something else. Are there perhaps yet other options for you, or could they maybe open up over the next months?
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
-Random thoughts on striking out
A beautiful 245-acre property in Vermont came available last week. It had everything I wanted: lots of water with the Lamoille River running through it, about 30 acres of cleared land with rich soil that had been used as a garlic farm, 2 miles to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, and lots of forest with existing trails.
But it didn’t last long. Within 5 days the buyer had set a deadline for “final and best” offers. The agent indicated that they had already received a strong, cash offer. I had people on the ground willing to look at the property. The one sticking point was to access the property one must cross a private bridge that spans the river. There was a lot of flooding in Vermont in 2023 and I wanted a civil engineer to examine the bridge and provide a report on its soundness. That just couldn’t be done in time for the offer deadline. Plus, I wasn’t prepared to go above asking ($550k). So, I was a little bummed about that. Buying property from across the world is difficult.
But I did learn some lessons. Most importantly, my financial life is too complicated. I have too many accounts scattered around which dissipates the ability to use my assets as collateral. If I had had all taxable investments in a single account, I could have leveraged them to come up with the money to make a more compelling cash offer if I had wanted to. I have all these accounts because I am an inveterate tinkerer and like to run different portfolio strategies in different accounts. I think it is time to stop tinkering so much and stop trying to overly optimize in my quest to find the perfect portfolio strategy. So, over the coming months I am going to start working to consolidate my investments. The next time a dream property appears on the market, I will be less likely to strike out.
A beautiful 245-acre property in Vermont came available last week. It had everything I wanted: lots of water with the Lamoille River running through it, about 30 acres of cleared land with rich soil that had been used as a garlic farm, 2 miles to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, and lots of forest with existing trails.
But it didn’t last long. Within 5 days the buyer had set a deadline for “final and best” offers. The agent indicated that they had already received a strong, cash offer. I had people on the ground willing to look at the property. The one sticking point was to access the property one must cross a private bridge that spans the river. There was a lot of flooding in Vermont in 2023 and I wanted a civil engineer to examine the bridge and provide a report on its soundness. That just couldn’t be done in time for the offer deadline. Plus, I wasn’t prepared to go above asking ($550k). So, I was a little bummed about that. Buying property from across the world is difficult.
But I did learn some lessons. Most importantly, my financial life is too complicated. I have too many accounts scattered around which dissipates the ability to use my assets as collateral. If I had had all taxable investments in a single account, I could have leveraged them to come up with the money to make a more compelling cash offer if I had wanted to. I have all these accounts because I am an inveterate tinkerer and like to run different portfolio strategies in different accounts. I think it is time to stop tinkering so much and stop trying to overly optimize in my quest to find the perfect portfolio strategy. So, over the coming months I am going to start working to consolidate my investments. The next time a dream property appears on the market, I will be less likely to strike out.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Yup. What I learned when I was looking for my current house is that there will be new properties on the market, and there will be ones that will be just as good or better than the one that has just passed you by. So who knows what will come on the market next! (And yes, good to be prepared for it!).
...And I just finished my tax paperwork for this year, and am considering simplifying too, because it takes a lot of time to get all the paperwork together if you have 7 different financial accounts and some other tax deductible expenses. Pfew.
...And I just finished my tax paperwork for this year, and am considering simplifying too, because it takes a lot of time to get all the paperwork together if you have 7 different financial accounts and some other tax deductible expenses. Pfew.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
My two person ERE book club
I somewhat haphazardly reconnected with a person I had met while living in San Antonio 15 years ago. We had only met once so I didn't know much about her except that she was an interesting, science fiction fan and lover of live music. But I recently discovered she has the frugality gene and saves 50% of her income. She started doing this without being exposed to much, if any, FIRE content out there (didn't even know who Mr. Money Mustache was
). So I hopped on Amazon and sent her a copy of "Early Retirement Extreme" and "The Richest Man in Babylon". A few days ago we had our first discussion of ERE, albeit over the phone. We talked at length about Chapter One and will probably discuss chapter two next week. It was quite satisfying to introduce someone new to Jacob's body of work.
I somewhat haphazardly reconnected with a person I had met while living in San Antonio 15 years ago. We had only met once so I didn't know much about her except that she was an interesting, science fiction fan and lover of live music. But I recently discovered she has the frugality gene and saves 50% of her income. She started doing this without being exposed to much, if any, FIRE content out there (didn't even know who Mr. Money Mustache was
). So I hopped on Amazon and sent her a copy of "Early Retirement Extreme" and "The Richest Man in Babylon". A few days ago we had our first discussion of ERE, albeit over the phone. We talked at length about Chapter One and will probably discuss chapter two next week. It was quite satisfying to introduce someone new to Jacob's body of work.Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Vermont Land Acquired (almost)
I haven't made an entry in a while so thought I would provide the one important update from my life. I have 25.6 acres (10.4 hectares) under contract in Northern VT that I will close on July 1st. It is about 13 acres of woods (mostly hardwood that will look glorious in the fall) on a slope with an additional eight acres of grass divided by a year-round stream with +/- four acres of wetlands. The potential building sites are elevated about 20 feet above the stream and south facing. It has paved state highway frontage which is important during mud season. I am excited about closing on it but lament the fact that I am in Japan and can't really go do anything with the land for the foreseeable future. It already has a fair number of apple trees planted but I would like to diversify the orchard and start replacing some of the grass with patches of wildflowers.
I haven't made an entry in a while so thought I would provide the one important update from my life. I have 25.6 acres (10.4 hectares) under contract in Northern VT that I will close on July 1st. It is about 13 acres of woods (mostly hardwood that will look glorious in the fall) on a slope with an additional eight acres of grass divided by a year-round stream with +/- four acres of wetlands. The potential building sites are elevated about 20 feet above the stream and south facing. It has paved state highway frontage which is important during mud season. I am excited about closing on it but lament the fact that I am in Japan and can't really go do anything with the land for the foreseeable future. It already has a fair number of apple trees planted but I would like to diversify the orchard and start replacing some of the grass with patches of wildflowers.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Ooooh, that sounds awesome! Did you get it checked out for weird issues that could cause buyer's remorse later (sorry, i don't have the English words for this, ha). Would there be anyone in the area who you can pay a bit to start on the orchard?
Hmm, I can imagine you can now dream a bit about your future in this beautiful place.
Hmm, I can imagine you can now dream a bit about your future in this beautiful place.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
There shouldn't be any buyer's remorse. The potential building sites are >50 feet from the wetland buffer zones. Soil tests have been done and show it is appropriate for a septic system.
Below is the link to the listing if you care to look. I am a bit annoyed that the listing is still up even though we signed a contract. I negotiated it down to $135k from $160k and I am wondering if they are just hoping someone will come by at the last minute and offer full price. The owners are absentee owners from Oregon who bought it in 2020 when everyone wanted to move out of the cities.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/0-S- ... 5985_zpid/
Below is the link to the listing if you care to look. I am a bit annoyed that the listing is still up even though we signed a contract. I negotiated it down to $135k from $160k and I am wondering if they are just hoping someone will come by at the last minute and offer full price. The owners are absentee owners from Oregon who bought it in 2020 when everyone wanted to move out of the cities.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/0-S- ... 5985_zpid/
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
It does still show as active, indeed. It sure looks like it does have potential, also with road access to nearby towns and bigger cities slightly further away. Funny how the times change and apparently the Oregon owners reconsidered about moving here - history unfolding as we speak.
Reading back now, I see that the previous property you looked at was about ten times the size? Did you change your mind about that, or are you hoping that over time you can buy more land near your current property-under-contract?
Recently there was news in my country about how Chinese fighter airplanes flew provocatively close by a Dutch marine ship that was in the strait of Taiwan. People kept their cool enough to not engage (as I would hope!), so everything's fine for now. I am wondering what you think about this, but not sure how much you can share.
I'm also curious what your bookclub of two thinks about the ERE book?
Reading back now, I see that the previous property you looked at was about ten times the size? Did you change your mind about that, or are you hoping that over time you can buy more land near your current property-under-contract?
Recently there was news in my country about how Chinese fighter airplanes flew provocatively close by a Dutch marine ship that was in the strait of Taiwan. People kept their cool enough to not engage (as I would hope!), so everything's fine for now. I am wondering what you think about this, but not sure how much you can share.
I'm also curious what your bookclub of two thinks about the ERE book?
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Been at sea doing Navy stuff. Also, we have had near non-existent internet for weeks as we keep getting shadowed by a Chinese intelligence gathering ship.
I closed on my Vermont property on July 1st. With closing costs it came out to roughly $139k. Now I have pretty much forgot about it as I can't really do much with it now. But it does add some resiliency to my life. Instead of selling investments to pay for it I just sold short a SPX box spread with a 30 month term. Effective interest rate of 4.9% but when I take into account the capital losses I can claim as a 1256 contract it will probably workout to something like 3.75%. (Note: these are very specific tax details of little interest to anyone outside the US).
@DutchGirl: Yes, this property is considerably smaller but it still has the things I desired. Trees, open land, a year round stream. And it is south facing. Vermont has something similar to a 'right to roam' so I will still have access to lots of surrounding land including a 3000 acre state forest to the north of my property. With a smaller property I will have more manageable property taxes as well. Regarding Chinese fighters, we had one get pretty close recently. Close is a relative term though. But we get close to their ships too. We probe and test each other. That is how this great power game works.
In other news, I have found out where I will be going next. Back to SoCal in summer of 2025. This is likely my last Navy assignment. I will be faculty at the Family Medicine Residency which will be enjoyable. And I do really love the Carlsbad/Oceanside area. My budget will need readjusted for next year. As I love California so much I am debating on whether to rent vs. buy a home. But with the median home price $1.4 million, it will be tough to buy.
I closed on my Vermont property on July 1st. With closing costs it came out to roughly $139k. Now I have pretty much forgot about it as I can't really do much with it now. But it does add some resiliency to my life. Instead of selling investments to pay for it I just sold short a SPX box spread with a 30 month term. Effective interest rate of 4.9% but when I take into account the capital losses I can claim as a 1256 contract it will probably workout to something like 3.75%. (Note: these are very specific tax details of little interest to anyone outside the US).
@DutchGirl: Yes, this property is considerably smaller but it still has the things I desired. Trees, open land, a year round stream. And it is south facing. Vermont has something similar to a 'right to roam' so I will still have access to lots of surrounding land including a 3000 acre state forest to the north of my property. With a smaller property I will have more manageable property taxes as well. Regarding Chinese fighters, we had one get pretty close recently. Close is a relative term though. But we get close to their ships too. We probe and test each other. That is how this great power game works.
In other news, I have found out where I will be going next. Back to SoCal in summer of 2025. This is likely my last Navy assignment. I will be faculty at the Family Medicine Residency which will be enjoyable. And I do really love the Carlsbad/Oceanside area. My budget will need readjusted for next year. As I love California so much I am debating on whether to rent vs. buy a home. But with the median home price $1.4 million, it will be tough to buy.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
We were about to head directly into the path of a typhoon with estimated seas of 18-23 feet (that's big) but fortunately the powers that be ordered us to port in Okinawa for a few days. So, I have real bona fide internet available and decided to update a number of financial spreadsheets. I was looking at my post from DEC 31st, 2023 when I had a net worth of $802,131.
As of July 31st, my net worth is: $955,911
I feel like I have made solid progress on the financial front and have a high chance of crossing the million-dollar mark before the end of the year. While there is nothing magical about that number, it does represent a milestone that demonstrates how much progress I have made in seven years.
I am also pleased with my spending so far this year. I set aside 40k for this year's expenses (3k of that set aside as annual contribution to future CapEx for car purchase) and to date have only spent $21k. I am on target to finish out the year well below my initial target. By doing so, it demonstrates that I am FI if I were to live in a LCOL area. It is a nice feeling to have. I suppose if I were not in the Navy, I would feel a lot more freedom but as I am bound to this situation for the time being that sense of freedom is eluding me. Plus, there are the golden handcuffs of that pension of I work for another 4.5 years.
Now, I just need to start making progress on the fitness front.
As of July 31st, my net worth is: $955,911
I feel like I have made solid progress on the financial front and have a high chance of crossing the million-dollar mark before the end of the year. While there is nothing magical about that number, it does represent a milestone that demonstrates how much progress I have made in seven years.
I am also pleased with my spending so far this year. I set aside 40k for this year's expenses (3k of that set aside as annual contribution to future CapEx for car purchase) and to date have only spent $21k. I am on target to finish out the year well below my initial target. By doing so, it demonstrates that I am FI if I were to live in a LCOL area. It is a nice feeling to have. I suppose if I were not in the Navy, I would feel a lot more freedom but as I am bound to this situation for the time being that sense of freedom is eluding me. Plus, there are the golden handcuffs of that pension of I work for another 4.5 years.
Now, I just need to start making progress on the fitness front.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Ooooh, so close to the $1 million... and yes, while you can help by not spending too much (well done so far!), the rest is up to the market gods. So I'm definitely rooting for you spending less than $40k this year, and I'm hoping for both me and you that the markets grant us a few extra percents of gains this year... (NB do you English speaking people use "percents" as the multiple of one percent? Maybe some new English to learn for me, here...).
I would, by the way, rent in California. I don't think buying is worth it for the short time you'll be there, with closing costs and selling costs. And truly, in some areas of the country (and the world) renting is currently the cheaper option even if you were to stay for a decade or more. It's weird perhaps, but that's how the math works out sometimes.
I would, by the way, rent in California. I don't think buying is worth it for the short time you'll be there, with closing costs and selling costs. And truly, in some areas of the country (and the world) renting is currently the cheaper option even if you were to stay for a decade or more. It's weird perhaps, but that's how the math works out sometimes.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
@DutchGirl: we just say "percent" whether it is 1% or 99%. At least we Americans do. Given that we say 'math' and the Brits say "maths" there may be English speakers who say "percents".
I could see myself living in Southern California long term but spending $4000/month on rent does seem to provide more freedom than being locked into an $8-10K/month mortgage. But I remember telling a coworker that it was a renters market when he bought a house for $900k in the same area four years ago. He recently sold it for 2 million. So while I have been living this frugal lifestyle, he lived a much more lavish lifestyle and increased his net worth significantly more in that time. California real estate makes me second guess myself.
I could see myself living in Southern California long term but spending $4000/month on rent does seem to provide more freedom than being locked into an $8-10K/month mortgage. But I remember telling a coworker that it was a renters market when he bought a house for $900k in the same area four years ago. He recently sold it for 2 million. So while I have been living this frugal lifestyle, he lived a much more lavish lifestyle and increased his net worth significantly more in that time. California real estate makes me second guess myself.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Last night on patrol. So, eager to sleep in my own bed again. It will be interesting to to see how my house has withstood a pretty brutal summer. My AC has been cranking for the past few months to keep the humidity down. There was a direct hit by a typhoon a month ago but I think my place came through okay, even though it is a wall of glass facing the harbor.
I am hoping for a frugal win next week. I was planning to buy a Japanese commuter bike when I returned but the base security is having a bike giveaway next week. Lots of bikes are abandoned on base when people move. It is being held during normal working hours but I will be on leave so I am hoping there will be little competition and I can score a quality bike for my commuting needs.
Been reading a lot more than usual lately, even some fiction (which is rare for me). I might comment on some of the books in the future. The "Dao of Capital" was the latest read as part of my self-education on tail hedging.
I am hoping for a frugal win next week. I was planning to buy a Japanese commuter bike when I returned but the base security is having a bike giveaway next week. Lots of bikes are abandoned on base when people move. It is being held during normal working hours but I will be on leave so I am hoping there will be little competition and I can score a quality bike for my commuting needs.
Been reading a lot more than usual lately, even some fiction (which is rare for me). I might comment on some of the books in the future. The "Dao of Capital" was the latest read as part of my self-education on tail hedging.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Net Worth as of Sept 30: $1,023,013
I finally made it over the completely arbitrary million-dollar mark. It feels nice but doesn’t result in some emotional high. There is certainly a psychological difference between being given $1 million and slowly accumulating it. In the former, most people feel elated and consequently spend a large percentage of it.
Based on my spending so far this year I suppose I could say I am financially independent. However, I don’t feel so at all. I think the following reasons account for that:
1. I don’t own a house and live in a low cost of living area I wouldn’t choose for myself.
2. I pay zero for health care or health insurance
3. I am committed to the Navy until October 2026. After that I just need to make it to March 2029 for that valuable pension.
4. I am single. A sudden change in relationship status could throw all calculations out the window.
Back in March I set a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish in one year. I can’t say that I am doing well with them.
1. I am lean, fit, and healthy: Nowhere close to that goal. Weighed 263.7lbs this morning
2. I have a net worth > $1 million: completed and hopefully it stays that way
3. I spend quality time with people I care about: Nope, but obviously limited by being overseas and at sea 6-7 months per year.
4. I earn my Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer (SWMDO) warfare designation: hopefully by Dec 31st
5. I am in a healthy and fulfilling relationship: Nope, and nothing on the horizon
I recently read The 12 Week Year (I think I may make a journal entry about it someday) and realize my biggest problem is not focusing on execution. I spend way too much time reading about how to do things rather than doing them. So, for the next 12 weeks I am focusing on execution in two core areas: health/fitness and getting my SWMDO pin. Cutting pretty much all other things out of my life that don’t support that.
I finally made it over the completely arbitrary million-dollar mark. It feels nice but doesn’t result in some emotional high. There is certainly a psychological difference between being given $1 million and slowly accumulating it. In the former, most people feel elated and consequently spend a large percentage of it.
Based on my spending so far this year I suppose I could say I am financially independent. However, I don’t feel so at all. I think the following reasons account for that:
1. I don’t own a house and live in a low cost of living area I wouldn’t choose for myself.
2. I pay zero for health care or health insurance
3. I am committed to the Navy until October 2026. After that I just need to make it to March 2029 for that valuable pension.
4. I am single. A sudden change in relationship status could throw all calculations out the window.
Back in March I set a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish in one year. I can’t say that I am doing well with them.
1. I am lean, fit, and healthy: Nowhere close to that goal. Weighed 263.7lbs this morning
2. I have a net worth > $1 million: completed and hopefully it stays that way
3. I spend quality time with people I care about: Nope, but obviously limited by being overseas and at sea 6-7 months per year.
4. I earn my Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer (SWMDO) warfare designation: hopefully by Dec 31st
5. I am in a healthy and fulfilling relationship: Nope, and nothing on the horizon
I recently read The 12 Week Year (I think I may make a journal entry about it someday) and realize my biggest problem is not focusing on execution. I spend way too much time reading about how to do things rather than doing them. So, for the next 12 weeks I am focusing on execution in two core areas: health/fitness and getting my SWMDO pin. Cutting pretty much all other things out of my life that don’t support that.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Hurraaaaayyy on the $1 million! Well done reaching this goal, and congrats.
From the outside: 3 out of 5 goals by the end of the year wouldn't be bad!
And I would also spend some time thinking about how you can at least improve #3. You may not be able to physically spend time with the people you care about, but you can send emails / send real letters / send a small gift or souvenir / organize an online pubquiz / meet up online for drinks with a group of friends / do a hobby together etc.
From the outside: 3 out of 5 goals by the end of the year wouldn't be bad!
And I would also spend some time thinking about how you can at least improve #3. You may not be able to physically spend time with the people you care about, but you can send emails / send real letters / send a small gift or souvenir / organize an online pubquiz / meet up online for drinks with a group of friends / do a hobby together etc.
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
@DutchGirl- Thank you. Also, I am a religious with writing postcards and letters but it just isn't quite the same as in-person socializing. Alas, online activities are usually not possible given bandwidth limitations and restricted access to most websites. I am honestly surprised this site works on the ship.
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singvestor
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:48 am
Re: Frugaldoc's journal
Congrats on the progress, doc! Goal #1 might be impossible with "lifestyle changes" and "discipline" alone.
I empathize with the situation, I weigh 4 pounds above my target again at 163 pounds after 3 careless weeks and it will take me at least a month to solve with weight training + calory counting. I could not muster up the discipline if I had to reduce a 100 pounds (that would take 2 years of exercise with full discipline on the calory/macro front!), I believe it is impossible and so does the literature. Plus you are on a ship - you cannot somehow change surroundings and lifestyle easily.
At 260+ pounds there needs to be a science-based decision on how to handle the issue and since you are a physician you have the advantage. Semaglutide (Wegovy) might be indicated / a solution? Adipositas is a disease and has to be managed, it is not your fault or down to "discipline" to resolve.
Deeply rooting for you ever since I read the story of the expensive blazer you bought for a date, I could imagine I would make the same choices.
I empathize with the situation, I weigh 4 pounds above my target again at 163 pounds after 3 careless weeks and it will take me at least a month to solve with weight training + calory counting. I could not muster up the discipline if I had to reduce a 100 pounds (that would take 2 years of exercise with full discipline on the calory/macro front!), I believe it is impossible and so does the literature. Plus you are on a ship - you cannot somehow change surroundings and lifestyle easily.
At 260+ pounds there needs to be a science-based decision on how to handle the issue and since you are a physician you have the advantage. Semaglutide (Wegovy) might be indicated / a solution? Adipositas is a disease and has to be managed, it is not your fault or down to "discipline" to resolve.
Deeply rooting for you ever since I read the story of the expensive blazer you bought for a date, I could imagine I would make the same choices.