I got a call from my dad today. During lunch, it's a good time for a phone call. I enjoy getting advice from my parents and I try to follow their advice. He thinks I should have gold and silver. For a hedge during tough times, or a financial down turn.
I do not believe in retirement. I do not agree with the idea that I should work very hard and squirrel away little bits of money for the next 40 years so that I can live "the easy" life when I'm old. I have a lot of reasons not to believe in retirement.
Reasons:
1. I have never met anyone who is currently enjoying their retirement.
My grandparents worked and lived long, hard, and important lives. Most of them are still alive living the longest and hardest parts right now. I can't say for certain what their jobs were or how much they made but they raised my parents and that is more important. It would not matter if they were rich or poor right now because they are old and sickly. That sounds rude, but it's true and no amount of money would make them not sickly.
2. Quality vs. Quantity, either way with a differed life plan you lose.
I remember an experiment with Marshmallows. But it's about how long you wait and what happens in the mean time. Olympians don't deffer practice in their sport until competition. And we should not deffer living until we are too old to do it. I was told that "you can do anything you want to do", and then I was told "you can't chose the consequences", and then I was told "go do the dishes". They may not have occurred back to back every time but generally that's how the conversation went. But I still believe it. I want to write this blog so I am. I want to help the boy scout movement grow so I visit strangers and ask them to donate money or to be a troop leader. I wanted a car so I got a loan and bought one... enter the consequences. And of course washing the dishes is the best way to think.
4. If I have no debts, I have no need for money.
Really most of my money is spent paying bills. A few dollars are left over every month that get spent on dodads. Vanessa and I have spent as little as 200 a month on food maybe less, but I never really paid attention. If I stopped paying my bills I would lose some things, but things only make life comfortable, and a comfortable life makes you weak. (I read too much DUNE)
Second reason for not needing money: it's all a lie. money is a tool, like a hammer, a socket wrench, a voltmeter, c compiler, or word processor. just a tool to get a job done. Its a hassle trying to find the perfect trade and so we assign a dollar value to a good or service, but the value is always subject to change. ALWAYS. I would much rather have a thing or experience than the money.
5. The family is my insurance plan
You all know that I don't like insurance, and planning for the fictitious retirement is just another form of insurance. If I break something I should pay for it, but I shouldn't have to pay for it before I break it. As for real emergencies, if your last name is Lowe or Peet I'll be asking for help.
6. I am my families insurance plan
For crying out loud, we're family of course I will help. I've got my first aide badge, and a spare room. Just ask because that's what families are for.
9. I can live my life now.
I am already the master procrastinator. If I were a transformer I would be that flying repair bot that didn't leave the ship until 4000 years after they crashed on earth. Seriously? whats up with that? My problem is already not doing things, if I could use "waiting for retirement" as a valid excuse I would never go camping again.
I am already the master procrastinator. If I were a transformer I would be that flying repair bot that didn't leave the ship until 4000 years after they crashed on earth. Seriously? whats up with that? My problem is already not doing things, if I could use "waiting for retirement" as a valid excuse I would never go camping again.
I took out some of the stupid reasons.
