I am not very good at taking orders from authority
Oh gosh, I haven't felt that as keenly as I have this year. I've been downright resentful of it - not just at work, but because of how restricted our movements are here in Victoria. We also can't fly to Europe, as you know, to visit family, which is frustrating too - we are very much bound by distance and this land girt by sea.
Talking to other people in the department today about their situation, and their envy I'm leaving, I realise exactly what you say here - people are very, very bound by big mortgages and debts. We bought rural, live in a modest house, and refuse to get any more loans. I've had two car loans in my life and organised to pay them off in two years - and still have those cars. We live within our means. We've been lucky to have well paying jobs as teachers, so we've had wonderful opportunities to travel, yet we travelled on shoestrings before we had careers.
Now we have paid off the mortgage, we'll be living off one wage. Lucky we have one grown son who's perfectly happy to look after himself and pay for himself. We are happy with very little and absolutely REFUSE to get into debt. We've BEEN super poor and though lack of money can make things stressful, we made do.
Now, if Jamie was out of a job, that'd be a different story - that worries me a bit. We don't have a lot of savings. To be honest, I'd be happy to sell the house (it's tripled in value) and live on a boat or in the Defender, but how long can we do that? There's certainly some anxieties there. My honey thinks the world will end before then.
Meanwhile, I'm growing more of my own food and finding clever ways to save money. Not exactly belt tightening yet - still a few holes to go - but rethinking abundance, and what it means. I'm certainly happier for not working - that job was going to kill me, and my health is more important. Hanging out with my old man whilst he is still alive? Being creative and pursuing my own passions? Spending time in nature? Surfing? Priceless. Money can't buy that.
Sorry to hear about your stroke, and hope things improve financially soon. Seems like you are framing it all in the right way anyway. Things have a way of working out.
Don't ever do the credit card!
It is revolting what is happening and how many people seem to support it.
Look at the rise of the buy now pay later services and you can see how many peopledon't live within their means these days.
It is a lifestyle that can be great for short periods, but takes a special kind of person to do it long-term, I suspect.
Maybe more people are investigating this and I reckon that you guys are ahead of the curve.
So many things are changing at the same time for everyone, it is easy to get caught up in the swing and lose sight of what is really important to us. So many seem to get on the various social bandwagons and buy whatever products or concepts they require to be a member. It is sad.
But, we don't have to be like that :)