So, I'm sorta-kinda-half-retired (doing self employed stuff, and helping wi' bairn). Something clicked the other day - when people are working, they don't think about optimal investing, early retirement and so on because they are so tired. At least, I was - I am an introvert, so I'd finish the week and basically hide all weekend, feel dread in my stomach on a Sunday afternoon, and avoid thinking about anything much.
I'm a lazy oik, so even with my limited workload (apart from washing nappies), my mind has plenty of time to think about where I can get money to invest more, how I can wrangle some capital to buy an investment property, and so on.
I have 'enough' - for me, I think. EXTREMELY little in comparison to many retirement targets. But I want more - and not by working. By scheming. By making stuff work for me. I can see how it is that the rich get richer - they can sit around thinking of ways to get richer all day long!
So it's interesting. While I was saving/paying off a mortgage with every penny spare I had a couple of years back, my goal was just that: PAY OFF THE MORTGAGE. I was 'foolish' in that I didn't invest more in stocks when they were stupidly cheap (and indeed, before I went travelling in 2009 I had some shares - of a decent blue chip company - that would be worth 4x what I paid for them - but I sold them at maybe 5% profit after being scared!), and rather paid off my income-generating property.
But now I have a solid base - I'm willing to borrow to accumulate, to make an easier/better/more luxurious? life for myself. Or maybe just for fun, something to do. I don't want a job, but I need *something* to keep me busy.
Does this resonate with anyone? Unfortunately I'm still.. I'll use the word 'scared'.. of losing money, or making sub-optimal choices. While I know the theory with stocks they are so much less tangible than a rental house. Oh, I have money in an account that generates $x a year... or, I have a house in Xyz, one in Abc, and one in Def.
I am not Powerful. I am a geek (I was a geek; I care less. But I am a pedant). But I kinda like... money. And *that* makes me feel a little dirty.
Hrm. P'raps this should be in journals.