This is a chunky wad of Australian $100 dollar bills. I could tell you exactly how much is here because I counted it, and recounted it, prior to grabbing this picture. Now...All you have to do is guess the total amount and you could win it!^
Yesterday Faith and I looked at our financial spreadsheets; I wasn't surprised to see this year hasn't been good for us; We've both had reduced incomes over much of the year and that's impacted the things we would usually have done; Savings and investments.
Faith and I seek a balance between living now, enjoying what life has to offer in the moment and we like to think about the future too; I mean one year, five, ten and so on, not just retirement.
We invest in various things but just haven't had the available funds to do much investing this year and those spreadsheets I mentioned are a little behind the initial annual projections. With this is mind we did some planning last night; More brainstorming than planning to be honest and we have a few ideas to ponder. It was productive.
We've recently had a big rock scenario confront us; One of those life-events that forces change, adjustment, amendment or a pivot in thought but it hasn't all been negative.
Through this forced-situation we have decided to accelerate our plans of taking a year off to travel around Australia in our four wheel drive towing our camper trailer; We love off-roading and camping so it's been a plan of ours for a long time. We had thought we would get it done a little later in life but now it's become more of a focus in the short term. Of course, I don't mean just now - But planning and preparing takes time.
After looking into those spreadsheets and making adjustments I closed them up and created a new one which is all about the planning and costing-out of that year off and the epic around Australia journey we will take. I think I'll share some of it here at some stage, the planning, and I'm hoping that if I get stuck some of you may help me out as required as I know a few of y'all have made similar life-decisions and moves recently. Don't worry, I won't tag you.
Unfortunately attaining financial security isn't as simple as guessing the amount in the wad of cash and winning it - Providing for one's financial future takes effort and often sacrifice. Faith and I have always been workers, normal everyday people who have had to work for a living; Nobody gave us anything and we wouldn't have accepted it if it was offered. It's not been easy but we've made it work. This year has inhibited our future a little but we see this forced life-adjustment as an opportunity and will endeavour to make it work for us.
So what about you guys? Have you had situations and events that have forced change in your current or future plans? Have you had to make big adjustments, move big rocks from your path or or redouble your financial and investment efforts? I'd be keen to hear if you have; One can never gain enough experience and learning from others who have been there done that is one of the best ways to gain it.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
Discord: galenkp#9209
^Not really.