Jan
6
Of course, I have nothing against making big money. But I also believe in frugality. If I earned a million dollars, I would not buy a big house and a sports car. I’d invest everything in various bonds and funds and live of the interests. Of course I’d stop working, and I would just spend my whole time doing what I enjoy : writing, cycling, and most importantly travelling and getting new experiences everyday. I just don’t see the point neither in possessing much nor in accessing luxury. The day I can make sure having a steady stream of income that depends neither of an employer nor of my ability to keep producing value consistently, I would for sure keep renting till the day I die, because I would always be on the move. My possessions ? They would be two pairs of jeans, a few tees and sweat shirts, a couple of jackets, two pairs of shoes, a camera, a laptop computer, a reliable car (that one is essential to my well being) and… hmmm… that’s it actually. I would just travel across continents, staying a few months in a rented furnished flat in each town that I like. As long as I don’t have to worry about my income, I don’t see a point staying in one place waiting to get old, doing the same things everyday.
Buying a house is what you do if you have reasons to be afraid of the future. “Will I always be able to pay a rent?” “If anything bad happens, at least I can still sell the house.” “If my retirement plan brings less money than expected, at least I won’t have to worry about having a roof over my head”. Those are very legitimate and sensible things to say when you’re earning just enough to live, or are tied to working salaried jobs. I’m not criticising, as it’s precisely the situation I’m in right now. Actually, I’m working a lot on myself not to think that way despite the possible insecurity that may result in living more freely than I do now. But if I really want to break free from employment one day, I better start acting and thinking like I was already free. I am adapting my beliefs so that they’re the ones of a financially free person. This is what will set the proper frame for me to really access financial freedom.
You see, right now I have quite a nice little amount of cash that I’ve laid across various short term investments and my high interest rate saving account. I could use that money right now as a down payment for a house (and then spend the next 20 years paying twice its value in interests) or I can use it, sparsely, to travel and be free. If I start with the conservative way of buying a house, it would only be showing the universe I accept worrying about the future. I refuse doing so because I trust my ability to generate lasting financial security.
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You’ve managed to put into words a lot of my own thoughts – thank you.