There's a big difference between not having enough money to pay for your needs (like meds) and not having enough to pay for what you think your wants are (like multiple houses.) Not being able to afford the basics is a HUGE source of stress (I've been there), but too much money in excess of that puts your feet on the path of looking for happiness outside of yourself merely because you have the resources to do so and because that's what our culture encourages. Regarding multiple houses: if I had that, then no place would feel like "home." I like to cook. I can't see setting up 2 fully outfitted/fully stocked kitchens and fridges and freezers. There would be so much waste. And some of my favorite daily life things would always get left behind at the other house. Maybe if I experienced it I would find upsides. But the thought of multiple upkeeps and such does not appeal to me. Regarding the original topic: I don't understand the concern that folks in Florida don't care less about snowstorms/blizzards in the north at winter, or that many people in the north don't care about the tropical storms/hurricanes that hit along the Gulf and Atlantic states. Are you saying your life in Florida was diminished because you suppose that those living in Colorado lacked compassion during hurricanes, and now you are in Colorado your life is diminished because you suppose that those living in Florida lack compassion when it snows????? DUDE!!!! STOP IT!!!!!!!
No, John, I'm not saying our 10 1/2 years in Florida was diminished and neither has our life here in Colorado since returning. What I am saying is this: My bother has told me numerous times, and I've already stated this in a post on this thread "If you would've planned right, stayed on the same job like I did for numerous years, you'd have the nice pension and SS we do. You could afford to be a "Snowbird" and really enjoy life and not be in the kind of weather you don't want/like to be in. You could have a nicer/newer vehicle, boat and house. Two houses, if you desired and be able to afford both." This, above, is exactly what he told me.
No one can predict the future or guarantee the "what if" outcomes...yours, his or anyone elses. Your brother could have devoted his entire life to that business, and the company or their pension plan could have gone bust overnight...it happens all the time. Or they get bought out and he is "made redundant" and starting over. I don't understand his statement that anyone could afford a new vehicle and 2 houses if they had only blah blah blah. That is not a realistic statement. I've not read anyone's comments here echoing that style of life. Perhaps Lon might have, but that's one out of how many of us? I'm sure you and your brother have a history. I had 5 siblings and 2 parents. Out of the 7 of them, only one brother was worth a damn. I avoid the remaining 3 who are still living...they are negative background noise. Regarding your highest paying job not coming until you were 51...the same happened to me at that exact age. That's how it's supposed to work. The more years & experience you get, the higher your income. A quick web search shows that men's earnings peak at the age of 55...so you (and I) were ahead of the curve. Pat yourself on the back. You went in the right direction...many don't. From what you've mentioned of your early life, you've overcome a lot. You're beating yourself up for nothing. I gotta mention that I moved from a lifetime in the competitive (self-centered) DC region to this rural county 10 years ago. Back in DC, when you would meet someone socially, you would always walk away knowing (a) what they did for a living, and (b) who they did it for. Lots of people making lots of money, and some number of them were overpaid miserable bastards...and were in hock up to their eyeballs. I had lived here for about 6 months when one day I realized that I had gotten to know a few folks pretty well and I had no idea what they did/what they made/what they had done. Nor did they know that of me. It's not important. It has nothing to do with who we are.
Well, John, don't know about you, but me finally making that high salary at 51, was my own darn fault! Unless a person works for a major company, working warehouse/shipping-receiving/stockroom pays very little. I finally got smart and began learning about purchasing and inventory control and getting some OJT for both. But, by the time I had finished all of that OJT and learning, I was 51. And, as far as them not showing us any compassion, then I won't either when a bad tropical storm or hurricane hits there area in Florida. Basically speaking, we haven't met anyone here that even likes Florida or The South. When we first arrived here, we told some Seniors that we had lived in northeastern Florida for 10 1/2 years, and all they could say to us was "why???". And, the people we talked to in northeastern Florida, didn't even know where Colorado, Wyoming, Montana or any surrounding states were. Kind of shocking to us, but fact.
We have enough money for another home in Florida if we choose but have no desire. We love the change of seasons here in the northeast. For all those relatives and friends who are snowbirds and beg us to come visit, we have done so for a week or two and don't have the burden of 2 homes. Who's smart now?
Well, Connie, there are those that totally dislike winter snow/cold as well as dislike tropical storms/hurricanes. There are also those that can totally afford two homes, without any financially stress at all. Both of the Snowbirds we know have been making the travel from summer home to winter home, and back, for many years. For, some Seniors in their 70's and older, that have a hard time handling winter year-to-year, but love their summers where they live, having finances to have two homes, would be a dream. But, unfortunately, it can only be a dream.
Boo hoo. Here's a bulletin for you: No one has everything they want in life. Focus on the positive and stop expecting anyone to "have compassion" for your situation. Personally, I have compassion for people who are sick or hungry and have no place to sleep tonight. People with perfectly nice homes to live in and food to eat are not included in my "compassion list" because they don't deserve it.
No, I don't believe that............."no one has everything they want in life". I think there are plenty of folks living "the good life" and have no regrets. Just look at those couples who have been married for 50 plus years. And, there are those that are sick, hungry and have no place to sleep, but, many times that's their own fault. Drugs and alcohol have contributed to many who are sick, hungry and have no place to sleep. The streets are full of homeless people that don't want any help. It's always in the news about someone who has refused help, when help was offered. I have compassion for the sick, hungry and homeless, but it can really depend on certain things. When I worked for a Senior Healthcare Company and seen Seniors sitting in a wheelchair, with an oxygen tank next to it and oxygen mask hanging from it, and they were smoking a cigarette............no compassion! They don't care about their heath, only cigarettes. And, Beth, for many today, due to all of the crap going on in America, it's very hard to be totally positive.
Funny, Al, but every time I post something nice to you, like your future travel plans, you seem to "like" negative posts to me. Just why is that? I try to be nice, but YOU can make it very difficult for me at times. LOL
Well @Cody Fousnaugh if you weren't stuck on call of your wishes/wants/hangups maybe you'd get some likes too BTW I don't post something to gets anyone's likes
Come on, Al. Don't you have any wishes/wants/hangups? Or, do you just simply like to pick on me? Actually, I think ever person on this forum has their own wishes/wants and hangups............or, I've been reading different threads wrong. Everyone here has their dislikes, likes and wishes/wants. It's just human to be that way.