She’s talking to me again. I knew she would, eventually. It was a combination of renting after looking for 9 months in SD and 6 months before that up here. It was that house I messed up and lost and that one she wanted me to buy that I did not want. Finding a house we “both” love has not been easy. We have different tastes. My wife is spunky and opinionated. She’s got umph. I like that about her.
On the liquidity thing. I never said I am financially independent. I know a few yrs cash reserves is not ideal, but a lot of people barely have a few months salary in savings for emergencies. The Fed is not exactly encouraging saving these days. I realize Piggs are not average people and probably are far more liquid than the general population. My cushion is what I am comfortable with. Because I will continue to live below my means, the cushion should increase. But no, I can’t just stop working. Hence, why I am no rich man. Rich in loved ones, perhaps, but not financially so.
BTW. I define rich very parochially. I think it is beyond this thread to discuss the philosophy of wealth and compare and contrast the world state of social affairs. Rich has many colors and shades. Yes I grew up poor (in the “projects” of the Northeast), but my mother always made us feel that we were lucky and better off than most. I felt that way then, when she worked 3 low paying jobs to support us and we owned no car or TV set, so I am certainly not saying now that I am without. I am just not “rich” by my financial definition. Fortunate? Definately. But I don’t measure fortune with $$, or I should not anyway.
From that perspective, rich takes on new meaning and has nothing to do with money. One can be poor and be rich and be rich and be poor. I grew up feeling privilaged and learned from my mother that the only way to succeed is to work hard, real real hard. Lots (but certainly not all) of rich folks feel a sense of entitlement and long ago forgot the concept of “working” for what they want. In that respect, I don’t ever want to be rich.
Look, neither I nor my wife or our kids are any photoshopped image of “rich” with nannies and servants and drivers. Sure we like nice things. We want that big RSF house. I have owned Ferrari and Aston Martin cars, but that is because I like quality sports cars. You would more likely see one my cars parked at Hometown Buffet or Target than Jakes or Tiffanies (though I do love Jakes and my wife does love those celeste color bags). Incidentally, today I drive a $30k roadster I bought used. Love it more than that Ferrari I once had.
We are moving to SD to improve the quality of life for us and our kids and live in an area we consider perfect for raising families. All of you are already rich. You live in SD.
My little RSF buying update thread has already overstayed its welcome and perhaps we should let it be. I will post next month asking for rental advice and tips.
Thank you all for your comments. This is a good group of regulars on this board. Folks I would not mind meeting some day.
