Being retired for a couple of years now has been a very enlightening experiance. There was never a time in my life when there was a heck of alot of money for toys, but we were not poor. The wife and I toured on BMW motorcycle, had some nice guns, took some trips. I even had a decent collection of custom knives like a couple Randalls, Hendrickson, Hastings.
Now years later, after raising three kids, and helping them out with college, paying off the house, I find that life on a retired fixed income does not leave alot for extras. I find that I look for the biggest bang for the buck, instead of the latest whiz bang. We've had to go simple in the last few years, but as empty nesters we have made a discovery that we are acually happier. We drive a four banger Honda instead of a V8 SUV, shoot a hell of alot of .22's at the range instead of center fire, take more driving trips colser to home, and shop with a list.
Now instead of a Randall trout and bird knife when I'm fishing I have a Frosts Mora on my belt. At the range instead of a 6 inch model 19 Smith and Wesson I use the heck out of my K22. Karen puts a couple of hundred rounds through her Smith and Wesson model 18 and as much through her Marlin 39M.
Yes we have had to cut back, and look at the price tag before we buy. We ask ourselves do we really need this, and will it get the job done. For example. our number 3 child is a tech nut. He bought one of the new ARC AAA lights for 20 something dollars plus some shipping. He was showing it to me and I was impressed with the workmanship. But in my own pocket is a Dorcy AAA light from Walmart for 4.95, and it is not as nice as the ARC, but it still gets the job done. I use it sometimes walking the dog at night in the woods and it lets me see the trail fine.
For some reason over the past couple of years we have found a kind of free, liberated feeling, of not careing anymore about the high end stuff. I now find myself seeking out bargin stuff that works well and not careing if it gets damaged, or lost overboard on the river.
I've loved discovering Dorcy lights, Frosts Mora bladed knives, Timex watches, and the wide variety of Victorinox sak's that can be purchased for less than 20 bucks.
Anyone else here scaled down in life and discovered a liberated feeling?
Now years later, after raising three kids, and helping them out with college, paying off the house, I find that life on a retired fixed income does not leave alot for extras. I find that I look for the biggest bang for the buck, instead of the latest whiz bang. We've had to go simple in the last few years, but as empty nesters we have made a discovery that we are acually happier. We drive a four banger Honda instead of a V8 SUV, shoot a hell of alot of .22's at the range instead of center fire, take more driving trips colser to home, and shop with a list.
Now instead of a Randall trout and bird knife when I'm fishing I have a Frosts Mora on my belt. At the range instead of a 6 inch model 19 Smith and Wesson I use the heck out of my K22. Karen puts a couple of hundred rounds through her Smith and Wesson model 18 and as much through her Marlin 39M.
Yes we have had to cut back, and look at the price tag before we buy. We ask ourselves do we really need this, and will it get the job done. For example. our number 3 child is a tech nut. He bought one of the new ARC AAA lights for 20 something dollars plus some shipping. He was showing it to me and I was impressed with the workmanship. But in my own pocket is a Dorcy AAA light from Walmart for 4.95, and it is not as nice as the ARC, but it still gets the job done. I use it sometimes walking the dog at night in the woods and it lets me see the trail fine.
For some reason over the past couple of years we have found a kind of free, liberated feeling, of not careing anymore about the high end stuff. I now find myself seeking out bargin stuff that works well and not careing if it gets damaged, or lost overboard on the river.
I've loved discovering Dorcy lights, Frosts Mora bladed knives, Timex watches, and the wide variety of Victorinox sak's that can be purchased for less than 20 bucks.
Anyone else here scaled down in life and discovered a liberated feeling?
