In one of my recent newsletters, I think I wrote something outrageous. I didn’t think I was doing something absurd until a reader called out to me. Read the introduction for yourself before getting into stocks, the economy, etc.
Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers out there, and to all of you out there who still have fathers. And for those who have lost their fathers, remember the good times you had with them.
Your parents, sister, and niece will be in town for the week, so you’ll be busy spending a lot of time with them. Unfortunately they live in Hawaii and New York and I’m in California.
When my kids grow up, I’m going to at least live in the same time zone as them. It doesn’t make sense that 80%-90% of her time spent with her parents ends after she turns 19.
One of my biggest disappointments with COVID-19 was being away from my family for so long. Given that my parents are in their mid-70s, I feel the time pressure even more acutely. I want to see it as much as possible.
I regret not moving to Hawaii before Corona. I have been eagerly looking for a home since 2015 for her. If I had moved sooner, I would have been able to spend more time with my parents in Hawaii. It would have been easier to live in Hawaii after inbound flights were grounded for a year.
But it’s hard to separate a family. We have doctors, friends and schools. Unfortunately, my parents are reluctant to move to San Francisco. Because the parents are also accustomed to their environment.
Due to my inaction, I decided to relocate closer to where my children live so that it would be easier for them to spend more time with us. They don’t have to spend time with us, but I want to give them a choice if they want to.
Reader reactions to my plans to spend more time with my adult children
I didn’t give much thought to the third paragraph in the newsletter until I got this response from a reader.
Happy Father’s Day!
I mostly enjoy newsletters. Why almost only?because sometimes you write absurd things. Are you planning to live in the same time zone as your children? What if one moves to New York and the other to Hawaii? I have.
your children are young Just as we couldn’t imagine life as it is now before we had children, it’s almost impossible to predict how it will change when we grow up.
Life can bring surprises along the way. Money helps pave the way, but it doesn’t solve everything. trust me.
For your health!
Michelle
It’s okay to have absurd dreams
I admit I’m an absurd person, but I think it’s more fun that way. Why should we always think and act according to social norms? Sometimes the absurd can work!
For example, if you had followed the standard procedure of notifying your boss two weeks before you were leaving, you would not have received your severance pay.
If I hadn’t received my severance pay, I wouldn’t have traveled to 20 new countries between 2012 and 2016. Visiting St. Petersburg, Russia feels even more special now. for a while.
Nor would I have ticked off so many items on my to-do list, like watching Roger Federer on Center Court at Wimbledon. It was a wonderful experience eating strawberries and cream.
absurd book
Nor would I have written a book to teach people how to negotiate a retirement. Prior to 2012, many believed the idea of negotiating retirement benefits was ludicrous. But I’ve run it to fit multiple 6-digit packages, so thousands of Others since then.
In fact, I think people who quit their jobs after working for years without doing anything are ridiculous. But millions of people do just that out of ignorance or fear. I hope the idea of fighting for your rights and interests as an employee becomes more common over time.
I shared my regrets about not taking the money when a competing company made me a sweet offer, but I was still able to quit my job at 34. In retrospect, running away from a stable salary at such a young age was silly.
Increased flexibility after retirement
I don’t see living in the same time zone as my kids as a big challenge. why? Because I thought about actually living on the same street in the same city as my adult children. Bwahaha!
If my children live in another city or country, of course I will rent or own a second home for them to live in. A great way to diversify your real estate portfolio.
If they relocate for another job opportunity, I will too. What a blessing it is to have more opportunities to see our country and the world. And, of course, buy more properties.
Moving back and forth between our two children is fine because we have freedom.
like Kathy Bates miserableI become a big fan of them!
Home is where family is.
After 18 years of parenting, it feels strange not to see my children every day after they leave the family. So I think living in the same time zone and meeting at least once a month is a reasonable compromise.
Retirees with surplus unearned income will find it easier to move around the country and around the world with their children once they become independent adults. My wife and I treat real retirement life as her one big adventure.
Just as I chose to save and invest more aggressively, I will choose to live closer to my children when the time comes. They may be reluctant at first, but they will appreciate the time you spend together.
I can’t believe that 80%-90% of the time we spend with them ends when they turn 19. So we’re not going to let this statistic happen to us.
But first let me check with my wife about my plans. She may not be participating or think I’m crazy!
![Since 80-90% of the time spent with parents and children ends when they turn 19, I have crazy dreams about not making this statistic a reality for my family.](https://i2.wp.com/financialsamurai.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/parent-time.jpeg)
don’t be afraid of the absurd
Society is an artificial construction.
For example, although the Constitution was written by a slave-owning aristocrat on September 17, 1787, there are some originalists who believe that everything written in the Constitution should be followed literally today. increase.
In my free time, I like to write, draw, and play the guitar, so maybe I’m just weird. As I get more creative, I naturally question the purpose of always drawing inside the lines. I enjoy doing my own thing.
Adaptation and assimilation certainly have their advantages. Adapting and assimilating can help you get promoted and get paid faster. The more friends you have, the less likely you are to be lonely.
But there is nothing wrong with making ridiculous plans or thinking in ridiculous ways. Many things that are taken for granted today were once considered insane.
Typing on an iPhone with no buttons? Absurd! My Blackberry works fine, thank you.
We know money can’t solve everything. That is why some people who have money are still not happy. But I won’t stop pushing for what I want, no matter how absurd it may sound.
If we reach disappointing results due to blind spots or other reasons, we will change our plans accordingly. Trial and error is what makes life interesting.
Other Absurd Occurrences I Didn’t Expect
- Despite getting into trouble in high school, she got accepted to her favorite state university.
- Employment at a major investment bank despite attending a foreign public university
- Reached 5.0 on USTA. When I was only playing HS tennis, former college players made up the top 1% levels.
- Wrote a Wall Street Journal bestseller in 2012 even though he couldn’t even hire an agent
- Continued Financial Samurai for 14 consecutive years and will continue
You never know until you try or keep trying. Free yourself from the shackles of society. You’ll discover new adventures you never thought possible.
Reader Questions and Suggestions
What is the absurdity that you think has resulted? Why is it so difficult for some people to think outside the box? What are the challenges and drawbacks of moving closer to where you spend most of your time?
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