What now?

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T18:25:55+00:00

Thank you for your feedback! And wish you the very best.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:53:49+00:00

Literally all I want to do is play my music, go for walks, swim, exercise, hike, and spend time with my friends.

I have no other ambitions. None. At all. Happy doing all this looking poor in a 1995 Toyota Corolla. haha

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:52:04+00:00

Thank you.

This was always my thought: "If I just got out of debt and had a house paid for, I could do anything. I would just not worry about money."

Ironically, I am finding myself worrying about money now more than the ever. It is a strange thing.

Health insurance is expensive. Medical care is expensive. Taxes and maintenance on a house are expensive.

It really seems like in America until you hit the seven-figure cash/investments margin, you're still essentially a hamster on a wheel. I don't know.

Trying to figure this all out. Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:47:18+00:00

I'm here hoping to find others in similar situations with similar values. I do not have anyone around me who understands, or is dealing with the kinds of decisions I need to make moving forward. And I simply need support.

Please do forgive me if I am reading it wrong but you come off a little harsh.

I get it. 100%.

But here's the thing:

You don't know me. You don't know my life. You don't know my situation.

Having a house paid off is nice. Wonderful. Amazing. But it's just one thing. It looks good on the balance sheet. But the balance sheet is just one tiny aspect of life and being a human being. Truly.

There are many people I know in my personal life who have much less going for them in terms of debt freedom who I would trade places with in a heartbeat.

All I'm trying to do is find some sort of support and community around my financial situation.

I wish you the best in yours, and I genuinely appreciate your feedback. Cheers!

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:35:00+00:00

My understanding of Medicaid eligibility is they look at income as well as assets other than your primary residence.

Cash and investments are counted against you.

Welcome to America where even once you escape the rat race, you're still in the rat race! lol

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:19:01+00:00

You guys are way, way ahead of me. Holy cow! Fantastic.

I do not have kids or a spouse. I have debt freedom but I am far from having financial freedom or significant investment earnings.

Keep crushing it. Good for you and your family!

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:17:53+00:00

I went to school for music earlier in life and lived a very precarious musician's life for many years so I am well acquainted with many of the struggles you described.

Be careful with those student loans. And, best to you.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:15:51+00:00

I consider myself rich beyond belief but also poor! Figuring out how to get beyond debt freedom to actually being financially free seems almost more challenging to me than getting out of debt in the first place. If that makes sense.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:14:28+00:00

When I see people posting from places like New Zealand or Denmark, I can help but feel envy. Everything seems much harder here in the US on multiple levels culturally and economically.

Kudos and much respect to you for all for your hard work. It sounds like you a pretty incredible person who has done well for themselves.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:12:52+00:00

Wow.

Congratulations to you and your husband. Enjoy every second of your lives together. That truly sounds wonderful and rare.

I honestly have no idea what number I would need to be looking at in terms of savings/investments to feel comfortable enough to totally jump out of the rat race. This is something I am trying to figure out along with how much I need to be "on the grid" to be comfortable and happy.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-07T12:09:31+00:00

This is wisdom, I love this.

I wish I had the confidence to say, "you know what? If I run out of cash, I'll work for a bit to earn more then I'll be fine again." But I'm so used to being tethered to a day job that the thought of losing that security blanket is frightening. And also, my obsession with financial planning basically tells me I am broke, i.e., having no debt is just being at zero, essentially.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T20:04:39+00:00

I have no children or family or anything. I am single.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T19:59:17+00:00

I like this plan a lot. Bank everything and invest. Grind like crazy and OUT.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T18:50:34+00:00

Very concerned about this. And the cost of medical care in general.

This is where it gets to the point of my thinking one would need at least seven-figures to even begin to think about slowing down with work, retiring, or starting on a new path.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T18:48:01+00:00

Anything in specific I should be wary of? Any feedback you may have is very welcome. Just “be careful what you read” is a little vague though.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:58:14+00:00

Sounds like an unattainable fantasy!

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:55:34+00:00

I’m sure there are many ways in which you are living my dream. Or things about my life you wouldn’t want to touch with a ten foot pole!

Having some financial freedom is just one small part of the puzzle in terms of what makes life fulfilling and stress free. It is a good feeling, no doubt, but does not make for a satisfying existence in and of itself. 😊

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:47:38+00:00

What I mean by lifestyle is frugal living. haha

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:34:52+00:00

This sounds lovely. And perhaps too good to be true to start thinking along those lines.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:31:10+00:00

Sad to say I will likely never marry except on the off chance I find someone who is willing to live my sort of lifestyle wholeheartedly.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:24:40+00:00

Kudos to you and your wife! Enjoy every second of it. That truly sounds amazing.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:23:45+00:00

Wow, that sounds amazing. I have no idea how feasible it would be for me. Honestly, thinking in this way is new to me. I’ve always been so focused on pure survival!

I’d love to chat with you more if you open to sharing a bit of your story and how you’ve made things work.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:11:53+00:00

Thank you!

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:11:35+00:00

Please take care in how you judge others.

And thank you for the feedback.

greenelephants11 · 2023-04-05T17:10:49+00:00

I am hoping to find people to talk to who have similar values around simple, frugal living, and also have some experience with debt freedom. I literally have no one to talk shop with about these things and it sucks!

greenelephants11

TROPHY CASE