Sometimes something I’ve read and heard discussed over and over and over–that I discounted as “not my thing,” jumps up and hits me in the side of the head with a flash of realization.

I will say that I’m not someone who locks into my position/opinion and stays with that mindset as long as possible.  I definitely like to get new data and reprocess my thinking to see if my position still seems valid or if I need to update/change my thinking.

Science?

I think gathering data, processing, and positioning is a large part of the scientific method.  I’m no science person, but I do know in real science the proof of a theory is having others’ ability to prove that position.  The repeatability of a test/process is what solidifies theory for the time being… ”with current known data.”

Clueless?

So back to my recent smack in the side of the head.  If you must know, this happened in my “morning commute” where my best thinking happens.  Maybe hot water energizes brain waves?  I’d bet there’s a scientific study on that somewhere, and if I weren’t a slacker I’d google it up (or chat up the GPT).

Scarcity – Abundance

The position of scarcity and abundance is discussed so much in the FI world.  There’s a big push to get new and middle of “the FI journey” people to shift their mindset from “save as much as you can (scarcity) to “you’ve been saving well, make sure you are living a balanced/enjoyable life” (abundance).

I agree 98% with shifting a—save a lot mindset to more of a save well and still enjoy your life mindset.  Enjoy your weeks.  You NEVER get them back once they pass. 

I realized in my commute that I’ve shifted to the abundance mentality.

What ifs?

I think about “what ifs?”   Does that surprise anyone?  A geek who learned about money and retirement at the age of 12– being taught to save for the future/retirement—thinking about what-ifs?

If you think in abundance mode, and live(d) a smart financial life, you are doing so much more and so much better than 90+% of the people around you.  It doesn’t even matter your income level.  If you understand your spending, and you understand your income, and you can manage your spending—which is very hard for many—then you have some control and have some ability to put energy into things you love.

There are a LOT of what-ifs out there.  Being retired–leaving a main career and its earnings/potential–you flip to the receiving end of so much.  You are fed inflation (accidental pun), you are dealing with the most complicated system in the universe that we know about: your body/mind and your longevity, you probably have loved ones around you, you may have others who want from you,…you, you, oh there are so many what ifs that you try and prepare for. 

You never are guaranteed the future.  You most certainly will not be guaranteed the future you are planning for right now.  Your future will be different, worse, or better than you can possibly imagine today.  I’m betting mostly better for so much of your futures

Is saving now–over-saving now–a preparation for a future scarcity caution?  For many people I know (myself included) the one-more-year syndrome is absolutely linked to the what-ifs of the future.  YOU ARE NOT WRONG.  But, are you off base? 

I don’t know what that above means exactly.  If we’re not wrong working another year to build up resources for the future is that right or wrong?  I guess we’ll only know at End of Plan, right?  But, knowing your spending targets, your goals, your dreams, and your Fun Bucket strategy, you can run calculators to get an initial baseline of your assets and your estimated spending projected over time.  Then…

Be Agile.  Position for the positive.  Pay attention.  When “things” happen, evaluate and adjust sensibly if you can.  Don’t panic, you have built-in abundance.

Oh, I got off track pounding on my keyboard (apparently, it’s a new “mechanical” keyboard on this “gaming” computer—I don’t even play games, but it’s nice to type on)—oops, I did it again off track, but with a nice newly purchased PC (Fun Bucket).

Here it is:  Our Fun Bucket is a set aside for abundance.

Our Fun Bucket is for aFunDance.  I guess we could do a little dance when we use the Fun Bucket on something enjoyable.  Doesn’t that sound appealing and something you’d want to celebrate as often (and intentionally) as you can?

I just received a photo of some slacker friends aFunDancing in the United Polaris lounge.  It was just before boarding their first time in lie-flat-seats flight over the ocean. 

Honestly, my purchase of lie-flat seats to Australia made no financial sense, but it was great for us, and maybe worth it.  Probably not worth it, but still Fun.

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice.  I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be.  You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.