A 26-Year Old's Perspective

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It is interesting how life works.....when I was 26 all I wanted was a house, a family, a dog, a garden and all that stuff. Well I got it all......and it was great. Now the kids are almost gown up 17 and 18. The house is gone, and I can honestly say I am not so interested in owning a home. <em></em>





But I can say........the passion of youth is a wonderful thing.
 
<p>"The way I look at it, financial freedom means the opportunity to make what you want of life: to go on vacations and spend time with your family, to not have to stress about money, and to have the opportunity of living a higher quality of life."</p>

<p>Very well said, IT guy. I feel grateful every day knowing I'm in control of our finances. We choose to be smart with our money - it's not about deprivation, but selecting what's important; not having a cloud hanging over your head because of money, and enjoying life.</p>

<p>And, as you said, "Most people in Southern California never have, nor ever will, learn this level of self control." Totally agree. I always would shake my head when I used to hear ppl at my old job complain about money (the whole "wish I won the lottery, but I didn't so here I am at work" thing) - these were people making double or triple what I used to be making, and spending a lot - you got the feeling like they were living on the edge of disaster, should they take any financial hit.</p>

<p>On the vacations front - someone I know in their later 20s told me that she and her husband have made it a point to take one significant vacation a year to anywhere they have always wanted to see - they figure that now is the time to do that before they have kids, when things will be different. I thought it was a good point, and it's something my wife and I are now doing. Next summer: Alaska </p>
 
OK......here are some economical vacation places.......in the baja......





Take a drive down to La Fonda and check out the La Fonda Inn, or the place next door(stay in the polynesian room), Then head to Adobe Guadalupe Winery for a little wine and good food(pricey but worth every penny). After that if you are up for some real fun, head to Coyote Cal's down in Erindera, this is one "youth hostel" experience that you will never forget. The owner married a Thai woman and they have a Thai Massage school there if you need a new career.
 
Priced out, I would take a look at the Bay Area during the dot com boom. Every "tech"/"computer" guy was a millionaire (at least on paper-MOP). People were jumping out of stable jobs at Cisco, Intel, and Microsoft to join their friend who had the next best thing in the internet. Dot com companies spent tons of money for fringe item to justify their existence. What happened in the end? Many of those companies crashed and burned. The hot tech guy lost his job and had to take a position in some small company or out of state. Do not forget about those people who tried to cash in on the tech stocks.





It would be naive to say that no one got rich off of real estate but many of those people got lucky. No one should look at their house as a piggy bank or representation of self worth. I know what you're going through but be glad that you're not the estimate 7 million people whose mortgage payments are going to double or triple in the next few months. Be glad that you do not have to be afraid of your mail or telephone.
 
I went to a top tier engineering college so I saw lots of students drop out to pursue careers at dot.com companies. Pretty much all of these companies ended up fizzling and dieing.





I worked in real estate for a CA company and was absolutely puzzled by my boss. Okay this woman was making $1,500,000 per year and was complaining about how she needed money to pay for new shoes. At first I thought she was kidding. I am sure she has less than a million in total liquid assets in her mid 50s. All of that money is spent spent spent. Her daughter's charge card bill is north of $300,000 per year. I know she spent over $100,000 on a single trip to Europe. So high income does not equate to financial prudence or financial freedom.
 
<p>NanoWest,</p>

<p>I am with you. I have had my big houses. Now I long for something small and cozy like a townhome.</p>

<p><em>But I can say........the passion of youth is a wonderful thing </em></p>

<p>What about mid-life passion? I think we are in the same age group.</p>
 
Nirvinerealtor,





Yes, the passion of mid-life.....when we realize that there are less years ahead than behind, when we cherish our good friends, and begin to understand our enemies, when we finally take time to do what is important. When a 1000 sq. ft condo with two bedrooms and a nice view is fine. When we realize that on our lifes list of a 100 things to do we have done 65 and realize the list may actually have 200 things on it. We learned that money does not make us happy or sad, that money can make some of life's tasks a little easier.





and all that sort of stuff.....
 
<p>NanoWest,</p>

<p>I have many ultra-rich friends, and I can tell you, they are as unhappy as it can be. The biggest challenge for them is to find true friends and true loves.</p>

<p>You sound a bit blue. Don't be. Mid-life passion can be even more wonderful, like try to have more fun with someone everyday. Much better than chasing after wealth in our 20s and 30s. </p>

<p>Wait, does anyone need to buy or sell a home? </p>
 
NIrvineRealtor





All I can say about money.....is that I have lived a dept free life for about 10 years now. No house, car or any other type of loan......and that feels pretty good.





As for feeling blue..................I am all about passion.......high school drop out that got a Ph.D. in science and started several companies. My greatest pleasure in life is derived from meeting people that use my inventions.





An recently, my greatest pleasure is knowing that Appalachian State beat Michigan....cause I graduated from ASU.
 
<p>NanoWest,</p>

<p>I only can say I am almost debt free, except for my little low-interest mortgage for tax deduction purpose... and that feel pretty free too.</p>

<p>Glad to see you were/are an inventor. Inventors have lots of passion for accomplishments; however, their families tend to be the ones who paid the price.</p>

<p>What type of product do you invent? </p>
 
<p>What's so bad about debt? I got more than plenty to go around.... Unfortunately they are tied up in 40 apartments and my CAP rate is a puny 3.8%... joy. But yes, I do love inventing, unfortunately my talent for invention has led me to thing I can't talk about or ever disclose . Usually something to do with a weapons design, but interesting nonetheless.... </p>

<p>Anyways good luck</p>

<p>-bix</p>
 
Most of my inventions are in the fields of NanoTechnology....when I was 30 I started a company with the goal of putting a terabyte of information on a postage stamp(all of recorded knowledge) Anyway, that was a failure. So now I am working on a hot tub that floats behind a boat.........................float and soak.
 
<p>ooo Nano -</p>

<p>I have lots of invention ideas for my profession... just no time to check it out and actually get it going. </p>

<p>You've got the brains ... I've got the ideas ... lets make lots of money! (yes, original song is looks, not ideas). </p>
 
<p>Nano -</p>

<p>Medical profession. I also am a spokesperson/lecturer for one of the larger supplies company in my particular profession, so marketing is not a problem.</p>

<p>Hmm .. patent attorney?</p>
 
I am looking for a patent attorney now to help me with my hot tub. I filed a provisional in February and would like to get the patent filed before the end of the year. I will do most of the writing of the specification, prior art search, etc. I need help with claims and getting the patent filed.





Any takers.........sail_n_power@yahoo.com





Because this is self funded project, I am not looking for a big name firm to work with(ie-not going to pay 450.00 per hour).





As for marketing help.......................anybody that wants to sit in a hot tub behind my boat in Catalina, soak in 110 degree water, and have a glass of wine,,,,,,,,,,,,,raise your hands.
 
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