The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[Goofyernmost]

Yes some want to live life at times to the fullest when in their younger years and that's a good thing since tomorrow is not guaranteed Some made lifestyle choices and saved and invested long term to allow them to have a substantial nest egg upon retiring. 401K when some start investing weekly at a young age and see their nest egg grow over time is the way to go. That's your money working harder than you do .

Now all one has to do is live long enough to spend it.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

I use the cheap stuff with maple flavoring when I don't have gift syrup from family. I didn't say I never use it, I said I never buy it. I like it just not enough to pay that much for stuff that grows on trees. In other words... tree snot!

PS... Sometimes honey or strawberry preserves or peanut butter.

Tree snot, I've never heard Maple Syrup called that before.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Yes, the real maple syrup is a treat! Considering I seldom have waffles or pancakes, a medium jar of maple syrup will last me at least half a year or more; so I feel I can indulge, despite the price!

I do like Maple Syrup and buy a small bottle at Lidl about once a year. I use it sparingly so it last quite a long time.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

We usually get gifts of maple syrup from people. There are quite a few people in our area that tap trees on their land and they have been generous to us. I have bought it a few times and yes it is expensive, but I enjoy it more than the artificial stuff. The artificial stuff works in a pinch or in a restaurant when the real stuff isn't offered.

You are so lucky getting maple syrup from friends. It would be fun to see how the syrup is collected, I've seen it on TV but would like to see it in real life. I also agree that the artificial syrup isn't nearly as good as the real stuff.

 

[drizgirl]

At least 10 who work out with me at the local gym.

And you chatted with them about whether they have financial planning classes at school?

 

[Figgy1]

You are so lucky getting maple syrup from friends. It would be fun to see how the syrup is collected, I've seen it on TV but would like to see it in real life. I also agree that the artificial syrup isn't nearly as food as the real stuff.

No you don't as it's done in frostbite weather

 

[MinnieM123]

No you don't as it's done in frostbite weather

You're missing all the fun -- March in Vermont is when a number of maple sugar places open up to the public, and show how the process is done. They have samples to share with people, and it's a festive time for all. If you get cold, Figgy, put on a jacket!

 

[Figgy1]

You're missing all the fun -- March in Vermont is when a number of maple sugar places open up to the public, and show how the process is done. They have samples to share with people, and it's a festive time for all. If you get cold, Figgy, put on a jacket!

Been there, done that in75 layers NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There isn't enough Thinsulate on the planet to ever make me want to do it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

It was a good thing my parents were very strict with the money that it taught me financial discipline starting in my younger years. I was a poor college student and lived the part while working my way through school and in the summer times. I lived this type of lifestyle even when I rose up the food chain and kept investing long term in the markets. To put all eggs in the basket like putting it all on TWDC stock is not a smart move at least in the last several years.

I grew up quite poor, raised by a single mum on benefits. Luckily my mum was smart and knew how to budget. She also made meal plans with things that were on sale, bought things second hand and wasn't too proud to accept food parcels when necessary. Since money was always tight I started doing little jobs in the neighbourhood when I was 10 to earn my own money and I've always worked since then. I actually feel my upbringing has been a real benefit to me as I've always know the value of money and I make sure to have enough money set aside for emergency etc. My mother also taught me to never buy anything on credit, if you can't afford it, you don't buy it. And I still follow that rule to this day. I worry when I read how many people are using Buy now Pay later schemes etc.Or pay huge amounts each month for a fancy phone.

 

[Lilofan]

I grew up quite poor, raised by a single mum on benefits. Luckily my mum was smart and knew how to budget. She also made meal plans with things that were on sale, bought things second hand and wasn't too proud to accept food parcels when necessary. Since money was always tight I started doing little jobs in the neighbourhood when I was 10 to earn my own money and I've always worked since then. I actually feel my upbringing has been a real benefit to me as I've always know the value of money and I make sure to have enough money set aside for emergency etc. My mother also taught me to never buy anything on credit, if you can't afford it, you don't buy it. And I still follow that rule to this day. I worry when I read how many people are using Buy now Pay later schemes etc.Or pay huge amounts each month for a fancy phone.

CNBC as of Jan 2022 is reporting 56% of Americans do not have $1K in savings to cover an emergency expense.

 

[wdisney9000]

Uh heck yeah!

It seems like some people post 10 pictures/memes in a row in an effort to garner "likes".

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

 

[The Mom]

You're missing all the fun -- March in Vermont is when a number of maple sugar places open up to the public, and show how the process is done. They have samples to share with people, and it's a festive time for all. If you get cold, Figgy, put on a jacket!

I went to a Maple Sugaring when we were living in Toronto - it was a day trip sponsored by the U of T. Spent the morning/early afternoon collecting sap and then made it into syrup. Followed by a pancake supper, followed by square/folk dancing. Lots of fun!

 

[The Mom]

Now all one has to do is live long enough to spend it.

We've had almost 10 years of doing what we want to do, when we want to do it, thanks to saving for our retirement.

We didn't spend much on fun things - except family vacations - as most extra income went to savings, private schools, and college funds.

We know we may only have a few more "healthy" years to enjoy ourselves, but so far we've had lots of fun traveling. Thanks to putting money away for retirement.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

You're missing all the fun -- March in Vermont is when a number of maple sugar places open up to the public, and show how the process is done. They have samples to share with people, and it's a festive time for all. If you get cold, Figgy, put on a jacket!

Been there, done that in75 layers NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There isn't enough Thinsulate on the planet to ever make me want to do it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to a Maple Sugaring when we were living in Toronto - it was a day trip sponsored by the U of T. Spent the morning/early afternoon collecting sap and then made it into syrup. Followed by a pancake supper, followed by square/folk dancing. Lots of fun!

Now I definitely want to collect Maple Syrup, I'm from hardy Dutch stock so I'm sure I can withstand the cold.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

CNBC as of Jan 2022 is reporting 56% of Americans do not have $1K in savings to cover an emergency expense.

That is such a scary situation to be in.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

We've had almost 10 years of doing what we want to do, when we want to do it, thanks to saving for our retirement.

We didn't spend much on fun things - except family vacations - as most extra income went to savings, private schools, and college funds.

We know we may only have a few more "healthy" years to enjoy ourselves, but so far we've had lots of fun traveling. Thanks to putting money away for retirement.

I'm so happy to hear you are enjoying your retirement. I hope you have many healthy years ahead where you can continue to reap the benefits of your hard work.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

No you don't as it's done in frostbite weather

That sap won't run in frostbite weather, it has to be a bit warmer than that.

 

[Figgy1]

That sap won't run in frostbite weather, it has to be a bit warmer than that.

Anything below 60 is frostbite weather

 

[Goofyernmost]

We've had almost 10 years of doing what we want to do, when we want to do it, thanks to saving for our retirement.

We didn't spend much on fun things - except family vacations - as most extra income went to savings, private schools, and college funds.

We know we may only have a few more "healthy" years to enjoy ourselves, but so far we've had lots of fun traveling. Thanks to putting money away for retirement.

I'm not saying not to put money away, but the example that we were presented with is more than just a savings account for retirement. One fifth of that would make a pretty comfortable retirement. I retired with a whole lot less and have it planned to last me probably as long as I can possibly live. If that would have happened to me all I would be able to think about is all the things that I wanted to do or to have and was sacrificed when there was absolutely no reason to not fulfill some of those dreams while I was young. The things that we had to put off while we paid for our homes, dressed, supplied and put our children through college can be a burden but those people never had that situation unless being unnecessarily frugal caused them to put other things on hold.

I'm aware that there are a lot of people that spend wildly and do not even think about what lies ahead, but this was not an example of poverty and desperation when there was something that formidable at arms length. It's not a bad thing to be surprised like that, just untimely in my mind. Unless they develop a serious gambling obsession they will never be able to spend that much money in the time remaining. Investments that size earn more money they they will be in need of for the rest of their lives. My wife spent all of my money, her money and a whole lot of VISA money, plus student loans that never got paid. I had the opposite of a surprise stash of money, I had a supply of debt left given to me. That is why I feel the way I do I guess. Not all surprises are good.