Assets Versus Experiences

[CBH Australia]

I’ve chose to spend my money on Fast Blonds, slow fords, blued steel and walnut and old whisky, wasted the rest. Will continue until I can only get slow blonds then will try to save some money. Moving back to Montana cut my income in half but I’m a lot happier when I wake up in the morning.

A life well lived.

@SCHUNTER73 Definitely no wrong answer because we have to make the most of our lot in life and know we can improve things within reason using what talents or knowledge we have.

I’m moving on some stuff but I still need the tools I accumulated.

Some say he who dies with the most toys wins. Not a bad way to go but neither is just having a full and happy life.

 

[3chunter]

Don’t wait until you are 50+ for experiences, no matter where your asset level is at.
I am lucky, I had supportive parents that gave me gas money and a truck through college. Because of family and friends I have got to hunt way more than the average Joe. I have spent many lifetimes in the woods on just turkey hunting. Not to mention deer, ducks, Africa. And I am only 42 years old. Been out of state or country on hunts yearly since 2001. Some years multiple hunting trips. I just feel like I am lucky and I always take the time to reminisce on each and everyday a field.
I try to attain the basics…shelter, vehicle, land, 401 k, etc but experiences is what matters. Sure I would like to have a super nice diesel F250 with heated seats but I probably wouldn’t be able to go on my yearly duck and deer trip if I did get one. Instead I drive a Toyota Corolla that gets 42 mpg. Priorities. Lol.

 

[meigsbucks]

Interesting to read the different points of view. Neither my wife or me ever had kids. Second marriage for both of us. Both of us have lost most of our families. We made decent money, but I wouldn’t consider ourselves wealthy. We did buy a lot of things that in the long run don’t matter. However, we do place emphasis on experiences. During our first 17yrs of marriage, we traveled to 27 states and five foreign countries. Although she doesn’t hunt, she went with me on my first safari in ‘13 because she wanted too see me fulfill my lifelong dream of taking a cape buffalo. Then COVID hit and after that she had a stroke that curtailed our travels. We still talk about our travels and experiences… Not about the Lexus in the garage or the Waterford bowl we bought in Ireland.
Live your life in the manner that makes you the happiest.

 

[Tanks]

Assets enable experiences most of the time. So, the two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Andrew62]

Several years ago I went through my parents 3500+ slides and countless photo albums, I digitally preserved those memories on my computer. I then had thumb drives made for my 6 siblings and 14 oldest nieces and nephews so they’d each have a copy of our family’s memories. Recently, I bought my 93 year old mother a digital photo album, those pictures rotate all day long, she loves looking at past memories, more so now that dad is gone.

My most prized possession is my iPhone, it contains thousands of pictures and videos from my past vacations and hunting trips, I get great enjoyment looking through these memories!

 

[Badjer]

I share this thread only to provide my perspective and experiences with my desires in the last quarter of my life. When I started out in the corporate world with two degrees I went through three stages. Stage 1 climb as high as I could while accumulating assets such as a 100+ acre farm paid off in addition to my home while paying for two kids college. 2. Family tradgety strikes empty nestor but need a change in life with assets paid for kids on their own with six figures in cash each to start their lives. 3. Sudden realization in last quarter of life that experiences not assets are what is most important to me in life enter Africa and all of you…let’s not forget the Rigby bug that bit me, lol thanks @franzfmdavis!!! I share this given I so love reading our great members many threads of where they are that bring back such precious memories!!!

With age and experience comes wisdom...

 

[DaddyFlip]

Thanks for the thumbs up and sad emoji responses to my posts. I think this is what @Rare Breed was thinking about when he started this thread because some of us go through well-defined, recognizable stages of life as he pointed out, and yet others may experience a different path that is not so easily defined. As I get older, I find I'm less passionate about things, or else my passion doesn't last very long. Take this AH forum; it's one of the best I've ever been a part of because of it's diversity of background, opinion, means, and experience. I joined just to ask @rookhawk about a stock refinishing project.

What I've enjoyed is living vicariously through those going on great hunts, buying exotic guns, or working through a reloading issue (I also only get my "news" and "backstory" through the Politics thread). The sad part is the more I enjoy the exploits of others, the less I wish to experience them for myself because in my mind, I've been there, done that. I don't need the first-hand experience to be satisfied. When I was 22 (and had no means), I remember thinking about going to Africa because I was reading all the great author-hunters, but now, a lifetime later (with the means), I no longer have the desire. I wonder if there are others out there (maybe not in this community) who are like that about something due to the passing of time? With respect to assets (liabilities?) vs. experience; yeah, I bought the 375 and the 416 and I like them, but they will never leave my homestead if that makes it easier to understand what I'm talking about.

@Newboomer talked about "living life to the fullest" and "doing all you can while you can"; these are sentiments I don't understand. I also don't understand the obsession of "travel", why it's important for some to "go" and "do" and "see". Not putting it down at all; it's not for me- I can think of nothing out there that I have to experience or see to have lived a fulfilling life. I spent some time tonight trying to think of a past experience that had meaning enough to be a lasting memory and I can't think of any. One day, I will stop thinking about reloading or the rifles I bought and won't contribute to AH anymore. Until that time, I will "participate to the fullest" and "post all I can" and try to contribute without putting my foot in my mouth.

Until then, I'm looking for Frog.

 

[Hedge774]

What I am shooting for
Is he showed us how to do things.
And how to sand up and put a limit on bs.

The last words I spoke to my father on his death bed were, "Thanks for teaching me how to fish, Dad." I've never told anyone that before.

 

[Flbt]

The last words I spoke to my father on his death bed were, "Thanks for teaching me how to fish, Dad." I've never told anyone that before.

That was probably very nice to him.
I know I told mine in hospice thanks for what you showed me how to do.

 

[DaddyFlip]

I wasn't with or near my dad when he passed. I got a phone call after it happened.

 

[Hedge774]

Here is the exact moment (captured by the hidden matriarch of the outfitter in Limpopo) that I felt peace. It was a sadly strange feeling that I didn't understand for a few minutes. Then, it sunk in. I worry myself sick over nonsense and opinions of those that haven't earned my respect. A cup of coffee, a fire, a sunrise, a nice breeze.... Yes, I paid to get there, so far away from "here", but at that moment, all my "stuff" was irrelevant. I hate to admit that I have let the world in again to infringe on my peace.....but I leave again for Limpopo on 4/15/26. Cheers, @Rare Breed and all those of you who have sat by the fire with a cup of coffee and wanted for nothing.

 

[DaddyFlip]

Here is the exact moment (captured by the hidden matriarch of the outfitter in Limpopo) that I felt peace. It was a sadly strange feeling that I didn't understand for a few minutes. Then, it sunk in. I worry myself sick over nonsense and opinions of those that haven't earned my respect. A cup of coffee, a fire, a sunrise, a nice breeze.... Yes, I paid to get there, so far away from "here", but at that moment, all my "stuff" was irrelevant. I hate to admit that I have let the world in again to infringe on my peace.....but I leave again for Limpopo on 4/15/26. Cheers, @Rare Breed and all those of you who have sat by the fire with a cup of coffee and wanted for nothing.

Your camo doesn't match.

HA HA your post gave me a moment of pause and peace- thank you!

 

[Hedge774]

Your camo doesn't match.

HA HA your post gave me a moment of pause and peace- thank you!

Honestly, I was born colorblind. Haha, but I'm so glad you could get there with me!

 

[Flbt]

I wasn't with or near my dad when he passed. I got a phone call after it happened.

Honestly I don’t know what way is worse
After being there in hospice I don’t ever want to do that again

 

[DaddyFlip]

Honestly I don’t know what way is worse
After being there in hospice I don’t ever want to do that again

I would recommend that death is a part of life and that living and dying is nothing special because everyone does it. Don't dwell on it. Be thankful for the time you have and be blessed in whatever way you deem appropriate.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Here is the exact moment (captured by the hidden matriarch of the outfitter in Limpopo) that I felt peace. It was a sadly strange feeling that I didn't understand for a few minutes. Then, it sunk in. I worry myself sick over nonsense and opinions of those that haven't earned my respect. A cup of coffee, a fire, a sunrise, a nice breeze.... Yes, I paid to get there, so far away from "here", but at that moment, all my "stuff" was irrelevant. I hate to admit that I have let the world in again to infringe on my peace.....but I leave again for Limpopo on 4/15/26. Cheers, @Rare Breed and all those of you who have sat by the fire with a cup of coffee and wanted for nothing.

Actually this is something that so many people battle with, thankfully not me
I always tell my kids and many others there is only 1 person whose opinion matters… it’s yourself. You need to love the person in the mirror the rest don’t matter

Enjoy life, live it, before you know it shit happens and then ….????

 

[Charlie64]

.

Years ago, in my early 30s, I flew to NZ & had two weeks guided fly fishing on a very slim budget on the NI. My guide, Frank Murphy, later President of the NZPFGA, saw and knew that I was on a shoe string. We fished hard, climbing down steep hills to get at 10 lb browns in the rivers below. We got cut, scratched and pretty bruised in our endeavours but we caught heaps of memorable trout in the process.

On the last night at dinner, over a bottle of Squawking Magpie red wine and some excellent NZ lamb chops, Frank voiced his opinion that I had done it right - coming to NZ on a budget / overdraft and fishing the toughest and best waters with success.

He went on to say that most of his clients were very wealthy (mainly Americans) in the late 60s and early 70s with lots of money to spend on fly fishing gear and guided trips BUT most were not in a condition to climb down the hill side to try for that 10 lb brown at the headwaters or deep pools of some of NZs best trout waters as we had done. Sure they would catch fish, but not like we did.

I am no longer in my 30s and today I would likely have a rough time fishing doing what I did back then. Also I am no longer on the budget that I was then. The pendulum has swung and life and my career has been good.

Nowadays its very much about activities and doing things with family and close friends rather than objects and chattels. Sure the Rigby is nice as are the other rifles and the boxes of red wine are wonderful and have gone up in price. I do not see the Rigby as an asset but rather an object - an a very nice one at that - to get a job done.

Don't put things off until it is too late ..... as the saying goes "You can borrow money but you cannot borrow time".

Cheers

Ps And I am not preaching put yourself in debt to go hunting but you get my meaning!


.

 

[Adam Stevens]

Funny enough, just last week I texted my brother similar sentiments.

Mainly use a phone for work and job emails and plans etc, and with young boys Ive been banished from the main TV, and started using our computer again.

In my internet open tabs, I have a selection of forums and marketplaces, watches, guns, cars, etc etc. but its all material stuff. And I found myself just daily checking over each site, looking for something, something I dont need.

and that was the text to my brother. Why am I doing this, when I know a day a week a month later, none of these things will mean anything, and even more. Buying them will push me even further from future Safaris or adventures and experiences.

I still check over the sites for "deals" but Im glad Im in a better place mentally, that my goals are 100% on booking my second safari.

Just last night for instance, I was going over my old raw footage from 2018. Theres so many things that didnt make the film or tv shows that ive found and saved and remembered.

Experiences last forever.

 

[Justbryan]

Assets vs. Experiences- My wife and I often talk about the path we have chosen in life. We have spent a lot of money on travel and experiences. We have been in 53 countries and many of them multiple times. I have fished and hunted all over the world on a middle-class income.

We live in a modest home (1800 sq feet) but not in an expensive area of the Dallas Metroplex. We drive 8-year-old vehicles and don't have lots of toys. I don't have a huge retirement savings or 401 just enough to live modestly when I retire. We will keep working so we can travel and experience life.

I don't envy those with a lot of stuff, assets. I envy those who have traveled to 100+ countries and seen the world, experiences!

 

[Rare Breed]

Here is the exact moment (captured by the hidden matriarch of the outfitter in Limpopo) that I felt peace. It was a sadly strange feeling that I didn't understand for a few minutes. Then, it sunk in. I worry myself sick over nonsense and opinions of those that haven't earned my respect. A cup of coffee, a fire, a sunrise, a nice breeze.... Yes, I paid to get there, so far away from "here", but at that moment, all my "stuff" was irrelevant. I hate to admit that I have let the world in again to infringe on my peace.....but I leave again for Limpopo on 4/15/26. Cheers, @Rare Breed and all those of you who have sat by the fire with a cup of coffee and wanted for nothing.

You have captured one of the greatest of feelings that I experience each time I go to Africa!!! Words don’t even need to be said for that peace to arrive as the world’s requirements just fall away!!!