Assets Versus Experiences

[Rare Breed]

Yep…I am a 50-50 balance man. 50% retirement 50% making experiences

 

[Killingtime]

I’ve always lived my life with the belief of no debt and to focus on investments in the event that I’m not here in the future that my family will be taken care of. That mind set has served us very well.
Ive always believed in finding contentment in whatever I was doing rather than chasing the next thrill.
If you read enough books on psychology we are almost by nature designed to chase or collect some form of trophy whether that is money, career advancement, guns, cars, collectibles.. women lol it’s never enough unless you make it enough.

A earlier post really resonated with me that many have a mindset of not believing that they can afford nice hunts but buy fancy toys.. I fully agree.

It took time to be in a position where very nice family trips were feasible but by not wasting money on things that I didn’t find value in it became very easy.
I have many friends with 100k trucks those that ranch I understand the f450 those that don’t but want a dually and have nothing to pull I’ll never understand. I joke with them that it’s easy to save for nice trips or many mini trips when you don’t have $1500 dollar truck payments.

My wife pointed out most people when we attended DSC this year are over 50yrs old I’d agree that’s probably the average I told her it’s because it takes time for people in life to accumulate the resources and or time to make hunting Alaska or Africa a possibility or priority.


My goal now is to take my kids as they get older on some great hunts and fishing trips around the country and world because who knows in the future when they get older if they will be able to afford to do it or if it’s even available for them. And I would really like to have the memories with my boys.

 

[ActionBob]

In regard to time, one can manage it by setting priorities, delegating and cultivating employees. As a rule, I take 3-4 weeks off just about every quarter while still being accessible via satellite communications. I remember one time I sat on a conference call from Amanzi Lodge in Harare with Shell Oil to answer specific questions about funding one of my projects with them.

Yea we have redundancy built in with Jr Partners. I still reserve signing any larger loans. And WhatsApp works most places. Outfitters are even starting to carry Starlink with them. I've done several trips of a month to 5 weeks and really hate going to Africa for less than 3 as the flights are just to long to not spend the time.

I'm not sure my time requirements are taking away from trips, but things like shooting, reloading and working on my old tractors suffers

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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!!!

@Rare Breed
Assets come and go. They can disappear overnight. Then again so can life.
Experience and memories last a lifetime and can never be taken off you ( unless you develop Alzheimer's). They can be shared and enjoyed but they are always yours.
After my last heart attack at 32 ( should have put me in a box) I came to realise that whilst assets are fine they are easily lost ( especially after two divorces).
Memories and experiences with the ones I love and care about ( family and friends) I will have forever and they mean much more to me than anything I own.
My wife and I aren't rich but we're not poor.
I have a daughter who is a multi occupation doctor, a son that will be finished University this year and is well in the way to setting himself up in the world ( with a bit of help from the bank of mum and dad) and a way of life that we can enjoy.
As I get older I realise that I don't need much to be happy.
Enough to keep the wolves from the door
Be able to hunt and enjoy travel with my wife and friends to make even more memories.
I don't want to be like my miserable old shit of a brother that all he has is look at what I own and how much money I have. Doesn't interest me.
He hasn't travelled much was a career person and mainly has memories of his job.
I want to spend my last year's making memories with people I care about so after I'm gone they will have some of those memories as well that they can share with their kids.
I would prefer to have a week in the bush hunting and enjoying life with the ones I care about than the biggest mansion in the street.
Call me crazy but I like the simple uncomplicated life. The older I'm getting the more I'm enjoying simple pleasures that I overlooked when younger
Bob

 

[CBH Australia]

@Rare Breed
Assets come and go. They can disappear overnight. Then again so can life.
Experience and memories last a lifetime and can never be taken off you ( unless you develop Alzheimer's). They can be shared and enjoyed but they are always yours.
After my last heart attack at 32 ( should have put me in a box) I came to realise that whilst assets are fine they are easily lost ( especially after two divorces).
Memories and experiences with the ones I love and care about ( family and friends) I will have forever and they mean much more to me than anything I own.
My wife and I aren't rich but we're not poor.
I have a daughter who is a multi occupation doctor, a son that will be finished University this year and is well in the way to setting himself up in the world ( with a bit of help from the bank of mum and dad) and a way of life that we can enjoy.
As I get older I realise that I don't need much to be happy.
Enough to keep the wolves from the door
Be able to hunt and enjoy travel with my wife and friends to make even more memories.
I don't want to be like my miserable old shit of a brother that all he has is look at what I own and how much money I have. Doesn't interest me.
He hasn't travelled much was a career person and mainly has memories of his job.
I want to spend my last year's making memories with people I care about so after I'm gone they will have some of those memories as well that they can share with their kids.
I would prefer to have a week in the bush hunting and enjoying life with the ones I care about than the biggest mansion in the street.
Call me crazy but I like the simple uncomplicated life. The older I'm getting the more I'm enjoying simple pleasures that I overlooked when younger
Bob

You nailed it Bob

They are the important things and the trick is to balance these and be comfortable in thinking you can maintain the standard you desire.

I m still long off retirement age so I need to build something to maintain a standard of living when the wages cease and I see where my age group fit among tax and superannuation rules of the time.

I anticipate many will be expected to draw down super before being eligible for pensions etc and it will likely mean drawing a pension from super.

I think a lot of blue collar workers will be somewhere between coping or comfortable but I don’t think the average person will be able to spend the super and take a pension so some passive income outside super would help but it will all be assessed

Probably best to travel and hunt now and worry later.

 

[Rare Breed]

@Rare Breed
Assets come and go. They can disappear overnight. Then again so can life.
Experience and memories last a lifetime and can never be taken off you ( unless you develop Alzheimer's). They can be shared and enjoyed but they are always yours.
After my last heart attack at 32 ( should have put me in a box) I came to realise that whilst assets are fine they are easily lost ( especially after two divorces).
Memories and experiences with the ones I love and care about ( family and friends) I will have forever and they mean much more to me than anything I own.
My wife and I aren't rich but we're not poor.
I have a daughter who is a multi occupation doctor, a son that will be finished University this year and is well in the way to setting himself up in the world ( with a bit of help from the bank of mum and dad) and a way of life that we can enjoy.
As I get older I realise that I don't need much to be happy.
Enough to keep the wolves from the door
Be able to hunt and enjoy travel with my wife and friends to make even more memories.
I don't want to be like my miserable old shit of a brother that all he has is look at what I own and how much money I have. Doesn't interest me.
He hasn't travelled much was a career person and mainly has memories of his job.
I want to spend my last year's making memories with people I care about so after I'm gone they will have some of those memories as well that they can share with their kids.
I would prefer to have a week in the bush hunting and enjoying life with the ones I care about than the biggest mansion in the street.
Call me crazy but I like the simple uncomplicated life. The older I'm getting the more I'm enjoying simple pleasures that I overlooked when younger
Bob

Bob I have always said you are a very wise man sir!!! Well said!!! Just love the Aussi touch you put on it!!!!!

 

[fourfive8]

Almost a trick question. But reduced to its simplest, very easy choice.

Three pics. I’d pick two of the following with extremely strong aversion to one. Not a difficult choice for me.

 

[Russ16]

Almost a trick question. But reduced to its simplest, very easy choice.

Three pics. I’d pick two of the following with extremely strong aversion to one. Not a difficult choice for me.

View attachment 751737View attachment 751738View attachment 751739

What don't you like about chickens?

 

[widetrackjack]

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!!!

This thread reminds me of a quote by Mark Twain:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover”

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob I have always said you are a very wise man sir!!! Well said!!! Just love the Aussi touch you put on it!!!!!

@Rare Breed
The only wise moves I have made in my life are marrying my beautiful wife and never owning a 243
Apart from that I'm just an average person.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Almost a trick question. But reduced to its simplest, very easy choice.

Three pics. I’d pick two of the following with extremely strong aversion to one. Not a difficult choice for me.

View attachment 751737View attachment 751738View attachment 751739

@fourfive8
Only one answer
1 &3
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I always wonder "What will my kids think of me when I'm gone?"

Will it be "Dad was cool. He had a cool sportscar, boat, Rolex, high-end scotch collection, big house, etc."

Or will it be "Dad was a mountain. He hunted boars in the swamps of Georgia. Waterfowl on the freezing bays and creeks of NJ in the middle of winter. He went to Africa to hunt. He took a bear in NJ with a bow. He battled sea monsters 100 miles out in the ocean. And he took us all along for the ride and showed us how to do it."

I would like it to be the latter. There are only three people on this earth that I really do care what they think of me. My wife, and our two kids.

What other folks think is secondary but yes, the experiences matter so much more to me.

We do have a boat, and I have some other "nice" things, but the memories and making new ones are what keep me charging forward.

@HookMeUpII
A wise man once told me
Don't worry about what people think of you.
You would be surprised how little they actually think of you.
If people don't like me that's their problem not mine, I'm not here to make everyone happy but hopefully I can spread a little joy to some along the road if life.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What Bryce said above.

Maybe it's because Duvall passed away and I recently rewatched Secondhand Lions, but the quote that fits this for me is "He really lived." Yes, experiences. Yes, involve my kids, as much as they want to be. But when I finally pass from this world I don't want to leave anything on the table. The analogy I have often thought of is from track and field. A lifetime ago I ran the 100, 200, and relays. Run through the finish line - that's how I hope I am living my life, and how I will finish it.

@Tundra Tiger
My old body is wearing out quicker than I hoped for so I may not be able to run thru the finish line but I will hobble as slow as I can because I really want to enjoy the journey.
It's not where you come in the race just make sure you give it the best shot you can and enjoy the journey.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Be sure to not confuse Assets with Liabilities- Stuff like boats, rolex, cars, clothes etc are 99% of the time a liability that depreciate and are not Assets. An Asset generates income, or at least appreciates at a predictable amount ahead of inflation. Liabilities are generally not worth the long term price....


Land can be an Asset, and generally keeps ahead of inflation. Rental real estate is an asset, as well as owning a turnkey business. A stock or investment portfolio is also an Asset.

I have noticed that those who have strong Assets and are financially set tend to tout the importance of Experience over more things, and money..... Also they often talk about pursing passions over money....

That's all fine and great, but if you are not financially stable, are living paycheck to paycheck, or have consumer debt than that is a bad idea! Hard to really enjoy those experiences not knowing if you can pay the rent/mortgage next month or buy food for the table! And many of the best experience's take a lot of money to buy! like a full bag safari in Tanzania would be a great experience but not gonna afford it unless you have a lot of Assets to fund it!

Everything has its time in life, and moderation in all things is usually the answer. Work hard when you can, but still take time to enjoy life along the way- somethings can't be done later.

@wildwilderness
My wife and I don't have strong assets.
During my life I've been in the bones of my arse, low income job, mortgage, car repayments high interest rates, wife and kids. But I did own a gun and that helped feed my family. I bartered for jobs that I need done for what I could do for them. Far from rich but we had good memories and always worked out a way to do things we valued.
Even now not asset rich. If my wife and I want something ( like our last big overseas trip) we planned it saved for it and enjoyed every minute of it because we worked and saved for our goals.
It wasn't handed to us in a silver platter. Knowing we worked and saved for it made the trip even more enjoyable and we had a lot of awet experiences especially meeting fellow AHers. These thing meant a lot more to us because we put the effort in to attain our dreams and desires.

Why is it the people with less seem to have more to give and are happier than the majority of the wealthy. This was highlighted to my son in Namibia when we went to a local school that had very little bit the kids were happy with what they had. My son said they have nothing but they're happy, I'm not wanting for anything and complain because I want more and can't have it so at time I'm not happy. This experience has changed his life. Yes he still values what he has but now he has to work for it himself and realises money may not make him happy but it is essential for life. Going bush and hunting is more memorable than what he owns and what he owns now he has worked and made sacrifices to get there.
I would prefer to be poor and happy than rich and miserable. Ask a rih person if they are truly happy and most will say no. They either want more or are to busy making more and trying to protect it than really enjoying life. Yes I do know some very wealthy people and only a couple are really happy because they remember where the came from and embrace their humble roots. The ones that have had it handed to them are usually miserable but pretend to be happy.
Money can't buy happiness but you may be able to take your choice of miseries. True happiness comes from within. If you aren't happy with yourself how can you make others happy
That's just my opinion
Bob

 

[Tundra Tiger]

@Tundra Tiger
My old body is wearing out quicker than I hoped for so I may not be able to run thru the finish line but I will hobble as slow as I can because I really want to enjoy the journey.
It's not where you come in the race just make sure you give it the best shot you can and enjoy the journey.
Bob

Bob, I have friends my age who have thrown in the towel on activities they used to enjoy, despite the fact I think they could still participate. For myself, I want to take over I can from the things I enjoy while I am here.

I drew a goat tag this year for Kodiak. Twelve years ago I said on a radio program I'd never be able to goat hunt. (my health/obesity would have prohibited it) 3 years ago I went goat hunting for the first time in my life. It was the hardest hunt I have ever done. I did not harvest one. Now I get a second chance, in a draw area. I can't wait.

The race is with myself. I will finish both first and last. But I want to run hard the whole way.

 

[Killingtime]

@Rare Breed
The only wise moves I have made in my life are marrying my beautiful wife and never owning a 243
Apart from that I'm just an average person.
Bob

That is hilarious! I was gifted a 243 about 20 yrs ago it has never been shot I gave it to the wife… she uses a 7mm-08 lol. My wise moves mirror yours and having a couple boys

 

[Rare Breed]

That is hilarious! I was gifted a 243 about 20 yrs ago it has never been shot I gave it to the wife… she uses a 7mm-08 lol. My wise moves mirror yours and having a couple boys

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen with his hate of the 243 remind me of the movie Moses with Carlton Heston when faro says to Moses only replacing Moses name with the 243…”Never let the 243 be mentioned in my presence, strike the 243 off all buildings and statues”. lol!!!!!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, I have friends my age who have thrown in the towel on activities they used to enjoy, despite the fact I think they could still participate. For myself, I want to take over I can from the things I enjoy while I am here.

I drew a goat tag this year for Kodiak. Twelve years ago I said on a radio program I'd never be able to goat hunt. (my health/obesity would have prohibited it) 3 years ago I went goat hunting for the first time in my life. It was the hardest hunt I have ever done. I did not harvest one. Now I get a second chance, in a draw area. I can't wait.

The race is with myself. I will finish both first and last. But I want to run hard the whole way.

@Tundra Tiger
Instead of going hunting with a couple of mates in late April I chose to have a knee replacement on the 2nd of April.
If I go on the hunt I wouldn't enjoy it because of my knee.
Better choice, replace knee and enjoy more hunts later.
Not looking forward to the operation or recovery process but looking forward to more enjoyable times in life.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

That is hilarious! I was gifted a 243 about 20 yrs ago it has never been shot I gave it to the wife… she uses a 7mm-08 lol. My wise moves mirror yours and having a couple boys

@Killingtime
You should be slapped silly for giving your wife a 243. Did you want to turn her off hunting.
Now take that 243 and get it rebarreled or rebored to 358 win. That way she will have her 7-08 for most things and the 358 for bigger things.
Bob

 

[Tundra Tiger]

@Tundra Tiger
Instead of going hunting with a couple of mates in late April I chose to have a knee replacement on the 2nd of April.
If I go on the hunt I wouldn't enjoy it because of my knee.
Better choice, replace knee and enjoy more hunts later.
Not looking forward to the operation or recovery process but looking forward to more enjoyable times in life.
Bob

I wish the very best on your surgery Bob.