The Value of Now

Came across a couple of wonderful examples of living one's dreams.  They make me think about the value of doing things now versus waiting.  Check out these two photos of boats in the same bay in the Bahamas.  The small boat has a couple on it and their dog.  The big boat has a crew plus a couple and some friends.

 

The thing that I think is interesting here is the small boat can be bought for very little money (or bought and fixed up for even less) and then, poof!, you're off living out your dreams - now (in your 20's, 30's, 40's).  The big boat (unless Daddy left you that trust fund) will take many years to earn pushing you well into late 50's or 60's before you head out to enjoy your dreams.

 

Now the little boat is a lot smaller and it doesn't come with a crew.  However, it is very funky and cute - and, most importantly, very comfortable.  It's got a great deck on the back, perfect for diving from, dining alfresco and just watching the world go by.  That size also comes in a price range that many people can afford with some work, savings, and a little effort.  You can have the little boat now.

 

The big boat, well, it has everything - big screen this and electronic that, plush everywhere and lots of space.  It also has the associated big price tag.  You can have all that, but you have to work for the next 20 years to get it.  Are those things worth 20 years of your life?

 

The financial advisors and writers we read suggest that you need big chunks of cash in order to retire, big chunks of cash that will take until you're at least 65 to earn.  I think that's a myth designed to keep the consumerist economy chugging along.  You are conditioned to have more, more, more rather than to realise when you have enough (remember, Steve's Concept of Enoughness - what is enough for you?  Never mind what everyone else thinks is enough for you!).  There are plenty of people (besides us) who aren't waiting, who are having their ideal lifestyle now.  All too often we put things off because we want the 'big one', the big house, the big boat, the jet-set lifestyle, but have a think about it, is it you that really wants that or have you simply been told that you want it / must have it so many times that you believe you do?

 

And don't forget, along with waiting 20 years, there's also the issue of health and physical capability.  There is a difference between what you feel like at 46 as compared to what you feel like at 66.  All those advisors neglect to mention that if you put your dreams on hold for 20 years you might not be (physically) able to pursue them - heck, you might not even be here!  (As you may have noted, I do not find the idea of putting things off until later appealing, this is a big reason why!)  How many people do you know who have reached the age of 65 or 68 and find that they (or their partner) are no longer capable of doing those things they've dreamt about and saved for for so long?

 

Is it worth the wait just so you can have the bigger _______ (fill in the blank) or would a smaller _______ suffice if you could do go now?  Would a smaller _______ work if you could have it for 20 extra years?  (Hmm, let me think, would I want 20 extra years cruising the Bahamas or a bigger boat?  The word DUH comes to mind!)  It's certainly worth considering, don't you think?

 

So what's the value of living your dreams 20 years early?