perpender

On this New Year’s Day, I have much to be thankful for:

- Good health and knowledge that my medical problems are minor

- Respect of my colleagues and their concern over my job future

- A partner who understands my needs and gives freely

- Achievable goals

- Milka chocolate!

Well…almost debt free. My mortgage is well within my ability to pay, and equivalent to paying rent somewhere else. Not only am I not underwater, I’ve been accelerating payments to ensure I have sufficient equity. I also bought a new vehicle this year, on which I owe only about 35% of the purchase price.

I still manage to eat out, but nothing extravagant, and I bring leftovers home for dinner the next day. Mi’ve also found that, for one person, a roast or turkey breast makes for a lot of follow on meals.

Now that I am debt free, I find I have the money for my little pleasures: Traveling, and reading.

I have been given a great opportunity to live in Europe for a few years. I love the travel, the culture, and the history. However, after my spouse passed away a couple of years’ ago, it became difficult to travel. Didn’t want to do it alone; it was odd going places he always wanted to see, etc. I don’t like group tours, so have done very few of them.

Finally, I decided I couldn’t keep occupying space this way…I either needed to live life fully, or go hide in a cave. I am currently visiting a UNESCO World Heritage site for several days, and brought evening clothes to go out in!