Friday, January 6, 2017

How to live your dream chic life

The view from my dad's terrace.  It's soothing.



Happy new year, dear chic friends!

I was going for a walk around midday the other day, on a weekday.  People around me were on their lunchbreak and here was me, walking along soaking up the sun, with no work to go back to in the afternoon.  Now that we have sold our business and finished up training the new owners, this is my new life.

Writing will be my job from now on, but still, I could hardly call it a job because I love it so much.  Plus, my commute is just down the hall and the cats can come too.  I’ve always wanted a ‘bring your cat to work day’; I just had to invent my own :)

I am also in this fortunate position because we have a low-cost lifestyle.  We don’t waste money and we love to keep things simple.  Because of this we have paid our house off early and have no debt.

That is the biggest thing I would say to anyone – get rid of your debt as fast as you can.  You have so much more freedom with no debt.  To me, a newer house, better/second car, more vacations and fancier clothes all come a distant second to ridding myself of debt (including ‘good’ debt, such as a house payment or student loans).

I am also not kidding myself because I know it might not be so easy when you have kids to pay for.  We don’t have children, and I know it makes a huge difference to household spending.  They’re expensive!  But I do think you can live a simple, low-cost life with children; you have to be intentional about it and it might feel uncomfortable going against what your friends and family are doing, but it’s worth it.

So here I am, the 46-year old who gets to create at home, enjoying her favourite place to be, reading often and enjoying her own company.  We don’t really change that much do we?  I love the quote which I think is attributed to Gertrude Stein that talks about us not changing as we get older, but only becoming more of who we already are.

Now, I don’t say all of this to brag, but I want to show you that it is possible to do what you really want in life.

If you had no money worries or any other considerations, how would you spend your day?  When I think about it, all I ever wanted to do was be at home, and be creating.  Imagining your dream day is a great thing to think about.

If you don’t want to share in the comments, make some notes for yourself.  Then you will see how big the gap is between your current days and what you would actually like them to look like.  It may be closer than you think, and it may be poles apart.

And now that you have an idea of how you would love to live, you can work and plan towards it.  What better time than the new year to begin to dream?  It was about this time two years ago that my husband and I started saying to each other ‘what if…’ and ‘imagine if we could…’ and started breathing life into our dream lifestyle.

If your other half is not so keen to talk like this, slip it sideways into a conversation when you are on vacation, watching a movie or even simply sipping a coffee together at a nice café.  Not so much ‘we need to talk’, but ‘imagine if we could live like this every day’.

Don’t let another year slip by where you are middling along with your life just because everyone around you is too, but underneath wondering ‘is this all there is’?  I love to inspire myself by reading about people who have done amazing things, because then my little aspirations don’t seem so outrageous by comparison.

I encourage you to begin today to explore your dream chic life.

fiona

PS.  If you would like to read more from me on the topic of living an abundant and prosperous life, check out my book Financially Chic, available on Amazon Kindle and in paperback.

Weirdly enough I picked up my own copy at home last week and started flicking through it.  I ended up reading a chapter and forgot it was my book.  I was thinking to myself ‘this is so good, I feel really motivated’ and then clicked back into reality that I had written it.  So, if it’s not a biased opinion for the author to say so, it’s an excellent book.  Take that as you will :)

30 comments:

  1. I'm showing my ignorance here, but does New Zealand have national health care? That is what is keeping me from retirement and living the life I am ready for-my job sponsored health care.

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    1. A quick Google search turned up the following: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_New_Zealand

      "From an essentially fully public system in the early 20th century, reforms have introduced market and health insurance elements primarily in the last three decades, creating a mixed public-private system for delivering healthcare..."

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    2. We do have a good public health system here in New Zealand. Each country will have their own differences with things like this, and I know it is a big part of job decisions in the US.

      I am certainly not an expert on anywhere other than New Zealand, but perhaps that could be part of your dream chic life project: Researching ways to retire or work part-time and the healthcare implications.

      Good luck :)

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  2. That is wonderful, that you are mortgage free and debt free at 46. We managed this when I was a bit younger but only because we had a house gifted to us and we were able to sell our home, pay off our existing mortgage and then be totally mortgage and free.
    However, husband loved his work as a senior engineer and even had we been able for him to relinquish his work, he'd not have wanted to have done so, he enjoyed it so much. He also had a good pension scheme at work, the benefits we are enjoying now. He was able to travel (mainly in Europe but also once to Japan) and as well as responsibility, enjoyed the creative part of engineering, for it is very creative.
    I gave up my part-time work (secretary, today this would be called a PA) when I was 48, not all that much older than you are now, Fiona) and a few years later began writing for magazines and newspapers. I have continued to do this ever since and, just as you picked up your book and read a whole chapter, my early work reads to me as if someone else has written it. Indeed, I've written so many pieces now that I don't even recall writing many of them!
    As for imagining my dream of how I might spend my day? Well, as one half of a retired couple, we do have a very nice life even if we are busy, husband learning something new on his computer every day using Inventor, a design programme, and me with my writing. We also help out with family and with grandson and although age has its problems - no one tells you when you're young how being old will actually 'feel'; I won't harp on about that now, it might frighten you to death, har, har! - we do, for the most part, have a happy, enjoyable life.
    Happy New Year to you 'down under'.
    Margaret P
    www.margaretpowling.com

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    1. What a wonderful inspiration you are Margaret! I always enjoy hearing little snippets of your life story. We are quite similar in our paths, I think :)

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  3. I am blessed to be retired and living just as I want to. Sadly, it took 20 years of working at a miserable job to get to this point, but it is never too late. I take classes, meet with friends, and visit children and grandchildren. We've traveled a bit to Ireland and other parts of Europe. But my favorite thing is to take a long weekend in a city that is not too far away, usually Boston. If I had unlimited funds, I would love to live there. Since that probably won't happen, the next best thing is to visit as much as I can.

    I used to love to shop, still do, actually, but I simply don't need anything. And I continue to simplify my existence. The less I have, the less I need to maintain. I'm really pretty content.

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    1. Sounds pretty perfect to me, Kristien. Part of it is being smart too, exactly as you are by visiting Boston. You might desire to live there, but you are not willing to create financial stress for yourself in order to; so visiting and enjoying the trips is a wonderful alternative.

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  4. Hi Fiona! Your new life sounds lovely! Would it be too nosy to ask does your husband have to work? If so, is it something he has been dreaming of? Just being nosy lol.

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    1. Hi Carla,

      Yes, he will be working, however, for the first time in both our lives, we have the luxury of not needing to get jobs straight away. We are back and forth between our current place and our new home-town and will be getting our house ready for sale. He would love to work in the wine industry but we'll see what happens once we move.

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  5. Your dream life is quickly becoming a reality and what fun you will have writing as your new career! Excited too for you as your days will be beautiful, relaxing and flow calmly as you will be your own boss.
    I love retirement...my days revolve around home keeping, tending to the garden, playing with our cats, grandchildren, knitting, reading and walking.
    I worked for 25 years to have a pension that allows me to live a modest life.
    Our home is paid for and we have few debts...
    Enjoy your new found freedom!

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    1. You show a blissful picture, Leslie, and I would be very happy to have the same experience as you, in fact I know I will :)

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  6. Hi Fiona,

    I won't forget that part of your interview with Shannon at The Simply Luxurious Life where you mentioned that numerous items on your luxury list can already be achieved or experienced the next day, if only one is willing to take actions and sometimes, think outside the box to get that luxurious feeling. I agree with this idea most sincerely and I wrote down my own luxury list after listening to that podcast.

    There are many things I wish to do presently and in the future, but my life is, I must say, pretty lovely at the moment. I feel grateful for all that I have. If there is something my dream chic life will include, it will have to be greater social and emotional intelligence. Living mentally well is my goal this year and I am striving to let perceived slights, minor trivialities roll off my shoulders, rather than puffing with steam boiling over, what at the end of our lives, truly silly things. I tend to speak too quickly and am actively working on "pausing my tongue" and not opening my mouth so readily.

    Like you, I am a very practical woman and often sacrifice enjoyment over efficiency and cost-saving ideals. Thanks to your encouragement, I am now using prettier cleaning tools and wearing lovelier lounge wear.

    Happy new year, Fiona and thank you for brightening my day.

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    1. Your 'living mentally well' is a wonderful thing to have as a focus; I have been working on that too - sometimes I forget :) - it feels good.

      Sometimes I do dream of when we have a bit of land, is to welcome more rescue pets - cats and dogs - into our life. I'll go for as many as my husband can handle!

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  7. Fiona I have done the same thing - reading my book! I re-read my How (and Wow) of Habits recently because I was considering rewriting it, but I really enjoyed reading it and thought it was pretty great as-is ;-)

    Congrats on the life!

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    1. Not just me then :) Your books ARE pretty fabulous, Carrie!

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  8. Hi Fiona- how exciting that you are embarking on a new life. It is wonderful that you are financially secure and able to pursue your passion. I worked hard to be debt free and will never take on debt again. Agree that it provides a sense of relief and freedom. I am approaching 50 and my children are off to university. I am looking forward to traveling more and spending my time/money on fabulous experiences vs. materialistic objects. I am so enjoying living below my means and finding beauty all around me.

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    1. 'living below my means and finding beauty all around me.' - so beautifully put, Dana!

      Security, peace and freedom, are all values of mine - and being debt-free or low-debt support them. We may well take on housing debt in the future, but it will be very conservative, as all our past debt has been. Plus, it would be for something like an investment property. I would love for our personal home to never have debt so that's the plan for now.

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  9. Dear Fiona, Congratulations on realizing your dream life! Most people just think about their ideal lifestyle, but don't put it into action.

    It is so satisfying not having any debt. We, too, have paid off our house and have given up living a debt-incurring lifestyle for many years now. I can't imagine having any debt, it seems so strange to me now because it's been so long! You're right, some of our friends and family don't understand why we don't seek out the newest gadgets or luxury cars every four years. We absolutely do not try keeping up with the Joneses because we know they are probably drowning in debt. We don't buy anything if we don't have the money for it, that tells us we can't afford it - end of story. Just as you mention, keeping our expenses low is important. It's actually fun for me. I have an expense sheet breaking down monthly and yearly expenses and I update it every few months, it keeps us on track. Maxing out retirement accounts every year and making sure assets are allocated proportionately is crucial too. What gets us though, is our health care. Having to pay over $900./month just on the premium alone is insane, but we have to do it to have it and be well covered. Next up is my daughter heading off to university this fall...$$$$ Sorry, I could go on and on discussing finances since this is one of my favorite subjects. I get geeky!

    I'm so excited for you!

    D.

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    1. I love my spreadsheets too, D! We contribute to our retirement accounts, plus have modest monthly amounts going into an index/tracker fund. Having everything direct debited means you never miss it, just like David Bach in The Automatic Millionaire says.

      I love talking finances too :)

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  10. I'm so happy for you, Fiona! I started to read Financially Chic and hope for change. I also look forward to future books!

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    1. Thank you very much, Michelle :) I hope you get lots of good tips and motivation from Financially Chic!

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  11. Beautifully written. Possessions don't make us happy.
    Due to lengthy illness I lost my full time job (and career) 2.5 years ago. Our household income plummeted despite my medical bills running into the thousands each year. Now I am in recovery. Still no job (or income) for me but every day that I'm upright is a bonus. I don't need all those things I had before to make me happy. True - our 'downsizing' was by necessity and definitely not by choice - but my happiness and contentment is much greater than ever before.
    The more 'things' you have - be it houses, cars, boats, etc - the more you have to worry about. My late Grandmother used to say 'we are rich and one day we'll have money'.
    Congratulations to you both for achieving your dream. 'Bring your cat to work day' sounds wonderful - do you think your girls will work, though ? ;)

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    1. So true, Lara; everything you own has to be bought and paid for, taken care of, possibly insured, cleaned etc. There is a lot more work with more stuff. There is a saying about 'do you own your possessions, or do your possessions own you'.

      Love your grandmother's quote - being rich doesn't mean having lots of money.

      I'll be honest, Jessica and Nina haven't turned out to be nearly as diligent as I'd hoped, but they've got their paws under the desk now...

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    2. Oh, Lara, I love your grandmother's saying - being rich, as Fiona says, often has less to do with money than attitude to life. I do hope that this year you will turn the corner, health wise. We are fortunate to have a National Health Service here in the UK, but it's being bled dry by people who abuse the system and, of course, we're an ageing population so more and more people require health services. But at least we can be ill and know we don't have to shell out thousands of pounds, adding insult literally to injury. I dread to think how much we'd have had to have paid for our various treatments: my cancer treatment, my gall bladder surgery, my hysterectomy, husband's open heart surgery, his hospitalization for 6 weeks because of sepsis, never mind other less traumatic things!
      Margaret P

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  12. Yes! One way to avoid being saddled with debt is to avoid too big a house/lifestyle in the first place. Anything more than the minimum is consumption, not shelter. Rooms that don't get used just mean stuff to put into them, heating, cooling, and other expenses.
    When I look around me, I see that many French have their priorities and values straight. They generally work to live, not live to work--priority goes to family and friends. The homes are far more modest than those of people with similar income in the U.S. Cars are smaller--sure, some people seek status through a fancy car but plenty of people just get a small, simple vehicle and in cities public transport is good enough that residents don't even need a car. Where the French spend effort (though not necessarily a lot of money) is food--and meals are a moment shared with family and/or friends.

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    1. Thank you for your concise summary of the French - it is everything I aim towards :)

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  13. Congratulations! Great job of making things happen. For sure that was a lot of struggle reaching to this journey.

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  14. I love being witness to your journey through this blog. It is so nice to see you reaching this goal and how you achieved it through steadfast discipline, dreaming and it was all so calm. Inspiring!

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    1. Thank you, dear Stephanie! It's all calm sailing here.

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Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!

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