As Good as It Gets

It's been three years since I retired.  I discovered recently the two words that make retirement a daily joy:

GOOD HEALTH

Without it, retirement is a slog.  I feel extremely fortunate that I seldom get sick.  Glad that I quit my pack-a-day smoking habit over ten years ago.  Yes, it would have been better for me to a) quit sooner or b) never have started.  But that's hindsight, a boot in the bum.  Any breathing problems I had are gone.  I feel great!   I realize I have no control over the future or what may befall me -- I have friends with major health problems that have cropped up in the past year -- but I am grateful for my current health status and work to maintain it through diet and exercise.  And daily vitamins.

There are other factors that contribute to my current state of well-being:

-- I love where I live.  I can no longer tolerate the eternal pissing and moaning over weather -- like Goldilocks' porridge it's either too cold or too hot -- that online acquaintances engage in daily.  If you're not happy where you are, STFU and MOVE.  Find a place that warms your soul.  Life is too damned short to be miserable over something as easily remedied as weather. 

-- $$ in the bank.  Again, I listen to stupid spenders pissing and moaning about how they will never be able to retire.  Why not?  Because they're ass up in debt and accept it as a way of life.  Get a grip.  Work to achieve a debt-free life.  You'll sleep better and live happier.  I'm debt free, budget my money with an approximate 50-50 spend/save ratio.  I don't feel deprived. 

-- Insurance.  A necessary evil.  Health insurance, auto insurance, home insurance.  I have it all.  And because I have it, I don't need it.  But - knock on - if I were to cancel my policies, I'd need them.  Go figure. 

Penny Pincher

Hurricane Diet & Exercise Plan

Want to lose weight?

Want to really feel good?  More pep in your step?

Want to cut your grocery bill?

Want to spend less time in the kitchen?  Minimal cleanup?

It's all possible with the Hurricane Diet & Exercise Plan.  Here's what I did as a result of two hurricanes in September, no power for two months (no refrigeration, daily ice run to keep food/drinks chilled in two coolers) and minimal food selection available in the supermarkets.

-- Eat the same thing every day.  It's pretty much what I'd done pre-hurricanes.  I'm not a foodie, I eat to live, not live to eat.  But I cut out frozen food (no refrigeration, remember?) and stuck to basics.  Low fat unsweetened yogurt, wheat germ, tuna, peanut butter, cheese and rotisserie chicken (no power for cooking, remember?).  Drank lots of water, iced tea and diet soda.

-- Exercise, in addition to my daily morning walk, I now put in 8 hours a week walking, lifting, bending, sorting, shelving books at the flea market.

-- When power was restored in mid-November, I stuck to the hurricane diet, but dropped rotisserie chicken in favor of my pre-storm dinner standby: boneless, skinless chicken thighs which I poach in my microwave. The resulting chicken broth is strained and frozen for future use.  I restocked frozen burgers for my Saturday night burger/beer fest, chicken nuggets and sour cream for Friday/Sunday dinners. The hurricane diet takes me less time to shop, less sticker shock at the check-out, less food waste.  It's a win-win-win.

Best part?  I have lost weight, I feel great and it's easy to stick with the diet.

And... less spent on food means more $$ for treats!  Another win.

Penny Pincher