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