You
guys sailed to the Channel Islands? With your own boat? For ten
weeks? Wow guys, that’s really cool! And look at those pictures you
took! Amazing.. This is quite different from our holidays. Two weeks
in some Spanish beach resort, that’s it. Some people are just so
lucky. I gotta admit I’m kinda jealous here.
What?
You’re saying that we might do the same? Oh, I wish I could go! If
only I had the money…
Yeah,
it’s true that we earn a pretty decent income. Indeed, we earn more
than you guys did when you left. But the thing is, we also have
higher expenses. Take our house, for an instance. A big chunk of my
income goes straight to my mortgage. What do you say? Move to a
cheaper house? No, that’s not gonna happen. We love this place.
Nice and spacious, in a decent neighborhood, within walking distance
from the city center. And the wife loves her garden. Don’t think
she is willing to move.
Cut
our other expenses, you say? Please tell me how! Everything is so
expensive these days.. Even with our double salaries it is difficult
to make ends meet. Last week, I needed a pair of new jeans. Do you
know that any decent jeans will cost you seventy euros? Buy
second-hand clothes? No way, José! I am not some kind of bum.
Spend
less on furniture and decoration? No. My house is my castle. I go
home there every night, so I want it to look nice. Buy second-hand
furniture? No, my house is not some college dorm. Yes, our college
days were cool. Yes, you are right, we did not suffer from a lack of
design furniture at that time. But still, those days are past us.
Save
the small amount of money I can miss, and make it a long-term saving
goal? No, I am afraid that is a bit unrealistic. That would take us
at least ten years or so. And we want to have a family before that.
Postpone
starting a family? No, that is not an option for us. We want to raise
our children when we are still young and have the energy. Take the
children with us? That’s not gonna work for my parents and in-laws,
I’m afraid. They have been dying to become grandparents and would
hate the idea of missing their grandchildren for a long time. And of
course, it would be illegal! Children have to be at school.
Teach
our children through some distance-learning program? Isn’t that a
terrible hassle? I think that you have to get some kind of special
permission, take teacher exams and stuff like that. Way to much
trouble.
And
besides, I also have my career to think of. The company has been
growing like crazy. Interesting opportunities everywhere. If I want
to play with the big boys, now is my chance. Taking off on some
sailboat now would definitely not be a smart move.
But
I am definitely jealous of you guys! You are lucky bastards, you know
that? I would love to go on a trip like that.
If
only I were able to…
(read more about our sailing trips here)
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten