Addicted to Investing

that's a excellent position to be in.

 

And why do you see this as a problem? I have been in similar situation like you, have not been woken up by alarm clock for the last 20 years, have lots of time, unlike many family and friends who even mention this, but decided many years ago not to compare or feel guilty about it!
And who said career is the way to happiness? Enjoy the time, this moment in your life, as that is one thing we cannot get back......

 

• How much is enough?
  • Answer all the questions like how many Ferraris I need, charities to support, people to feed, trips to make, beers to drink and you may be able to come to a reasonable figure remembering that you won't be able to drink, travel, eat and drive as once you reach a certain age.
• How to recognise in a timely, manner that you’ve reached that point?
  • Look at spreadsheet.
• How to work out what is meaningful for you next?
  • What makes you happy? I read that being grateful for your life and helping others is the best way to achieve happiness. When you work it out let me know.

 

Sounds like you could go down the path of helping others - Bill Gates style. Based on your background you could start the "dunno what to do with my money" ETF / super fund that is absolutely non-profit and helps people achieve their financial goals by building a bridge over the shark pool. You will use your area of expertise and you will help others whilst doing what you enjoy. Triple win.

Your level of altruism should guide you. Just do something you love doing.

 

I really enjoy this guy's perspective. Despite the appearance of his website he's really not trying to sell anything:

The Secret To Happiness (It Has Nothing to Do with Money!)

 

What happens when we all believe in the efficient markets hypotheses. Everyone will stop doing that sort of stuff. Then how efficient will the markets really be? Keep it up I say.

 

Hope springs eternal. Not going to happen

 

This thread is very deep and way more interesting than discussing NTA discount/premium. Thanks @dunno for sharing with us and great discussions from everyone.

I spent 10 years preparing us for financial independence, but I did not prepare myself mentally and emotionally when we get there.

I always thought feeling fulifilled required taking massive actions or achieving something significant. Turned out I can feel fulfilled doing ordinary things, having no desire or inner fear and being grateful. It is a state of mind.

 

Yes, one thing FIREies say is the loneliness because no one else is there to share it with you. All the other people your age are busy 9-5ing. There is a great post about this on strong money Australia and posts on reddit and mmm about the psychology of FIREing when no one else is there to share it with you. Thanks dunno for twisting our thoughts to another aspect of investing.

 

So many great posts. Possibly mentally draw a picture of the perfect you and perfect day and fill in where the gaps currently are?

 

If married, have kids, have family, go to the gym etc your day would be busy

 

Great

 

Hi, I am Dabbler, I went cold turkey in the stock crash 18 years ago, been clean ever since and am happy I was not skinned alive.

 

Yeah. I suppose I'm seeing a common thread of a needing a why each morning

 

That’s nothing. Try looking after three demanding chickens:

 

Hi @dunno - really good point you've made with this thread and it's a point I think that doesn't occur to so many people until they retire and spend time in their twilight years gathering 'wisdom'.

Yes, life experience and age can open insights to one's life through providing time for reflection and I think many people confuse the attainment of wisdom through old age but I think it's more because a large portion of our lives are spent 'surviving' or 'trying to get ahead'

Years ago, I read a quote - 'the unexamined life is not worth living'. I didn't really understand it at first but over the years I have understood its meaning that one can gain so much more enjoyment and value out of life if they have a better understanding of themselves, why they think, react, behave in certain situations, understanding those around them, why things are the way the world you live in are today, how it came to be and why it continues to happen.

Staying busy keeps people from doing this self-examination and never having to confront the real battle everyone has - themselves.

I suppose this is why I get edgy on holidays where I've got plenty of time to reflect on things but I'm always looking for more exciting things to do. I'm happy I've realized the value of work and of downtime at this point in my life so I can enjoy better the days I live right now.

This quote by the Dalai Lama changed my life but it wasn't until a few years ago that it really hit home hard when my dad died suddenly merely 6 months into his retirement at only 63.

"When asked what surprised him about humanity the most, the Dalai Lama replied:

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

Good luck to everyone on their financial and personal journeys!

 

This thread questions the fundamental "why" (root cause using the 5ys) that drives many on this forum - happiness via financial independence (FI - so ubiquitous there is an acronym) via investing (or something like that).

The most important outcome for me is the realisation that happiness is not necessarily going to be the result of FI. Assuming that freedom through FI equates to happiness is a mistake that can be garnered from the responses and the links in this thread.

Happiness can only be in the here and now, not an idea of the future. I will readjust my thinking and hope we've all discovered something valuable in this discussion.

 

The Mexican Fisherman And The Investment Banker

 

Maybe I should rename the meetup “Share Investors Anonymous”.

Although not all of the attendees are addicts (yet).