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Anon goes home (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/greentext@sh.itjust.works
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[–] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It sounds like you're comfortable enough to be debt free, but still chasing after something more, despite already having it right there in your backyard.

I don't think you realize how little money you need in order to have a fulfilling life. You can live in the nice neighbourhood and take a low paying, stable job, be frugal, get good insurance, and enjoy the advantages of your class position.

Pardon me if this comes off as overly prescriptive or nihilistic.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago* (1 child)

    Thanks, good and on point reflection.

    I am definitely guilty of always wanting to chase bigger/better things.

    Wife and I together are making a quarter of a million euros per year now, and even though tax eats a large part of it, that is an incredible salary in Western EU, especially for people from ex-Soviet countries. Yet I was unhappy that I didn’t make a promotion that would add only around 30k on this, but I wanted the prestige and recognition that comes with it.

    You’re right that we only have very little debt, I could pay it off tomorrow, but it’s so cheap it’s better to keep it and finance the renovation from our savings. After that, we could move back to the renovated house in our home city, take a 50% salary cut, and still be fine. Or we could stay in Western EU, continue getting high salaries, then get a citizenship in a few years, and have are kids grow up and be natives here.

    Let’s see what the future brings. I’m getting closer and closer to perspective you share in your comment. My unhappiest friend is a millionaire entrepreneur living in Dubai for tax reasons, with 2 kids in expensive private school, fancy apartment with own staff, and a wife that doesn’t seem to love him anymore. I envy his business success, but not his life, and he himself told me we would trade most of his money for a better marriage.

    Life is weird, and it’s even weirder that I have some of the deepest and most meaningful online discussions about it with strangers under greentexts.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    Funny old world, isn't it? It sounds like you're at an inflection point in your life. You've got all your data, and now you just have to make a decision. From my perspective the better decision seems obvious, hence why I felt compelled to offer my unsolicited opinion.

    It's funny that you mention you and your Wife are from ex-Soviet countries — maybe this is a stereotype, but in my personal experience the drive to excel and chase wealth seems to really take root in some ex-Soviet people or their children, even the ones who have nostalgia for socialism.

    Maybe it's no more than the normal rate but the juxtaposition makes it stand out, though.

    I wish you good luck in your decision!

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