Gratitude for 2024 – Retire by 40

Pleased Holidays, everybody! I hope you might be having fun with the vacations as a lot as RB40Jr. He loves winter break as a result of he doesn’t need to go to high school. Life is so easy for a child. This 12 months, we’re flying to California to go to households for per week. Usually, I don’t wish to journey throughout Christmas as a result of the airport is so busy. However we’re all getting older and we need to spend the vacations with households. It ought to be nice.

Not too long ago, I heard on the radio that training gratitude can improve happiness. That is smart. 2024 was stuffed with ups and downs, however we should always concentrate on the positives this vacation season. Most of us are very fortunate. We should always acknowledge it extra typically.

Peak Portlandia!

First off, I need to announce that I’ve reached peak Portlandia! Test it out.

I foraged these ginkgo seeds from a avenue tree, roasted them, and served them on a plate I made.  Growth! I’m performed. There may be nothing left to realize in Portlandia. Hahaha.  

Mrs. RB40 and I had been strolling across the neighborhood once we noticed some fruits on a ginkgo tree. I by no means appeared on the fruits intently earlier than, however I acknowledged the squished seeds on the bottom this time. I used to crack these nuts with my grandmother once I was little. Whoa, these nuts are a delicacy. I didn’t know they got here from ginkgo. We collected some fruits and took them house to experiment with. The ginkgo fruits had been tremendous pungent and never edible, however the nuts tasted incredible. I haven’t had these nuts since I used to be a child. Mmmm…

Coincidently, I made a ginkgo plate final month in my ceramic class. Serendipity.

I went again to get the remainder of the nuts on the bottom the subsequent day. This time, I boiled and put somewhat sugar on them. They had been nice. FYI, you’ll be able to solely eat about 10 of those nuts per day. (5 for youths.) They include ginkgotoxin and might trigger extreme poisoning when you eat too many. There are various advantages too. Ginkgo is utilized in conventional Chinese language drugs. Thank goodness for the web as a result of I’d have eaten this entire bowl.

I simply checked Amazon and 10 seeds value $12. That’s not low cost.

Well being is okay

2024 wasn’t a fantastic 12 months relating to well being. Mrs. RB40 and I are getting older and we face extra well being points. Nevertheless, we’re nonetheless wholesome sufficient to do every thing we would like. We’re grateful now we have nice medical doctors who care about us. Sadly, my main care doctor is retiring early subsequent 12 months.

RB40Jr had surgical procedure to place a Cochlear implant in his ear to enhance his listening to. The surgical procedure went effectively and his listening to is beginning to enhance. We’re grateful for that. Nevertheless, the insurance coverage denied our declare as a result of they mentioned the implant was experimental. We’ll contest the denial, however that may wait till subsequent 12 months. I’m not going to fret about it an excessive amount of. They most likely deny most claims anyway. The U.S. healthcare system is a large number. 

Cash is nice

2024 was an superior 12 months for traders. The inventory market went up considerably and our web value reached a dizzying new peak. My energetic revenue continues to lower, however I don’t actually thoughts. I see it as a step towards full retirement. In a number of years, I most likely gained’t have any energetic revenue in any respect. That’s alright. Our funding might be sufficient to offer a really comfy retirement for us. We’re very fortunate as a result of many individuals in our era are nonetheless scuffling with payments. Cash isn’t every thing, but it surely positive makes life simpler.

New and previous hobbies

I took some pottery courses this 12 months and I loved them immensely. My bowls and plates are wonky, however they’re superior and distinctive. Creating a bit of pottery feels so good. You make one thing actual and it feels nice to get higher at one thing. Gifting my creations to mates and households is grand. Everybody appreciates a novel funny-looking bowl. My motto is – embrace the imperfection. Pottery is the right passion for me.

I additionally took a ukulele class. I used to play typically in my youthful days, however I haven’t touched my ukes not too long ago. It was nice to get again into it. The ukulele is such a cheerful instrument. Mrs. RB40 mentioned it’s good to listen to devices in the home once more.   

Household life is essential

Lastly, I’m very grateful to have a fantastic household life. Mrs. RB40 and I’ve been married for 25 years. We had our ups and downs, however we’re nice collectively now. We hardly ever battle and we snigger collectively nearly daily. I really feel 2024 was our greatest 12 months but. Life is nice.

I’m additionally grateful for RB40Jr. He’s a young person now, however he doesn’t trigger any hassle in any respect. That’s a miracle! He’s a rule follower, like his mother. It’s nice.

Alright, that’s it for at the moment. I’ll be again in 2 weeks. Pleased holidays!

What are you grateful for this 12 months? Please share. It’ll assist everybody really feel good.

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Joe began Retire by 40 in 2010 to determine methods to retire early. After 16 years of investing and saving, he achieved monetary independence and retired at 38.

Passive revenue is the important thing to early retirement. This 12 months, Joe is investing in business actual property with CrowdStreet. They’ve many initiatives throughout the USA so examine them out!

Joe additionally extremely recommends Private Capital for DIY traders. They’ve many helpful instruments that can assist you to attain monetary independence.