We had an “action packed” weekend coming up this weekend. The oldest had a soccer match saturday, we had a house warming Saturday at my sister in law, and the the Grand Finale, a romantic getaway from Sunday to Monday.
Immediately my mind spins into a cost controlling state. A present 🎁 for the hosts of the house warming – dammit. Hmm 🤔 good thing that they have hired a bartender to serve cocktails 🍹. How many will I have to do to make up? Recon at lest 4 to 5. Pyyh. Its a tough job reaching for FIRE 🔥, but someone will have to do it.
The housewarming itself was ok 👍, if you are in to field studies of what materialistic life in the suburbs look like in the 2020ies. Which it usually is to us undercover austerity and frugal FIRE people. Funny thing is, that my wife’s sister is all-in on a complete consumption spending materialistic debt fueled lifestyle.
Everything in the house 🏠 was new. New furniture, new lamps, new, new. Even a new garden. No patience in waiting for things to grow – roll out lawn, meter high trees 🌳, and hedge. Amazing.
All night I had the quote from Old School in the back of my head –
-
Frank : I told my wife I wouldn’t drink tonight. Besides, I got a big day tomorrow. You guys have a great time.
-
College Student : A big day? Doing what?
-
Frank : Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we’re going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don’t know, I don’t know if we’ll have enough time.
Will Ferrell – Old School.
The only difference off course being that we had no plans on going to Home Depot, now that we have forsaken the all too dull lifestyle of weekend IKEA shopping 🛒.
Instead we had a gift card for a “romantic” getaway to Dyvig Seaside hotel booked, which we had gotten last year in birthday 🎂 present from the in-laws. It was an all-inclusive deal with a three course dinner, wine menu and breakfast next morning. What an excellent present 🎁 for a middle aged couple with three kids.
Mom-in-law actually asked us back then, if we would like that or prefer another present, and with out hesitation we just said yes – hell yes. Only when it came to booking, we found out that there were only two choices of venue and check-in could not be done on a Saturday 🤔. As the hotel was a three hour drive away, we definitely didn’t want to go on a Friday after work, so it had to be a Sunday to Monday trip. So even though it was “free of charge” it was still a three hour drive, a bridge toll, and a day off work. – Dammit. Note to self – we are NOT upgrading anything.
Oh, but wait – isn’t the hotel just 20km off the border to Germany. Hell yes. We are doing some discount grocery shopping 🛒 on the way home on Monday’s then. 😍🔥.
On the not upgrading part, we managed to get by NOT upgrading to the sea side view – cause the sun 🌞 sets at 16.30 in Denmark 🇩🇰 anyways these days. Also we managed to NOT upgrade with an apaterif for dinner, and NOT getting any additional courses then the 3 that was included. Lastly we managed to NOT buy anything in the minibar.
The hotel 🏨 itself, was super nice 👍 as you can see below;
Lastly, as mentioned this Monday was then spent discount grocery shopping in Germany, a three hour drive home listening to FIRE and blogging podcasts, and watching the markets tank due to the corona virus in China. Ps. Note to self. Chinese markets bottomed out after 1 1/2 month in 2003 when struck by the SARS 😷 flu. Quick strategy – when pay 💰 day comes, put it in local insurance, telecom or medico. Next month, find a ETF covering Chinese market.
/Minimal5
Ps. They won 8-2 in case you were wondering. ⚽️
~This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may make a commission~
Please check out these excellent ressources for adopting a financially independent & minimalistic lifestyle;
Minimal5 