[Johnny199r]

I am 40. Last year I split with my long term common law wife. I live in a nice central 2 bedroom apartment for $1,000 a month (Winnipeg). I also went totally vehicle-free after the breakup and decided to bike, walk and run year round. It’s saved me a ton of money and brought me a lot of fitness benefits and joy. I’m in the best shape I’ve been in since age 20 and love cycling so much now I just go back from a cycling tour of Southeast Asia.

I began self investing with my very first real paycheck 15 years ago. Many of my friends, family or work colleagues my age say there are interested in starting to invest for retirement (they have money) but rarely follow through when I offer to show them how. They constantly are getting newer vehicles, renovating their kitchens or going on trips down south though.

I’ve met fellow lawyers who have made 100k+ for 15 years in dual income families who tell me they have 0 dollars saved. It blows my mind.

I’m happy living what some would describe as a pretty simple life living in an older basic apartment with no vehicle (my hobbies are travel and sports/fitness). I think lifestyle creep (yes, there’s always a balance) is something that some people really don’t have a handle on - I don’t mean cutting out buying a coffee everyday, but I will criticize someone who constantly uses food delivery apps.

So many people don’t stop to think about the financial ramifications of certain purchases - ie vehicles. For others, there’s the inescapable truth that it’s expensive raising kids these days, houses cost a lot more and inflation is a killer.