Learning to save money is like quitting junk food

Most of us know that some things are good for us and that some things are bad. Saving money is generally good, unless it makes you a miser. Junk food is bad, except if you are hungry and the other choice is starvation. We all know this kind of stuff, yet we carry on wasting money and eating cheesies. Wasting money and scarfing junk food are both manifestations of unthinking, impulsive behaviour. We have to get rational about our food and about our money.

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Why?

Reading great books can save your life. I don’t mean this in a merely metaphorical or trivial way. They contain a lot of good ideas that you can learn from and apply to your everyday existence.

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Line of Credit

It took me years to fall into line of credit trouble. I first got one when my ex-wife and I decided to buy a home computer. It was so painless: go to the bank, fill in a form or two and we had $5000 at our disposal. Interest rates were low and we could pay back at our own pace.
Twenty years later I found myself over $30,000 in debt two lines of credit, in divorce court, and faced the option of assuming full responsibility of the lines or of spending more money on lawyers.
The first $20,000 was easy, though painful, to get rid of. We sold our house, I paid the joint line from my half of the proceeds and I’m down to just over $10,000 in debt.
Now I’m looking at the battle to pay off the remainder owed before I retire (five to ten years in the future), while allowing myself some money to save for the future.
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The six classic malts

I don’t know if it’s a marketing ploy or a real thing, but people who write about scotch frequently refer to the six classic malts. The reference is to the oldest distillery in each of six regions of Scotland: Western Highlands, Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside, Skye and Islay. All date back to the eighteenth century and are steeped in tradition and lore.
My favourite scotch is, and remains, Bowmore 12 year. It has a tangy, salty taste that is unlike any other scotch I have tasted. But it is not one of the classic malts.
The six classics are:
1. Oban (West Highland)
2. Glenkinchie (Lowland)
3. Cragganmore (Speyside)
4. Dalwhinnie (Highland)
5. Talisker (Skye)
6. Lagavulin (Islay)
I was pleased to note yesterday that my local liquor outlet sells five of the six, so I won’t have far to look.
The first one of the six I’m trying is Oban. It costs about $85 (Cdn). When I was going through the check-out the man in line behind me complimented me on my excellent taste and wished he could afford such a scotch. A good beginning. Christine and I had a glass of the Oban before dinner. As I was decanting it I noticed that it is darker than the Bowmore. The aroma is lightly butterscotch. The taste is very smooth with hints of butterscotch/caramel and fruit afternotes with a burn at the finish. The first taste of a scotch is usually a bit awkward, but this was less awkward than most. I look forward to getting to know Oban better as we sip it over the next month or two.
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My wine goal

Great wine is probably beyond my budget. What I need to do is learn how to sniff out the really good wine that hasn’t yet been recognized for its greatness and been priced out of reach.

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Summer report

I started out at about 230 pounds. I am now 208 pounds. I want to hit 190 pounds.
It took a complete change in my life to lose the weight. I dumped all of the favourite foods that were bad for me: packaged snacks, huge steaks, butter on everything. I replaced them with more of the foods I like that are good for me: Fruits, veggies, fish and seafood, tofu. I have cut out dessert except on special occasions. I don’t snack the way I used to.
I feel great. I have more energy. My clothes are looser. I’m motivated to continue on.
I look younger.
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