Big to differ about the chunk of money in stock though, Trent.
Just taken my FIRST ever sale/profit on the Aussie stockmarket of a very basic but clear couple of hundred $.

I’m over the Moon!

It’s taken me a couple years of interesting research! I’ve had & continue to have so much fun & I spend the time/money when it’s available without depleting emergency funds.
Plus, it’s good for the mathematical side of my brain which desperately needs re-training………

Surely this is the reason George Washington warned us against the dangers of too much government when he said, “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.”

Unfortunately, this scenario has been playing out for a lot longer than the current “administration”, and will continue until we start to recognize the threat to our liberty, get educated, stand up and do something. Freedom is meant to be enjoyed, so it’s difficult to blame people for not being interested in carrying the torch of liberty at the expense of a little free time. But, everyone will be interested when freedom is gone completely… and it’s too late to do anything about it.

“When they took the 4th Amendment, I didn’t say anything because I don’t deal drugs.
When they took the 6th Amendment, I didn’t say anything because I’m innocent.
When they took the 2nd Amendment, I didn’t say anything because I don’t own a gun.
Now they have taken the 1st Amendment, and I can’t say anything.”
(Modified slightly from the original quote by Lyle Myhr.)

One of my favorite quotes by Mark Twain is this: “In the beginning of change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for it costs nothing to be a patriot.”

On a positive note, however (sorry, I don’t mean to be so doom and gloom, but these are the facts), John’s enjoyment is exactly what the Founders were referring to when they spoke of “the pursuit of happiness” being one of our rights, granted by God, emphasized in The Declaration of Independence. And if property rights were indeed granted by our Creator, then Government cannot take them away, for such rights are inalienable. They cannot even be given away.

Thanks for sharing! That was a good read, and very similar, if not exactly what we plan to do. Now, if I’d have only woken up a decade ago.

My husband is a cash man. Everything. Cash. And, I love him for it! He just wonders why I had to read a story about “John” to get on the cash boat.

Hopefully I’ll get our land in the next five years then proceed down a similar path. I’d love to actually create a campground at a scenic place and work that into a sustainable income.

I’ve known enough people who fit the rich, angry, bitter, unhappy mold to know that it ain’t all about money! And yes, a lot of them postpone living right up to the grave!

I sometimes think we like to believe it’s all about money, since putting a price on everything, including happiness, is so convenient. It’s a way of measuring ourselves against the bar, so to speak, and as a way to compare ourselves to others in an objective way.

But it’s also worth mentioning that not all the bitter, unhappy types have money. Poor people are often in the same emotional state, it’s just that it seems to disturb our equilibrium to think that a person can have money and be unhappy in any way.

You said it best, money is a tool. If you live like money is a destination, you’re probably bound for heartache. Notice that John in the post lives beneath his means, but uses his accumulation to acquire what he truly wants. Money and frugality are tools.

i can’t wait!!

I would respectfully say a good investment is almost never represented in dollars and cents. It’s measured in happiness, in goodness spread to others. (Yes, we all want a nice return, etc. No argument there)

You don’t take it with you.
Money is a tool, a path, a way.
I’ve known too many people who have died rich (in $) and bitter, angry, unhappy.
Frugal is one thing (I am). But having a huge bank account on your death bed, while not doing things you would have enjoyed in life, is no virtue. (If you’ve done them AND have said account, all’s good :)

John doesn’t happen to have a younger, like-minded brother, does he?

One should not think, though, that the land will appreciate much in value even if it is close to population centers. Large parcels of land follow a different bizarre economics. Only if the parcel is subdividable will it appreciate much in value. Or, obviously, if significant improvements are made like building a house.

Commenter PS is right about robbers. I haven’t even built a shed because I know people regularly come onto my property. I have had mature trees cut down and hauled off and gates stolen. Until the land is lived on, trespassing and theft is pretty common for rural property.

I’m jealous. Very very jealous.

Tyler: Love the wood fired hot tub!