Everyone knows that it is necessary to have money for retirement, but have you ever thought that if you are desperately trying to save money and you are sacrificing the important moments in your life, is it worth it?
Recent news tells the story of an old man in Japan who is a typical money-saving expert.
He has been extremely self-disciplined since he was young. He worked to save money, lived in the cheapest house, commuted by bicycle, rarely turned on the air conditioner, and even his meals mainly consisted of bean sprouts and chicken.
After getting married, he insisted on living a frugal life. He didn't buy a car or a house, and when he took his children out for a trip, he just ate lunch boxes in the park.
Although his wife accompanied him all the way, she also accepted this miserable lifestyle with him.
As I write this, I can't help but think of my two elder parents at home. They have always lived a frugal lifestyle until now. The frugal nature is engraved in their bones and cannot be changed. If you tell them not to be so frugal, they will scold you for being too wasteful.
Let’s go back to the original story and continue:
Before this Japanese old man retired, his wealth could be described as a "great harvest":
Assets after investment appreciation: 27 million yen
Securities account: 29 million yen
Bank deposits: 14 million yen
The total assets exceeded 70 million yen (about NT$14 million), and with the monthly annuity income, he would never have to worry about food and clothing.
Just when he was planning to go on a cruise, eat big meals and enjoy life with his wife after retirement, his wife suddenly fell ill and left him on his 66th birthday.
After that day, he finally realized:
"Why did we work so hard to save money? We can enjoy each other's health earlier, right?"
Fortunately, my two elder parents are still alive, although I am not as talented as I am and cannot always pay for them to travel around the world out of my own pocket.
But my current company arranges for me to have two receptions a year, and we travel around the world together.
Moreover, I am no longer limited to traveling to Northeast China and South Asia at my own expense. The company can now offer me routes to Europe, America and Australia, and directly helped me upgrade several cabins.
"Money is for living, not for turning into numbers!"
The story of the Japanese old man is very touching. It is not telling you not to save money, but not to "only save money".
We should all think about this:
Is there enough money?
Enough memories?
Have you ever taken your family out to see the world while you were still able to?
At the end of this year, the company treated us to a trip to Australia to do boxing with kangaroos.
If you have always been unable to travel far away from home due to your lack of money, why not ask me how to easily get invited to travel Australia?
The elders in your family who are used to living frugally will be so happy to see you having fun without spending a penny!
Retirement is important, but health, family, and the richness of life are equally important.
You have a hundred ways to save money, but only one way to make money. Not only will you suffer, but you will also suffer for those around you.
The old Japanese man has more than one way to make money, but only one way to spend it, which still makes himself suffer and brings trouble to those around him.
Therefore, when we are saving money to achieve financial freedom, the most important thing is how to save money and use it at the same time to strike a balance between the two.
We may still be young and working hard, but please remember:
"Being able to save money is a skill, and being able to spend money to make life more meaningful is wisdom."
I hope none of us will become that regretful story where “the money is still there, but the time is gone, and the people around us are gone too”.
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