Here’s My Financial Plan For 2012

Ever since that recession started back in 2008 causing the values of securities tied to U.S. real estate pricing to crash, damaging financial institutions globally and sinking my little portfolio into the mud, I have been living frugally, rather like Old Scrooge. First I stopped spending on things I didn’t need and than I stopped spending on things I did need. 4 years later I am still scrimping and saving like mad, not spending a penny if I can help it. I mean I even walk the mile to work and back every day to save the train fare! Yes, in winter too!

 

But good luck was with me all the way. Firstly I never had a single emergency in all that time that would have forced me to break open my savings. Secondly and most importantly, my income remained stable so with all my holding back on cash, my savings flourished. Now, 4 years later, I have built up a nice pile of money and I have decided that 2012 will be “The Year of the Big Spender”.

 

I am going to spend on my hobbies. I am a jogger and a marathon runner. This year I will start by buying myself a new running outfit, maybe even two. They will include the latest expensive running shoes. After that shorts, vests, headbands, towels and all the other paraphernalia that I have done without for the past 5 years. I will also enter for the London, New York and Paris marathons, something I never did before because of the cost of getting to these cities. And while I am in them, I will stay an extra 2 or 3 weeks and enjoy the sights.

 

I painted in Italy years ago, in the good old days. I am going back to paint there again. Maybe even twice, once in Venice and again in Tuscany. I may make a third trip to France and paint in the footsteps of Monet, my impressionist hero. I will start in Paris at the museums where his art hangs and then go down to Giverny where he lived and worked. I will also buy Monet prints.  

 

I want to spice up my life in 2012 by attending a couple of cooking courses in Italy. I am busy researching the subject at the moment and deciding which ‘tastes’ I think I will enjoy the most. Italian food varies dramatically from the south to the north.

 

I have been to many operas. I love the sights and the sounds of a well performed opera. I have also seen opera in most of the world great opera houses, La Scala,

Covent Garden, Paris, the Metropolitan in New York and many others. It’s time to see the Sydney Opera House. So that’s my destination for my first flight. My ticket is booked for the January 15. And on January 21st I will see Mozart’s Magic Flute!

 

Maybe I should work for another couple of years to boost my savings? Nah, I’m spending it!