MUSINGS AND MONEY

          

 Sometimes I wish my memory was like a sharp trap, i.e., that whatever I’m thinking about and know I’ve thunk about, would pop right to the tippy-top of my mind. Unfortunately, that seems to happen less and less than in the past. I wonder some days if I’m experiencing the beginning of dementia or it’s just plain old forgetfulness.

          For example, I read something some place about American Cruise Lines and thought I could probably afford to take a cruise or two. So, I sent away for their brochure. The prices listed there and the ones I just saw on their web site do not compare to what my memory thinks it saw when I decided to ask for the brochure. The idea of being able to afford one of these cruises has sputtered and might have died because the prices are not what I remember seeing. Perhaps what I saw was very old information.

          In any case, I doubt I’ll be taking one of their cruises any time soon. In fact, I find myself pondering my current and future financial status. It’s not like I’m going to be out on the street any time soon, but it’s also not like I’ll be signing up for any expensive trips or events any time soon either. Were I to have a permanent end date, i.e., the date I’ll die, then I could go ahead and plan whatever I wanted to plan; unless, of course, my end date were twenty or more years away.

          My inner coach points out that I have X amount of funds, but that isn’t all I have. There’s also the house, i.e., if I sold it, I’d have a whole bunch more money. I know nothing about reverse mortgages, but supposedly, the bank would give me money toward the future sale of the house. I haven’t done any research and probably won’t, but there’s that potential.

          So, what if I were to take that $10,000+ and book myself a trip. For instance, there’s one that originates in New Orleans and goes clear up the Mississippi. It would cost more than the $10,000, but would be my first choice and lasts more than two weeks. Over the years, I’ve read so much about that area of the country, that it would, in some ways, be like visiting an old friend. I’m sure I’d recognize many of the places I’d see if I were to bite the bullet and spend the funds.

          Well, I’ve spent enough time, and it was FREE, this morning considering my future financial status and the potential for making it less secure. Time to get dressed and tend to the garden out in front. I made great headway yesterday and will continue today…the sun and my own sweat are pretty much free.