Saturday, April 10, 2010

Time vs Money

The numbers are in and my extra income for March was what I had expected -- $1790.94 -- more than enough for D to pay for his laptop with his half. I'm banking mine for when the next seat sale comes my way! (Hot off the press -- I purchased my next flight! My half of the money has been used!)

This is a great time to be buying the Euro. With the upheaval in the European markets, the currency has dropped to levels I've not seen since its conception. I'm heading to the bank shortly to get some for our upcoming trip.

I had a thought the other day that seemed to make sense to me regarding work. Because I have an idea of how much income I make a year, when I make more during the year, wouldn't it make sense to then take more time off later on the year in order to even things out?

Confused? What I am trying to say is -- Assuming I wish to stay in the same income band, then I can afford to work less if I found myself already ahead of the game? Rather than end up making more by the end of the year, I would be choosing time over income. Of course this assumed the rest of the year clips by similarly.

8 comments:

  1. So work full time from Jan. to June then take off for the rest of the year? Nice. Great if you can do so!

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  2. I heard on the radio the other day regarding the high canadian doller that's it' now cheaper to have a dinner out in England than Toronto. I'll be heading to the bank soon also to get some euro's. I think it's always great when you can take more time off and do the things you enjoy. Can I ask where your going now?

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  3. I'd rather be sailingApril 10, 2010 at 9:30 PM

    Lots of options.

    Assuming you are working the same # of hours you've been accustomed to putting in... and you stay in the same tax bracket, you could...

    - increase the # of trips per year
    - enhance the luxury of the trips you have planned
    - pay off your mortgage sooner which may get you closer to a position of earlier retirement
    - allocate the extra money as 'found money = fun money... i.e. do something you've wanted to do but have been reluctant to as it hasn't 'fit into the budget'

    You could also (my favourite) 'go sailing' summer is almost here!(sorry... couldn't resist!)

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  4. I'd rather be sailingApril 11, 2010 at 7:09 AM

    I forgot to add that when I was younger (much) I use to think that there were two important items in life; time and money and that money was the more important of the two.

    Now that I'm older, I realize that time is by far the more important of the two.

    Waste a dollar... you can make it back. Waste an hour (minute, day) it's gone forever.

    Revisiting your post and refecting over the loss of a friend this past week (cancer - diagnosed 6 weeks ago) you have to live in the present... the future you can only deal with as it becomes the present.

    A long winded way of saying... take the time; do some of those items on your wish list (where time may have been the limiting factor to you doing them) and enjoy living every day. Oh and I hope you're including D on your next trip!

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  5. Hi Sandra!

    Unfortunately my gig won't be that cool. I am hoping to be able to take an extra 2 - 2 1/2 wks off this year.

    Hi Sue!

    You are going to France at a great time! I hadn't heard about the dinner comparison -- makes me want to go to London.

    I'll be heading down to Buenos Aires. This poor trip has been cancelled twice in the last 2 years so this third time will be the charm!

    Hi I'd rather be sailing!

    I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I hope they lived a good life. And I hope their loved ones are managing well. Even when death is expected, when it happens, it is still a shaker.

    Yes, you've managed to describe what is in my head perfectly. Do I work the same and take the extra money to do something fun or do I take the time. Can I manage my money better and do both?

    I learned to sail for one whole summer on a Laser II when I was in graduate school. It was a fun time. Made it to the bronze level though I never won a race as I was a horrible skipper :( Much, much better as Crew!

    As much as I would love it, D cannot make it with me on this next adventure. He isn't able to get away as he is contract now.

    They were ok with our Berlin trip as it was booked before he got the position. What we are planning to do is when his contract is up in the fall, go back to France for a week or 2.

    Thank you for your insights. I appreciate it very much!

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  6. I'd rather be sailingApril 11, 2010 at 9:29 AM

    Buenos Aires... You'll love it.

    Our son was on a year long Rotary exchange to Brazil... and we had a chance to go visit. We loved the South American hospitality. While to the north of Argentina, many Brazilians vacationed in Argentina.

    If not on your itinerary, try and include Iguacu Falls (on the border with Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil). It was where much of the film "The Mission' was shot.

    300+ waterfalls and lush vegetation. Amazing scenery.

    I'm envious... have a great trip.

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  7. I'd rather take time off than have extra money, but I value my time off greatly, and I find that as long as I have enough money to make ends meet and put a little bit away for the future, I'm happy and would rather take a bit of time off than make even more money.

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  8. Hi I'd rather be sailing!

    I remember seeing "The Mission" at a fund raiser for my brother's school when it first came out. The scenary and music is memorable.

    Not sure I'll have enough time for an overnight stay in Puerto Iguacu this time around as I'm only in BA for a week. There's always next time!

    Hi Makky's Mom;

    I'm with you on that. If you have a plan in place and all the components are taken care of financially, then you can afford the luxury of a little more time!

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