ᐅ Dissatisfied with new construction due to other options now available
Created on: 27 Sep 2021 12:51
C
Crossy
I was just about to create a second account for this thread, but in the end, I decided against it. I’m not even sure if this thread belongs in the financing section. The purpose of this thread is not to show off; I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and my dissatisfaction is growing. Maybe some of you have had similar experiences, and I would be interested to know what you did.
I’m unhappy with our house. Not because it has any serious defects. It suits our current life situation, we have enough space, and next spring the garden will finally be finished and look great. Like many others, during the planning and construction phase, we set priorities because of our budget and gave up on some nice extras. Now, nearly 2 years after the financing was completed, our financial situation has changed significantly.
When we arranged the financing, I was just returning to work after my second parental leave, filling in as a temporary replacement during another parental leave. I knew the job was poorly paid (considering the required qualifications), but the overall package worked well, and I was confident I could manage it alongside the children. I always believed I would earn more in the long term and that this was only a transition back to work. Nevertheless, we based our financing on our income at the time because the financial future, even with good prospects, was uncertain. Therefore, we chose a more conservative approach and did not rely on future salary increases or push our budget to the limit.
Now, almost 2 years later, our financial situation looks completely different. I’m still with the same company but no longer in a temporary replacement role—I’m now a department head, and I have increased my working hours to fulfill this leadership position. Meanwhile, my husband has changed employers and was promoted. All in all, our combined income is about $4,000 more per month. And now I am annoyed by all the little things in the house that, in hindsight, wouldn’t have been a problem for us. With an additional $100,000–150,000, our house would be my dream home.
Many things cannot be retrofitted easily or without significant effort. I wish my dissatisfaction would fade over time so I could enjoy our very nice house and our financial freedom, but mentally I am thinking about selling and looking at plots nearby. My husband is bothered by a few things in the house as well but is generally more content and mainly wary of the hassle involved in building a new house.
I’m unhappy with our house. Not because it has any serious defects. It suits our current life situation, we have enough space, and next spring the garden will finally be finished and look great. Like many others, during the planning and construction phase, we set priorities because of our budget and gave up on some nice extras. Now, nearly 2 years after the financing was completed, our financial situation has changed significantly.
When we arranged the financing, I was just returning to work after my second parental leave, filling in as a temporary replacement during another parental leave. I knew the job was poorly paid (considering the required qualifications), but the overall package worked well, and I was confident I could manage it alongside the children. I always believed I would earn more in the long term and that this was only a transition back to work. Nevertheless, we based our financing on our income at the time because the financial future, even with good prospects, was uncertain. Therefore, we chose a more conservative approach and did not rely on future salary increases or push our budget to the limit.
Now, almost 2 years later, our financial situation looks completely different. I’m still with the same company but no longer in a temporary replacement role—I’m now a department head, and I have increased my working hours to fulfill this leadership position. Meanwhile, my husband has changed employers and was promoted. All in all, our combined income is about $4,000 more per month. And now I am annoyed by all the little things in the house that, in hindsight, wouldn’t have been a problem for us. With an additional $100,000–150,000, our house would be my dream home.
Many things cannot be retrofitted easily or without significant effort. I wish my dissatisfaction would fade over time so I could enjoy our very nice house and our financial freedom, but mentally I am thinking about selling and looking at plots nearby. My husband is bothered by a few things in the house as well but is generally more content and mainly wary of the hassle involved in building a new house.
guckuck2 schrieb:
Tell me more.
Honestly, no. That dream of retiring early isn’t for me. I’m really too young for that, my job is enjoyable and gives meaning to my life. If retiring early is that important to you, start cutting back now instead of just saving, so you can leave earlier in 20 years.I feel the same way. I know quite a few retirees who were very energetic and lively before retirement. Then they retired and really declined because they missed having work. I wouldn’t consider retiring early either.
Schimi179130 Sep 2021 07:51I know retirees who have found a new purpose in life after early retirement and are happier/more content as a result.
Schimi1791 schrieb:
I didn’t address you directly, nor was I referring to myself, but to the original poster ... 😉 Retiring 20 years earlier is probably a bit much 😀
As far as I’ve followed, the OP and spouse are already working part-time. Alternatively, a regular retirement might be more comfortable, although surely a balance between present and future needs to be found here.You don’t have to address me directly. As a member of a discussion forum, I reserve the right to share my perspective :-)
I also didn’t say 20 years earlier but in 20 years.
Putting that aside, I also think that for retiring two or three years earlier, you shouldn’t have to save for half your working life — if you do it, then do it properly.
They have reduced hours, which is as vague as “part-time.” This could certainly be expanded or used as longer breaks (if allowed by the employer).
Schimi1791 schrieb:
I know retirees who have found a new purpose in life during early retirement and are happier/more satisfied because of it. Of course, it always depends on the type of work. I can imagine that a bricklayer/tiler would prefer to retire early rather than a managing director or controller 😎 There are obviously both sides to the story.
The right approach would be to retire significantly earlier. So instead of reducing it from, for example, 65 to 63, it should be more like 55.
That doesn’t necessarily mean stopping work completely, but perhaps no longer working as a department manager as now, but running your own bookstore (just an example) without the pressure to generate—or even have to generate—excessive profits.
That doesn’t necessarily mean stopping work completely, but perhaps no longer working as a department manager as now, but running your own bookstore (just an example) without the pressure to generate—or even have to generate—excessive profits.
Schimi179130 Sep 2021 09:24guckuck2 schrieb:
Significantly retiring earlier. So not just reducing retirement age from, for example, 65 to 63, but down to 55.
Which doesn’t necessarily mean stopping work entirely, but perhaps no longer working as a department manager like now, instead running your own bookstore (just an example) without the pressure to generate excessive profits (or even having to). In this post, I see my posts #94 and #98 summarized.