Interesting Rob: I've never been afraid of hard work. I drove a Camaro off the showroon floor in 1982. Bought my first house in 1980. I've never needed much for me. I'm not saying that's right. But I think one has to work at having fun and that's probably an area I need to work on.. IMO that's as equally difficult as learning to work to earn, save, and invest money. I spent the better part of 30 years building to heights no one ever thought possible for someone like me. But the Perfect Storm took nearly 2/3rds in just one horrific year. I don't think a person goes through all that without some damaged being done to the old noodle.
Although through it all I learned to take life one day at time and my mantra is "what you see is what you get." Financially speaking, I've stood eyeball to eyeball with some very wealthy uncles. My lady hates the old car I drive. It's nice. It's just old. I bought it for $4k and flew to Missouri to get it and drove back. I've had it for 4 years now and haven't had to put a dime into it, other than tires. It still doesn't have 100k miles. Ironic, the only time she will ride in it is when I take her to work because her new car is in the shop or I go to her rescue when it breaks down.