Are you higher off than 4 years in the past? That is what we hear each presidential election. Nonetheless, it’s actually a trick query. Everybody needs to be higher off after 4 years irrespective of who the president is. Nonetheless, the final 4 years are a little bit completely different. All of us went by way of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a once-in-a-lifetime traumatizing expertise. The pandemic set all of us again massively. Was 4 years sufficient to regain some floor? Let’s take a look at 3 necessary aspects of life to see if we’re higher off – well being, wealth, and happiness.
The RB40 household has completed fairly effectively during the last 4 years, however we’ve got some points too. Personally, the final 4 years felt rather more tough than any earlier 4 years intervals. Nonetheless, we nonetheless got here out forward. I encourage you to do the identical and take my ballot.
Loading …Well being
Well being is an enormous concern. It’s more durable to take pleasure in life if you happen to aren’t wholesome. Sadly, I’m 50 and my well being is in decline. That is completely different than the earlier 4-year cycle. In 2020, I felt more healthy than ever. Now, I’m rather less wholesome in nearly each approach.
Figuring out – I began figuring out on the fitness center often late final yr. It felt good at first, however I developed joint ache in my knees and elbows. Evidently, I can’t work out like I used to anymore. My joints are a bit higher after 2 months of trip. Nonetheless, they’re nonetheless not 100% again to regular. I nonetheless really feel some ache once I carry heavy gadgets. I’ll proceed to reduce stress on my joints and speak to my physician quickly.
Eyes – My eyes are drying out a lot faster. I can solely work on the pc for about 2 hours earlier than it turns into tough to see. The attention drops assist a bit, however not for lengthy. I had this downside since I used to be an engineer. In 2012, I couldn’t learn by the tip of the day. That’s one purpose why I needed to retire early from my engineering profession. Sadly, the dry eye downside has worsened through the years. I feel residing in Portland exacerbated it as a result of the heater is on continually. The air is just too dry. My eyes felt a lot better in Thailand and Japan. It was much more humid there.
Basic well being – My common well being is okay. The numbers received a bit worse during the last 4 years, however it isn’t too unhealthy. The physician modified my meds and elevated the dosage a little bit. I really feel okay about it. My blood stress and triglyceride degree are a little bit excessive.
Psychological well being – The final 4 years had been robust. We had been very fortunate to maneuver into our home earlier than the lockdown started. We had a yard and didn’t thoughts staying at house. It was nice. Mrs. RB40 loved working from house. RB40Jr appreciated distant education. It wasn’t a tough interval for us. The one massive downside I had was my mother’s well being. She had Alzheimer and it worsened dramatically throughout the pandemic. She handed away final yr and I had a tough time with it. She deserved a greater retirement. However that’s life. You by no means know what the longer term holds. Not less than she shouldn’t be struggling anymore. I’m okay with it now.
General, I’m rather less wholesome in nearly each approach. That isn’t good, however I suppose that’s a standard a part of growing old. Hopefully, the speed of decline is steady for an extended whereas.
Wealth
It was a troublesome 4 years for a lot of households. We had been lucky to outlive and thrive. Most of our wealth is invested within the inventory market. It took successful in 2020, however got here again strongly during the last 4 years. I held on and invested extra every time we had extra cash. That’s the key to investing. You need to hold investing by way of the thick and skinny.
We did fairly effectively as a result of we had been already established and didn’t have a lot debt. The one debt we had was a low-interest mortgage. My investments had been principally in index funds and dividend shares. Certain, we had some dangerous investments, however it was a small proportion of our portfolio. We had been able of power earlier than the pandemic and we pulled by way of fairly effectively.
It’s necessary to notice that Mrs. RB40 had a steady job and we didn’t have to attract on our funding over the last 4 years. This made it a lot simpler to develop our wealth. We wouldn’t have been in a position to do as effectively with out her revenue.
Happiness
Happiness may be very subjective. Personally, I really feel extra content material than ever at 50. Life goes effectively and we don’t have any massive issues to take care of. My mother’s well being downside brought about some unhappiness, however that’s up to now.
My dad helped me understand this era most likely would be the happiest time in my life. My marriage is nice and RB40Jr is rising up in a contented family. We’ve a variety of enjoyable as a household. Life is nice now and we’re having fun with it.
Are you higher off than 4 years in the past?
All in all, the RB40 family is best off than 4 years in the past. The one downside is my slowly declining well being. However that’s simply part of growing old. Hopefully, I can keep at this degree for a couple of years.
I really feel very lucky. Many households struggled during the last 4 years and haven’t recovered but. In distinction, these final 4 years had been good for us. We had fun and we’re wanting ahead to the subsequent 4 years. I hope everybody does higher over the subsequent 4 years as effectively. Good luck and hold at it!
Alright! I managed to jot down this publish with out touching politics till the tip. Crucial factor about this election is to vote. Billions of individuals around the globe don’t have this primary proper. It’s our obligation to vote and help democracy.
How about you? Are you higher off than 4 years in the past?
In the event you’re curious, right here is the 2020 version of this publish and the results of the earlier ballot.
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