What does the title of the blog mean? Why did I choose it? I guess I was pondering one day about how DH and I would someday “live large”. Which means what exactly? I think living large is different for everyone AND it changes as you change, grow, age, etc. What it meant two years ago is honestly somewhat different from what it is now. While I also realize that “living large” in 5 years when we have kids could mean something completely different.
But I guess right now living large is being able to afford everything I possibly could want. Because of our ages (late 20s), we’re not really ready to consider early retirement and not doing anything. I think maybe for someone in their 40s living large could be retiring soon!
But for us, I guess it’s more of a keeping up with the Joneses. We’d love to have a single family home, drive two nicer cars, eat out and buy organic convienence foods, and be able to take exotic vacations annually. Truth is that we can’t really do that. We can afford a smaller, scaled down version of that lifestyle, which perhaps to some is already “living large”.
But that’s why “living large” depends on how you define it. It’s the financial freedom to do as you CHOOSE. Fully paying for college for the kids, or just about anything. Some people have “made” it when they buy their “dream cars”. Others when their homes are paid off. Or others maybe a once in a lifetime vacation.
There is no right or wrong answer. And “living large” does not mean lavishly for some people. It could mean just living debt free. Or more than just paycheck to paycheck and no longer depending on a credit card.
But right now I think myself included, that many people are struggling to live their dreams. To almost “live large”, while struggling to live well within the defined boundaries of what they can “afford”. I know that many other 20-somethings can relate to this struggle. But remember that our parents didn’t have the lifestyle they have now in the beginning. So everyone’s gotta start somewhere.
8 responses so far ↓
1 JB // Jul 9, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Right exactly! I think I’m living almost large too! I consider living large being comfortable with my house, cars, clothes, furniture, savings account, etc. We live pretty comfortably… but still a ways from where I want us to to be…. so I guess we’re almost living large too!
2 LivingAlmostLarge // Jul 9, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I have to agree that most people are probably almost living large.
3 Anonymous // Jul 9, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Actually, I think “most” people, or at least the vast majority, are not living all that well these days. They’re holding their breath every time they fill up their cars with gas or they watch the grocery store cashier ring up their purchases. They’re hoping that when their bosses ask to speak to them that it’s not to tell them that they’re being downsized due to economic conditions. Sure, a lot of people are doing well at the moment, but I don’t think too many are thinking that they have some guarantee that the situation won’t change any minute.
As for “living large,” I’ve witnessed it up close. For years, I worked as the right hand to someone with an annual income over $600,000, a net worth of over $8 million, two million-dollar homes in the U.S. and one in Europe, with world travel on a bi-monthly basis. That’s living large. What most of us are doing is strictly middle class. Not that it isn’t wonderful or that I would trade it for the world, but I just don’t think we should fool ourselves that we’re living the high life. That group is pretty slim.
Barb1954
4 Early Retirement Extreme // Jul 10, 2008 at 10:50 am
Interesting! In my personal definition living large is being able to keep up with people 15 years younger on the sports court. To reject financing and ask for the cash discount. To quit the job to make time for more interesting things. To make a difference in people’s lives. Stuff like that.
5 Livingalmostlarge // Jul 10, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I think it’s depends on the definition of living large, and being happy with it.
It’s a lot harder to be happier when you have debt. But even with less it’s possible I think.
6 Kristy // Jul 10, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I think we are “living large”. We max out our retirement accounts and have little debt. We don’t really spend our money, we save it. However it is nice to know that we can do all of the things we want to do and buy things if we really wanted it. Fortunately, neither of us likes to spend money.
7 chris // Jul 11, 2008 at 8:45 am
I think the host posts definition of living almost large pretty much nails it.
We all have our own definition. For some, it’s having the million dollar homes here and abroad. For others, it may boil down to safety and security.
There are some very wealthy mid six figure types that still focus on safety and security while there are many in the middle and working classes who desire having the luxury of what a mid six figure income could provide.
The key is finding the proper “Trip-Tik” to get to where you need or want to be.
Bookmarks about 40s - Aug 13, 2008
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