March 28th, 2008 - 1:14 pm
» the better to see
How much would you pay someone to stick a laser in your eye? If it made you see better, I mean.
I had my Lasik consultation yesterday. I am an excellent candidate (and am possessed, apparently, of big pupils [not to imply that they make me a better candidate]). It is sort of monstrously expensive. With the money I could, for an example pulled from an email I just got, go to Portugal for a week to train with Olympic jumping riders: five days of morning lessons and afternoon trail rides. Surely I could go to Egypt for the cost (it is, I think, my next Peru). I could get a lovely new saddle. I could get nearly two Everetts, for that matter. I could horde it; spend dark nights stroking my account statements, all My precioussss. Or, that old haunting refrain: Down Payment.
I’ve really struggled with this whole money thing. Do you have money mentors in your life? How do you make your spending decisions? When do you say when? It’s always been quite a secret thing in my family, money, and I admit I feel a little adrift about it. I’ve never been one to do something just because other people are (a bit of the opposite, really), but I’m also a research fanatic and this is one thing I’ve really come up dry on. I keep searching after some conventional wisdom, a pool of experience, but I can’t find any rhyme or reason in this. How should I spend? I don’t know what the rest of the world is like, but it seems Americans have really fallen down on the whole budgeting/money management education thing. Where is that line between saving for later and living now?
I like my eyes. The idea of cutting them open and shooting lasers in them is a little freaky, but not having to mess around with glasses or contacts any more sounds blissful. Today S– said that I should do it, and I asked why. “Because life is better,” she said. “Life is just better.” What a compelling idea, that.
(Unrelated: I took this just after my move to show you the mess of boxes and trees and lamps and stuff my life had exploded into. I still haven’t found a place for that damn tree.)
Anne said: April 5th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
There’s all kinds of financial advice out there, which I find difficult to follow. Save, give to charity and live below your means. You might want to meet with a financial adviser to see what your goals are, saving for a rainy day, retirement, whatever. Get an adviser you pay, not one who sells you insurance, securities or other things. You want somebody who has no conflict of interest.
As far as making decisions such as Lasik surgery vs. trip to Portugal, which will give you greater pleasure, or give you more pleasure longer? Maybe do one this year and the other next year.
For spring break this year we stayed home. Every day I thought about what I could be doing if I were on a cruise, for example. We stayed here and cleaned the barn and tack room. The weather was wonderful and it was actually very fulfilling. The day I reflected on how I’d be back from my cruise, several thousand dollars poorer but full of good memories, I realized that I’d be coming home to a messing barn and tack room and how nice it was that that wasn’t the case. Then later I found out from a friend who went on that cruise that they had terrible weather and couldn’t even dock in one port, the outside decks were closed due to high winds and there were barf bags all over the ship. I was sorry for all the people who had a disappointing vacation, but on a mean and selfish level, it made me extra happy about my clean and orderly barn. This has nothing to do with anything but I guess I had to tell somebody.
By the way, I know nothing about Lasik surgery. A friend had it done but over time his eyes aged and he’s now wearing glasses. I guess nothing’s permanent, and I’m not sure his experience is typical.
Hope you get spring soon! Found you by way of Flying Changes. Nice blog!
rachel! said: April 7th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Anne - Thanks so much for the comment; I love your blog!
Sad thing is I work for financial advisors, so I have access to all kinds of financial calculators and articles and research and etc etc. I think I just overthink it sometimes and freak out a little — there are so many unknowns. I’m a firm believer in not worrying about things outside of your control, though.
As fun as it is to take trips, I also love using days off to do stuff around the house. There’s such a sense of accomplishment when you’re finished. Especially if it turns out the alternative would’ve been a less-than-ideal travel experience! ;)
You should post some pictures of your newly shiny tack room — I love to peek inside other people’s barns!