I’ve often wondered what it would be like to float through my existence on this planet with complete and total ignorance. I wouldn’t know enough to worry about retirement. I’d simply spend to exist and not worry about what awaited me in the future. If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t worry about whether I’m saving enough. I also wouldn’t worry about losing my pension at my company, like so many other people are already. I would have that euphoria of knowing that my friday paycheck was coming and I had a whole two days ahead of me to blow it all. Oh, what I could do with that much money over a weekend. And the beauty is, I’d have no guilt. I wouldn’t know any better.
Jobs? I wouldn’t know enough to worry about all these jobs getting sourced in India, China and many other places. I’d go to work each day until they told me to stop coming. Then, I’d just have to figure out something else to do. I wouldn’t worry though, because I wouldn’t know I was supposed to worry. I’d have that ignorant optimism that told me, “Don’t worry about it. Something will pop up”, whether it really would or not. I’d never try to calculate the trends to see which professions were the most likely to stay in the U.S. so I’d never fret that I was in the wrong industry. “Global competition? What’s that. Never heard of it, but did you hear the latest Brittany Spears song? It rocks. Hey, let’s go down and drink at the bar all night until we fall off our stools. I’ve got money in my pocket. My treat.”
I’d drive the nicest car I could possibly afford, and heck, maybe even a little nicer than that. If I could afford the payment at the time I bought it, it would be mine. Shoot, if I lost my job, I wouldn’t sweat it. The banker man could just come get his fancy car. It’s not like I’d have money for gas to drive it.
Raising kids? No problem. They’d eat when I eat. Clothes are cheap at the second hand store, so I’d buy them some when I had some money in my pocket. Probably best to get me before I hit the bar though. Once I was there, I’d always end up buying a few rounds and blow through whatever I’ve got in my pocket. (Which would be everything I’ve got because I wouldn’t know any better).
But, all this is just a pipe dream. I’ve long since become enlightened about my career, money, family etc. I know too much now. I’m past the point of no return. I’m doomed to worry about my finances, how I will provide for my family, whether I can keep my job long term, whether I’ll still have a pension when I retire, whether I’ll save enough to be able to retire and support my wife and I, and every other thing that enlightened people worry about. I guess my only hope is that someone will invent a brain washer. If you have one in the works, I’d appreciate it if you could put in a little overtime and get it done. Put me on the waiting list.