Coffee Shop Talks
Life’s funny I have always been one to be judged and appreciated later and I know that is because I follow my heart.
I realized through my own struggles and they are in process not fully resolved as I type this because I am and always will be a work in progress.
TODAY I feel vindicated - I wrote a short impactful book about facing self without blame just basically understanding it all and have gotten so much good feedback but here has been the best part.
Coffee shop talks-
SO and I mean SO in fact two just this morning Men sat with me and chatted one a successful realtor the other a chemist, I was originally talking with the chemist and he says you havent been in town a while but I say your RV and I wanted to talk and say hello.
He asked about my story and we chatted and we spoke a lot about peace and he explained how his wife left after he lost his job and finances got tight and its not love that was lost but hope and he loves her so much and at his age nobody needs a 67 year old scientist so he doordashes and Ubers to barely survive.
The realtor came over and said I was listening and man I wanted to jump in Iost my wife too because I handled the stress of corporations pushing my model out of the market the wrong way and I took it home instead of out at the gym, he said sadly though the world is changing so fast I dont know what to do.
We all spoke about how entrepreneurship is still probably the best route at our age because as long as you can provide value to someone you can find a way. You can even keep a job and have a business side hustle in case you get fired and to fuel your savings.
We also spoke about the RV lifestyle and how much it has impacted me and my travels and the good and bad parts of it.
How do you earn income and become sufficient and I remember when I worried a lot more than I do now in the beginning.
In the end my goal of helping people with my knowledge of fitness and finance and my love of the study of the human condition I know I will always be ok because I only want peace and I dont need more than I need.
We spoke of being satisfied and how the system said go to school get a job and everything would be ok and then the income became stagnant and the cost of living exploded.
Reagan spoke of how over taxed we are compared to the rest of the world and he helped fix that only for there to seem to be a creeping increase to claw back his changes to pre 80’s and 70 percent taxes.
In the end we agreed that the smartest move now is to not be distracted by shiny objects or being popular but to get rid of any expenses that cost you more than they bring in and use your money to invest in things that produce income only and stop caring about the newest phone or if anyone likes how your house looks.
This has always been the advice of our forefathers but for a while things were if we indulged a little ok but the greed is back and if you dont put your discretionary income into self growth then you are only fueling the machine.
I say this part with a soft humanitarian honesty.
There are two people in this society-
1- Those who bought toys with money from cash producing assets and saved on taxed and purchase things mostly cash unless financing can be actually used as a point of leverage.
2- Those about to lose their toys because their ability to pay is controlled by the narrative and assumptions of job stability and stable markets.
** People with Jobs can also buy cash items and still use the money they save by avoiding financing to invest and climb out of the mud but this level of ego death is hard to find when your identity is attached to an expensive image and lifestyle. - These people also need to get comfortable being Alone for a while so the haters can call you crazy until they call you brilliant.
During my own journey, I have found that embracing simplicity and focusing on cash-producing assets can greatly improve financial stability and mental well-being. Just like the conversations described in the coffee shop, many of us struggle with societal expectations—such as chasing the newest phone or maintaining an expensive lifestyle—that can drain resources without true value. The key insight I've learned is the importance of investing in oneself and income-generating activities rather than accumulating liabilities. For instance, prioritizing a side hustle or small business alongside regular employment can create a cushion in unstable job markets. This dual approach offers the freedom to pivot when needed, much like the chemist who turned to gig economy jobs when his scientific career faced challenges. Additionally, living simply—repeating clothes, buying second-hand items, or residing in modest homes—can not only reduce expenses but also contribute to greater contentment. The image from the article reminds us: "It's Ok! To repeat clothes, Not to upgrade your phone, To buy second hand items, To live in a simple home." These are powerful reminders that happiness often comes from cutting unnecessary costs and focusing on what truly matters. The shared struggles with loss, whether of loved ones or careers, emphasize the need for resilience and community. Finding peace amid hardship involves accepting changes without blame and maintaining hope, as reflected in the heartfelt talk from the men who opened up about their journeys. This openness can inspire us to face difficulties with more patience and understanding. From a personal perspective, combining knowledge of finance, fitness, and human behavior has helped me stay grounded and focused on peace rather than material success. I've noticed that aligning spending habits with long-term goals and resisting consumerism's pull can lead to freedom and satisfaction. It means saying no to societal pressures and yes to intentional living. Ultimately, the best advice remains timeless: invest wisely, keep expenses in check, and value self-growth. Being comfortable with solitude and the occasional skepticism of others is part of the path to brilliance and independence. These coffee shop talks remind us that everyone’s story is a work in progress, and together we can support each other on the journey to better financial and emotional health.
