I’ve seen the Atlantic Ocean from Maine’ coast … — Photo by Pat Bean
“I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.” Oscar Wilde
“A word to the wise ain’t necessary – it’s the stupid ones that need the advice.” Bill Cosby
You Shouldn’t Always Follow Advice
I’ve wanted to use the phrase bull snot for a long time. I translate it as meaning: “Ha, you’re wrong,” but more dramatically.
And the Pacific Ocean from California’s coast …
I came across the perfect instance this morning when I read an article called “The Biggest Blunders New Retirees Make” from U.S. News and World Report. I name the source so you’ll know it wasn’t written by some fly-by-the-seat-of-his/her-anus.
If I had followed most of the advice in the article, I wouldn’t have had the awesome life I lived for the past nine years.
Don’t jump the gun into a new life, the writer recommended. I jumped. Bought an RV two weeks before I retired, quickly sold my home and took off for the road. It was something I had dreamed of doing almost my whole life and I wasn’t about to delay it one more minute.
I also didn’t take the article’s advice to wait until I had accumulated more money than I could have in another lifetime, and by ignoring the advice not to spend too much on travel and hobbies.
The only financial advice I had followed was that I did make sure I had adequate health insurance before I took off.
My financial solution to limited money was to downscale my wants and needs, and come up with the least amount I would eventually need to live on when I quit the road, and then try to make the rest last for as long as I could.
And now I’m watching the desert bloom — because I didn’t follow anyone’s advice. — Photo by Pat Bean
Having recently traded in my nine-year road life (well I still have my RV, and a few trips left in me) for a small apartment in a nice area of Tucson, I think I succeeded in that.
But then I broke yet another piece of advice in doing it. Don’t move where you don’t know anyone, the article said.
Except for one daughter, who lives on the other side of town, I didn’t know anyone else in Tucson when I settled here in January. I use the past tense in saying that because I’ve already made friends, and I find starting my whole life anew energizing and fun.
But then I’m me and not you. The article’s advice might actually be good for some of you. Just don’t lose your dreams over the wrong advice.
The Wondering Wanderer’s blog pick of the day.
Bean’s Pat: Why Blog? http://tinyurl.com/ccfzx3j I sometimes ask myself this question, and this blogger answered most of them.
Pat Bean's blog 
That sounds like a good article to ignore.
Just don’t lose your dreams over the wrong advice! That is the best advice! How we live waaaay below what God has blessed us with by accepting someone’s wrong advice! I go to The Word and always know I cannot go wrong with His direction. Thanks Pat for a good read and good photos! I enjoy your blog. You inspire me.
Thought you would enjoy this photo of ducklings on their first flight. No, I did not take this.Txgg
Can’t see the ducks Judy. E-mail the photo to me at patbean@msn.com
hey bean, since when did you take anyone’s advice?
Which meant I learned everything the hard way. I might should have followed some advice — oh well. No regrets.
Jeez, Pat, you spilled the beans. Now everyone is going to want to hit the road. AL
Sorry….
What a life affirming post! Thanks Pat!
Thanks for the great compliment Jude.
I’m glad you didn’t follow that advice! I think bull snot is the best term to describe advice to just hunker down and try not to outlive your money. My husband’s uncle is doing that and he the most morbid cantankerous person I have ever met.
I could never have amassed the amount of money all the books say you need to retire and do what I did. And the truth is I never missed all the unnecessary things I gave up. Bookstores ice cream shoppes and trolley tours were never subject to the budget, however.
Sounds like the perfect opportunity to use “Bull snot!” 🙂
I love the phrase. I think I’ll find myself looking for other ways to use it.
The thing I enjoy most about coming here is your constant reminder that playing by rules set by others makes for a very boring game.
I think the Golden Rule is the only absolute one. Thanks Alex. I hope you keep stopping by.