imagine the carnage when rates go up, page-76

Had a few (too many) beers Friday arvo down the pub. Was talking to a bloke who's just split up with his missus, they are going their seperate ways amicably, subsequently she'll keep the smallish rural property.

He's just bought a 4 bedroom house in town for 140k and will carry about 80k mortgage, easy enough to manage. that was the short end of the conversation.

The long end of the conversation was about a few road trips he's taking on the Harley, one to Tassie on a pub cruise.

The other over the tops thru Omeo, down into Lakes Entrance, along south gippie. I recommended he take the ferry across from Sorrento, rather than go around Melbourne, to access the Great Ocean Road. From there, I suggested he only go as far as Port Fairy, then head north to Halls gap, via Horsham, hang a right there after, do the Pyrennees' wineries, Avoca, Ararat etc. Then follow the Murray east back home. I pointed out the funky spots and the good pubs to stay, and will do him a google mud map.

The point is, you don't have to sacrifice anything to live in affordable accomodation, rented, mortgaged or owned freehold. On the contrary, by doing so you actually gain the freedom to live and love life. Travel and have a few toys like Harleys or dirt bikes or boats or jetskis or campers and more free time with the family (or single) camping/fishing/surfing/hunting/mountain climbing, whatever interests you may have.

Things that make this country so grand, and adventures/experiences that enrich life. Like this bloke is doing, good on him.

Personally, anyone who thinks someone like me is a loser cos I got off the RE rat wheel, and live in cheap digs, I say get it up ya'. I've already seen more of the world and Australia than most of the over leveraged mortgage muppets will ever see. That's livin' !!

Each to their own.

Life can be short and you're dead a long time.