''I invested wisely during the 90's so I would not be dependent on the taxpayer in my retirement. Result ... I am not eligible for a pension - asset value too high. Not so in the UK or NZ - pension is a pension - age dependent only. So why don't I sell up, buy a luxury barge and on a French canal and draw my "hard earned Australian" pension- haha?''
so, let us analyse what you are meaning ------- not just saying
what you are saying is that you would LIKE to go canaling and exploring in France - but, you can't work out how to do it - that's the reality
so, you are limiting your life because of the financial retirement setups in Oz and you in fact even tell us that it's different in the UK and in NZ
intriguingly - you could be in NZ - your native home AND be receiving a gov pension AND a super pension - but, pay tax on both -
that would indeed be more than enough to explore Europe - indeed, I suggest that unless you are a terrible money manager - you have enough now from income to do it anyway
it requires, possibly an imaginative mind and a bit of information - but, you appear to miss a big point -
that living in Europe and a bit of travelling - is about the same cost as living in Australia - more or less (indeed for health - it's a LOT cheaper).
you are incapable of doing it without selling assets - merely tells us that you are unable to manage your finances AND live the life you really want to live.
So, in the end - you will die regretting what you didn't do. My only regrets on death will be that I was part of a very very stupid species.
I have never allowed money to restrict me from what I want to do - I'm here for one lifetime, if I don't do what I want to do - there's be absolutely zero point. Financial restrictions may well have at times caused me to 'do it' in a mini instead of a luxury caravan - but, I did it none the less.
You have sacrificed you life of what you want took an easy way out.
