A very wise man once told me that "it's not just how about much money you make, Michael, but also what you do with it after you get it."
I was a mere pup at the time, and it didn't really sink in.
A year or so later, someone we knew won the lottery. It was 1980, when a million dollars was almost unfathomable riches.
(I'd just taken out a bank loan for about $14,000 to buy my home.)
Still young and dumb, I was fantasising out loud in the locker room about all the things I'd buy with that much money.
Enter the wise man:
"I would not buy a thing with that money."
"You wouldn't?"
"Nope, bank interest is running nearly 10%, I'd put it in the bank."
"That's not much fun."
"I'd have lots of fun. I'd take the $100,000 a year interest, and have a ball with it. And I'd always have that million bucks."
That one sank in.
Why am I telling you this?
Because, the lesson about "it's not just about how much money you make, but what you do with it" really sank in at that point.
It was just after my 20th birthday, 42 years ago, but I remember that conversation with Simmo, may he RIP, as if it were this morning.
From that point I was far more careful with money - spend it yes, but spend it as wisely as possible.
For example, when food that is still perfectly useable is nearing its expiration date, and is reduced by 40, 60, 80% at the supermarket, we buy as much as we think we can use and freeze it.
And with that in mind, here is a picture of my freezer, a couple years ago.
If you look carefully, you should spot at least 4 varieties of mozzarella (there are actually 5 varieties in there). The serrano ham on the left that was marked down to $2.16 is usually $7.
All of this stuff eats perfectly well. The only thing I do is have an occasional sort out to ensure the oldest stuff is at the front to be used first.
And yes, months after the expiration date it's still fine.
