Austin, TEXAS, December 28, 2005 — It's something people say. It seems to be a taunt. Something a cocky, self-involved individual will say to minimize your life.

"I'm retired," I might say.

"How's that working out for you?" One might reply.

or

"I'm trying to use my journal as a stepping stone to real writing."

And, well, you know, that response!

"I'm trying to control my weight with exercise." Yeah, that answer.

The fact is that a lot of things don't work out. Your good intentions mostly wash out. Maybe the smug delivers of HTWOFY know that mostly people are failures and we can get them to admit it themselves.

The fact is that my journal doesn't lead to other writing. It is an end in itself. Not that I might not do some other writing now and then. But there is no link for me. Not really. No marijuana to heroin in a natural progression. Maybe because writing is a drug, too, but caffeine and journal do it for me. No need to go further.

The fact is that (especially over this holiday) I'm thinking I need to watch what I eat and not try to leave all the excess calories on the recumbent bike.

But some things that I have done have worked out perfectly. Or as perfectly as real life can. Marrying FFP. 'Nuff said.

My investment plan. Rife with individual failures we saved enough, planned well enough, got lucky enough, to retire early. We avoided enough professional advice to keep some funds together. We followed our own simple plan well enough to succeed. DDE. Diversify. Debt-free. Enjoy. I would add 'live within your means.' But that isn't necessary. Debt-free takes care of it.

That's working out well. Thank you. We have failed investments (a lot of those came from professional advice!) but overall we kept enough to succeed. And we really did avoid debt. But when we spent money it was on what we wanted. Not what someone else envisioned. Same house we bought in 1977 (although, I'll admit transformed with remodeling). Hondas in the driveway. But foie gras when we feel like it. (Caviar is getting a bit pricey though!) Giving generously (for us) to our charities. Joining a club where we could exercise and play tennis. Ignore the weight thing for a moment! That's working out well, too.

Little things have worked. In spite of my complaints about working on our budget and other spreadsheets the system we've set up works. We have an idea how we are doing, what we need to do. Even the little plastic rack with file folders to collect random receipts and expense jottings works well. Do we really need to try to track every penny we spend? No, but it is satisfying and builds our confidence in our decisions. Works well for us. Thank you very much.

Other little insignificant things. The coffee machine. The overpriced Capresso machine that grinds, tamps and brews a perfect drinking temperature pressure infused cup. Well, sure, it went back a few times for repairs but it's given us about a thousand wonderful cups of coffee.

Our Hondas. Really they've worked pretty well. The dealer is only a couple of miles away. We drove the '97 Accord on a long trip last summer. Worked like a champ.

Dreamweaver 4. Really. Mostly. I like to write and publish on the WEB and not have to put up with worrying too much about it working.

Even smaller things. I've been through a thousand failed organization and filing attempts. But years ago (I mean thirty plus) I started a folder for 'Invitations and announcements.' After graduation or baby gifts or wedding gifts were handled the invites went in there. If I ever have a question about a kid's birthday or full name, the info is in there somewhere. Who was that first wife? Ditto.

The Distribute folder has been a success, too. When I have a photo or clipping or a book to return I put it in a hanging folder or bin in a cart in my office. Eventually it finds its way to the right person.

Too often, we ignore what's working. We see what isn't. Somehow we let the naysayers draw us to topics we aren't confident about. Our writing. Our joblessness. Our weight. Then we are easy marks for HTWOFY. Note to self: draw people to my successes. Drop these into the conversation:

"I've known FFP thirty years." "We live on our investments." "We are debt-free." "We belong to a club that is seven minutes away and has no stupid golf." "We keep up with everything we spend." "We paid about nine hundred dollars for a coffee machine."

HTWOFY, Indeed! Quite well. Thanks for asking.

Meta: I recently made a change here. I type an entire stream of consciousness of what happens during the day. Then I save that and actually publish what amounts to a little essay. Which may or may not relate closely to the day's events. But usually does. I am addicted to knowing when things happen, who we went out with, etc. But I am keeping that on my own little hard drive. I figure I will regret this because one day I will lose those files and I won't know something important. Or I won't be close to my computer when I want to know it. But, of course, the private journal can contain things you'd never publish. Tradeoffs. No one has commented on this change. But in the HTWOFY vein: pretty well.