A puzzling situation.
There is something of a tradition when family is at our place on Cape Cod and it puzzles me. Actually it is picture puzzles.
A card table is set up and the puzzle pieces laid out. The puzzle is assembled on the three foot square coffee table. The puzzles are 1,000 pieces or more and are photographs of houses, woods, streams with many of the pieces looking very much alike. I guess that why it’s a puzzle.
Connie, our daughter and two granddaughters spend hours - days - on this task, especially Connie who, once she starts, just keeps going. Her patience with this task seems endless. She also has the determination to read at least two books a week.
I’ve given it a try once or twice, picked up a piece now and then. On occasion I had success finding where the piece fit. But I quickly realized I had no patience for this level of detail and as I see it, contrary to an enjoyable pastime, it’s a recipe for frustration and stress.
Eventually they complete the puzzle and we take a picture of the result. As far as I know, no puzzle has been assembled more than once. One year there was a piece missing - the task was futile. The best laid plans.
I called the puzzle company and asked if they could send the missing piece. They were very apologetic, but couldn’t send one piece, they sent a new puzzle though. Come to think of it, asking for one piece was an unreasonable request. Back to the coffee table.
Some evenings we all play BINGO for prizes I provide. That too is a bit frustrating. I look at the BINGO card and it reminds me of a spreadsheet.
It should not come as a surprise to regular HD readers, my patience for dealing with detail is limited. Those of us so afflicted must focus on the big picture and long-term financial goals and a bit of luck while recognizing we may not be optimizing all possible opportunities - that is making mistakes.
In the end though what matters is that all the pieces come together to form a satisfying picture of one’s life. I may have a few pieces missing and an extra share of good fortune, but as Frank sang, “I did it my way.”
As you muddle though all the financial complexities and retirement planning decisions, know there is hope even for ye with little tolerance for detail. Keep your eye on the prize.
This is not a recommended strategy though - especially if you are a puzzle person🤑
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