Oh Chee, I totally agree with this approach. I think it’s always wise to run the numbers first. You want to make the decision with your eyes wide open. Figure out what you are gaining or giving up before finalizing the decision. Thanks for the comment!

I would usually do the math first to weigh in the decision.
Final decision to follow my heart, knowing that I’ve looked at the numbers and made the conclusion that is in line with what makes me happy.

Oh I love this comment because I think happiness is often kicked to the curb in favor of high incomes and even higher returns. When we make the decisions to follow our hearts we accept that we will make less money. I think the key is to knowingly make those choices and to alter our lifestyles to live within our means (as you have done). We can be happy when we explicitly choose happiness.

Having four kids, homeschooling, always working part-time…none of these are decisions that any financial calculator would recommend!

And the result of those decisions is easy to see in our retirement accounts. But I’m not that fussed about it, because I’m happy with the decisions that got us here.

Thanks. Personal finance enthusiasts often make the decisions feel so easy. Like just follow the numbers and the rest will work out, but how many of us can remove our emotions and just look at the math? Is it even a good idea when we do? Usually, it’s not.