Scarcity mentality

Way, way back–maybe three years ago–when we were planning for this little adventure and thinking about budget, I came to the unshakeable belief that the final month or two of our land life would require some significant latitude in extracurricular spending. To wit: stop being so tight-fisted before you lose your mind. That day has arrived, my friends.

This certainly relates to our overall shift toward the finish line, but as I’ve eased up on the purse strings, I’ve realized how stressful our personal culture of denial has been for the last six or seven years. I would NOT recommend Googling “poverty mentality” or “scarcity mentality;” you will either end up in a terrible right-wing tirade blaming the poor for their problems, or a very suspicious new-age-y discourse about welcoming abundance into your life. AVOID. But when your default setting for years has been “no”–not ordering the take-out, not buying the book, not even looking at that Title Nine catalog lest you be tempted to buy something–it’s pretty liberating to be able to say “yes.”

A lot of our “yes” has been around the flurry of final gear purchases, but having budgeted for a little breathing room with the home comforts, I’m feeling pretty good about our new level of mad luxury around here. Long day of prepping and packing up the house? ORDER THE PIZZA!! It’s all part of the plan.

I know you’re all on the edge of your seats to hear about the latest word in closed-cooling systems from Michu, but he’s been knocking out an intense final month of work, trying to top up the cruising kitty and pay for all that pizza. His last day on the job is May 12, after which: nothing but boat projects.

People keep asking us if the boat is all ready to go. This is the galley last week; no, we are not ready!
People keep asking us if the boat is all ready to go. This is the galley last week; no, we are not ready!

5 Comments on “Scarcity mentality

  1. Hi Michu, Deb, F, & T,

    Found your blog a few weeks ago. We are very jealous. We too have a First 38. She is a 1984 First 38 tall mast / deep keel (hull #178). We are in Chicago and are going in the water on May 1st. We have had our boat (s/v DÉESSE) for 3 years. I am sure that you have read about Liz and Andy Copeland’s adventures with their First 38. You have a great boat for cruising.

    • We read Liz and Andy’s books right after we bought our boat. We found the books short on boat-specific advice, but it was really affirming to hear how much they loved their boat, and how well it worked on a circumnavigation with three kids. Not sure we agree with their assertion that the First 38 has “tons of storage,” though!
      We thought about heading first to Chicago with our boat when we leave in June, but we’re taking off during the America’s Cup weekend. Sounds like it’ll be a zoo! I lived and raced in Chicago for a few years, and it’s a great place to have a boat.

      • We cruised S. Africa up to the southern Caribbean with ‘Bagheera’ back in the early 90s (even made it into the book – I was the oldest teenager on ‘Jean Marie.’) Andy & Liza are great people.

        Been following (and enjoying!) your blog for a while. I’m looking forward to reading about your departure day! I remember our own, way back in 1987. We did a VERY short hop to mile 0 on the ICW. That first day was purely symbolic: get away from the dock and store our mountains of gear.

  2. For what it’s worth, I don’t think I’ve met anyone who truly felt everything was finished and that they were completely ready to go. Priorities first, and then fake the rest.

    Best wishes as your time grows closer, and enjoy the pizza.

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