Disposable Income

Disposable income.  It almost seems to be a product of a bygone era these days.  I do like some of the measures being taken to put money back in the pocket, but it seems to me until the price of water and electricity are dealt with, people will be inclined to hold onto what they’ve got.
And petrol.  I was aghast when I saw petrol at 97 cents per litre.  Now it can be $1.60 a litre.  The prices of so much seems to have increased, without an equivalent increase in our income to cover it.  For some that is just an inconvenience.  For others it is a matter of life and death.
No wonder people seem to be less inclined to part with their hard earned.  We are somewhere in the middle.  We huff and we puff but blowing the house down is beyond us.  We tend to hold on to stuff but it is not all we do.  My thinking is that just as all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, we would be dull if we did not indulge ourselves occasionally.
Covering needs is a must to me, but getting the occasional want when I can matters to.  I am looking at a small tin dog we have.  We did not need it, but it sure brings us continual pleasure when we see it.  Same with our replica motor bike or steel ants.  Life would go on if we did not have them, but it would not be the same.  Besides, we can be rich or poor, but when we are dead we are dead.  I would rather responsibly enjoy what I can, rather than regret not doing so later.
Personally, as a baby boomer I think I grew up in a really good era.  Excess seemed to have been the rage, whereas now austerity seems to be the go.  Probably somewhere in between is best.
Still given a choice I rather too much than not enough.  I think the drought brings out why.  Too much still enables me to do what I need to where as not enough means skimping.  The right amount is no doubt best, but it seems so hard to find.  It is a bit like when I tune the guitar.  I may be looking for “A.”  I wind the string but it is too low, so I wind it some more and it is too high.  In between it is right, and eventually I find it.
I am an “enough is enough” person.  I don’t want to renege on something because I do not have enough.  My fall from grace will never be as spectacular as the mega rich but it is just as real to me.  By the same token too much of anything can be a distraction to me.  I don’t want excess consuming all my time when it could be better spent on other things.
As long as I have enough to do what I think is mine to do, I am happy.