Upon finishing this week’s business lessons, Dr. Gary North asked all the students a simple question: “What lifestyle do you want in twenty years?” It’s a curious question that I haven’t thought about much. Sure, I have a goal for my career; I have a vision for my future family, but lifestyle isn’t something I’ve considered. The reason is that there are stark differences between dreaming about a lifestyle and setting goals. While having goals and a general vision is admirable, dreaming about your future lifestyle seems like a tragic waste of time. It is for that reason that I find this entire assignment utterly useless. Sadly, I’m just a student and must go through with it anyways.
I picture a house, a stone house with bluebonnets surrounding it. There is a long dirt pathway leading up to the house, with pecan trees on either side of the path. The house is large but not a mansion. I live in that house, along with two children and a wife. We have enough money to live comfortably. We are ecstatic because I just paid off the mortgage. Every other month I charter a boat and take the family to the beach. I can afford that. I’m considering purchasing a beach house, but I’ll need a good bonus. Also, the wife doesn’t want me to do that because she’s content with using Airbnb and doesn’t want the debt obligations. She’s probably right, and I never purchase that beach house. I have enough money to retire by the time I’m fifty, but I’ll continue working as long as possible. Overall, I have the lifestyle of a well-off American. I might be rich, but we don’t tell anybody that.
Asher Sisneros 