Where Does The Money Go

Since I retired in 2008 there are times I've turned into a spendthrift and other times I've become Daddy Warbucks. I hate to admit it but I sometimes spend money like a Democrat except it's my money so there's the difference. For example, I bought a fishing boat in August. I had sold my old boat to my youngest son which pretty much means I gave it to him. This new boat I like a lot. It had everything I wanted. It was previously owned but that's okay. The motor was a 50 horsepower as opposed to my old 20 so I could now freely zip around the lake in pursuit of Charley Tuna. I'm one of those guys, and it doesn't make a difference if it's buying a boat or getting a motel room, who doesn't dicker on price. I tell the seller that I want their lowest, rock bottom price. If I don't get it I move on. The irritating aspect of the boat purchase is that I spent the exact same amount on it as I did on my hearing aids. Does that make sense? I suppose if one can't hear it does.
On the way back from Minnesota I stayed the night with my son and his family. I always buy dinner for them and went to Lee's Chicken per their request. The total bill was $30. There was a lesson to be learned. It doesn't matter if you buy a balloon from a five and dime or a car from a Lexus dealer. Always ask if there's a senior discount. I never thought of this even though I've been considered a senior for twelve years. My tab at Lee's came to thirty dollars so I paid up, no questions asked. A lady behind me in line asked for a senior discount and got it. It was 10% off. I asked for my discount but since my total had been rung up it was no dice. So, now I'm thinking, how many dollars in the last twelve years have I lost because I failed to ask for a senior discount. Would it have been enough to buy a boat? How about hearing aids? From now on every penny I spend will come with the question: Is there a senior discount on this? I think vendors are counting on seniors to be forgetful and not ask. Now, where was I? Oh yeah, I remember. Let's start a 'Just ask' movement just like Michelle O has a 'Just move' one.
One thing I am good about is getting the bang for my buck on gasoline purchases. It's important to check out gasbuddy.com to get the best price. Usually, the cheapest are in the slummier parts of town and by the time I've driven there it's a wash on how much I've saved. Gas prices across the Midwest have been cut back lately. I found one that was $3.11 per gallon. I'm the person who fills the tank to the max in this situation. Rich guys fill the tank then when the nozzle hits the automatic shut off they put the hose back and drive off. They could care less the price of gas. Not me. I remember when fuel was 19 cents per gallon.
The moral of this entire piece is, as Ben Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned" unless you happen to play a very expensive golf course. Then the skies the limit.