I think we sometimes struggle with an illusion that we need more money than we do. Our lifestyle expands to fill the salary we have available to us. No buy months are a way of experimenting with living with far fewer resources without having made dramatic lifestyle changes, and they can be extended to three or six months or a year (or longer). It's a good way of testing what you need for a "good" or "comfortable" life and an opportunity to discuss and try things out with your family. Meanwhile, you've added to your retirement/holiday/going back to university stash 🙂.

I loved going to university full-time for the first time when I was fifty-two. There were some things I hadn't anticipated, but they were a small price to pay for the absolute joy of learning. I was working part-time in two jobs as well to cover my living expenses, which showed how little I could live on when I decided to and how, when you are doing something you enjoy, your time and energy appear to expand.

I'm really sorry that you've lived with recurring negative thoughts, that can be very draining and so glad you've found Hive an antidote.

Good luck with your journey, I'm sure there's going to be lots of fun, especially if you follow @tengolotodo's credo!