Can You Afford to Retire?
By whittby
@whittby (3072)
United States
January 23, 2008 3:31pm CST
Well, my husband are at that happy realization that we can't afford to retire. Savings, what little there is, and social security are not going to cut it. How disappointing? The baby boomers were spenders. Anyone out there is this situation? What are your plans?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
28 Jan 08
I was forced into early retirement by disability. If it wasn't for a small VA stipend, I would be on the street. I never was big spender but both of my former spouses were and I ended up raising the girls mostly by myself. Fortunatly they were grown before I had to stop working.
I really miss working. I did construction and I still wake up at 5 every morning. I don't think you should retire too early. You really do miss it when you stop. I still do tons of volunteer stuff and I serve on different Boards, but it is not the same. You loose your identity and some of your self respect.
Shalom~Adoniah
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
28 Jan 08
I don't think I will ever retire. So much to do, if I could find a new job I would do it.
With the volunteering and serving on boards, sounds like you have a BUNCH of part time jobs. Kudos to you. How are they treating you doing this? With respect or otherwise?
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
28 Jan 08
One thing about volunteering they have a hard time finding replacements so they tend to treat you fairly well and you cannot be fired.lol The volunteer work I do no one else wants to do much and it is one on one so there is never any problems. The major Board I serve on it the local County Housing Authority and it is very interesting. Right now they are short on Board members so they are hurting.
Shalom
@whywiki (6066)
• Canada
30 Jan 08
I have another 20 years to try and get ahead so I can retire. It worries me though as my hubby is pushing 60 and has no pension. So we have two businesses on the side and our jobs just to try and get ahead so that he doesn't have to work until he hits the grave. Life is a crap shoot I think. It will all work out in the end I hope!
1 person likes this
@jjasmine (99)
• Philippines
30 Jan 08
nope cant afford to retire :) although it has been our goal to work our butts of our in order for us to retire as soon as possible. But, my partner and I are both easily tempted to take a few days off and travel whenever we can save and come up with some money. however we are not regretting every bit of travel we've had so far... so I guess the goal of retiring soon may become later... who knows :)
