I Retired and Our Finances Are Minimal.

United States
March 15, 2007 10:40am CST
I retired several years ago. My husband and I decided to sell our retail store and I could finally retire and do the things I wanted to at home. We sold our store to a niece. She ended up walking out and locking the doors 18 months later, leaving us to clean up the mess. We took care of everything and even had enough to pay off all of the customers, leaving us with a few thousand dollars. By now, that's all gone. There are certain things we can't do anymore and that never bothers me. It bothers my husband a tiny bit and every once in a while he makes a comment like, "We could do that if we still had the store." It makes me feel guilty sometimes and I wonder if I should try to go back out into the work market and find some time of job. It's not like I watch televsion all day. I'm busy all the time doing 'important' stuff. Should I feel guilty? Should I try to get a job? What do you think?
5 people like this
12 responses
@RobinJ (2501)
• Canada
15 Mar 07
I think it is some thing you basically have to work out for your self. If you have the time and desire to work then I would recommend a part time job possibly for both you and your husband,If you work part time and it depends on the employer you can set your own hours, I would also advise you do something you really enjoy doing, as it won't seem like you are working at all. It is very sad thing that you had to clean up after your niece, and it wasn't very nice of her to just walk away, it is too bad that you she didn't come to you and let you know she was in over her head. But that was then and this is now, Just sit down with your hubby and talk it out rather than spend all you time wishful thinking. Best of luck
• India
16 Mar 07
well your husband seems to miss it very much. being used to that state of life and now coming out of it should hav its influence.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Mar 07
Hi surendrasirangu, And it's lessons. Thanks for your response. I appreciate your input.
@sidoney (1033)
• Jamaica
16 Mar 07
you have a lot of post on my lot so you must be making a little extra chances are you are on other sites that gt you a bit of money if not then send me a message and I'll give you my list all free to join you and you husband can try to go in fx trading you have site that can teach you all about it and since you make money over the internet you wont have to worry about dipping in you bank account I'll give you the link to that site also just add me as a friend and I'll send you the message
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Mar 07
Thanks sidoney. I'll do that. Every little bit helps.
@afreddy (182)
• India
16 Mar 07
It makes a lot of sense if both of you get something to do, it would keep you occupied and get his mind off the store, the point is not the store thats bothering, "I think" its the betrayal or the feeling of being let down and made to slog again after all those years and sacrifices and planning for your golden years. The hurt will really last for good amount of time
• United States
16 Mar 07
Your partly right afreddy. The betrayal is the hardest part of it all.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
16 Mar 07
Is there something that you both can do to bring in extra cash? Can you start an online store since you probably still have the connections?
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Mar 07
I'm working on just that cher. Good advice. thanks
• United States
16 Mar 07
Running a household is a lot of work...a job in itself, but without money the necessary items to run a household and pay the living expenses cannot happen. Many people both work and run the house. Your quality of life is important and in order to achieve what you want, you need to make sacrifices of time and energy. I am sorry to hear that your and your husband's plans didn't work out initially, but if you two work hard for a few more years they can still work out how you want them to. It sounds like your husband has experience in running a business and managing a store. He should be able to find a position in management somewhere local to you. If you are unsure about obtaining a full time job yourself there are temp agencies that can place you in positions. Register with a temp agency and see what jobs are available. You get to choose and once you are done with one assignment you can choose a different one at your discretion. Take whatever money that is left after paying all necessary living expenses and invest it so that your money can earn money. At retirement age it is important to stay conservative in your investment choices. Money markets and CDs (cerificates of deposit) are available at most banks and financial institutions. These items both earn interest. If you are comfortable with mutual funds there are several companies that offer growth and income funds. Annuities are a smart choice for seniors as well. Pacific Life and John Hancock offer guaranteed principle annuities that can pay you an income for the rest of your life. These are some of the financial companies that I would recommend: Fidelity Investments, Pacific Life, John Hancock, Putnam. I hope this helps you some. Good luck with funding your retirement!
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Mar 07
Thank you thumperkin, Your words are welcomed. I appreciate your input.
@gberlin (3836)
15 Mar 07
I sounds to me like your husband just needs something to do. Does he really want to go back running a retail store? And if he did would he have the time to do the things that he wants to do? Maybe he just needs a new hobby! I don't think you should feel guilty and I don't think you should try to find a job!
• United States
15 Mar 07
Hi gberlin, It's not that he needs something to do. He has a full time job. It's just that he wishes he could be able to do the 'extra' stuff we used to do, which right now, it's not that we can't afford it, it's that we have to judge whether or not we play a little extra or save the money to pay the electric bill. lol I just feel a little guilt because if I still worked outside the home, we would have that 'extra' that we don't have right now.
• Sri Lanka
15 Mar 07
Rather than going out to find a job, you can restrart the store. But I know it is very difficult to hire help in the US, in Sri Lanka of course you can hire someone to work in the store for $60 a month (unless you hunt for an illigal immigrant). But still for all you can put your effort and somehow or other run the store.
1 person likes this
@mkirby624 (1598)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Why are you feeling guilty for not providing for the family. I'm not trying to be all sexist and 1920's on you, but it sounds like he's the one who is unhappy, so why is it up to you to go out and get a job? Does he still work or is he retired as well? If he is retired and he is the one unhappy with the situation, it seems like he should be the one to get a job.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Mar 07
No No No mkirby, He's not unhappy or anything. You know how anybody can just make a quick comment. I just know things are tight right now with me as well as a lot of people and under the circumstances it would just be nice to eat T-bone instead of hamburger every once in a while. Thanks for the post.
@34momma (13882)
• United States
15 Mar 07
I think that you wanted to retire and you should not feel bad about that. I think if you worked hard and put in your time you should be able to sit back and get to do the things that you enjoy. i mean if it comes down to you eating cat food on the streets then i would say maybe you should think about it. but if you can eat cat food in the comfort of your own home then who gives a sh*t!! LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL.
• United States
15 Mar 07
Trust me! I put in my time. Since I was 13 years old. Cat food is going a little bit too far! At least I know I won't be doing it on the street.lol You are awesome!
1 person likes this
@naty1941 (2336)
• United States
16 Mar 07
How old are you? Can you still work? Is there anything you can do on a part time basis to help with the finances without working all day?
1 person likes this
@NatureBoy (493)
• Singapore
16 Mar 07
I think that having retired is actually a good thing. You can afford to stop and smell the roses and life. But finances are a common issue among people who choose to retire. They have to live frugally, and try to minimize on most luxury. But my thoughts are these: With some money with you and spare time, maybe you could change your thoughts of money. There are many ways to make money now, and not all of them require the physical efforts like running your store. Learn about how to maximize your interest returns. Budget and income planning. In other words, broaden your horizons first before deciding what to do again. A few weeks off to learn about the world is not that much, considering that you might have worked a lifetime away.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Mar 07
Smelling the roses is nice, which we do often. Living frugally is normal routine around here. Thanks for the advice. I'm going to keep it all for future reference and act upon it.