For Wages
When we were first married the spouse and I lived paycheck to paycheck. As the years went by, we got better jobs and earned more money. Although we never had excessive expendable income, we managed to save a little. We've always lived within our means. We never carried more debt than our mortgage and car payments...and we paid those off early. I guess you could call us frugal. When the kids graduated from college, and we paid off our mortgage, we were comfortably situated...and we retired.
We are no longer wage earners. That took some getting used to! We do nothing, and money is deposited in our accounts every month. It's like winning Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes, except it's a lot less money.
There's still a voice inside that tells me that I can't spend money on frivolous things like vacations. I know this isn't a rational thought. There's no reason I can't use retirement income for "extras," but the tightwad in me doesn't let that idea get out of the planning stages. So now I have a sideline job. My wages from my part-time writing gig pay for our travels and let me enjoy them guilt-free.
I know how fortunate I am. I have acquaintances who live on only social security. They are one accident away from financial ruin because they have no safety net.
One of the scary things about being retired is that our income dangles on the whims of the government. My state pension can be "realigned," my income drastically reduced, and for many in this situation, there is no option to return to the work that they gave up when they accepted their retirement package.
So, for now, I guess I'll keep plugging away with my part-time job. Perhaps someday I'll get to the point that I will trust that I am really, truly able to retire and leave the work for wages world behind.
Posts
If you enjoy the part time job and can make payments without it, it is not really work.
ReplyDeleteOn Friday I spent all day in meetings with various agency people...it sure felt like work! I like to think I work so I can help to improve education in my local community. I think we do some of that, but sometimes the ugly inter-agency fight for funding rears its head and it's not fun to witness. It gets in the way of my vision of all of us working together to do what is right, not what is right for the individual.
DeleteI haven't worked in a "job" for the past six years, Jann. And I don't know that I could even consider going back part time. I've got my SS and my annuities, and they will have to be enough. You are a very cool lady with skills that will NEVER go out of style. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan, You must have been talking to my granddaughter. She's the only other person who thinks I'm "cool."
DeleteMy hubby and I were talking about when he retires in 3 years. All our concerns were well expresses by your post.
ReplyDeleteI was always a saver and was very aware of how I spent my money. In retirement, I am even more aware. Hubby still works, but that will end soon. Figuring how much we need is an almost impossible task as old age can be an expensive time. My plan is to stay healthy or die quickly.
ReplyDeleteGiving up wages for me was difficult but in the last 4 years, I've gotten used to it:) Of course, hubby is still working so we have his wages. I don't have to get too insecure yet. And with no debt, it makes living without the second income doable.
ReplyDeleteTom and I are both retired teachers. I love how the money shows up every month. in fact tomorrow is pay day, and i never went to work! Our state pension is secure, or as secure as anything can be, so we feel especially fortunate to be able to live mostly worry free and have a little income to play on.
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