My parents had a traditional retirement. Winters in Florida. Good pensions. Interest rates were at an all time high. They sold their home and lived well in a beautiful apartment.
The definition of retirement then was to stop and do nothing, or walk forever on a beach and collect sea shells. Although my parents had the ‘traditional’ retirement they were far from inactive. My Dad became an amateur geologist and my Mom and him traveled all over in this pursuit.
Things are a lot different for me.
And
Times have changed.
I have read a depressing number of books happily informing me that there is absolutely no way I can retire. I basically have two choices; work until I drop, or live in poverty. I am penalized because I am not married, I don’t own a house, I am a low income earner, I didn’t save a ton of money either, and good grief, I am a woman!
I don’t have a pension, or any benefits other than an annual vacation from work. Although I have a degree, I never used it in a professional way (life got in the way). And I really don’t have enough time, energy, interest or money! to come up to speed and pursue a new academic career (this topic I will pursue later).
I know, I really messed up my life. But it ain’t over yet! I can mess it up more!
When I examine the whole idea of traditional retirement, I realize it is a fairy tale, at least for me, in line with the knight in shining armor. Retirement needs a new definition. Do I want to live happily ever after – YES! So what is my definition of that?
Well, first of all – stop reading crappy retirement books, and take a look at myself and what I can make happen in the years I have left, with what I have left of me! Perhaps I can inspire you to do the same. That is what I am going to share with you in this blog.
Raymond Floyd, a professional golfer told his wife that he was thinking of retiring. She said, “What are you going to do? Go golfing?”
If we only knew how fast life goes by when we were younger. I had people tell me to put away 10% of my pay and I did until I had enough saved for a case of beer. Seriously, it might be a good idea for schools to try to inform young people on ways to prepare for retirement. How would they do that? In 10 years things will be different. How about 40 years? Who knows what will be in store for them?
Pat, as it is now, you can get CCP and OAS and if that’s not enough, you can apply for an additional supplement from the government. It won’t all add up to a decent paycheque, but you won’t starve or be homeless. It doesn’t cost much to walk on a beach unless you want Hawaii. Travel is out. I travel down the hall to the laundy room for my summer vacation
I’m sure with your smarts and your faith, and your buddy Sam, you will always find a way to smile. You can laugh at me any time you feel you need to. I do.