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.