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Retirement Blues

 

When I first retired, I googled ‘what to do in retirement’. I wish I hadn’t. One site suggested skydiving (I don’t think so) and going to a summer camp (really?). The author is young. Other sites mentioned starting a business or getting a part-time job. It took me 50 years to be able to retire so that’s not happening. I did like the suggestion about spending time with the grandchildren even though mine live three hours away – or maybe because they live three hours away.

And talk about not working – the pension disappears pretty quickly by the time you pay your bills and buy some groceries (and a few coffees). I thought it might be a good idea to get funeral insurance so the hubby or offspring didn’t have to pay for my funeral. I found a really good deal, but when I reviewed my budget I still couldn’t afford the premium.

The expensive car (“but it’s an investment”) is already worth thousands less than it was. The old car is bleeding us dry in repairs, “but I need an old car to go fishing”.

And what should we do with our retirement savings? Everyone has an opinion on that. I have been advised we need to try and make it last for as long as we do – potentially about 25 years. I suspect that won’t happen! We could leave hubby’s retirement savings untouched and draw out mine (and put it in a term deposit for peanuts) or we could just withdraw the retirement savings interest on a regular basis. I never was that good with the finances so currently I am doing nothing.

Of course being retired you have more time to worry – and dwell on how badly off your children and grandchildren are going to be with global warming. Now I feel guilty for having children.

What about that big earthquake and tsunami that are virtually on their way? Where is the nearest hill? Does anyone else wonder how on earth they are going to carry their get-away kits? By the time you include everything as instructed it’s too heavy to lift off the ground let alone carry as you run to that hill which is a couple of kilometres away.

I made a list of organisations I might volunteer for – it was exhausting so I hid it underneath my books.

The coffee dates are flourishing. However, my pile of books hasn’t really decreased, I’ve forgotten how to work Netflix and I haven’t quite managed to get into the habit of the sleep-in. I am still busy.

I’ve heard it said that retirement is not for the faint hearted. Well, I’ve worked and I’ve played, I’ve laughed and I’ve cried, I’ve experienced joy and I’ve experienced pain, I’ve bought up a family. I have lived. I have survived. So I can do this. I am as tough as old boots, so bring it on!

 

 

 

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