My Instead: I went to a
retirement planning dinner with my brother and his wife.
I am NOT a “money person”.
I don’t even like to play Monopoly. But sometimes one has to bite the bullet
and actually plan a financial future. My older (retired) brother Bruce, told
me about a recurring Financial Path to Prosperity Workshop (along with a free dinner)
that Slagle Financial presents to inform retired and close-to-retirement
individuals about developing a game plan for the “good life”. Bruce has some of
his money with this organization. He and I happened to be talking annuities one
day, so he suggested this workshop to me. No pressure. I said yes.
I’m HOW old!? How did I
get to be 62? At the end of August, I will receive my first Social Security
check. It’s nice to have a monthly deposit that will take residence in my bank
account without my having to work for it. But! Yes, there’s a “but”. This “free
money” will not be enough for me to live on until my last breath is taken.
Hence, I must investigate ways to get the biggest bang for my buck from my savings;
otherwise, I will be moving in with my kids sooner than expected. Just kidding,
kids! I have NO intention of hanging my hat where you hang yours.
Bruce and his wife Pam
joined me at this event to be my moral support, my financial mentor and to get
a free meal. They ARE on a fixed income after all! The presentation came BEFORE
the meal...don’t want anyone leaving until they hear the spiel. The dissertation was interesting because there were some points
covered that I never thought of before. I decided that I should delve into this
further because the exposure I got there was just an introduction and will not
get me to the “mountain”. I made an appointment to meet and discuss specific
options with a retirement coach. I’d better start warming up!
When I think about the
years ahead of me, “God willing and the creek don’t rise”, I’m thankful that I
am a simple woman with simple needs and desires. I don’t spend what I don’t
have. I spend wisely to be comfortable, not nestled in a lap of luxury. I am
more blessed than probably most with my financial situation, but the baby
boomer burden is to plan so that you don’t outlive your money! Darn, my health
is pretty good, so money troubles could arise in time…go figure. So I can either start living an unhealthy
lifestyle with smoking, drinking, carousing, and taking unnecessary chances to
end “me” as soon as the money runs out OR I can start strategically planning
to grow my nest egg into an egg-bearing fowl.
I think I will choose
the latter!
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