I think we are rich enough [Archive]

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kally

2-14-16, 3:43pm

but I don't know for real.

Having worked all of our lives, my dh and I work one day a week now, more or less retired. Do we have enough money to do this; absolutely not if you asked some people, absolutely if you ask others.

All I know is I am at an age where I want the time that is left to me and hope the money will last.

Now I live in Canada so my healthcare is covered, thank God. We eat a great plant based diet, we exercise, we relax, read, garden, go to the lakes, swim in the ocean and sleep when we want. To me that is freedom.

I don't think we will be going to Mexico every year or buying an RV or a cabin in the mountains. We will not have a lot of holidays, just a few days away and we stay with The Affordable Travel Club (a fantastic deal)

We watch netflix, listen to CBC radio, draw, do hobbies and generally just lounge about. (and, of course, waste time on Facebook and Forum) I thnk we are rich rich rich.

How about you?

bae

2-14-16, 3:47pm

I thnk we are rich rich rich.

How about you?

I agree - it sounds to me like you are incredibly wealthy in the ways that matter!

Williamsmith

2-14-16, 3:48pm

Do you have children and/or grandchildren?

early morning

2-14-16, 4:13pm

Kally, I think you are quite rich! If we could do that, we would count ourselves wealthy, for sure. And health care is HUGE, and likely part of why I'll work long past the date I can "officially" retire. That, and I enjoy my job.

kally

2-14-16, 5:41pm

my dh has 3 grown children. They are all working in the world and no one has married yet and no little kids. But they don't live near us at all.

razz

2-14-16, 5:55pm

Your life is similar to mine though totally retired but I do add some big trips, HDMetopera, theatre, etc outings to the mix. Different groups of friends and I have weekly discussion meetings, weekly Euchre nights, and other activities plus I also belong to an painting workshop group that meets weekly. i am going to add some weekly visits to a couple of the more homebound though. Neat people who need some more companionship due to circumstances that limit them. I simply feel very grateful.
i would love to live near the ocean in BC. I visited DD2 when she lived there in the 90's and it was so lovely. To go kayaking there.....sigh!

awakenedsoul

2-14-16, 8:41pm

I think your lifestyle sounds great! I live the same way. I really enjoy it. You are wise not to compare. If you have inexpensive hobbies, and you don't feel the need to eat out and travel, it's pretty cheap to stay home. I enjoy knitting, riding my bike with my dogs, reading, writing, and taking care of my home and garden. Cooking and baking from scratch saves me a lot of money, too. That's great that you don't have to worry about expensive healthcare. Mine is reasonable.

Florence

2-14-16, 8:56pm

Kally, We are right there with ya'!! My husband works 2 days a week to fund his travels. I love having my time to myself. So far we are both in ressonably good health for people nearing 70. Wealth can be measured in lots of ways and days of stress-free living is one of the best.

Williamsmith

2-15-16, 3:54am

Kally there are many people,your age in the UnIted States that are probably in your income bracket with similar expenses that would love to be doing the things you are doing. Not living extravagantly but enjoying the simple things in life. You are doing this working one day a week.

Problem is many of them though of retirement age can never retire because they hold onto a full time job simply to keep an affordable healthcare insurance program. The cost of buying healthcare insurance or paying outright prohibits them from living your satisfying life. The result is that they are unhappy with their full time job status, feel threatened by economic pressure to hold on to their job and reduce the opportunities for younger people to enter the workforce. Observing this makes me consider the benefits of universal government healthcare.

Consider this also, during economic hard times, private industry is the first to make cost cuts. Government is much slower to be effected. Therefore, a society is in a much better prepared state with government housing and government healthcare than a country where homes are owned by bankers and healthcare is provided by private industry. That government also provides a better place from which to make a comeback.

Enjoy.

Chicken lady

2-15-16, 9:06am

My dh has been working horrible hours. He finally had a weekend off this past weekend, and on Saturday he dragged me out shopping - we dropped his watch off to be repaired and he window shopped watches, we picked up some stuff I needed for class, lunch out, ordered new work pants because they weren't in stock, test drove a car he's been drooling over....

then yesterday day we stayed home. Ds came over with his girlfriend, because when he asked her what she wanted to do for Valentine's Day she said "play with your mom's baby goats, cook a steak, and watch the movie I got from the library" we had lunch (homemade soup and bread) and played some board games. After they left, dh took me over to the big window on the porch, next to the fire, turned me to look out at the falling snow in our woods, put his arms around me and said "look, fairyland. Isn't it beautiful?" I said "mhmm." And he said "sometimes I forget this is all I need."

i really want want to work more (I love my job, but it's part time) so he can retire asap!

pinkytoe

2-15-16, 1:50pm

I am starting my third week of retirement and my goal is to find that place of simple pleasures day by day. Today, I joined a walking group and made some nice friends while hiking along the river on a beautiful, 70 degree day. Disconnecting from the frenzy of full-time working life should prove very interesting.

Florence

2-15-16, 1:52pm

ctg492

2-15-16, 2:44pm

I feel rich bank account wise, budget wise, debt wise. However.......... I ask husband often when he is working himself to death "How that watching the River Flow going?" We left the mainstream to watch the river flow 10 years ago. We had less but were so much richer looking back.

kally

2-15-16, 4:15pm

for me, a coffee out with friends is worth all the super yachts in the world.

Rachel

3-31-16, 8:13pm

Sounds great to me, Kally. You are so smart to live the life you intentionally choose. I could retire in about 3 years AND travel a lot .... if it weren't for the health insurance monster. Still not sure how I'm going to figure it out. It's inspiring to hear about other people who are doing this successfully.