Are You Heading for Genteel Poverty?
My husband calls it our next adventure. We think we have just enough put aside to keep a roof over our heads. It won't be anything like where we've been living, but it will be nice. Comfortable, you know.
It's going to be a change. We're looking at some communities in the Southwest--maybe in New Mexico or Arizona. My husband is a good handyman and he thinks it would be fun to clerk in a hardware store. I haven't quite figured out what I'll do. I hope a local store will consider hiring a retired person.
Adventure or not, it just isn't fair. My husband worked hard and we did our best to save. We put two kids through college and played by the rules. Social Security was supposed to provide something, but I don't think we can count on it for much. It isn't fair. We deserve time to relax and enjoy ourselves like our folks did.
Fair or not, are you going to have to "downsize" your life? Will you be solely dependent upon Social Security for your retirement? Are you already making adjustments to your budget? Are there things you're thinking about doing to get by on a limited income after retirement?
The above stories are composites developed from ThirdAgers' thoughts about important midlife issues. We often see these concerns and emotions expressed in online forums and chats, focus groups, advisory panels, and interviews. We'd like you to contribute, anonymously or not, your stories for possible inclusion in future Heartbeats.
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