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Guest Post - Rethinking the Concept of Retirement
Rethinking the Concept of Retirement
By Mrs. Cog
Cognitive Dissonance: Lately Mrs. Cog and I have been thinking about the expected fallout of the unfolding global financial/social/political crisis. Slowly but surely we are visiting, and re-visiting, the concept of 'retirement', something we were both sold on as 'real' all our 'working' lives. Considering many of us are depending upon various retirement income streams, especially those income streams not based upon actual cash in hand but rather on promises made by private corporations and public entities, it might be in our best interest to revisit our basic assumptions and premises. Simply put, we're not in Kansas anymore.
Mrs. Cog shares her thoughts on this subject below.
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It’s a funny thing how certain concepts have permeated throughout our culture and are just simply accepted as ‘normal’ without question. Even when faced with the reality that a given ‘normal’ situation is in jeopardy or worse, may all together cease to exist, we as a society still measure and plan our lives based upon what we thought was supposed to happen. If we feel we are entitled to it, then not only do we cling to it, but we do so with anger and righteous indignation.
One of the most brilliant public relations campaigns launched in modern times is the concept of retirement. The idea of working hard all our lives while carefully saving and investing so that we may spend our twilight years financially independent while relaxing, playing and enjoying all the things life has to offer as a reward is romantic and hard to resist. The people who believe this is still the norm will be the same ones who claim “I did everything right. I played by all the rules. It's not fair. I was robbed.”
To add insult to injury, those of us who will not benefit from this version of the bought and sold concept of retirement were a party to watching the generations before us experience precisely that. In the world’s greatest recorded wealth cycle and bubble of all ages, where the world eventually levered over a quadrillion dollars in bets, the wealth effect has been tremendous and many in the Western world were able to jump on for the ride. Overdue for the boom to go bust, the latter generations will not enjoy the picturesque golden years in style and comfort as sold to us in the retirement brochures.

Even as the more aware and savvy among us understand the wheels are coming off the economic bus presently on a worldwide centrally planned disaster tour, the continuity bias is astounding as I watch those with assets address this as an “extra rough patch” to get through rather than the clear paradigm shift it has been telegraphed to be. Furthermore, even those who see what is now underway and acknowledge this as a game changer think they can game the system, escape the worst of it or hedge enough to have one of their winning bets fall somewhere solid.
No, it isn’t fair. But blaming the generations who prospered before us or the central planners and bankers who we enabled will not bring back that comfy old age experience we had hoped and planned for. As painful of a time as this will be, perhaps this is a good time to think about "if not retirement, then what”.
For a brief time it may appear that working a low wage job in a position perceived far beneath our qualifications is the only future the system has left for us. And it may very well be so if we still allow the same system that sold us on ‘retirement’ to define what we will do, or be, without it.
Perhaps it's time to give deep consideration to rethinking any concept that depends upon the way the system is supposed to work. Public and private pensions, social security and annuity payments will not be getting the job done. We fully expect IRA and Roth retirement investment vehicles will be largely forced to convert some or all holdings into U.S. Treasuries……for your own safety of course. Capital controls and changing the financial and social rules will become the new normal. Cash and any residual savings can simply be ‘bailed in’ to ‘bail out’ the big boys through the banks and brokerages that hold the funds.
Finally even if these retirement vehicles could be liquidated and placed in currency stacks before us, after we pay outrageous penalties and taxes of course, there is no sure way to preserve it. Certainly there are no ‘good’ (read relatively ‘safe’) investments to grow it. The overt and stealth creation of money at the Federal Reserve will continue to erode the purchasing power of all who depend upon the money to be there when it matters the most.
If we put all emotion aside for the moment we can see that the government, while seeing itself as separate from the people, will gladly point out that it is of and for the people. So whatever the ‘collective’ needs to sacrifice in order to keep it going is the right thing to do. There is logic to this viewpoint if one believes the alternative is chaos and anarchy and lives in fear of those scenarios. Many involved in public policy setting do not think people are capable of governing themselves, let alone protecting themselves. This now seems to include planning for their elder years, both how one might live as well as die.

So what is the alternative? How might we view our elderly future? What can be done?
With our eyes wide open, questioning everything is a good start. Rethinking our needs and wants, reevaluating our priorities, and assessing what we might really value versus what society has told us is important. These are no small tasks and indeed can be a most humbling process to consider, but the upside of doing so could make all the difference.
While Cog and I continue to question and rethink our plans, these are the ways we have gone about replacing the concept of retirement with a different type of perceived security.
1. Getting our money out of money has perhaps been the most difficult step to take. The world still operates with money and the US dollar still spends. Sure, things cost a bit more, but nothing has spun out of control on a day to day basis to change the function of money just yet. But because the US dollar ‘trigger event’ and its timing will remain unknown to us plebs until it unfolds, we are erring on the side of caution and assume there won't be time to re-jigger our finances then.
What does this mean? We begin by only keeping enough cash in the bank to cover bills and immediate shopping and spending needs. Savings accounts and money markets don't earn interest, so they were eliminated.
2. Minimizing our counter-party risk was similar to a Wild West shoot out. Everywhere we looked targets had to be taken out. The rules for musical chairs (Calvinball style) say that whoever doesn't possess a seat when the music stops loses. And furthermore the rules can be changed at any time. So as we looked at just where our assets were distributed it turned out that most, if not all, of them were dependent upon a third party (oftentimes several layers of third parties) to do (or be) something in order to return the value of our investment to us.
Most obvious to us were brokerage accounts and safety deposit boxes that we closed out. Eliminating counter-party risk involves taking possession of any assets and items that will store earnings and wealth. Taking possession of precious metals, aka stacking gold and silver, is the most common way discussed. More contrarian ‘experts’ are now coming forth to say farm land, useful tools and investing in the knowledge of an valuable trade or skill are some of the best assets one can possess, none of which depends upon another party.
3. Arranging not to be at the mercy of rising interest rates is a key element to forwarding our plan for independence. This means getting rid of any debt which may be subject to rate increases. Ben Bernanke may have stated that interest rates will not rise in his lifetime, but he has been mistaken and/or disingenuous in the past. I cannot adequately express the personal relief it has brought us to not be subject to credit card interest or the worry about resets on mortgages with an ARM in five years.
When the day finally arrives when interest rates begin to raise substantially, certain costs will go up in tandem. Government entities on the Federal, State and local levels will get socked with rising interest payments payable on new or reissued bonds, and all taxes will rise accordingly. The same is true of corporations that depend upon debt issuance such as utilities. Supplying ourselves with alternatives at today's prices may be a bargain in hindsight.
4. Creating streams of income not reliant on a collapsing job market or an employer with constraints is providing us continuity in a rapidly changing landscape. Charles Hugh-Smith has recently written about the emergence of a new type of entrepreneur he has labeled Mobile Creatives. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-05-01/meet-new-labor-class-mobile-creatives That article is a fascinating analysis of an emerging class of workers; this idea seeks to eliminate income dependency upon the state and corporations.
5. More self sufficient living arrangements was an essential step in preparing for our second half of life from several aspects. We collapsed previously diversified ‘retirement’ funds into a home with some land that has no debt as well as resources and tools that supply us with the ability to feed ourselves. By doing so, we now enjoy a much healthier lifestyle while converting our ‘money’ into tangible assets that will retain value for us.
6. We have taken charge of our health (care) because the current system is so dysfunctional and the previous methods for doing so (a good health insurance plan and reliable medical care) are now largely obsolete. Cog and I have made the decision to take complete responsibility for our own wellness. What this translates into is no dependency upon prescription or regular over the counter medicines. Nature provides far more potent remedies including powerful antibiotics and anti-cancer substances. We have elected to maintain our high deductible ‘health insurance’ policies in case the need for emergency medical treatment arises. Most important we do not mentally or emotionally rely on the members of the medical profession to keep us well or ‘heal’ sickness. I personally feel this has been the most empowering of all the steps we have taken to become more self-reliant.
Without question there are things we cannot provide for ourselves. No man is an island. As we get older, we recognize that we may need help with things and act accordingly by trying to assist others in the spirit of the Golden Rule.
There is little doubt that the years ahead bring promises of drastic and unknown changes. By addressing our future years and making changes while we are able, we are both less dependent upon our community and have an increased ability to contribute. It is never too late to reevaluate the way we take responsibility for ourselves.
Mrs. Cog
07-10-2014

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I hear all of what you're saying and can't disagree (well maybe a little). My gamble is on rental real estate but I'm doing what I can to minimize those risks - paying off the mortgages, maintaing them myself, keeping them insured, checking on the tenants, etc. Over the long term I expect the price of rental housing to track inflation.
And the amount of 'buffer' I'm shooting for is bigger than what I originally wrote.
It sure as hell seems safer than 401k, IRA, stock market, etc.
Medical expenses are the big unknown.
Good plan I8apex. Medical is an unknown. It can hit anyone, anytime. My 69-yr-old sis, who is very young for her age, recently learned of her breast/lung cancer. With treatment (she just finished her last chemo) she's got a 50/50 change of seeing 75. She's ok wih it - good life, great family, grandkids, etc. - but the price of staying this side of the grass is getting pretty steep. The missus and I have been working out and walking for a long time - more than 30 years. Yet, age has a way of wearing you down that you just don't understand until you live it. Good luck and stay strong. Life is indeed a wonderful thing.
Speaking as a thirty something, yeah, we know the gigs up.
I would suggest items 2, 4 & 5 from Mrs. Cogs list.
Regarding number two, it was taught to me at a very early age, the less people know about "your business" (meaning personal or financial) the better off you are.
There is no rule that says you have to tell your buddies you banged your bosses wife...lol. Friends come & go, that would be some useful information if the friend left on less than favorable terms. And likewise, there is no rule that every nickel you ever worked for is dependent on the good will of a third party (a bank/broker etc.) or I might add, "the law", which changes all the time from protector of...to seizing of.
Its not a question of whether you're a good trustworthy person or not (you know you are) its a question of everything else around you being "trustworthy" ;-)
3 people have a 50/50 shot at keeping a secret, if 2 are dead. The odds improve if all three are dead.
#41
.."The odds improve if all three are dead"..
Hillary, Bill.. is that you?
There isn't one awakened person I have met in my neighborhood and I have lived here ten years now; everyone is comfortable with the concept of being amused to death I guess.
I am starting to re think my position and the slow decay into the abyss is what we are looking at only due to the amount of firearms already in the hands of citizens.
There will be periods of specific outrage but nothing positive will come of it because of the firewall of indifference and a level of normalcy bias is at an all time high.
Some of it is to blame on those of us who for the past few years have been trying to warn in the face of true unsupportable cognitive dissonance, yeah maybe some of the more thoughtful ones think things aren't right or even perhaps disconcerting, but the lights are still on even tho the smart meters were already installed- so how bad could it be?
..maybe they are right, after all madness does run in the family.
lol...excellent point!
But as a humanitarian, you can always achieve the same odds by keeping your business, your business, without the distraction of "law enforcers" or the questioning of former friends dead bodies piling up with you (or me) not being one of them.
Which brings up something else, if you have a piece of property and "the law" changes in how its regulated, its just another financial trap, a trick.
So, I say again, we will have iron clad law that holds fast & true through the ages or we will have no law at all and I will actively work to burn it all to the ground..."the law" that is ;-)
A well done piece, everyone shuold be concerned about what is around the corner. Those of us who have had the misfortune of losing a lot of money fast will tell you we never saw it coming or that it got far worse than we envisioned in even our worse case scenario. Sure they talk about diversifying but often even this recipe is not guaranteed to protect you.
Way back in 2008 when the meltdown was just starting I found myself on a cruise ship in Greece where one of my fellow passengers who had embarked on this strategy was withering in pain. To lose it all with no hope of recovery is something we all face in life. This is when you pray for the good fortune that it will not happen to you. More on this subject in the article below.
http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2014/03/losing-it-all-with-no-hope-of-rec...
Never go anywhere without a small card in your wallet with everything you need to switch to cash in your investments. You can find internet access most anywhere, especially on those cruise ships.
Retirement? How about surviving the Obama defenestration first?
Who's been chosen to throw? And from where?
Stick around. You'll figure it out.
The concept of retirement will be gone when the baby boom generation is gone. As a gen x'er that concept does not exist. Everyone after my generation will look at the concept of working differently than I do, they won't even comprehend the word retirement. They will start off in a quasi state of retirement. look at Canada, Switzerland etc. They are all moving towards some sort of income system for everyone, whether they are working or not. That is where this goes next. At the same time the individual delevaging due to barflation will continue to pick up speed. It's going to be a rough ride, whether the markets reflect it or not.
Somehow, I think I've always had the intuition that a golden "retirement" was going to be a fleeting fad and nothing I could ever take advantage of.
Most of the younger folks I meet seem to be a bit aimless right now - they know they're supposed to do certain things to "succeed" (college, career, marriage, family) but they seem to know that slavish adherence to this set path as a guarentee is becoming ancient history.
I don't think most of them have really come up with any alternative yet though other than muddling along staring at their iPhones waiting for destiny to tap them on the shoulder.
Many seem to think the answer is moar student loans.
At least they will have one thing going for them: their youth. Lots can be taken away but many assets are immutable and inalienable. As a lifelong entrepreneur, I never contemplated nor expected a time when I'd lie back and do nothing, which is what "retirement" meant in my book. Sounds like a horrid existence. As for so-called Social Security, I took what they'd give me at the first opportunity it was available at 62. A bird in the hand so to speak. It ain't much and I consider it a bit o' gravy for what I gave them over the years. To depend upon it in any way would be folly. I certainly don't think I'm owed it since it was never a guarantee.
"Minimizing our counter-party risk"
Won't mean much with major social unrest.
I think minimizing counter-party risk could be even more important with major social unrest. It is the people who are counting on the banks, gas stations and grocery stores to continue functioning normally who will be most panicked (and screwed) if and when this thing begins to crank up. Those who are more self sufficient and less reliant upon other parties will likely suffer less.
I used to believe that Mrs. Cog. But i'm not so sure anymore. First off I think the chances are less that we have one giant social unrest and more likely a long unwind that hits one family at a time. But let's say we get that one big moment where things take a major turn for for the worst. I doubt there are too many places in the U.S that will remain isolated from this. So either you will end up with masses roaming your way eventually. Or just as likely you will get a knock on the door from some men in uniform thanking you for your property while inviting you to a wonderful camp set up for civilians. Just my optomistic 2 cents....
I hate to be even more pessimistic than you fonz, but in bad scenarios it is alas your neighbors who will come for you. The ones who always secretly found you annoying; who covered their rage, who coveted your car. People keep saying, "get to know your neighbors, work together with them." Well, if the people in my condo complex could kill anyone they chose, they would probably choose each other. I'm not saying you shouldn't try to know and like your neighbors, but don't be in denial.
Anyway, I'm not basing this on some paranoid sense re my own neighbors. It's that my dad is a retired social psycho prof, and I asked him a couple of years ago, "Hey dad, when things fall apart, will people attack X or Y or Z social groups?" And he said, "Nah, none of those, they'll go after the guy next door who always pissed them off. That's how it has always worked in local situations when things fall apart."
It already is happening, that is the social unwind, one family at a time.
Its how it happened in Iraq. Later part of '03 into '04 once they realized we were not pulling 'police' duty over the populace it was neighbor taking vengeance over neighbor.
Also, another thing to note. Our military was only managing the larger population centers, with roving patrols into the deep rural areas, so the eventual knock on the door to a FEMA camp situation I think will be limited to those who are now making themselves extremely visible as anti-govt types. The ones yelling the loudest "fuck you"...
at least if its a controlled demise I think it will unfold a bit... also keep in mind the tech we now have as well... they have devices that can detect cavities in the ground... if you are trying to hide food storage or weapons...
I would suggest burying two tiers deep, hope the first layer is as far as they 'discover'
I hear you. I live in a middle of the road neighborhood. Neighbors are pretty nice to each other, although if you get them one on one they will always bitch about the ones not present. God only knows what they say about me. Once a year there is a rash of home invasions. The neighbors all know it and the cops swoop in and are gone within minutes. Like it never happened. it's 75 degrees and beautiful here right now. I will walk my dog in a few hours and see every house sealed up with the t.v on in the living room. Not one person will be outside with a beer or iced tea relaxing and chatting it up. The new normal.
fonz, I would think that you would be among the most popular by far, but you just never know.
That is really too bad re everyone being all sealed up. It sounds like a lot of stressed people, who are forgetting any social skills they ever had.
You're doing the right thing of course by being out with your dog, so you can meet and greet and assess as well as possible. Other than running a lemonade stand or an ongoing yard sale (both illegal I'm sure), I'm not certain how you'd create the "can't avoid stopping by to chat" situations that are needed to keep people connected.
Thanks for the kind words. Where (approx) are you at btw? Do you see similar tendencies in those around you? Here is a funny tid bit from my hood. I have a friend of mine a few towns over who left his job and took his savings and bought a house to renovate and flip. A year and a half later and not one offer. He is already well into his profit and now carrying two places and ridiculous taxes. He wanted to move to where I am (assuming he can sell his place) but so far all he has is lowball offers on his flip place and primary residence. Anyway I was driving by and saw a place for sale and emailed him the listing. Turns out that house was bought in 2012 and renovated and the owner is stuck with it and has been lowering his price for a while. My friend was happy because he can lowball the crap out of the guy knowing the position he is in...because he is in the same exact position.....that is the housing market over here.
We live in housing provided by my husband's employer, so it's a weird setting; not indicative of much. In Silicon Valley there are number of these funny arrangements; with rents of boring one-bedroom apartments in a crummy midrise at $3,200/month in Sunnvale, you get things like this.
My hometown in eastern CT (North Stonington) is what I take as my main measure of things. Very big and nice houses that sold for 450k in 2008 are finally coming on the market as preforeclosures; I'm sure they've been squatted in for this whole time. They are not selling; all that seem to be selling are houses in the "development" once they are marked down a lot. It is a small town (5000) with good schools and low property taxes (yearly town meeting, volunteer fire department and volunteer ambulance corps) so regular people are still buying starter houses albeit very slowly. If anything, it seems as if people are becoming more social in the development; maybe the fact that anyone who is employed is not terribly economically stressed (since the asking price for a 3/2 on half an acre in the development is 215k). The problem of course is when people lose their jobs. One thing that helps is that enough people are church-going and that makes them very pro-social. My parents are not religous, but most of their friends and neighbors seem to be (but they do push it on them).
It's funny, every since I started reading your posts (a couple of years at least) I've tried to picture you moving there (since you have said you plan to ultimately leave Long Island). You'd probably find it too boring, even with the casinos right nearby. You have probably become addicted to a certain level of stress and you wouldn't get it there. It's a shame since you would do very well in that region (better than Utah where your relatives are!!!). Only a few miles from the RI beaches; you could fish.
That is too bad about your friend, and too bad about the other guy. What a mess.
Karenika,
Ah, Stonington. Thirty years ago I remember the old Monsanto plant right on the water a few feet away. Nice ocean breeze you forgot to mention. Noank and the small towns. The only bad part about Stonington is that its in Connecticut!
haha, reasonable mistake, optimator. Stonington is fancy and on the water. North Stonington, where I'm from is a farm town of 5000 full of inbred Yankees and isn't fancy at all. It's directly north of Stonington.
I hail from very close to the North Stonington, Mystic, Pawcatuck area. Last time I was in the area it had changed quite a bit. Population also seems to have gone up a bit based upon your 5,000 number. Many pleasant memory spring from the people of North Stonington.
North Stonington is 5k; it was 4k when I was growing up. But with Pfizer going and people leaving, I think the area in general is going to lose population.
My mom's family has been mouldering in the area since the 1630s, so you and I are probably related.
:):):)
Damn those rents are worse than NYC/Brooklyn! Thanks for the background. The thing that I always found most interesting about being on here was getting some insight into other people's lives and situations. I may be addicted to certain levels of stress around here, but everyday the rat race aspect of it just becomes more apparent. The picket fence facade of it all just tarnishes a bit more. I have no idea where I am going to take my family but if I am still on here 3 years from now whining about L.I I swear I will have completely lost my mind.
Thanks for the tip below with the dogs btw. My dog is a rescue and she was spade too early and is prone to uti's. That looks very helpful.
Our dog can't take the Crananidin because she has inflammatory bowel disease and the beef flavoring in the tablets would cause a flare up. But if your dog can eat regular food, that's the easiest route. However, human grade d-mannose (we use NOW brand; very reputable per Consumer Lab) is very tasty to them just licked off of a plate. Don't ask me re dosage; we're winging it (sort of in proportion to the human dosage). It's funny that they claim that the Crananidin works because of the cranberry when that is not why.
Our dog is very prone to UTIs because she has a minor birth defect and also often has to be on prednisone for her IBD. Both the local veterinary urologist and the one at UC Davis were talking about putting her on long term preventative antibiotics. They had heard rumours of d-mannose, but didn not know of the study I cited below; it is recent. It has worked for us. Good luck with your pup; UTIs are miserable.
Yeah, I agree a single big collapse won't be the story.
Some people think there will be a big collapse and it will be solved. I don't see our Leaders solving anything. They will narrow the problem to one or two big issues and then apply one or two changes. And they will do this every time.
-Financial Links Exponentially Expand and become more complex
-Unmooring of Business Entities means they can just leave a jurisdiction and take their capital
-Lack of Borders allows proxies to come in and perform work, clean-up, military occupations, or like Drilling Right Offshore and ruining your Fisheries, Beaches, and Real Estate
-Foreign Entities with Financial Holdings can make deals just like the old Mafia days, Leverage allows they to take tax breaks, get Real Estate Deals, and probably form new government and police controls
Anyway looks like problems won't get solved.
-30% devaluation of Dollar every 8 years
-10% Inflation in many situations
-Reduced Food Choices
-Reduced Water choices, maybe recycled water for showers, Gray water in the house, collecting rain
-Reduced Meat & Protein Choices
-Majority switch to taking room mates and small apartments
-Trucks with big engines and big frames would become dedicated work vehicles or for those that can afford boats & horses & Quads & Snowmobiles
-We are 80% Urban living people now, that might increase, but miners, drill teams, Engineering teams would work from Rural locations still
-Reduced Consumer Goods Variety as more Income goes to Energy, Transportation, Food, Water, Taxes, Health Care, and Shelter
-Would guess Child Care would decline as luxury expense
-Jobs seem to be declining with one big household Earner
-Classes of People will become very clear
-Lowest Class would fight for unlimited number of people to live and share houses and apartments
-Lowest Class would fight for keeping small animals in the home area for food, small gardens near housing or in lawn areas
Doom & Gloom Fears
Hyper Inflation, Dollar Collapse, Martial Law, Nuclear Accidents, Loss of Power Grid, Food Distribution Collapse, Meteor Strikes, Global War, Space War, Nuclear War, US Government Treaty & Partnership Resulting in "Normalizing" to Chinese Standards.
Future Shock - Alvin Toffler ca 1970's
You're a great read IMO, match much of my research but express things better than I.
The longest ongoing discussion in Cogville is collapse vs. crumble. My working theory is that collapse happens when it crashes into YOU. If you are a family living under the city streets of Las Vegas or in one of the tent cities no longer mentioned by the media then the collapse has already happened. For those still living relatively "normal" lives in college towns or cities near government funded venues or near big banking activities it is further off.
As far as the masses roaming our way (it's a pretty steep hike up our mountain) or that proverbial knock on the door... perhaps. Things rarely work out the way we think they will. I'd like to think the chances of us ending up in that special ZH FEMA camp are far less than trying to contribute some way our small community can keep everyone fed in hard times. Totalitarianism only lasts for so long.
We seem to have a Military Republic. And we seem to be a Financial Entity more than a Country. Anyone can come in with Capital to invest and get a piece of the USA including our Government. Like with China buying US Long Term Treasuries and Stock Equities. Lots of Leverage for business deals and to buy up securities and real estate in a stock crash or housing crash.
But maybe you mean we could have a "Soft" Military Republic again someday. That sounds better I have to say.
But the Financial Risks, and unknown entities that can buy into our "Government For Sale" seem like if would Endure and persist.
deleted
your theory about collapse is spot on. The skills you guys have/learning are fantastic to have no matter what does or does not happen. Bottom line.
I think the "self-sufficiency" referred to is the same thing as "minimizing counterparty risk". There is no way to eliminate it. In a nation filled with empowered entitled thinkers, you are surrounded by counterparty risk if you live in a city, or somewhat less so (but not less enough) if you are in the burbs.
Three days supply of groceries in the system at any given moment. The camps will always have food, however. Pick your favorite dystopian movie vision and it probably has more than an element of truth to it.
One of the blessings of being middle age plus is you allow yourself to consider again just what it means to live, and being unburdened by the incessant demands of young children, actually act on it.
It's the Grapes of Wrath all over again.
"As painful of a time as this will be, perhaps this is a good time to think about "if not retirement, then what”?"
Major social unrest due to a destroyed economy and financial system.
I've known a few people who were not really prepared emotionally for retirement. after 40 years of a purpose to get up in the morning, with the esteem that goes along with a senior position. the immediate post-employment environment, can include a loss of purpose and depression, possibly treated with meds. Its not uncommon for involuntary retirement to lead to premature death.even without financial stress. I prefer to look at retirement as a job change, a shifting of gears. some people take great pleasure in working, especially when it's voluntary. I like to fix things.
If you don't have a reason to get up in the morning, one day you won't.
I wake with a smile every morning because I don't have to go to work.
The missus and I have planned and planned and are soooo ready; however, 4 more years. 68 sounds really old to me some how.
My "retirement" is hopefully going to involve working with my wife on our small farm until we both keel-over dead.
I can't really think of too many better ways to live, honestly - than growing our own food and raising critters on a quiet and beautiful piece of property, surrounded by a few like-minded individuals, far away from the rat race in the city.
Should civil unrest be the order of the day at some point - I think we'll be in a more survivable situation as well.
I've been raising critters too but two of them have gone off to college
You're not the only thinking like this. It's just about time to pull up stakes and head off into the sunset, in a manner of speaking.
Here is a nice setup north of me:
http://skokomishfarms.com/index.html
People of a like mind, getting together and supporting a back-to-the-earth kind of existence, where a good day is one where you get your hands dirty and your heart and soul clean.
This is what I am building:
http://ruralretreatdesign.info/
http://www.monolithic.org/
stormproof, bearproof and miniscule maintenance.Can be buried underground or earthbermed if you need a thermal sink or additional protection or low profile.
Love it. Thanks for the link.