Retiring and living on a Shoestring?

[ndynt]

I retired 2 years ago with a reduced pension do to my age (56). My wife was going to continue on working and retire at the time my SS kicked in at 62.
Well best laid plans and all that. She had some health problems and had to take a disability retirement, so the money we were planning on just wasn't there.
I went back to work driving a non emergency medical transport livery. Pays 10 dollars per hour, I get around 30 or so hours a week, and surprise surprise, I find I really enjoy the job.
Most of our clients have drug abuse problems and at least some level of mental illness or handicap. Every day I am reminded to be grateful for my lot in life, and but for the grace of God, I am driving instead of sitting in the back!

Beautiful post, Robusta. Sounds like your unexpected set backs ended up a blessing. With your attitude I am sure you bring some joy into the sad lives of those you transport.

 

[Mickey]

I have too much of a story to try and write it here. Simply put our entire marriage (48 years) has been filled with health issues (ours and our childrens') and left me unable to work and my husband striving to work till he was 70 to maximize his SS benefits. That didn't happen ... he retired at 68 because he had a stroke. Thankfully he survived but is too weak to work.

We live on SS and a small work related pension ... and we do a lot of stretching. Our car was paid off and then it caught fire and we had to buy another one (used as well as financed). Our medical bills are a HUGE part of our monthly expenses. These days we just 'exist' ... we are not able to do much of anything except sit and watch tv or read. BUT ... we have each other ... traveling would be nice, but we don't need it. I think the fact that we have lived through many, many traumatic happenings and situations (and seemingly will continue to do so) has only made us more content in our old age.

Next year I'll be 70 and I didn't think I'd live past 59 (father and brother died at that age). My husband survived his stroke and so we go on. We struggle ... we save where we can ... we lost our home many years ago due to medical bills and now we rent an apartment. Its all we need. The neighbors are great and we are back near our son after 20 years in another state. Maybe we'll get some golden years yet ... before we finish our lives. Life isn't about what we have or how we live ... it is about the lessons we learn going through it and how we react to what we deal with. At least that's what I believe with my whole heart.

 

[merlin]

Next year I'll be 70 and I didn't think I'd live past 59 (father and brother died at that age). My husband survived his stroke and so we go on. We struggle ... we save where we can ... we lost our home many years ago due to medical bills and now we rent an apartment. Its all we need. The neighbors are great and we are back near our son after 20 years in another state. Maybe we'll get some golden years yet ... before we finish our lives. Life isn't about what we have or how we live ... it is about the lessons we learn going through it and how we react to what we deal with. At least that's what I believe with my whole heart.

I agree Mickey, you have had a tough life but you have weathered the storms, and come through the stronger for that. It reminds me of the quote from the film of Dicken's David Copperfield, "The finest steel comes through the fire" You have proved that. I hope you now get some golden years...

 

[Skyking]

In the past 15 +/- yrs I’ve known (or known of) a lot of people who have died between the ages of 45 – 60. (quite a few in their 50s) All had decent jobs at one level or another, and a few had very high-powered careers. A few were relatives, some were friends, and several were former co-workers. Illnesses, heart attacks, aneurysm, auto accidents, one was killed by an angry ex-lover, and there was also one suicide.

I don’t to be a downer, but I’m betting every one of these people were on their way to making plans for a nice retirement, and sadly it was for naught.

I retired at 63 and feel guilty, maybe I shouldn't. Sometimes I'm just dense but what's your point or was this just an observation?

 

[applecruncher]

It was just an observation - maybe not even relevant. :shrug:
BTW I see nothing wrong with retiring at 63.

 

[KSav]

However, is it really so?. are we really All financially secure on here? .are there folks on here who are literally living on a shoe string with no pensions or assets to rely on for a financial cushion?

Surely there must be folks who are having less than a fun time financially.. ..surely not everyone here is in a place where they don't dread a bill coming through the door..and are living from SS payment to SS payment or a small allowance from another source .

Hi @hollydolly, I wasn't sure whether to reply to you here or on the newer thread.

I am a classic example of someone who is holding on but dreads "a bill coming through the door," as you put it. I'm doing OK. I've gone without health insurance since April of this year, which has made me very nervous in case some health catastrophe strikes—or even not a catastrophe per se. Back in 2022, when I did have health insurance, a UTI cost me about $400 after coverage.

I also constantly worry about car repair expenses. My car is a 2006. I'm currently facing about $2,000 in repairs, but if I don't get them done now I'd likely be looking at even higher expenses in the future.

I do have a very small investment account that I am trying to preserve in case of a truly extreme emergency.

So, yes, I am one of those who is hanging on yet for whom a large bill very well could spell disaster.

 

[hollydolly]

Hi @hollydolly, I wasn't sure whether to reply to you here or on the newer thread.

I am a classic example of someone who is holding on but dreads "a bill coming through the door," as you put it. I'm doing OK. I've gone without health insurance since April of this year, which has made me very nervous in case some health catastrophe strikes—or even not a catastrophe per se. Back in 2022, when I did have health insurance, a UTI cost me about $400 after coverage.

I also constantly worry about car repair expenses. My car is a 2006. I'm currently facing about $2,000 in repairs, but if I don't get them done now I'd likely be looking at even higher expenses in the future.

I do have a very small investment account that I am trying to preserve in case of a truly extreme emergency.

So, yes, I am one of those who is hanging on yet for whom a large bill very well could spell disaster.

thanks for sharing ksav...please believe me when I say I've been where you are.. ( except for the medical expenses).. so I do know exactly how you must be feeling...