On the flip side I gave up a lot time, remember once coming in 6 weekends in a row while having a full time job.
In sum, don’t save, don’t consider the future, and become a debt-slave
Sincerely
The woke deep-state.
I have the opposite problem. I had a ton of great times, have a boatload of friends, and very little money saved for retirement. Maybe her and I should marry.
She still has time. I tell retired people in her situation to use your money to buy experiences. However, even if they like the idea, many are too stubborn, too cheap, and too set in their ways to change. Most who are 70+ are very frugal and will always be frugal.
Better to have lots of money than none at all.
My dad and stepmom saved money. They are living comfortably in retirement and have been able to handle big expenses they incurred.
I don't regret it.
I am living the best I have ever lived.
I enjoyed my $50 kayak more than most people enjoy their $50,000 boats which mostly sit in the driveway and collect dust.
Most people spend lots of money on expensive toys they seldom use, to pretend to have a high status.
Enjoying life is far more about attitude than expensive vacations or toys.
The thing to really regret is not having more children or close friends.
Once you have basic food and shelter needs met, life is far more about your internal attitude than spending money.
I enjoy traveling the world in retirement. Honestly feel I would be happy living in most countries.
The hardest part is downsizing.
I’ve been noticing a lot of articles with the theme of “why I regret my retirement, “ and “why you should not retire.” Almost like there is an agenda out there 🤔
I retired early with plenty of money AND have many great memories and travel from my younger days. The two aren’t mutually exclusive if you aren’t an idiot and actually do some planning and risk management.
She did the right thing. Maybe she should get better friends.
I enjoy spending my kids’ inheritance.
Good article. We were good savers during our work years, but lived modestly in a 1952 ranch house that we updated during our 43 years in it, drove used cars, took economical but fun vacations, indulged our daughter’s passion for horses. It’s tough to adjust to a lower spending rate in retirement.
We are now in our early 70s and still trying to get our spending down to about 5% of our savings per year. We are cutting back on things. But we still have a fun 11 day trip in the Canadian Rockies planned for the first two weeks of September and are going to splurge at the Prince of Wales in Waterton, Chateau Lake Louise, and Banff Springs Hotel.
Fortunately, we are very happy with economical things like dinner parties, hiking, pickleball, enjoying nearby towns within 200 miles, meeting friends at the dog park, walks in town. We really enjoy taking our kids out to dinners and events. I took my son to the IndyCar race at Laguna Seca last weekend. Yesterday I took our oldest daughter and boyfriend to lunch at the “Sailing Goat” restaurant on the waterfront in Richmond, CA (highly recommended!) and we went to the “Rosie the Riveter” museum afterward.
My wife cashed in her accrued vacation when she retired and bought a used boat; we enjoy cruising around the lake with friends. The boat is expensive, but that’s another trade-off of joy versus penny pinching. My wife loved boating on Lake Tahoe when she was a girl and has always wanted a boat, but we could really never afford it while working. So we decided to indulge her life-long dream of boat ownership. There weren’t any lakes convenient to Silicon Valley for boating when we were working, but now that we have the lake place in North Idaho, it makes a lot more sense to have a boat.
I think we have retirement all figured out.
I retired at 57 age, never worked a day since then, now at age 84. Best decision I ever made was to retire early. Can’t believe how cheap it is to retire if house mortgage is paid for and have no health issues. Senior discounts everywhere, and no expense for commute to work, no need for good clothes, and income taxes dropped into 2 or 3 tax brackets lower.
When we were living in CA we were never really able to save any money even with two incomes. Most all the money went to the mortgage and all the things that go along with that, raising family, insurance, etc.
We counted the days until the home was paid off and it was time to retire and get TF out of dodge. We liquidated everything in CA, and moved out of state leaving the CA meat grinder behind...Now finally, life is waaaay better.
I know several people that did just that.
Died Millionaires, with bad teeth, worn through pillows on couches, tape on window screens, only shaved once a week to save on razors. House was absolutely spotlessly clean, but in need of basic repairs. Every machine and tool was old as dirt, but oiled, greased, and in top condition.
Always bought from the day old bread rack. Only stuff marked down for last sale.
Lots more stuff. It’s not easy to get out of that mindset, especially if you grew up poor.
If you didn’t, you simply can’t know what it is.
You live by serving.
I Like Dave Ramsey but his interest snowball reminds me a little of that.
Starting at 18 only eat rice and beans, work 2 jobs and do nothing but save. Go on vacations to the next town and check out their McDs and Sam’s club.
At 67 you will be a millionaire and you can start to spend and have fun👨🏻🦳.
(A balance is needed)
Financial Security is worth what it costs. Ask anyone who is in financial trouble.
I am retired and will be fine, absent a major medical - knock wood, my check up is on Tuesday
I an frugal by nature, more of a stay-at-homer than a doer. I no longer fret, for myself, about the high cost of groceries or my Subway tunas and I have disposable cash for the home improvements and landscaping. My minimally used auto is in good condition. I buy clothes and “things” only occasionally, as well as periodic gifts on the occasions.
All is good.
Panama City Beach?
Watch out for the sharks, Agnes. Trust no one.
Then take a trip and enjoy!