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I tell my parents (64 and 63), tongue in cheek, "be nice to me or no window room for you at the home (20 years from now)." In all seriousness, I don't know how I'll be able to afford CA housing costs, private schools for pre-college kids, college costs, braces ... AND aging parents, PARTICULARLY if I'm being crushed by hiked FICA taxes.

In all seriousness, I'd try to get the hell out of California if it's at all possible (unless you have a major emotional attachment that would make you miserable living anywhere else). California's entire government and economy is uniquely f---ed in a way far worse than any other state, and it will take many years for it to recover ... a recovery that won't even begin until the downward slide is stopped, and God only knows when (or if) that will happen. And the only way they're going to even attempt to right the ship is to tax you out the wazoo.

As long as you're not irredeemably wedded to California life and/or don't have some unusual career that severely limits your moving options (not much call for surfing instructors in Kansas) you'll probably be better off financially living anywhere else in the US.

In all seriousness, I don't know how I'll be able to afford CA housing costs, private schools for pre-college kids, college costs, braces ... AND aging parents, PARTICULARLY if I'm being crushed by hiked FICA taxes.

(This thread is making me crazy)

pogo101: Here's what you do. You tell the ol' folks that they can move in, but the cost of rent is their Social Security checks. Take that check, and pay your mortgage. Remember, the longer they stay alive, the longer Uncle Sam'll send that check to you every month.

Give 'em a room, get the Viagra prescription filled, and you won't even have to see them!

I don't know how I'll be able to afford CA housing costs, private schools for pre-college kids, college costs, braces ... AND aging parents, PARTICULARLY if I'm being crushed by hiked FICA taxes.

Simple. Don't live in CA. Don't have kids. Put as much $ under the mattress as possible. Invest in pill companies and Harleys. That's this Gen-Xer's life plan.