Ah those golden years.
Time to kick back a bit.
Kids are on their own (hopefully!).
Maybe sell the house, get that villa, travel through Europe on the back of a motorcycle (NOT!).
But wait, you say, can we afford this? Did we invest wisely? Did we invest at all? What about medical bills if one of us gets really sick? Could we outlive our money? The first Baby Boomer applied for Social Security this year.
She was born in 1946.
This is the start of what's being called a "Silver Tsunami", a wave of over 80 million people entering that system over the next two decades.
And we hear that this government program set up to aid citizens in their retirement is not in good shape.
Thanks a bunch, Congress! Of course we have been hearing for years that this might happen, and we should take steps to find fiscal solidity on our own.
Enter 403B's and 401K's and mutual funds and long-term care plans and Edward Jones and his buddies Smith and Barney, and all the other guys out there who's job it is to give us the best financial advice money can buy.
Many of us in this demographic are coming to the end of the work cycle, some in good position, some not so good.
So how's your fiscal health? Is your credit debt in the double digits? Is your house worth anything anymore? Should you postpone retirement, even if eligible? Long term, will you become a rock around your kids necks? (You know, they say they love "Grandpa" but do you really want to put that to the test?) Our parents were not only "the Greatest Generation" but also "The Great Bequethers".
Not everyone has this gift, however.
Some of us are still caring for those loved ones, at great personal expense.
We are not only the Boomer Generation but also the Sandwich Generation, between parents who are living longer and children either begotten later in life or coming back after college until they can "get settled".
Settled? Dang, I couldn't wait to get out on my own.
Of course, my parents were also behind that sentiment.
My wife Jill and I are looking at some significant changes in the next few years.
I can be assured of a decent pension if I quit teaching.
Not sure when that will be, though.
She has a solid tenure in her job and is able to make a move soon.
But we both know that we need to work somewhere, to supplement the checkbook, to get a medical plan.
To keep busy.
We have taken the tack that this is a golden time, and the opportunities are many.
No, I probably will not go into aeronautic training to be the first guy from North County to fly to Mars.
But there are many things we can do to serve our fellow guy and gal, and still be able to cover the bills.
It may be our chance to pay back for all the good that has come our way.
We want to be able to say we did our best when it comes time to cash in our chips.
(How's that for continuing the money metaphors?) Hey, maybe I could be a PGA teaching pro.
Do you think my 30 handicap will be a problem?
Time to kick back a bit.
Kids are on their own (hopefully!).
Maybe sell the house, get that villa, travel through Europe on the back of a motorcycle (NOT!).
But wait, you say, can we afford this? Did we invest wisely? Did we invest at all? What about medical bills if one of us gets really sick? Could we outlive our money? The first Baby Boomer applied for Social Security this year.
She was born in 1946.
This is the start of what's being called a "Silver Tsunami", a wave of over 80 million people entering that system over the next two decades.
And we hear that this government program set up to aid citizens in their retirement is not in good shape.
Thanks a bunch, Congress! Of course we have been hearing for years that this might happen, and we should take steps to find fiscal solidity on our own.
Enter 403B's and 401K's and mutual funds and long-term care plans and Edward Jones and his buddies Smith and Barney, and all the other guys out there who's job it is to give us the best financial advice money can buy.
Many of us in this demographic are coming to the end of the work cycle, some in good position, some not so good.
So how's your fiscal health? Is your credit debt in the double digits? Is your house worth anything anymore? Should you postpone retirement, even if eligible? Long term, will you become a rock around your kids necks? (You know, they say they love "Grandpa" but do you really want to put that to the test?) Our parents were not only "the Greatest Generation" but also "The Great Bequethers".
Not everyone has this gift, however.
Some of us are still caring for those loved ones, at great personal expense.
We are not only the Boomer Generation but also the Sandwich Generation, between parents who are living longer and children either begotten later in life or coming back after college until they can "get settled".
Settled? Dang, I couldn't wait to get out on my own.
Of course, my parents were also behind that sentiment.
My wife Jill and I are looking at some significant changes in the next few years.
I can be assured of a decent pension if I quit teaching.
Not sure when that will be, though.
She has a solid tenure in her job and is able to make a move soon.
But we both know that we need to work somewhere, to supplement the checkbook, to get a medical plan.
To keep busy.
We have taken the tack that this is a golden time, and the opportunities are many.
No, I probably will not go into aeronautic training to be the first guy from North County to fly to Mars.
But there are many things we can do to serve our fellow guy and gal, and still be able to cover the bills.
It may be our chance to pay back for all the good that has come our way.
We want to be able to say we did our best when it comes time to cash in our chips.
(How's that for continuing the money metaphors?) Hey, maybe I could be a PGA teaching pro.
Do you think my 30 handicap will be a problem?
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