Finances: When is Enough Enough? --and-- Stop Peeking!

by Robert P
(IL)

Robert gave me permission to share these emails... maybe it will help someone out there!

Robert: I have been retired 1 whole week. I had to retire at 58 due to Meniere's disease. We live in il. I'm now retired twice; 1st time from the USAF after 20 year career and now the private sector.

We are set financially, but I still check our budget every day...that is what keeps me up at night.

I'm going to attend a local men's fellowship and go talk to the "older" gentlemen who meet at McDonald's each morning.

Also going to substitute teach soon.

We take care of our grandchildren during the day..Tuesday to Friday.

Researching retirement on line and appreciate your website....thank you.


Wendy: My question to you is: When is Enough, Enough?

Work if you choose to, but not because you feel you must. You don't have to work anymore at 58 -- you've taken care of yourself financially -- time to live life again!

So, When is Enough, Enough? Nobody will ever know, for sure, until life plays itself out... then, life is gone. Enjoy your retired life. Spend a little. Stop looking at budgets as that simply reinforces in your subconscious mind that you are worried about finances and it will stay stuck there. Have fun before you can't do what you want to do. Simple pleasures. Simple day trips with or with the grands.

Breathe deeply. Time to enjoy life again!


Robert: Dear Wendy; I really appreciated your personal response. Thank you for the advice.

I will not look at our budget but once a week. I follow Stoicism, which has taught me to accept the things I can and cannot control.. which I need to apply to my retired life as much as I did during my career.

I have so many blessings, time to start taking some pennies out of the jar.

Much appreciated. Please publish if you think our dialog would benefit others. Robert

Comments for Finances: When is Enough Enough? --and-- Stop Peeking!

Click here to add your own comments

Retire when you can
by: Patrick

Wendy is right. Go whenever you think you have enough.

I worked on until 64 even though I did not need to. 5 months after retirement I was diagnosed with cancer. It has taken me 3 years and months in hospital to get back to fitness.

I have lost all that time out of my retirement as I am almost 68 now.

Enjoy every minute as you never know when it will be taken away from you.

Just Call Me Scrooge McDuck
by: Canadian Retiree

I got a kick out of your post especially about checking your finances daily.

I’m the same that’s why my husband calls me Scrooge McDuck. I retired a year sooner than I planned due to recovering from breast cancer.

My work pension is not as much as it could have been but I have enough to make it. Plus my husband’s pension is good. I also have good benefits.

I thought about getting part time work but not as easy as I thought.

Oh well. All the best to you.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Money: Income and Expenses.