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33 Comments

  1. There you go ruining my progress. Just when I think I’ve caught up on your posts, you put up another.

    In the back of my mind, my plan for retirement is waiting for someone to leave me a fortune. Honestly, I don’t work now, so it’s up to my hubby. Thankfully, he’s pretty good with money, but we need to buckle down and put a hit out on someone…..I mean save more.

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    • I am telling you…greeting cards and my drunk friend. There is a fortune to be made.

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  2. Don’t tempt me. I (honesty) really do want to get into greeting cards. I’ve wanted to do that on the side since college. I think it would be a burst of fun. I don’t want that to be what defines me, but I’d like to contribute.

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    • Then, I say get to Googling how to get your foot in the door. Or figure out what it would take to get your own company started. Selling cards to stores is easier than you would imagine. Retail establishments are really tired of Hallmark and American Greetings. I know if left to my own devices, I would have barbecued the AG rep on principle alone.

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      • There are two companies that let you submit your work and if they like it they use it and make payment. I don’t know though. I’ll have to look into it more.

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        • I always worry about those. Who is to say they do not tell you no and print the thing anyway? I had a publisher do that to me before. Can you imagine reading all of the cards to be sure it was not yours? Gad.

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      • That sucks. Yes, that is a major concern.

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  3. I am a financial wonk executive type, and I approve of this post!

    Well said, although it’s so damned clear and easy to understand, you might put a lot of financial planners out of business. Can you imagine those types wandering the streets pan-handling? The horror!

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    • Just another set of trolls, eh? Finally getting to use some of the degrees I have for good instead of evil. 😉

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      • Good lord Red – are you telling me you’ve crossed over to the dark side of Finance? Using your powers for general good?

        But… but… but… what about the Finance motto: “We make money the old fashioned way – we steal it” ???

        And the secret handshake? 😀

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        • I still remember the handshake, and the kickbacks…where do you think the computer set up came from? 😉 😉 Statistically speaking, the chances of anyone actually taking good advice is smaller than being audited. Whoops! Another secret out of the bag! ROFL!!

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  4. Great advice, as usual 🙂

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    • Thank you, dear. I just hope someone everyone listens and tries at least some all of it.

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  5. This one I could not read, it’s depressing to think that I am 44 and don’t even know from day to day if I will have a roof over my head. Scares the hell out of me. Yes, I had the 401 K and savings at one time, but life had other plans. Many like me are in similar situations and it’s an abomination that hard work does not always reap the financial rewards it should.

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    • I have come to realize only more recently the numbers of people who have nothing in reserve are frighteningly high. I have found it more among the disabled than virtually any other group. (Regardless of the state’s callousness, I place you in that group.) What I have discovered is the lack of medical coverage coupled with the inaffordability of necessary treatments have been equal opportunity destroyers of life savings across all social strata.

      The utter lack of paying for what you get is far more disturbing, especially in our field. These companies failing to pay are the self-same who are reaping more than 500% on what we produce. Harkens to sweat shop, but few feel sympathy for those of us able to work in our PJs from home.

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  6. Pjs is right because I often lack the energy to even dress.

    I am part of an online support group, but I had to stop reading in there tonight. The stories in there would have me weeping on no end. Our politicians have a lot to answer for. … and these are working people or people with working spouses.

    Or, so whacked out on prescription drugs and being used as guinea pigs by doctors that they can’t type a coherent sentence. Many are on the brink of homelessness, having their power shut off in cold climates, etc. Many like me – no diagnosis, so they can’t apply. The ones who do apply, get turned down. I am a laid back person, but this gets my blood pressure up.

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    • I certainly cannot blame you for that. My husband was denied with a terminal diagnosis. He died three months after the denial. The Senator I brought it to in complaint thought he was the wrong person for me to lodge my dissatisfaction, despite his having been on the administrative committee for the SSA. They are truly not competent to wipe their own arses.

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  7. What makes it worse that people on there give advice for those to go to the Salvation Army or United Way for help. I am not going to tell them that does not work … Maybe they will get help that I did not. However, others who aren’t in these situations think we can just line up for handouts, which, from my personal experience, is not true. Besides, most people with integrity and self respect do not want them in the first place. I will stop now, I am going off topic.

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    • No worries. I know you are not a troll. No, most people who even would ask for a handout would not get it. I learned a very hard lesson years ago about the discriminatory and misleading practices of both of those agencies. When I posted Going Global I was hoping more people would speak about the charities they knew were limiting the amount of benefits they were dispensing.

      As to those who offer ill-advised banter, that, my friend, is the subject of a post soon. Perhaps tomorrow, if I can pull off a little more research before noon.

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  8. As I just mentioned to Red over there on that ugly page they call Face Palm… er I mean facebook, I will retire the day before they buy my coffin. I have no retirement plans. We do have savings that are specifically for “retirement” And we’ll use them for sure. You can’t take it with you after all.

    But I can’t imagine life without working or writing. Nope. Retirement is for people getting ready to die and I ain’t ready.

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    • *Still giggling* I am so sure your wife appreciates you keeping busy and out of her hair. I think I shall spend the remainder of my retirement spending my children’s inheritance! *Giggling again*

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  9. Another great, thought provoking post, Red!

    One factor many forget about when counseling retirement savings is that stuff happens. A lot of people get sick, lose their jobs and even their ability to work. Retirement then becomes more scary, because they know they will have much less to live on then.

    The other factor I think needs to be taken into account is marriage. If yours fails, barring a prenuptial agreement (or a really good lawyer) there goes your retirement plans!

    There’s always the lottery! (a better chance at riches than writing online?)

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    • I live in a pre-nuptial world. For me, the accounts are mutually exclusive. I think you need to click on Emergency Funds in the tag cloud for more information!
      Red.

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  10. Because I am ill and unable to work I get credits towards my State pension, but the pension on my reaching the steadily increasing retirement age will NOT be enough to live on so I will be drawing Income Support Benefits when the day comes.

    I am saving as much as I can manage, but I am only allowed £6,000 in savings before my benefits are cut so it does not pay to save.

    All I can do is aim for the Big Buys like new furniture etc. and make my life as comfortable as possible until the inevitable occurs and I’m back treading water with no safe haven in sight.

    Ironically the only way my life is going to improve is by winning the lottery – and I’m in a good state financially as I have no debts, unlike sooo many…

    Love and hugs!

    Prenin.

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    • The elimination of debt is with what most struggle, so you truly are ahead of the game in that respect. I understand the balancing act very well. A similar scenario is here in the US.
      {HUGZ}
      Red.

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