Happily Retired
Happy Retirment requires enough money to live on, good friends to enjoy it with, a sound mind, the best health possible for your age and a great attitude about a bright future. Take any one of those away and you have a formula for an uphappy life. Unfortunately, most of us learn this too late in life to change too much. But it is the goal of this site to help as many people as possible get the most bang for their buck.
I know because I lost everything after 9/11 at age 57 and had to rebuild my life from zero. If I can do it, I am hear to tell you anything is possible for those that really want to try to make a better life. There are mitigating circumstances but overall life is really what choose to make of it.
January 2nd, 2006 @ 7:38 pm
Retiring Happy Starts by Getting Out of Debt
By MadBullMedia
Unfortunately this is the time of year many people get caught up in gift giving beyond their means. Don’t get me wrong. I love to give and receive gifts as much if not more than the next person, but when you are on a fixed income, if you do not keep you’re spending in balance an in budget you will be calling me in about 30 days when the bills start rolling in needing help with debt negotiation or credit repair.
Trust me. Spending most of my time in the mortgage business, I see hundreds of credit reports and it is sad to say that over 80% of the people I work with are in some kind of financial trouble. It starts with payments being late and then some bills are skipped for a month and before you know it they are in over their head in debt.
Along with it comes stress and worry. That is the last thing you need when you are retired; especially if you want to wake up each day with a smile on your face.
I have also discovered that kids today have far more than then need and most have been so spoiled that a $25 gift has no appreciation or impact because dad just bought a new dirt bike or jet ski. How do grandparents compete with that?
I used to love the “WOW” factor when the grand kids opened a gift. We all know clothes are the last thing on their list. So, my wife and I have simply given up trying to compete. We can’t afford to give them all a new X-Box or new fandangled izzard that costs $200 or more. So we give them money to buy something they want. No “Wow” factor any more but at least they will get something they want and we are not poor with the bills come in January.
I knew one business friend that would buy shares of stock for each of his grand children at Christmas. The kids didn’t even know what a share of stock was all about. But about 20 years later, they sure learned to appreciate the wisdom of the old man.
What you do is your business. If you can live with the pressure of spending more money than you have coming in that is your choice. And if you get into trouble and make a New Year’s resolution to get your financial house in order I can help you. And I will not judge you.
Call me at 843-478-3440. Ask for Mike. Getting people’s finanical life back on track is what I do. If only they would listen before it’s too late. Honestly, I would not mind it if no one needed my services. The world would be far better off not too mention less suicides, fewer heart attacks, less divorce, fewer sleepless nights and more energy to do the things you enjoy. How much sickness is brought on by all this worry? It is worth it?
If you don’t call there is no need to feel sorry for me. I can guarantee you I will have plenty of customers waiting in line just as soon as reality hits them between the eyes.
If you want my advices set a budget, make a list and promise yourself you are not going to get into debt over Christmas. We all know that is not the intent of this holy day. Help out a family in need and spend quality time with your grand children.
You know what my oldest grandson remembers the most? The day he and I build a snow man taller than me. Boy did we have fun and all it cost was a cup of hot chocolate when we were done. Build memories that last. You’ll be glad you did.
January 2nd, 2006 @ 10:59 pm
One of the joys and occassional disappointments in life can come from grandchildren. Unfortunately in this modern day and age, divorce is tearing hearts apart for grandparents. From displaced families to infighting between your children and their the children are often pawns caught in the middle as grandparents sit sadly on the sidelines missing out on the best years of their grand children grow up separate or apart from the core family unit. What once was normal is know the rare family will all the pieces still in place. Our hearts go out to anyone dealing with these strange, stained relationships.
January 2nd, 2006 @ 11:02 pm
Part of the enjoyment of happy retirement is finally having the time to do more of the things we enjoy the most. My father-in-law was a man who dreamed of the day he could trade his brief case for a fishing rod. Many live to see new things, try new experiences. It’s a joke around our home that I will learn to cook. I may fool them all. My brother in law left the food business to retire as a part time real estate agent. Whether you live to shop or work in your shop tell us about what you live to enjoy in your retirment.