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Money and Retirement  A New Day by Nikki Willhite I'll admit..... I do not like math. I do not  like numbers, and I do not like budgets. Unfortunately, many of our decisions these days require us to think about numbers and to do math.  These are the decisions that relate to money. Money seems to be the driving force of our lives. We may place more value on family and faith, but when it comes to our time, making money takes precedence. If we don't think about money, and play with numbers, we are going to get into trouble-  if not today, tomorrow. I am old enough to remember when things were different. Women were able to stay home and do things that enriched the soul. They were surrounded by loving children, as well as extended family members. There was always room at the table for extra friends and family. Men worked at one company for most of their lives. When they reached retirement age, they received a pension for their loyalty to the company. Many of these pensions included an annual adjustment for inflation. Men were able to retire without large savings accounts,  and live out the remainder of their lives comfortably. So many things have changed. Today, company loyalty is all but dead. Most people can expect to work at not only several different companies, but at several different occupations during their lifetime. Companies have quit giving pensions to their employees, and people are expected to save money for retirement. It can be hard to save money. While it is good that people are living longer, retirement has become more difficult.  Most people are more afraid of outliving their money than dying. Go back a little further in time, and if you've ever done family history and research, you've seen from census records that years ago widows and widowers went to live with one of their children in their "old age." Often there would be other unmarried adults living in the same household. Now, if you live long enough, you may require assisted living.  In Washington state, this will cost you  $6,500 per month. Who has that kind of money? Sure, the children say they will "take you in"...but with increased age comes medical conditions that they can not handle, (even assuming they are healthy), including lifting. bathing, physical therapy, medication management, and more. You can go on Medicaid (not Medicare), but you are stripped of most of your assets, and if you have a spouse, they will be left in financial trouble. That is why people buy long term care insurance. Unfortunately, it is expensive, and most people cannot afford it. SO WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US? That leaves us worrying about money, wondering how we are going to make it, working even after heart attacks and retirement age, and even wondering if social security will still be around to help. And....it makes us have to pay attention to numbers. I think a lot of people are in denial about the future, because even though they are losing their homes, going into debt, and concerned about their jobs, they are still  going on expensive vacations, eating out, visiting spas, buying expensive clothing, getting their nails done and more. WAKE UP! You are never going to be able to save the money you need for your well-being if you continue these practices. It's time to face reality and the certainty that you will get old, you will lose health and strength, health care is expensive, and you are going to need a reserve of money. No one wants to hear it. No one wants to get old. No one wants to be poor. However, just as 2 plus 2 equals 4, these things will happen, and  if you don't start budgeting and saving money,  life is not going to be pleasant at a time when you will be most vulnerable. The younger you are, the more time you have to get your finances in order. Start yesterday. Please get your house in order. Get rid of whatever is standing in the way of preparing for the future.   It's your life, today and tomorrow.  How you live today will determine your tomorrows.  About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com - where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money!

 

 

 

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