Can we ever retire?

[btrout@desupernet.net]

Hi Frank,

I appreciate your thoughts.

The main thing you said in your post is about living below your means.  There's a
lot to be said for that.  Life can be a lot easier if you're not making payments
on cars, payments on a home, payments for credit cards, payments, payments,
payments...

Something in this society leaves us all trying to keep up with the "Jones'", all
the while the Jones' are two paychecks away from repossessions and three payments
away from bankruptcy!  I'm starting to really question where all of the toys in
life will get me???  It's 11 years that I've been married this October.  When we
started out, we made about $850 a month.  We did just fine.  No new cars, no
fancy house, but when I think back, we were happy.  Now that I've had a little
taste of trying to live beyond my means and where that leads to, I'm pursuing a
life of debt free living.  I'm not there yet, but I'm going in the right
direction.

No matter if a person makes $15,000 or $150,000 a year, it's what you do with
what you make that counts.  That's the money management part, which you also
spoke to.

But something that I see in your post that touches a soft spot in my heart is the
fact that your child means more to you than the money you could be earning by
spending your time elsewhere.  Sounds like you've got your priorities in order.

Retirement?  Can you ever retire?  That's really up to you.  Set your goals, work
your plan, and enjoy the life you've been given.

Again, I appreciate your thoughts.

Brian Trout
Quarryville, Pa.


> Hi, Wally. How's things in my hometown?
>
> As you know, I worked in hi-tech before becoming a tuner. I still do
> some contract work as a technical writer.  So, I have a good, good start
> on a retirement nest egg.
>
> My piano income might contribute about 25% to the family income at
> best.  My writing work was about 1/3 of my total income (me alone).  My
> wife works full time at a job with benefits.
>
> The main reason I persist at this is so my 8 yr old daughter does not
> need to go to day care after school.
>
> I still save some money...this year about $700 so far.(That's nothing
> like I did as a high -tech employee.)  It will go into an SEP.  My wife
> has money invested automatically from her pay check.
>
> So the thing to do, is decide where you want to be at age 65.  Seek the
> advice of a finaincial advisor to see if the goal is realistic. Then
> make the hard decisions.
>
> My wife attended a financial planning course sponsored by her employer.
> Apparently, we are in better shape than most. We have always lived below
> our means...purchased cheaper homes and cars than we could afford...
> never went on many expensive vacations. So it's paid off.
>
> My feeling is that few tuners will have much of a retirement unless they
> are very careful with the money.  Heck, on what I make now, I couldn't
> even qualify to rent an apartment.  My biggest worry is medical care.
> True, medicare kicks in at age 65, but before then, you are on your own.
>
> Scary, huh?
> --
>
> Frank Cahill
> Associate Member, Piano Technicians Guild
> Northern Va