Who's the Big Bad Wolf?

When you know who the enemy is, you can face your fear and plan your attack. I don't know who the Big Bad Wolf is. He seems to lurk behind every tree. Just when I think I have a handle on what to expect with retirement, something else to worry about pops up. Like, how do we pay the bills while all the paperwork for monies owed is processed? What if it takes so long that our bills become overdue? Late fees will bury us. We are hoping to pay things off with the lump sums coming in to make our daily living expenses easier to handle. My brother says you learn to tighten your belt. I'm not exactly skinny anymore, but we aren't extravagant people anyway. I tried the coupon queen route and saved a good amount, but nothing like they show on tv. Truth be told, I don't have that kind of time or space for hoarding. I have started a depression pantry (desperation pantry). I'll admit we probably spend money in areas we could cut back on. Financial advisers suggest keeping a log of your spending. That would be an eye opener I'm sure. We definitely could cut back on snacks, but that would take all the fun out of living. Well, I have been wanting to lose a few pounds. We could watch movies at home, make meals from scratch instead of packaged, drink water... Those Big Wigs in those Country Club prisons probably live better than all this.

March 15th, Retirement Day--not mine

We surprised him with a small get together of close friends. I knew he wouldn't want me to fuss like I did for his 40th birthday, but it is a big day. A day to celebrate. He earned it. He has worked hard, out in the elements of the Arizona desert, under several changes of department directors, not all of them delightful. I sent him to pick up the pizzas while the guests arrived. I missed the look on his face as they all yelled, "Surprise!". I get to see his face every day. I watched him struggle through the overwhelming stack of papers to file. I listened, frustrated, as he went through scenario after scenario in case of his or my demise. Cried with him, thinking about the fact that we are entering that time of our life when, like it or not, we must think about these things. Like most people these days, we are uncertain how we will survive on a limited income. We struggled through, raising our two children, on adequate salaries that left little room for a retirement savings. There was always something that came along to claim the little extra money we managed to save. And then we, or rather I, became determined to enjoy life "while we are healthy and making a good living". My dad went downhill after he retired. Rheumatoid arthritis, "Uncle Arthur" as he called it, slowed him down until he couldn't move any more. He always enjoyed life. I am determined to do the same.