tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post4781050231576189345..comments2024-03-28T19:30:08.871-04:00Comments on Blue House Journal: Retirement Remedy: Getting Savings Straightterricheneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06865436021565986224noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-14980391176585795302015-03-29T20:47:01.420-04:002015-03-29T20:47:01.420-04:00I so agree with you. Many years ago, we saved up e...I so agree with you. Many years ago, we saved up every cent we had to pay cash for a new car. About a month later, our fridge died. There was a lot of angst while we figured out how to get a new fridge. That next year, we set up a fund for repairing or replacing household appliances. I no longer had to worry about how to pay for the appliance repairman. We have car repair funds, gift funds for Christmas and birthdays, even a fund for shower gifts, funeral flowers, etc. It makes life so much easier. Vicki in UThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11100538992180108902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-20189818216688127932015-03-28T11:19:20.323-04:002015-03-28T11:19:20.323-04:00When we had been married a few years, had a home, ...When we had been married a few years, had a home, 2 kids and a new car I was talking to some good friends. I told them we found out what Dick's unemployment would be and that is the amount we live on, everything else went into our savings account. They had a hard time believing me. We were fortunate that we were able to put kids through college, drive new cars (only because my husband has no idea about car repair) and have vacations while still putting money away in savings. I knew that we would have no pensions and even then there was talk about how low SS would be. My husband was off work for several years before he turned 62 and was able to draw SS. We still paid a big health insurance payment(thankfully, had some medical issues that more than used up all we had paid plus a lot more!)and still have savings to supplement our SS payments. My husband never had a large income and we probably most of the time were not too much above poverty level. What people didn't see was that I sewed, shopped second hand, kept our belongings nice and never had to have the latest, or bought new things for the house on a whim, canned, couponed and pinched every penny until it squeeled. It would have been more fun to go spend, but now I see people who are retired complaining about how they can't do and I feel quite smug about the bit in our savings that stays there by still pinching those pennies. And yes, we do eat out, make donations to people and groups including our church, travel, and do things with friends on a regular basis. The latest book I am reading that someone else bought, I either got for a dollar at my local library or borrowed for free. The new blouse, came from a really great second hand church sponsored thrift shop, that not a lot of people frequent, the meal I made? ingredients from Aldi or made from inexpensive ingredients, or a really good piece of meat that sounds expensive, but not considering the cost per serving. The flowers in my garden (if summer ever gets here!) perennials bought cheap as tiny little plants, transplants from some gardening friends, and lots of patience! The list goes on and on. Gramma D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-82360699437453530752015-03-27T17:13:42.133-04:002015-03-27T17:13:42.133-04:00I am glad you addressed this. You found a nitch o...I am glad you addressed this. You found a nitch of budget information I have not seen anyone else mention. When we got married we started to set aside money for savings. We spent our money on the basic necessities. Most everything else had to wait. Cause we waited several things we really really wanted at the time seemed silly later too! ;-) We may not have had much money but it was ours and we were responsible to use it as we should. Not for just for wish list items. Later if there was any extra they could be maybe gotten. We have all we would ever need and more actually. As the years went by it was comfortable living like that and so any thing extra we did get was extra special actually. Like if you eat steak every day it is not special but if you have it seldom and love it then when you do eat it it is very very very good!!! We are comfortable and now can help others with our time and friendship now that we are retired. We still live as we always have and are happy with it and would not want to change. Teri, you note many things on many subjects that have needed to be brought out and you do it! I am ever so glad when more and more people find your blog and learn from you. It does not feel like you are just our teacher though but a close neighbor! You definitely have writing talent. The ripples of the knowledge you present here will go far! SarahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-44641065422468834812015-03-27T16:51:53.613-04:002015-03-27T16:51:53.613-04:00Very nicely said. I, too, agree 100%! A budget and...Very nicely said. I, too, agree 100%! A budget and an emergency fund are critical to my peace of mind. I like to know where I am financially at any given moment. I balance everything to the penny. As always, enjoy your posts. You are spot on. 😉 Pam Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-61913500236927352382015-03-27T14:23:25.001-04:002015-03-27T14:23:25.001-04:00I agree with you 100%. We do the same things with...I agree with you 100%. We do the same things with funds for things we know will come up ~ medical costs, car and home maintenance, and I even have a fund for "kids school expenses". It adds up over time and then you are prepared when the expense comes along.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-4378167044740109542015-03-27T13:36:13.015-04:002015-03-27T13:36:13.015-04:00You hit the nail on the head with this post. I tur...You hit the nail on the head with this post. I turned 44 in January and had a moment of panic about our finances. We upped our emergency fund to $2000 and plan to up it even more. We currently set aside a little each week to up it. I think it is Dave Ramsey that says Christmas is not an emergency since it happens every 365 days. Same thing with car tags and such. <br /><br /> Wendihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02547001714523524390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-54201572280147815722015-03-27T09:10:11.576-04:002015-03-27T09:10:11.576-04:00how very true! I worry about our younger friends,...how very true! I worry about our younger friends, some never worry about tomorrow and actually use the line "I deserve this" I work hard, I should have what I want. Wants are nice, but when you have what you need... its even better!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06120446690878795217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-20520475896409761302015-03-27T08:30:18.711-04:002015-03-27T08:30:18.711-04:00Great post! Thank you!
Hope that your young frie...Great post! Thank you!<br /><br />Hope that your young friend will take your advice to heart.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16710629007170091862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-84351275511451669432015-03-27T08:11:54.786-04:002015-03-27T08:11:54.786-04:00Terri,
Your post is spot on. People don't bud...Terri,<br />Your post is spot on. People don't budget anymore. Many (not all) buy their wants first and then their needs. We budget each and every year. It isn't as hard as some might think. <br />I've been reading your blog for several weeks now and enjoy it. Keep up the good work.<br />Kathi in FloridaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-57527057888107938222015-03-27T06:50:53.325-04:002015-03-27T06:50:53.325-04:00Same here1 I am a 56 year old semi-retired Critica...Same here1 I am a 56 year old semi-retired Critical Care Nurse who puts aside money in savings not only for retirement but for routine maintenance and unforeseen emergencies. <br />I just read that 47 % of all Americans are living from paycheck to paycheck and are not setting aside any money for savings at all. The problem is we have become voracious consumers in this country. People have little will power or self - control and just spend, spend, spend. The fact that people have to rent storage units for their stuff is very telling. I know that what I am saying might sound rather blunt but it is the truth.<br />I want you to know that I appreciate your blog. Please keep up the good work. Rose in western NC. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12194344724652174351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6959918163454225829.post-8989925020779715732015-03-27T00:13:50.527-04:002015-03-27T00:13:50.527-04:00Trolling around blogs and found you listed on '...Trolling around blogs and found you listed on 'if you do stuff, stuff gets done'. Enjoyed reading your post and you are so right. My husband and I were in the midst of retirement planning when the economy took a dive and we were both laid off. We retired and managed to be debt free but it requires a lot of careful planning. Oh to have been more prepared earlier, but of course we assume we will have the time we need and it just doesn't happen that way. I'll be back!Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209722078916803400noreply@blogger.com