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Home > Do you ever get jaded about saving?

Do you ever get jaded about saving?

June 7th, 2010 at 03:10 am

I do sometimes.

At the rate I'm currently saving for retirement, it's as if I've met the love of my life and we're lying in bed with our toes intertwined. You know how that is. Pillow-talking about sailing around the world when we're 50.

But in reality I have no such dream.

I'm totally, utterly, fundamentally single ... and more than that. I love my job. I love working. I love fixing things and solving problems, putting out fires and feeling respected.

If I picture myself retiring anytime in the foreseeable future, I can't help feeling like it would be boring and lonely.

The only savings goal I feel really excited about is helping my sister pay for college. That gives me a warm fuzzy.

Posted in Saving Money | 9 Comments »

9 Responses to “Do you ever get jaded about saving?”

  1. whitestripe Says:
    June 7th, 2010 at 06:56 am 1275893804
    1275893804

    maybe you need to think of something that you actually want to DO when you retire, that you can't do now because of work commitments, regardless of whether or not you have a spouse then or now. i don't know what you're into, but it could be anything. gardening, hiking, art, writing, travelling, decorating, even volunteering or caring for animals etc etc. there are endless things to do other than working, you just need to find something you're passionate about and have that as your 'end goal', something to look forward to when you retire and can devote time to.

  2. Elisabeth Says:
    June 7th, 2010 at 07:51 am 1275897075
    1275897075

    Its good you feel that way about your work. You may or may not always feel that way. Some folks happily and effectively work into their 90's, that might be you. But you will be prepared regardless of what happens and with money to make that decision from a seat of choice. By all means help your sister. You only truly have the now to live in.

  3. Broken Arrow Says:
    June 7th, 2010 at 12:21 pm 1275913282
    1275913282

    Heh, love this entry.

    I get jaded for a different reason though.

    Everybody knows that they need to save, and if they work hard and save they will have enough to retire some day.

    But the reality is, even if some of us try hard, we may still not make it.

  4. MonkeyMama Says:
    June 7th, 2010 at 02:04 pm 1275919489
    1275919489

    I am the same way. I do not feel jaded about savings at all. Savings for the future buys you tremendous freedom to weather any storm and follow your dreams. Your dreams don't have to match others.

    Retiring while still able bodied is not a goal of mine. BUT, both of our parents will retire unexpectedly before 60 (unexpected health problems and trouble finding work in the economy, etc., etc.). I am more motivated than ever to save enough to retire earlier, even if I don't end up having to.

    If helping people pay for college makes you excited, start a scholarship fund and focus on helping others. (Just, within reason, and not at detriment to your own future). But should be very doable.

  5. MonkeyMama Says:
    June 7th, 2010 at 02:06 pm 1275919599
    1275919599

    P.S. What I detest about the rat race/retirement mentality is that the prevailing attitude is that working sucks and live will be lived when you are 60 or something. Pfffft. Follow your dreams NOW. Life is short.

  6. ceejay74 Says:
    June 7th, 2010 at 05:45 pm 1275932741
    1275932741

    I'm w/ Monkey Mama. I don't know if I'll love my current job or industry forever, but I know that the structure of having a job is good for me; it actually helps me make better use of my free time. With too much free time I get unfocused and lazy, not in a fun way.

    So I picture myself working my whole life and liking that. However, I need to prepare for the possibility that a medical or other incident might take me out of the workforce sooner than I anticipated. If not, I'll have all this money to travel or do other fun things with, but if the unexpected does happen, at least I'll be able to get along and not have to go on welfare or anything.

  7. girltherapy Says:
    June 10th, 2010 at 09:32 am 1276162349
    1276162349

    So do what you love and stop apologising for it. If you still love it in ten years, keep doing it. If you don't, do something else. Having the choice is the best savings of all.

  8. baselle Says:
    June 20th, 2010 at 01:55 am 1276998959
    1276998959

    I sometimes do get a bit jaded about saving. Actually, I get jaded about the non-403B saving because its in the 100s, rather than the 1000s. 403B sucks up my major saving and I do it for tax purposes, like you do.

    But really, savings are about sleeping at night and maintaining possibilities. I think girltherapy has a point - the issue is checking in with yourself regularly to make sure your heart is in what you do everyday, no matter what it is that you do. I'd check more often than 10 years, though - every couple of years for me.

  9. Jerry Says:
    July 9th, 2010 at 09:40 am 1278668434
    1278668434

    One of the most inspiring people I know is a practicing physician in his 80s. He doesn't work full time, because he takes care of his wife, but he still cares for patients and also teaches medical students. He doesn't buy into the idea that work stinks, he loves what he does and he is good at it. The best thing is not to feel that work is drudgery... but rather to have some insurance that your work is fulfilling and enjoyable. I'd far rather do something I love until the day I expire than retire at 50 and "leisure" myself to death all day every day. Seriously.
    Jerry

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