Don't Reinvent The Wheel

Note to Readers:  The blog world has spawned a bunch of 'carnivals' or accumulations of blogs on various subjects.  See the one below for a circus tent full of articles on investing, including mine. http://www.canadiancapitalist.com/2006/06/11/carnival-of-investing-26

Got this from George commenting on "Many Americans May Struggle In Retirement"

BEEN RETIRED FOR A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS.$800.00 PENSION PLUS $12OO. FROM SOC SEC.1000 SQ FOOT HOUSE WE BUILT 5 YEARS AGO IS PAID FOR.WE MOVED OUT OF THE CITY HIGH TAX AND CRIME AND MOVED TO MOUNT AIRY NORTH CAROLINA,A SMALL TOWN IN THE MOUNTAINS.WE NEED VERY LITTLE TO LIVE A VERY NICE LIVING.WE GAVE UP THE COUNTRY CLUB BOAT BIG HOUSE AND HIGH LIVING.WE HAVE NO SAVINGS WE SPENT THAT ON THE SMALL HOUSE. WE HAVE MEDICARE FOR OUR HEALTH NEEDS AND A $200 DOLLAR A MONTH INS POLICY TO COVER OUR DRUGS.I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE SAY YOU CAN NOT LIVE HAPPY ON A LOW INCOME.WE LOVE IT

Let's dissect this thing.  Been retired for a little over two years.  Good for George and wife, I assume.  Been doing it for two years so the system is working for George.

The Georges are living, quite well it appears, on $24,000 a year.  If they can do it, you can do it. 

1,000 square foot house.  Kind of small but I've been in a lot of New York apartments that were smaller.  And smaller is the way houses are going (everybodys but mine).  Just go to the book store and check out the house section.  Small is the way to go.  Built the house five years ago so I guess the place is not going to fall in.

Doesn't sound like they miss the city.  Not sure which one but all cities have crime and high taxes so it doesn't matter. 

And relocated to wonderful Mount Airy, North Carolina.  Do people, young people, know or care about the Andy Griffith Show with Andy, Opie, Barney, Otis, Gomer, and Aunt Bee?  I still see it flipping the channels and it was pretty good but not sure if it is now well known.  Well, anyway, Mount Airy, NC was the model city for Mayberry.  I'm sure the town is not the same as it was 40 years ago but may be as George makes it sound pretty good.

"Gave up the country club, boat, big house, and high living."  Sounds like a line from the Green Acres song.

No savings but no mortgage either. 

Most of you guys don't qualify for Medicare but being young, you probably qualify for cheap, high deductible medical insurance.  If you ever catch yourself rationalizing staying at a job because of the "benefits" you better be terminally ill or seriously re-evaluate your priorities because 'benefits' are no reason to waste your life away.  Something can always be worked out. 

"I can't understand why people say you can not live happy on a low income.  We love it."  I know why.  Very few people feel they can go 'down' in life.  Many view it as a sign of defeat.  I don't think so and neither does George. 

If you are miserable in your job or your city, think about what George did.  You may not do it today but you should start planning for it today.  Tomorrow we'll start talking about how to change your life.

And the first step will be to find somebody like George.  George has done all the heavy lifting, just do what he did.  No reason to reinvent the wheel.

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