• 4 years ago
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To: As I get older and entering retirement I’m struggling with anxiety and insecurity. Me: I have been retired since late 1997, when I went to prison for 6 years, with 2 years off for good behavior, I was released just after 9/11 in early 2002 and I was provided with a Government rental, where I lived for the next 11 years and looked after a blind friend, who was Bi-Polar and needed a Carer, in return for a Pension and all of the lurks and perks which came with that, by which time I had reached retirement age and my own pension, until I got an inheritance in late 2012, bought my own home, my friend got ill and passed away, so I met a female partner through an online dating agency and she keeps me company now and has her own bedroom and I charge her $5 weekly rent, plus $45 to expenses, plus her contribution to food costs, so she has no rights to my home or any of my possessions, if she ever chose to leave, for whatever reason.
The name of the game with retirement is to do the least possible in the most amount of time. Go to sleep when you are tired, get up when you feel like it, time and having to go there, or do that, no longer apply. Maximize the activities which cost little or are free, minimize the things which cost money and eat into your savings or pension. I wear warm track suits during the winter months and when I go to bed, only taking them off when the weather warms up and it becomes shorts and t-shirts time again. Buy 2nd hand clothing from Op Shops, shop for good labels and check collars and cuffs for wear and don’t buy those. Nobody knows where your clothing comes from, when you are wearing it, if you don’t say. Use underarm Deodorant to smell nice and fresh. Turn off your water heater, if electric and only put on for 30 minutes if you want a hot bath or shower, then turn off again. Read books or ebooks, spend time on the internet, use public transport or walk, whenever you need to. Go to Shopping Centers, or Public Libraries which are heated, during winter months. If you can have a pet dog inside with you, rescue one from the local dog pound, they are usually house trained and will love you to bits and are great company, if you live alone for an exchange of food and affection. I’ve had Jack Russell’s, Labradors, my partner came with a St. Bernard and presently we have a rescue Grayhound, which is the smartest dog I’ve ever had and very affectionate and house trained – he picked up very quickly that he went outside for toileting. Most importantly, don’t worry or get stressed out. Retirement is what happens when we reach that age, if we are fortunate to have done so. We are survivors and we have outlived many who did not reach retirement age. According to social media, 3 of my 5 step children, over 2 marriages, did not make it past their early 30’s. Got any problems voice them here and I’ll give you free advice, if I can. Your body is your temple and you need to treat it with respect and affection to get the most out of retirement and life, we are, after all, a long time dead and I am in no hurry to drop off my twig, any time soon – I’m 73 now and going strong. I eat 2 slices of cooked Deli meat plus lots of greens, morning, noon and night with 2 pieces of fruit daily and water laced with sugar free cordial to taste and I drink the occasional cup of coffee, no sugar or salt. I am surprised how little I need to eat to remain happy and healthy and feeling full and it really does not cost much in shopping costs. I am a Type 2 Diabetic, with my Diabetes well under control and I’m still on pills, no injections yet…Best Wishes……….

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