50% of US Hookers Are Space Aliens

[ksmith]

...this news flash courtesy of Weekly World News, that bastion of supermarket tabloid reportage. In past weeks, they have also revealed that VP Cheney is a robot, the world's fattest cat is now an anorectic, and tiny mermaids have been found in cans of tuna fish.

Who said grocery shopping is dull?

It's been quite a week. I met with a financial advisor a few days ago, and it looks as though retirement in four years is doable. Granted, a major collapse of the financial markets or sea changes in retirement bennies could alter this scenario, but for now we're going to work on the assumption that we'll be out in 4. We switched some of my 401(k) around, and I'll also be shoveling a monthly sum into a Roth IRA. In addition, I should probably open up another cash account, and pledge to save as much money now as possible. Granted, I will have to work at least part-time to make this work, since leaving this early means I take a hit in several areas. But it's still doable, and the thought of it makes me happier than I've been in months.

It's a hot n sunny day. I cleaned the driveway, using some microbial spray called CHOMP! to dissolve some oil stains. The stains are pretty old and a repeat treatment will be necessary, but it looks like it's working.

The office has somehow become cluttered again--does paperwork pup? Asexually reproduce? Where does it all come from, and why can I find a rail pass from my trip to Scotland in 1995 but not last quarter's pension plan statement? I need to clean, file, move seldom-read books to basement bookcases. I won't be able to work in there until I make enough room on the desk to set down a cuppa.

Comments

Re: Oh, boy....

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the "do-able." Even if you don't do it, knowing that you CAN do it is priceless. Down here we call that the "****-off option". Just knowing it's possible can cheer you immensely.

I don't know if it qualifies as the *&^%-off option, since if I walked out now, the only one I'd be *&^%ing is myself. I need to hang around for 4 more years and hit the magic 50, and in the meantime cross my fingers that nothing changes regarding pension or medical. So far all the drastic changes are affecting new hires only. Let it stay that way, said selfish me.

It is immensely cheering, however, even given the fact that I will have to cut back on my Monetary Frittering Policy and save more. I'm shoveling close to the max percentage allowed into the 401(k)--long-term saving philosophy isn't bad. Short/mid-term needs works. I have become a devotee of expensive skin care and my feet require Good shoes--I don't see this changing in the long run which means I need to plan/save and not simply pull the trigger whenever I feel the urge.

It's probably good that I'm cutting back on cons--reduces the chance of any more Laurie Edison in my future.

I want to do this, and I will do all I can to make it work. Kid needs a change, but doesn't want to shoot herself in the foot in the process.

Re: Oh, boy....

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Actually, I wasn't thinking of you exercising the option in the next four years--I was thinking that if necessary, you could print up a calendar that said 1200 more days! or something like that, and start ripping off dates....

I know about expensive shoes--me, too, these blasted high arches, and I've discovered that not only do I need expensive dance shoes, but I can't save by getting regular leather and making them last longer--I need swede, otherwise arthritis screams.

Retirement isn't hard--retiring at $50 grand a year, that takes work. Which is why I've got to change things in the next six months, one way or another.

Laurie Edison, ah, yes--I want to commission something, I have a 1 carat marquise cut ruby, some gold to melt down, and a 1.5 carat diamond I want to talk with her about.

Clearly, I CANNOT be trusted at a major convention....

Re: Oh, boy....

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I should make up a countdown calendar. It would serve to brighten my day in innumberable ways.

50K/year post-retirement would rock. Even given the tax burden, this would exceed my current net take home and make for a very comfortable situation. I must start now as well to think of ways to make up the shortfall. I considered going back to school, but I would have to pay for it myself and the idea of a 60K tuition bill for a 2-year masters program is more than a little daunting.

Re: Oh, boy....

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I considered going back to school, but I would have to pay for it myself and the idea of a 60K tuition bill for a 2-year masters program is more than a little daunting.

I relate totally. And then there's the real kicker--what do you get the degree in that will be worth something for the next 15 years? I was doing those Web Design classes--and the bottom fell out of the market. There is still a place for the people with 6-10 years experience, but they're making a lot less right now--and since the dot.com crash, there are so many, there's no place for beginners--unless they are also writers and tech people (it's that last thing that hangs me up--even when I know the data, my hands won't take rebuilding boards in a crashed system.)

We won't even start on getting the degree in something you find interesting....

The only good thing about my current situation is that TRC does help, so I've paid for few of these classes and I have gained some useful training--and I might even qualify for scholarships based on previous tax years records. Last two years haven't been good....