Are you "lucky"if you have a secure retirement?

[ultrarunner]

It's been a wild ride as far as value...

When I was done... had a little under 30k in it... total for everything. At the height of the Real Estate Bubble it was worth 300k... today, maybe $165k and gaining... rent clears $700 each month after expenses and have not raised the rent since 2001...

Many have said in hindsight how lucky I was... thing is there are trashed homes that go begging if someone is willing to put in the effort...

For about 10 years I would move into a home and fix it up... pull my money out and move onto the next project making sure the rent would cover the note and taxes...

Should have stayed on that path... got lured into a job with all the big company benefits that just didn't last...

All I can say is how lucky I am that I did not liquidate my rentals... they are my retirement.

 

[drajj5]

Interesting topic

I do think that "luck", does play a role in procuring a secure retirement- even for the hard working man.

One's health condition is certainly a factor, and will impact any current and future savings any which way you look at it. Divorce is another animal altogether. This can thwart any idea of being set financially at an early age. Throw kids into the equation and along with the new separate household living expenses, it can set retirement out of reach for even the most die hard worker. I am in my 40's and have gone through three kids living in a separate home, most are grown now and moving on with their adulthood. I know as a divorced parent the responsibilities at hand and made sacrifices to ensure their well being.

I still plan to retire young (late 50's) and will make that mark God willing. It will not be the 401k, or the IRA that will get me there, it will be continuing to live as if I am supporting two households..... This would humble any investor if they were to invest that amount of income.


I guess the point I am trying to make is- "However many bumps there are in the road, don't stop until you reach your destination"

Just- thinking out loud

 

[ultrarunner]

In the book the Millionaire next door a common trait among those interviewed was a good first marriage...

Many a person met financial ruin or was simply devastated by divorce.

... and of course, your Health is your Wealth as my 90 year old friend is fond of saying...

 

[hosspuller]

It is not luck. Secure retirement is good choices. A person can hit the multi million (s) lottery ... be lucky ...and be destitute in a few years. Poor Choices.

Good choices turn an average income, marriage, health, etc into a secure happy retirement. Luck AND good choices produce an overflowing blessing in retirement.

 

[texasjohn]

I've tried the other way...am ready for the lottery...I hear it's getting up there now.! But, not depending on it!

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I haven't seen my story detailed anywhere in here so far.

Like so many, I did little to prepare for my retirement years. So, when I finally faced my financial crisis, I took to robbing liquor stores, stealing cars and snatching purses from old ladies at WalMart. Later on, when I needed to replace my aging electronics, I moved up to burglarizing retail stores and shoplifting smaller items when I wasn't spending time with the wife and grandkids. Now, I learned how to jump on the foodstamp bandwagon with 46 million others and my life is just about perfect!

 

[JDgreen227]

I haven't seen my story detailed anywhere in here so far.

Like so many, I did little to prepare for my retirement years. So, when I finally faced my financial crisis, I took to robbing liquor stores, stealing cars and snatching purses from old ladies at WalMart. Later on, when I needed to replace my aging electronics, I moved up to burglarizing retail stores and shoplifting smaller items when I wasn't spending time with the wife and grandkids. Now, I learned how to jump on the foodstamp bandwagon with 46 million others and my life is just about perfect!

The rest of us here on TBN consider ourselves LUCKY you shared your secrets with us.....:laughing:

 

[texasjohn]

I haven't seen my story detailed anywhere in here so far.

Like so many, I did little to prepare for my retirement years. So, when I finally faced my financial crisis, I took to robbing liquor stores, stealing cars and snatching purses from old ladies at WalMart. Later on, when I needed to replace my aging electronics, I moved up to burglarizing retail stores and shoplifting smaller items when I wasn't spending time with the wife and grandkids. Now, I learned how to jump on the foodstamp bandwagon with 46 million others and my life is just about perfect!

Per your avatar, a sensitive, noble, self sacrificing story of active retirement lifestyle while appreciating that not everyone is as fortunate as yourself while proactively lifting their burdens and lightening the footsteps of the young, elderly or hungry. Your points expose Eternal truths, the nature of man and humanity's human nature.

 

[murphy1244]

I haven't seen my story detailed anywhere in here so far.

Like so many, I did little to prepare for my retirement years. So, when I finally faced my financial crisis, I took to robbing liquor stores, stealing cars and snatching purses from old ladies at WalMart. Later on, when I needed to replace my aging electronics, I moved up to burglarizing retail stores and shoplifting smaller items when I wasn't spending time with the wife and grandkids. Now, I learned how to jump on the foodstamp bandwagon with 46 million others and my life is just about perfect!

Now you tell me.

 

[Capricious]

Huh?? I only see posts which are sensitive and understanding...don't know what you saw.

It's just a joke.

In another thread, he posted a photo of a but-ugly trailer seen in a parking lot.