Two words that usually rank high for stress levels (like the plague) in the English language are “Retirement Income”. I called these the ‘ugly 2 words’. At the mere mention of the ‘ugly 2 words’ in the same sentence, we often begin to pale.
Perhaps to the primitive tribes somewhere deep in the jungles of Borneo, the ‘ugly 2 words’ might be perceived as a relatively new phenomenon; maybe even a taboo. But for the majority of us in the new world the ‘ugly 2 words’ often bring on the he-be-gee-bees; no matter at what age we are.
Taken separately, the ‘ugly 2 words’ register no negative psychological impact. The word ‘retirement’ – for example – is generally linked to old age; those far off years we might never live to see. Even if we are blessed to make it to the fifties, sixty-what-not still seems like a millennium away.
As for the partnered word ‘income’, we the people are normally satisfied with the feelings of entitlement during the working years. We work for paychecks, and the paychecks take just barely care of our current needs; and maybe some of our wants. By the end of our working years, we believe we are entitled to receive a paycheck from the government – a monthly Social Security Check.
Oops!
Did I say Social Security Check?
Well pardon me. Sweet dreams!
You might be hit by an airplane on a disused runway quicker than you will receive a good size Social Security Check from the government in the future.
Experts often say the realization of a dream- come-true is greater than the dream itself. I say the reality of a Social Security Check is a Nightmare on Your Street.
But it’s a nightmare that can be avoided by using proper prior planning.
As the deadline for retirement approaches, adults will quite often shake a pill bottle. The impending headaches are too much to bare cold-turkey.
Like the ostrich in the desert, they will bury their heads in the sand, seeking to soothe their nerves with the instant gratification of home entertainment. They will grab the remote control and flip through the expensive 200 television channels.
Others will tip the bottle of alcohol, or light-up a joint. Naturally, such actions will briefly dull the pain, but won’t solve the problems.
Over all, the decision to make financial preparation to meet the twilight years is a personal choice. No one will ever walk behind you cracking a whip. By and large the days of slavery are gone. No one can make you spend your money on their choices. That is entirely up to the individual.
But for a percentage of people who are honest with themselves, the closer they get to D-day, the more they wish that someone did take a whip to their backsides: Force them to stash away a few dollars. Then they wouldn’t have to face the ‘ugly 2 words’.
I know what you are thinking. “What’s the use of investing? My 401K is steadily losing money. What sense does it make to set money aside for the future when the market is eating up your money? Is it really worth it after all?”
The answer is YES. It is worth it.
The economy is just like the tide. One day the tide is full, the next day you can practically walk a good 500 feet before you get your feet wet. One season there is plenty, the next season there is a drought. Of such is life. The key is being able to stick it out.
It’s the same with most everything in life. Keep on keeping on is the answer. Investing in the stock market is not only for the rich. There are time-tested methods of growing that nest-egg for the future.
Perhaps to the primitive tribes somewhere deep in the jungles of Borneo, the ‘ugly 2 words’ might be perceived as a relatively new phenomenon; maybe even a taboo. But for the majority of us in the new world the ‘ugly 2 words’ often bring on the he-be-gee-bees; no matter at what age we are.
Taken separately, the ‘ugly 2 words’ register no negative psychological impact. The word ‘retirement’ – for example – is generally linked to old age; those far off years we might never live to see. Even if we are blessed to make it to the fifties, sixty-what-not still seems like a millennium away.
As for the partnered word ‘income’, we the people are normally satisfied with the feelings of entitlement during the working years. We work for paychecks, and the paychecks take just barely care of our current needs; and maybe some of our wants. By the end of our working years, we believe we are entitled to receive a paycheck from the government – a monthly Social Security Check.
Oops!
Did I say Social Security Check?
Well pardon me. Sweet dreams!
You might be hit by an airplane on a disused runway quicker than you will receive a good size Social Security Check from the government in the future.
Experts often say the realization of a dream- come-true is greater than the dream itself. I say the reality of a Social Security Check is a Nightmare on Your Street.
But it’s a nightmare that can be avoided by using proper prior planning.
As the deadline for retirement approaches, adults will quite often shake a pill bottle. The impending headaches are too much to bare cold-turkey.
Like the ostrich in the desert, they will bury their heads in the sand, seeking to soothe their nerves with the instant gratification of home entertainment. They will grab the remote control and flip through the expensive 200 television channels.
Others will tip the bottle of alcohol, or light-up a joint. Naturally, such actions will briefly dull the pain, but won’t solve the problems.
Over all, the decision to make financial preparation to meet the twilight years is a personal choice. No one will ever walk behind you cracking a whip. By and large the days of slavery are gone. No one can make you spend your money on their choices. That is entirely up to the individual.
But for a percentage of people who are honest with themselves, the closer they get to D-day, the more they wish that someone did take a whip to their backsides: Force them to stash away a few dollars. Then they wouldn’t have to face the ‘ugly 2 words’.
I know what you are thinking. “What’s the use of investing? My 401K is steadily losing money. What sense does it make to set money aside for the future when the market is eating up your money? Is it really worth it after all?”
The answer is YES. It is worth it.
The economy is just like the tide. One day the tide is full, the next day you can practically walk a good 500 feet before you get your feet wet. One season there is plenty, the next season there is a drought. Of such is life. The key is being able to stick it out.
It’s the same with most everything in life. Keep on keeping on is the answer. Investing in the stock market is not only for the rich. There are time-tested methods of growing that nest-egg for the future.
Take a hop skip and a jump over to your local bookstore and invest in a book authored by Ken Little. It’s called Alpha Teach Yourself Investing – In 24 Hours. It will probably open up your vision for your future. The ‘ugly 2 words’ will not be ugly any more.
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