February 21, 2011

Saving for the Future - Depending on Ourselves

Lately I have been pondering what we would do if my husband were to lose his job in 5 years. He would be 58 years old at that time. I know two people who lost their jobs over a year ago, they are in their late 50’s and they can’t find a job and are struggling.

When you see everything that is going on in the world – prices going up, economies struggling, crops failing, political unrest, it makes you realize that we have to be proactive about preparing for our future.

But in the midst of all of this, I’m not worried. Really, I’m not. After all what is going on is out of my control. What I can do is make a plan for our future and take advantage of opportunities to grow our savings and retirement.

I think differently about our future than I did a few years ago. I’ll feel so much better when our debt is paid off and when we will be able to save more. There is nothing like money in the bank to make you happy and secure.

We received confirmation last week that our son will only have to pay $5,000 tuition per year at the local college. This is due to his good grades and the tuition break they give to local residents. Tuition alone at this college is around $21,000 per year. He will be living at home so there will be a greater savings. We have $10,000 saved for his college education so far.

I’m not sure where I am going with this post other than to say that I have finally got the message about saving for the future and that we are responsible for our own future and we shouldn’t rely on public programs that have been around for years. Everything is changing and we must become independent.

2 comments:

Maureen said...

I know I have left it a bit late to be thinking of my retirement, but at last the penny has dropped. Hubby on the other hand obviously thinks he is Peter Pan, there is no way on earth I can save for two, so that is a major concern for me.

Martha said...

I know that the "experts" such as Suze Orman would say that we are failing with the amount we have in retirement. But, we don't plan to live large in our retirement.

We do the best that we can. I know that given your situation you are doing the best that you can and anything saved for the future is better than not saving at all and giving up.

There are many people that have saved nothing at all. So, we are a little ahead of the rest.