We are originally from Wisconsin, married 41 years, I am an only child (age 61) and husband is age 66, his entire family passed away from diabetes years ago. He retired at age 56, working as a Teamster trucker for 35 years. We would vacation in Las Vegas and had dreamed of moving there (here now) for many years after he retired. The time had come, he retired and onward with our plans...sold our paid-for home in Wisconsin and purchased an over-priced small home in Vegas in 2005...not really a good plan, had no debt but husband was afraid he would be joining his early-deceased family soon so we did it. We no sooner purchased our Vegas home, returned to Wisconsin to pack it all up and found out I had cancer. We agreed this was a "sign" that we were doing the right thing...life is too short. Got ourselves settled in Vegas, cancer overcome and I wanted to be part of the Vegas tourist life, landed myself a job at a Strip hotel front desk agent (after 20 years of being a paralegal in Wisconsin) and was so happy. Yes missed our 2 grown sons and elderly parents but we were living our dream. Son #2 single, came for a visit, landed a good job and stayed (is now in high-mgmt. position on the Strip). Had to make a decision of retirement home for elderly parents in Wisconsin and the housing market was crashing and our neighbors had to sell their house so we bought it (cash) for my parents and they now live next door and are thriving so much better not having to worry about things because we are next door. Son #1 and his family also made the move (solid employment transfer, also a trucker) and here we are, the whole family within a few blocks of eachother. Life is great huh? Well, I am kind of in the middle, working the midnight to 8am shift so I can be there for my parents needs in the morning hours. I just can't do it anymore, exhausted and a few medical issues have popped up from the stress. So.....I have decided to put in for early retirement in Feb at age 62. Yes I know there will be some challenges but we have had many in our 41 years of marriage and can get thru this. So am looking forward to what lies ahead, want to get back in shape physically and emotionally and be there for my family...and maybe do some traveling when my parents pass on (they are 91). My childhood best friend lives in Vegas as well, she s widowed, and we cherish the time we get to spend together. So that is me...Ginger! Just one kind of big glitch....we were very conservative financially in Wisconsin, but overpaid significantly for our home in Vegas and still have a 20 year mortgage and owe more than it is worth. If we can keep Mom & Dad out of nursing care/home, I will inherit theirs and we will sell both and get a small condo. (We just weren't thinking with our heads 100% when we bought this house, but it's done, can't refinance, conventional loan) so we'll deal with it.
Look forward to any advice for my new life from this group!
Look forward to any advice for my new life from this group!
