[tangomonster]

Thanks to all of you who replied, we are now convinced. *
We're going to do it later this year (I need a colonoscopy in June that would cost 3K if I paid out of pocket with my high deductible/catastrophic policy). *We're not comfortable discussing our situation with friends and relatives; you people were the perfect sounding board!!!

RE Wahoo--the only thing I disagree with you is about working part-time. *First of all, it could actually be difficult finding a part-time job. *Some people would think we're overqualified. *Even Walmart is going to be pickier about how they hire as greeters or other employees (a memo came out to this effect that got exposed---cutting down on hiring the disabled and older people to cut health care and worker's comp costs). *And I actually think some of the part-time jobs you mentioned would be worse than what I'm doing now---working retail or driving a school bus! *

CutThroat---it's not easy to come up with charities we want to leave our money to. *I work for a nonprofit and have been very disllusioned about how money/contributions are spent (like perks for the Executive Director). *But we think it will be the public library, some arts organizations, some environmental organizations, and possibly one human service organization that is run bare bones and we feel comfortable witj.

RiskAverse---being the neurotic worriers that we are, we do realize that a major illness could be a real problem, but this would go beyond just the financial aspects, so at that point, we probably couldn't work anyway. *And we have covered the sueing issue, with an umbrella polict.

Martha---we agree that we can self-insure for long-term care. *My parents were basically able to live at home until their nineties and not need long-term care. *We're hoping this would be the same for us. *Definitely long term care insurance isn't such a great proposition for consumers or they wouldn't be pushing it so much (no one wants to insure DH for his health, but he gets enough offers for LTC insurance!)

Chuck---we stopped traveling actually about ten years ago to take care of my parents and weren't able to leave them. *
Got out of the habit and started to look at it as just another consumer purchase and not real meaningful. *The second a vacation was over, the relaxation or the interesting experience stopped, so it didn't seem worth it. *We did travel some---it was okay, not teh highlight of my life. *We're definitely not the RV type, but maybe a state lodge ocasionally....

Grumpy---at this point I'm so burnt out that I'm not even sure I'd want to work three days a week.

Andre----I totally agree with not blowing money just to spend it---don't see any reward in it.

Steve---no great secrets about how we accumulated so much. *We started to invest even in graduate school, discovered Fidelity Money Market and then their mutual funds. *Had some great years in investing (thsoe returns will never be seen again!) *But mainly, it's living below our means. *Have always lived in a two bedroom condo. *Don't have fancy cars. *No kids---waited until we were 40 to even acquire our first pet (cat). *Starbucks is a once a week, thank God it's Saturday treat, not every day. *Gifts are always modest. *One TV in our home and just basic cable. *$10 haircuts instead of the $50 to $100+ women blow on their hair. *Stuff like that---it adds up.

And Trombone Al---yes, it does sound like something Simon Cowell would say. *Not mathematically challenged. *Just have lived life very cautiously and second guess ourselves all the time. *But that cautiousness is getting old at this point and interfering with our peace of mind/freedom/ happiness. *So I do agree it's time to seek it and you all have convinced me that it's doable....