Chaos Abounds
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2008
- Messages
- 51
Hi, I hope I’m not breaking any unwritten rules by making my first post long and not on the intro page. I’ve been reading this site for months and finally decided to post. I’m 46 and in a job that pays okay for this area…central Texas…but a job that I dislike greatly. I got into the computer field in my late 30s thinking it would be a good career move. It was financially but I’ve come to realize I’m not really “into” computers. It’s just a job that I HAVE to endure. The people in the office don’t get along so it is an unpleasant environment to be in for 1/3rd of my daily life (or more). I am finally vested in our retirement plan so at age 60 I will have at least some income. We are required to contribute 7% of our income to the plan. My DH is retired military. In the last year he also left his civilian job at my coaxing. He is a cancer patient and unfortunately there is currently no cure for his disease. I wanted him to take time and enjoy life – not die sitting behind a desk. We have been battling this disease for nearly eleven years now. So in many ways we have been very blessed, but we have also been under stress for a very long time. Between the job and his illness I, at times, wonder how long I can go on. I can’t leave the job since we need the health insurance. DH is a wonderful man and has done his best to care for my future. Our home is paid for and we have no debt except for my car payment. We have about $170,000 in various mutual fund accounts. He has a $350,000 life insurance policy. I’m wondering what else I should be doing to ensure financial independence if I find myself alone in this world (no children). I’ve always been responsible with money but never really took an interest in our finances. But in the last year I’ve come to realize that I need to be more involved…I can’t keep living with my head buried in the sand. The fear of being alone has at least moved me to some action. In the past year I’ve opened a Roth IRA and contributed the max for 2007 and 2008. All total I’ve deposited about $15,000. Should I be doing more and if so what do you suggest?
Last edited by a moderator: