StealthSlacker
Confused about dryer sheets
Howdie. I am half of one of the legally married gay couples in CA - we live in the Sacramento area and have always been good savers with an eye on our futures. We have about $600K in 401Ks / IRAs and $150K in a taxable investment account managed by LPL Financial. Cash savings is $45K. Only debt is our mortage on the current (fancy) home - $300K, value $500K.
I've worked for the same company since graduating from college in 1992 and now qualify (rule of 60) for retiree benefits at age 44. No subsidized healthcare, so it isn't worth much. However, I can purchase into the group plan and cover my spouse. DH is 4 years my junior but has done a mix of contract and permanent employment so no employer sponsored retirement bennies are in his future. Neither of us love our jobs or employers, or would chose to do what we do if we weren't paid well.
Things were going along as expected for us young urban professionals trodding the corporate treadmill until a series of health setbacks knocked the foundation out from under us. A serious injury and 6 month recovery (me) followed by a near fatal adverse drug reaction (husband) and 2 + years of ongoing side effects has caused us to re-examine our priorities. My husband continues to struggle with ongoing health problems, complicating the issue of ER as we need a health care solution that can cover his needs.
The other major issue is that my work environment has deteriorated over this same time, and is intensifying at an alarming rate. Job security has never been an issue, but job abandonment may become the solution if I don't make some decisions or effect some changes. I am stressed out, having trouble sleeping, and I want nothing more than to quit today. I am done with it.
We are finishing our first read through of Your Money or Your Life and truly believe in ourselves and our ability to forge a new chapter in our lives. The word "sabbatical" has been introduced. We are very fortunate to have resources, and are now believing that rather than a "Cadillac" retirement in our 60's, we'd prefer a liveable life now.
I've worked for the same company since graduating from college in 1992 and now qualify (rule of 60) for retiree benefits at age 44. No subsidized healthcare, so it isn't worth much. However, I can purchase into the group plan and cover my spouse. DH is 4 years my junior but has done a mix of contract and permanent employment so no employer sponsored retirement bennies are in his future. Neither of us love our jobs or employers, or would chose to do what we do if we weren't paid well.
Things were going along as expected for us young urban professionals trodding the corporate treadmill until a series of health setbacks knocked the foundation out from under us. A serious injury and 6 month recovery (me) followed by a near fatal adverse drug reaction (husband) and 2 + years of ongoing side effects has caused us to re-examine our priorities. My husband continues to struggle with ongoing health problems, complicating the issue of ER as we need a health care solution that can cover his needs.
The other major issue is that my work environment has deteriorated over this same time, and is intensifying at an alarming rate. Job security has never been an issue, but job abandonment may become the solution if I don't make some decisions or effect some changes. I am stressed out, having trouble sleeping, and I want nothing more than to quit today. I am done with it.
We are finishing our first read through of Your Money or Your Life and truly believe in ourselves and our ability to forge a new chapter in our lives. The word "sabbatical" has been introduced. We are very fortunate to have resources, and are now believing that rather than a "Cadillac" retirement in our 60's, we'd prefer a liveable life now.