Living on the Edge...by the sea...

[By the Sea]

Who knew that we would retire early much less by the sea?

Mid westerners just don't assume that will happen. But with a little help out the door from both of our employers, we did just that. Oh sure, they enthusiastically called it an "early out" filled with a "to go" package of some extra cash, health insurance and some flight benefits. But we knew they no longer wanted us around---and that still smarts. My husband had just turned 50 and let me tell you....he was way too young to retire and spend his days watching what I do all day long.

We retired at the height of the tech bubble---only to see that vanquished within 2 short years. We moved to Florida at the height of the housing bubble and we now own a couple pieces of property which will take years to recover from that debacle.

We are very concerned that our very positive retirement back in 2000 will turn into a nightmare because of the economic disaster in progress now. How do you protect yourself? Our back up plan was always moving to a third world country with a low cost of living....not sure if that's a wise move anymore.

So now we cut back on eating out and shut off the wine cooler. Time to hunker down by the sea...

[Moemg]

Welcome from a fellow Floridian .

[73ss454]

You are not alone, we did the same thing a few years ago and are hoping for the best at this point.

Don't have any answers for you except to cut expenses as best as possible and pray a lot.

[Looking Ahead]

By the Sea,
It might give you some comfort to know there are a lot of us in this old rocky boat right now. At first I thought it was just going to be a very bad storm, but now realize this economic disaster is a full blown, stalled Cat 5 hurricane. No doubt, it is very rough right now, we just have to do what we can to limit the damage. We still have blessings to count and I am trying hard to focus on those. I am determined to keep looking for the silver lining or rainbow...it is out there somewhere!

[toofrugalformycat]

Pretty much everyone is hunkering down right now. At least you have a view and warm weather!
DH and I almost did a similar move a couple years after you did but one of us wasn't on board. That's one of the few things in our lives that we thought about doing and didn't do. Regardless of whether or not it would have been wise, it's usuallly the things you DON'T do that you regret.
So I'd say, well done. Enjoy your comfy hunkering down location. If either of you have too much energy, maybe you could embark on a major exercise program together so you're too tired to have your thoughts stray!

[canadianteddy]

Welcome

I am fairly new to this board also.

We backed into retirement about 3 years ago, but have made do since.

We have seen our portfolio shrink in the last few months and much like everyone else, we thought it was a storm, not a hurrricane.

I am often reminded of my grandmother, who not only weathered the depression but did so after emigrating from Poland, with little education, not even speaking the language. She took joy in everything that surrounded her. She lived modestly, cooked well and loved her family. If she could do it, so can I.