These Retirees Live Well, and Frugally

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DOROTHY ATKINS WAS BORN TO BE SUCCESSFUL. ONE OF HER BROTHERS PLAYED PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL AND WAS -ALL PRO SELECTION- 5 TIMES. ANOTHER BROTHER PLAYED FOR THE KANSAS CITY ATLETICS BASEBALL, AND HAS WON GOLD MEDALS IN TABLE TENNIS COMPETITION. NOW I WOULD CALL THAT GOOD GENES.

PAUL BASINGER of CA 6:40PM November 22, 2009

I became handicapped due to injuries sustained in my service in Our Armed Forces. After 6 total hips and one blind eye, I found that a person injured is a detriment to Companies these days. One is a problem as far as insurance and Liabilities are concerned. I am living off of Disability and have dropped from what once was a $70K a year job to $13K a year. I sold my house, my wife left as soon as no income was obtainable ( I have a choice pet name for her ) and I had to move in with relatives for a short period to recouperate from surgery and 'adjust' to my new found life. It was not easy, but the discipline I recieved earlier in life from my Parents and the Armed Forces taught me to be Life Smart and I survived.
Using some money put aside from the old house sale, I have just purchased a house again and now find that the Government is trying in some fashion, to reneg on the $8000 benefit that comes with it all. Figures. Give 'em an eye a few legs and your body..we get a promising rookie and "wham" there ya go..Maybe China can loan them a bit more so they can make good on the promises they made so far..I hate to see what lies ahead, waiting in the shadows of the Health Care dilema.

E.G. of NC 11:03PM November 01, 2009

I would have thought that maintenance costs, etc. of a boat or RV would be very high, but if it works for some that's great. Actually it seems that shelter of any kind has its inescapable expenses. I thought condo living would be "cheap" but fees and special assessments make that not so, especially if other owners default. Nevertheless, by not being a "Material Girl" I was able to retire at age 50. I don't give a rip about "keeping up with the neighbors"; LOL. Our apartments all look the same from the outside, and in fact I do some maintenance work on the premises. But I don't need to have fancy furniture, decor, etc. on the inside of my unit; nor do I have a cell phone or eat meals out frequently. Yet I don't feel deprived in the least, and I'm delighted every day that I wake up (NOT w/ an alarm clock) as an EX wage slave; no more of that work treadmill for me.

Suzanne of FL 12:47PM October 30, 2009

Is RV living cost effective if you have a major breakdown, new tires, The expense of gasoline, major accident, insurance, space cost and weather conditions in different parts of the country. Such as snow chains, wind storms, hurricanes, tornadoes. Has anyone wished they had never used their money for the RV and stayed in their home and perhaps in invested in a few cruises. As a senior my property taxes are low and I make sure the house is in shape, windows replaced with dual pane, new water heater, new heating and air, new roof. Upkeep is important so that I can travel with friends and still have a cozy home to come home to when I'm done. Plus I have great neighbors who take care of my place when I'm traveling.
Living in an RV would take away the joy of planting my garden every year and picking plums, peaches and apricots off the trees in the summer. PS. I am on a limited income and clip coupons from the neighbors paper and my computer is a gift from my children.

Jane H. of CA 2:28PM October 12, 2009