My husband is set to retire in a bit over a year. He's approaching it with a casual attitude, although he has his specific date picked out. In the past few years, business had slowed down a bit, and he's OK with that. Says he's 'practicing' for retirement.
Both of us recognize that there is a little glitch that's wormed its way into our financial lives, though. Our cash flow is less than it has been. And so, we need to manage that little glitch so we don't find ourselves with a huge negative balance. Not that we'll need to go live under a bridge anytime soon, but we don't want to start using our retirement savings until he is truly retired. My paltry writing income is inconsequential, so curbing our spending seems to be the best way to do the balancing act.
Last year, we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary, and spent some cash on a lovely shindig, more cash on a trip to Coeur d'Alene (recreating our honeymoon), and even more cash on a family vacation with our kids and grandkids. It was wonderful!
So now, we are in the 'Year of Austerity', as Don calls it. We're having a bit of fun thinking of ways to cut back, but it's not that bad, although I really don't like to consider every purchase I make. That's just not me. I do like to splurge once in awhile. We've actually done very well these first few month of 2016, in spite of the plummeting looney.
As I was thinking about the 'Year of Austerity', I started to sing a tune from the 60's…This is the dawning of the year of austerity, year of austerity…you know the song (unless you're very young). Maybe one day I'll get some musical friend to help me record it. Hope you enjoy.
This is the dawning of the year of austerity, year of austerity...
Seems that we’ve been overspending
Time for us to face reality;
As our income nears cessation
No more lofty expectations,
No more sand and sea vacations,
Just non-stop precipitation...Austerity, austerity.
This is the dawning of the year of austerity, year of austerity...
Checking sales and clipping coupons,
Purchasing just our necessities.
Shopping never was frustrating,
Have you seen the price of bacon?
It’s a second look I’m takin’
Surely they must be mistaken... Austerity, austerity.
This is the dawning of the year of austerity, year of austerity...
Cancel satellite and land line,
Keep the thermostat to minimum;
Cook at home and grow our veggies,
Take the challenge, live on less,
Might as well enjoy the process
If we need to live this way, I guess...Austerity, austerity.
This is the dawning of the year of austerity, year of austerity…
We'll keep plugging away and see how we make out this year. Then perhaps next year we can loosen the purse strings a bit.