tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2072427147021378382..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Retirement - controlling our future livesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-8446054297090718062019-03-22T03:42:02.382+10:002019-03-22T03:42:02.382+10:00Great post, Rhonda. Living on less has always work...Great post, Rhonda. Living on less has always worked for me. Now that I don't have to drive to work, my expenses have shrunk. I take advantage of public transportation and our numerous bike paths. I have always cooked and baked, which I find therapeutic. I love working as a writer and soapmaker from my small cottage. My customers and editors are such kind people. I will start collecting Social Security and my pension when I turn 70. I am able to do some traveling each year which keeps me excited and optimistic. It also motivates me to stay home and not spend money. I spend far less per year than the national average, but I am extremely happy and healthy.TheAwakenedSoulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11636961399581011120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78847712056020377072014-06-12T22:00:30.084+10:002014-06-12T22:00:30.084+10:00And families are moving back in and have been movi...And families are moving back in and have been moving back in with one another for the past few years to live and not be homeless. Some people are working 2 and 3 jobs each. Some people draw social security and supplemental income like my special needs kids and husband. But that is said to run out and when it does all of those people who cannot work will be in deep trouble and the ones that can work will have to have more than 3 jobs each to take care of them plus meet their needs at home. If you can't stay home to take care of them, then we will have to hire someone to stay with them while the money makers work their selves to death. So there goes more money. So I agree, need to own some land preferably near good resources but out in the county where the taxes are cheaper, and a simple home, with solar power, with own well water, a garden, and a mini farm, a pond stock full of fish or aquaponic garden with fish and food. This is the only way most Americans will be able to survive. And yes there are those who have decided to go "off the grid" around the 2009 year and they have stockpiled years of food, first aid and medical supplies, weapons, heirloom seeds, and more. I noticed a big trend going back to the self sufficiency living over a year ago when I decided to purchase some books on the subject. I noticed they were selling out very quickly in all those areas. And books that teach you how to chop wood, build root cellars, live on acreage and working the land they all sold a lot of those books too. Now you can find them and there are tons of forums out there regarding this too. Right now I would be the one doomed if anything else happens as I have no land to turn to to live and thrive on. So I'm back at square one and I have to get a job and I've been looking for months and can't find one that I can work at. I have physical problems too so that puts a huge damper on the things I can do and if I had the smarts of some of the other health care workers I would probably be working right now and I would be working at least 2 health care jobs even if it drives me under. And if I so happen to survive that, I would then pay off all my debts, I would buy some land, and I start living self sufficient. I would be so much happier then, but right now all I can do is dream and wish and hope for a job or something. Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10420237929202564140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15005173500704222162014-06-12T21:59:18.324+10:002014-06-12T21:59:18.324+10:00Rhonda Jean, this blog post brings back so many me...Rhonda Jean, this blog post brings back so many memories of that year. This is the time when I started couponing and stockpiling. I was working very long 16 hour a day job and I was so burned out and wanted to leave so bad. I knew that I had no choice but to work. I did and then later on I realized I made a huge mistake. But the thoughts of what you said "thank your lucky stars you don't live in America, cause if America crashes we all crash". I certainly seen that domino effect and read articles regarding how it affected other countries globally. I used to think I was just fine living here in the states, but for the past few years, I keep this thought in my mind: should I move out of the country? I wish I could at times but then I think to myself that I couldn't do it and leave my parents and leave the places I was born and raised in. But the truth is I already have done that. I moved back in 2007 on the opposite end of the state I am living and from where I had grown up. I miss those 1970's years and life sure was good back then. I reminence about that era all the time and my kids and hubby doesn't like it. They think I'm crazy for looking back and I also talk about it a lot. They don't want to hear it but I do. I lived good even though we were poor, we were actually rich at the time and I didn't realize it until now. Now I am living in a city, trying to work in a health care career field, which is leaving me burned out quick, and I have a huge amount of student debts, I have no retirement funds, absolutely zero for retirement, I have no land and no home. I have doctor bills and student loans to pay for and our monthly bills just to live is outrageously high. Too high and can't believe I have to pay all of that to live. That is why I keep the 1970's era in my mind. It's all about money and how we lived and we didn't pay over $30.00 for cable, we didn't pay much for electricity either and if it got over $50 my grandmother would be very angry. Now a days no matter how much we cut, our electric will never be that low because the electric companies here keep raising the rates. The income is going to be increased again for minimum wage. And right now if they do that, then the cost of groceries will be on the rise again too. And let me point out the costs that are already here: gasoline/fuel almost $4.00 per gallon, one pineapple is $3.99 in most places (except Aldi), one loaf of bread is almost $5.00, minced beef (ground beef) is over $17.00 for about 2 to 3 pounds worth of meat, a gallon of milk is almost $4.00, a tray of 3 tomatoes is almost $8.00. That is why Americans are getting poorer and poorer. You have to eat and you have to have fuel to go to work. So there goes everything you have and it is sunk into those 2 needs not to mention your bills. Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10420237929202564140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42457289179357996642010-08-28T11:46:13.076+10:002010-08-28T11:46:13.076+10:00Rhonda,
I SO much want to leave my "paid"...Rhonda,<br />I SO much want to leave my "paid" job and help take care of my family. I work at a public high school with disabled (mentally & physically)handicapped students, helping teach life skills and vocational training. It is in many ways rewarding, but also emotionally and physically draining, especially as I am in my late fifties and there are always one or two who need physical assistance as they are wheelchair bound. I work primarily to have health insurance. At my public school,they contribute about $100. and I contribute about that much also--To add my 64 yr. old husband to my plan, my insurance premium would go up to around $750. per month. Therefore, we have found it necessary for us each to have our "own" health insurance at our jobs. We have never lived a wealthy lifestyle, and sacrificed for me to stay home to raise our 3 kids, but now I want to help with my grandkids. My daughter who is a single mother, pays $625. per month for childcare for her 10 month old! My mother is quickly deteriorating from the ravages of Alzheimer's Disease and lives almost 7 hours away from me two states away! Today, I couldn't help but wince at the irony that I am taking care of other people's children, at the expense of being able to help take care of my own family. Makes you wonder. But I'm not giving up. I am activly searching out ways to make income via the internet so I can work from home and help my family.Stickhorsecowgirlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04167094045033324094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60225275781876795452010-08-27T23:40:38.919+10:002010-08-27T23:40:38.919+10:00I'm a longtime reader of this blog and have fo...I'm a longtime reader of this blog and have found it a source of great inspiration and ideas. There is one topic I've never seen addressed here, though. Not to add a sour note to the proceedings, but a woman who devotes herself to making a sustainable home, raising children, etc, necessarily sacrifices some potential earning power. No one likes to acknowledge that marriages or partnerships can end, sometimes in financially disastrous ways, but the "low earner" or "supplemental income" partner who kept the home all those years can find herself in quite dire circumstances if this happens. Finding myself in this situation, I'm doubly grateful for my simple living skills, but I do feel it's an aspect that should be addressed in any discussion of simple living.the threadbare gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09099775051621122099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82088009918091894202010-08-27T22:42:34.917+10:002010-08-27T22:42:34.917+10:00We live in the USA, Montana in fact and our state ...We live in the USA, Montana in fact and our state is one of three that are not bankrupt. Now granted we are a more rural state, verses cities and farming, ranching, oil and mining are big industry here. Anyway, we enjoy your blog and agree with you on the economic outlook, worldwide. I would add that it isn't "IF" America falls on it's face but "WHEN"! There is no stopping it now I'm afraid, even if the Nov. elections change things, the ball is already rolling and we ARE headed for "The Greatest Depression" Depending on the change/ or lack of change after Nov. will determine how long and how bad it will be.<br /><br />The new taxes impossed, under the guise of fees, licenses, permits, now even a 1% fee on ALL banking tranactions is being proposed, etc... Things, be assured are going to get much, MUCH worse here in the USA :o(<br /><br />We're 100% debt free and been living a sufficient lifestyle for over 2 decades and on one income no doubt, as I've been a SAHM for over 20 yrs now. As Karen( above said) we aren't expecting SS to be around for us( we're in our late 40's) but my husband plans to retire from the mainstream workforce in three or four years to a hopefully self employeed work.<br /><br />Times are tough we're even seeing it here in MT, but we simply aren't affected, as we've lived for decades "well below" our means.<br /><br />Thank you for all of your inspiring ideas and your most recent post hits the nail square on the head, don't try to copy everything someone else does, instead adapt it to fit your families needs. :o)Kelle at The Never Done Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06089557752054842197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82497137408015549152010-08-27T04:03:44.533+10:002010-08-27T04:03:44.533+10:00Great post! My husband and I are NOT counting on S...Great post! My husband and I are NOT counting on Social Security to be here for us (he's 55, I'm 48). It will be a nice thing if it is, but I'm not counting my chickens before they're hatched. Our mortgage (our only debt) will be paid off in 8 years (sooner if we can) - and that is our priority. After that, our simple, frugal lifestyle will get us through whatever happens come retirement time. Thanks for your (as always) inspiring words.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543522202715626878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10858057857381095432010-08-27T03:55:56.606+10:002010-08-27T03:55:56.606+10:00Very well written - I totally agree in what you sa...Very well written - I totally agree in what you say!<br /><br />Best regards from Germany,<br />ClaudiaClaudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07953623269887572650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61292728264892087832010-08-27T00:07:47.703+10:002010-08-27T00:07:47.703+10:00Wow, this is really a wonderful post. My husband ...Wow, this is really a wonderful post. My husband and I are in these stages of thought right now. It has been a topic for weeks now. Gratefully our home is almost paid for. We have known that will be our "ace in the hole" since we bought it. It's small, with only two bedrooms and one bathroom, (four people in the house), but it works out just fine. Most people think we are nuts and can't understand why we don't "trade up", but we don't need more. Thank you so much for lighting my fire! I am now fully inspired to get to work! Aprons just happen to be on of my favorite things!!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05528481514297126433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4468948300997754942010-08-26T22:31:15.253+10:002010-08-26T22:31:15.253+10:00Very inspiring Rhonda! I hope you know how much th...Very inspiring Rhonda! I hope you know how much this pushes me to get going and put on my apron! <br />Inspiration is a huge help to me to plan and carefully consider what I need to change. DH and I are slowly working our budget down. We are also preparing an "emergency budget"- preparing to live on a much smaller amount if need be. We live in a small town in Canada with a very large yard- plenty of room to grow food! I'm looking into town by-laws to see if we'll be able to keep chickens. We are saving our money- buying used as much as possible, learning to make things, etc. The garden has helped a lot. I'm now trying to work out how to replace essentials such as flour with dry corn to make cornmeal (which we could grow), sugar with honey or stevia. Working on cutting out the middle man!<br />The Girl in the Pink DressThe Girl in the Pink Dresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00250837836714463827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27675795031471561512010-08-26T21:40:56.537+10:002010-08-26T21:40:56.537+10:00Great post Rhonda, as always.
I'm rolling up m...Great post Rhonda, as always.<br />I'm rolling up my sleeves and putting on my apron, along with the rest of you!<br />The future is what WE make of it.Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11528862706641857167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77441694616819529072010-08-26T20:55:54.773+10:002010-08-26T20:55:54.773+10:00Thank you, Rhonda, for all of the issues that insp...Thank you, Rhonda, for all of the issues that inspire me to think. Actually, everything you say inspires me to think. <br /><br />Here, in the USA, things are pretty yukky. However, I find that my hubby and I don't have much of a problem with the changes in the economic situation. We are not 'needy' people. We are paying off bills so we can retire at a decent age. We make do with a lot of things. We grow food and raise chickens.<br /><br />However, I heard one sad comment from a co-worker the other day. She said 'If I can buy it, why should I make it?' That's how a lot of people I know live their lives. They want others to do for them. What if they had to do for themselves?!<br /><br />I hope they actually think about where their retirement money comes from. Most are younger than me and it may not be available for them by the time they retire. They will surely be the first in line and crying for help and handouts because they can't or won't do for themselves.<br /><br />Thank you for all of your helpful and inspiring posts.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16128349558544402699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81690763342416691962010-08-26T20:51:54.256+10:002010-08-26T20:51:54.256+10:00Thank you for this post Rhonda. We have had our ...Thank you for this post Rhonda. We have had our 'light-bulb moment' regarding finances and retirement, and are doing all we can to pay off our mortgage, hopefully 10 years early. <br /><br />My husband has worked full-time since the age of 16, he is 48 now and has paid into a retirement fund all this time, so hopefully, with careful budgeting and simple living things should be ok. <br /><br />I really don't know whether there will still be a state pension in the UK by the time he retires, so we really are directing our focus on not taking on any more debt, and trying to live as self-sufficient a life as we can. Hopefully this will benefit the planet a little too!<br /><br />Jane xJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17643287226899036510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-39444302286389227232010-08-26T16:20:23.987+10:002010-08-26T16:20:23.987+10:00Excellent post Rhonda! I appreciate your encourage...Excellent post Rhonda! I appreciate your encouragement to keep on at paying off debts and keep focused on our plans for the future and looking ahead. I appreciate all of your wonderful thoughtful advice.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02673470550534877117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81197651298987272842010-08-26T15:18:03.802+10:002010-08-26T15:18:03.802+10:00For two years after my husband lost his employment...For two years after my husband lost his employment the two of us lived on $18,000.00 year. That included mortgage,utilites &food! Thanks to Rhonda and this wonderful blog we learned how to reduce our utilities and so much more!<br />~~HUGS~~Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-1866754825470551632010-08-26T11:23:58.393+10:002010-08-26T11:23:58.393+10:00Veronika, you're preaching to the already conv...Veronika, you're preaching to the already converted, dear. When people write of self sufficiency here, they mean self reliance and that self sufficiency is a 70s relic that had to be updated. Regarding transition towns, I was involved in helping form Sustainable Maleny about 4 or 5 years ago when the concept of transition towns was called relocalisation. You may find the permaculture pathways blog helpful, Sonya, who lives near me, helped form the first Australian transition town.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-73413852061550173242010-08-26T11:02:42.546+10:002010-08-26T11:02:42.546+10:00Rhonda, this is a very 'hot' topic and I h...Rhonda, this is a very 'hot' topic and I have enjoyed reading your posts and everyone's comments.<br /><br />Although increased 'self reliance' is desirable, 'self sufficiency' is not. We will always depend on each other for many goods & services and this is a good thing. <br /><br />A 'transition'group has started in our neighbourhood with the aim of building local community connections & sharing skills & knowledge - google 'transition town model' if interested in this concept - We are increasing local food production in our own backyard & community garden as well as planting fruit trees on common land. We swap fruits & vegies and give away surplus we cannot use or swap. We help each other with planting & gardening jobs - some people in our community are not able to grow their own food by themselves and might need help with digging & major jobs. All this is positive action, but it is not enough...<br /><br />We also need to target and lobby our local governments and let them know what we expect from them and our rates' $$$. Let's not forget our federal government & how our taxes are utilised...<br /><br />This is where the concept of local communities working together really works because no single individual can do it all by themselves!<br /><br />The more we increase our self reliance, the more time we have for political activism, cooking and gardening!Veronikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09622533211213308551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42550332814269001292010-08-26T10:51:46.027+10:002010-08-26T10:51:46.027+10:00Thank goodness for this online community that we h...Thank goodness for this online community that we have to turn to for encouragement, advice and understanding. It is a scary time ahead but also a time for each of us to take back control of our lives. <br />I haven't worked in the paid workforce for 16 years, since having children and really don't want to, I'm afraid that when my husband wants to retire or slow down I may be forced to return to paid work. Hopefully by then, I either will be so good at stretching the money that I won't need to, or I'll be ready to take on some part time employment.<br />At the moment I believe I'm doing my bit for our country by being here for my children and husband and also by not taking a job that someone who really needs to work could be doing.<br /><br />cheers Katesimplelifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397507005757292686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34141682752341449482010-08-26T10:30:41.472+10:002010-08-26T10:30:41.472+10:00Thanks to Sustainable Sisters and Quatrefoil for r...Thanks to Sustainable Sisters and Quatrefoil for reminding me that employers pay the 9% contribution, not the government. It's been corrected in the blog now.<br /><br />Harlee, I don't have all the answers. I wish I did. All I know is that unsustainable economic growth creates unsustainable surplus and we are citizens first, not consumers. We are not here for the benefit of the economy. We must look after our own interests and if the system doesn't make sense to us and if we can live better by changing our way of life, then we do it. <br />Much of our manufacturing has moved to Asian countries and I think it would make sense to bring back these industries to our own countries so our people have work to occupy them rather than working in warehousing and transport jobs. Simple living is not the enemy here, it is one of the answers and I think there will come a time when most people realise that.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7441135337751792872010-08-26T09:55:19.185+10:002010-08-26T09:55:19.185+10:00I wish I were smart enough to comment on all this ...I wish I were smart enough to comment on all this without getting into trouble.I don't discuss politics for a reason. I get mad as h---when I do.That could be a good thing though. That may be what it takes to get something done. More of us need to get mad. I am very worried about our future in the USA,also.They brainwash us into believing our vote counts, and encourage all to vote, but they go ahead and do whatever they have preplanned to do, thinking we are none the wiser. There are those of us who have worked hard for 30 years and scrimped and saved,for what? To have the wrong doing of some politicians to wipe it all away and leave us destitute.They get a slap on the hand for their misdeeds,while we are left to seek whatever help we can to feed,clothe,and find safe shelter our families.And folks wonder why the use of antidepressants in the USA are on the rise.Go figure.Sue from Ky.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06555815218871299696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35828321230530207632010-08-26T09:46:08.477+10:002010-08-26T09:46:08.477+10:00A minor correction - the 9% super contribution is ...A minor correction - the 9% super contribution is paid not by the government but by employers, but they are legally required by the government to do so. There are also choices about how that money is invested, particularly now that you are allowed to choose your own superfund. One of the choices that many funds offer is a defined benefit scheme - rather than having a lump of money invested and subject to the vagaries of the market, you get a defined payout or a pension dependent on years of working, salary when you finish, age at retirement etc. These offer a greater degree of dependability, since the only way you would lose money is if the super fund itself crashes - at which point we're all in a lot of trouble. You also have choices in most super funds about the level of risk you take - everything from high growth shares to cash management. In my super fund at least, I can choose to split my funds between various levels of risk.<br /><br />Superannuation is complex in Australia, but we do have a pretty good system on the whole. The problem is that most people just adopt a 'set and forget' approach and trust that it will be there when they need it. I'd really advise anyone to look hard at their superannuation fund and make sure that they are making informed decisions about it - in the end it's your money and you should make sure you're managing it to your best advantage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-45166952486636691272010-08-26T09:46:04.537+10:002010-08-26T09:46:04.537+10:00Hi Rhonda, great article as usual, just one note. ...Hi Rhonda, great article as usual, just one note. the Government do not pay the 9% superannuation contribution for employees, the individual employers pay it. When you are employed by the government then they are paying it, but if you are employed by anyone else they pay the 9%. Hope that makes sense!Sustainable Sisters Teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01589444196950104061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-54677776064955383102010-08-26T09:16:27.191+10:002010-08-26T09:16:27.191+10:00Hi Rhonda,
We are trying to live a simple lifestyl...Hi Rhonda,<br />We are trying to live a simple lifestyle and enjoying it. However, we have trouble with people saying that we are creating unemployment. Even though most of our products are imported today, they say that their husbands fathers etc are employed in the transport, warehousing and sales of these goods and if everyone followed our lifestyle there would be a lot of jobs lost and more on our welfare system.<br />Please tell us how to answer these people. We would like to put up a strong case, but we tend to get bogged down with a reply.harleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828888009840253057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20834991676225571702010-08-26T09:06:10.687+10:002010-08-26T09:06:10.687+10:00Thankyou Rhonda for being such an inspiration. You...Thankyou Rhonda for being such an inspiration. You have sorted my thoughts and actions into a coherant plan for the future.<br />I am doing and have been doing for years a lot of what you say but never thought of them as frugal living. I was trying to be self reliant but in an ad hock way. You have given me direction and I'm all fired up!<br />cheers<br />DaylaDaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544561530618570093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30395213886213863312010-08-26T08:54:23.764+10:002010-08-26T08:54:23.764+10:00So many of us who are American's are so unhapp...So many of us who are American's are so unhappy about the way our government has spent money they didn't have and then tax us for more!<br /><br />We only have our mortgage and we are on track to pay it off early. We have a garden, are getting chickens, live a simple life.<br /><br />Oh and who are those people who do these financial recommendations? We have/are raising 6 kids in what your country recommends you and Hanno have!<br /><br />I really love to read your blog!Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16133684514103206137noreply@blogger.com