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HD writers and commentators have discussed a wide range of topics related to an enjoyable retirement. Finances is a primary topic, including investments and drawdowns, budgets and such. Closely following is use of time and dealing with the break from a working life.
I think I am fighting a mid-retirement life crisis. All I want now is peace of mind, and to limit stress as much as possible. I don’t want to worry, but that is not happening lately. Perhaps my quest is a bit selfish because I know for sure there are many, many people coping with far worse vicissitudes than I am.
Connie is in the process of being diagnosed with something requiring a CT scan and other tests. I am concerned, perhaps over little or nothing.
Two good friends were just diagnosed with cancer, one that requires life changing surgery. Last week a long time friend died.
Switching to more mundane matters our fridge just gave up, leaving it and the freezer full of spoiling food. We had just stocked the freezer. Now comes the aggravation of shopping for a new one and the hassle of delivery interwoven with previous plans we had.
The fridge shouldn’t have been a surprise. All our appliances are at least twelve years old, all coming when the condo was built. There is talk of replacing the stove and dishwasher too. That is Connie talking, but I know she is right.
As we were having breakfast at a local diner – no edible food in the house- and discussing our collective woes, I mentioned the one silver lining.
“Tell me” Connie asked. “At least we can pay for it,” I said. There we are, back to money and in this case emergency funds. The fridge is around $4,000, but we haven’t priced the other items yet. 🤑
At least that’s one worry forgone. One luxury that I know many people don’t have. Money doesn’t buy happiness, money isn’t the answer to most problems, but on occasion having a little squirreled away can ease stress.
Last evening we got word the garage door at our building is stuck – closed. Our cars are inside – we are trapped. I’m hoping the repair crew will have a better day when they get here. I’m told there must be a manual way to open the door. 🥵
All I want is a good nights sleep, relaxing with little on my mind. Retirement doesn’t allow you to escape life though, as all retirees know.
Sorry to hear of the challenges that you (and your wife) are facing.
Sorry to hear. Sometimes when it rains it pours.
Dick, sorry to reply so late. We’ve been busy with minor health issues ourselves.
I hope all turns out well. There is no true rest on earth.
Thank you
Unfortunately it didn’t turn out well so now we begin another journey. Illness has a way of resetting your priorities.
Dick,
Hope things work out for the better for Connie.
On a lighter side, according to your definition apparently I entered mid-retirement life crisis the minute I entered retirement status.
Dick, thanks for the update. I am sorry. I will continue to pray. Your HD friends will walk beside you and Connie. Chris
Sorry to hear Dick. Wishing you all the best in trying circumstances.
Awful news, I’m so sorry. I hope your loving family gives you both strength and comfort.
Very sorry to see this response. Sideline all the material challenges and concentrate on what really matters. My best to you both.
Sorry to hear that Dick. My thoughts are with you and Connie.
Very sorry to hear that. My family is praying for all of you.
Good luck with everything, I have nothing special on this, we seem to live going from one group of stressors to the next no breaks.
Dick, wishing you and Connie the very best with the medical tests. Nothing else matters. Nothing. Garage doors and refrigerators are just temporary irritants that come with everyday life. We can’t let them become stressors.
I learned yesterday that a longtime dear friend, a former co-anchor on a long-ago news desk, had died at a startlingly early age. We’d stayed in touch for more than 35 years, but around 2021 she unaccountably stopped returning my calls.
In reading her obituary, I learned why. She’d passed after a six-year battle with early dementia. Some simple math made everything clear.
To learn of her death was a shock. To learn of its manner was devastating. That this brilliant, vivacious and hilarious woman should experience everything fading away at the time in her life when she should have been enjoying everything to the max… I am shattered for her.
It is yet another reminder of what truly matters… and what doesn’t. As has been said so many times, don’t sweat the small stuff.
So… condolences on your loss, best of luck with the CT, and to heck with the durned fridge.
I’m sorry to hear about all the stresses you’re going through and especially hope that Connie is fine. You’re right that being able to pay for emergency expenditures is a great blessing.
We also have had that garage door situation a few times in our building. There is a way to open it manually, but it’s not that easy to do.
We replaced our refrigerator this summer. It hadn’t died, but we’d always hated it (it came new with the condo), and it became less and less functional as time went by. I watched for a sale and we’re much happier with the new one, and I’m now also eyeing our range, microwave, and dishwasher, wanting the appliances to all “match” (as to brands), but we’ll see.
Hang in there, and I hope your week gets better!
I hope all goes well with Connie’s tests and all your current challenges of the material realm. Keep us posted.
I’ll be interested to hear what fridge you purchase, and why you chose it.
All the best to you and Connie. Hope you’ll be getting some good news.
Best wishes to Connie. I hope it turns out to be a false alarm.
Dick, I’m thinking of you and Connie and hoping for the best possible outcome. Condolences on the loss of your friend. We currently have a number of family members and close friends (we share one) with serious illnesses. As you write, we all face life’s challenges, and try to do our best.
Dick, my prayers are with you and Connie for normal test results. We are having a stressful year also with brother in law’s death and mother in law’s worsening Alzheimer’s. These times are definitely not for sissies. Sometimes peace can be hard to find. Chris
Dick, I’m sure that the entire HumbleDollar family is rooting for Connie. Hang in there, and keep us posted.
Dan
My thoughts are with you and Connie during this time. I think we all seek relief from hassle and stress. One of my daughters is, to put it mildly, chaotic and extremely exhausting to deal with. Her extreme antisocial and dangerous behavior alternates with very long periods of normality. When a good phase is ending, there’s an awful feeling of inevitability and foreboding that takes over your thoughts. For what it’s worth, I understand your unease.
Dick, First, our thoughts and prayers go to Connie (and you), with hopes for the test yeilding normal results.
A warm comment: Life tends to come at us in waves. How we ride those waves dictates our outlook at any given time. It is often difficult to appreciate the beauty in the mundane, recognizing it only after a series of events disrupts our normal patterns. Be grateful that the financial issues are not adding additional stress and challenges.