On 10/31/09, Rita/KY wrote:
> I am trying to plan ahead for early retirement. I had
> originally always planned to work for 30 years. Since my
> lupus diagnosis, I have reconsidered this. Kentucky has an
> early retirement option of 27 years of service. I am
> planning on doing this, and can retire in 2 years. I will
> have to take a pay cut, but my house will be paid for. I am
> paying extra on other bills, in order to have as much paid
> for as possible before my check is lowered. Hubby will
> still be working, so we will still have his income, too.
>
> I have some questions for you folks who are already
> retired. What sort of things do I need to be doing in
> preparation for retirement? Are there any tips or
> suggestions you can give me?
============
Sounds to me like you are on the right track.
IMHO---#1 priority would be to get the house paid for. When
my father died 5 years ago, I got a little $$ and that's what
Hubs and I did, and it's amazing what a relaxing feeling it
is. I hate this house, always have, always will, would LOVE
to be able to move to something nicer (and on one level),
BUT, the darn thing IS paid for and that is wonderful. :)

Take another look at your medical insurance, make sure you
have what you need.

Are your vehicles okay? Make sure what you have is reliable.

Pay off every single thing you can, ASAP. Paying double
while you can is a good idea.

If your district ins. covers eyes and teeth, get your eyes
and teeth in good shape before you lose that ins.

Do this one drawer/closet/room at a time, and not in a hurry,
but--go thru your entire house and Weed Out. It makes things
easier in the long run. Downsize as much as you possible can.

Maybe give up all but one credit card (if you have more than
one). We did that and life became easier. We try VERY hard
to pay it off at the end of the month but that's not always
possible. (When the freezer died and we had to get a new one
within days, we couldn't pay it off in one month.)

Hubs and I live on his retirement from a state job (which is
pretty low), both our Soc. Sec., (I took it at 62, he waited
till 65), and whatever I make subbing. Overall, we make less
per year now than the cost of a new car, but we manage.

There are a lot of perks about retirement.
Start a list of the things you've always wanted to do but
didn't have time for before........ :)

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