Planning Ahead

Last week I was reading an organizational ten year plan. I thought it sounded good. Planning that far ahead seemed like a wise move. Then I thought of myself. I should have a ten year plan. In ten years, I will be at a major transition in my life or at least close to retirement. I've worked since I was sixteen years old. I haven't had much practice at not working. And I don't think about retirement at all. I don't know how much I'll get from social security and my other investments. I put money away but I don't pay attention to it. I thought I should really plan for retirement. I mean really plan; not just say I'll plan but really do it. The next day one of my IRA advisors called me and asked me to set up an appointment with him if I had any questions. Wow, talk about good timing. The day after that another IRA advisor called and said the same thing. Two calls in two days. I took it as a sign to place a call so I did. This evening I met with one of the financial planners. I showed him all my papers. Turns out things are looking pretty good. If I keep up what I am doing and live simply yet comfortably, I'll have enough money to last until I'm 100 years old or more. It's a comforting thing to know! Then he asked me, "Think about the future. You are retired. Every day is a Saturday. What things will you want to do differently?" My first thought was to get rid of dial-up and get high-speed internet. My second thought was to travel more. I wish I had $10,000 per year to spend on travel. He challenged my thinking. If I sell my home, I would have a big pot of money. I don't have to buy another home. I could rent and save a lot of homeowner expenses. I could rent six months in one place and six months in another. I could spend a winter in Texas, the next in Florida, and the next in Arizona, Panama or California. I could live in places where I could ride a motorcycle 12 months a year - just think of it! I am putting away plenty of money now but if I saved more, I could do more in retirement. He gave me a good feeling of security and lots to think about.