Thoughts on Retirement

“Fifty-five years old!”

When I say it I feel old. Years ago, 55 was my retirement goal. Now here it is…..in fact, it’s been here for 9 months and every day I wake up and say to myself, “I shouldn’t be working. I should be retired. This working for a living is for the birds.” Whoever came up with the slogan “Freedom 55” was a mean-spirited jerk. How many of us middle-class individuals can actually retire at age 55 and live the lifestyle we’re used to? The way I see it, this slogan has left many of us 55 year olds feeling hopeless and inadequate.

For me, working wouldn’t be so bad if I had a job I liked, but instead I have a well paying hateful job. That’s a bad combination. If I were to be absolutely honest I’d have to say that the only reason I work is for the love of money. Isn’t that sad? Not only that, the longer I work the more money I will receive in retirement income. Sadly, this is the only thing keeping me on their payroll.

I know I’m not alone. There must be many people who have fallen into this same trap. Ya, talk about feeling trapped; it’s like putting in jail time. Surely to goodness there is a better way to live. This getting up at 4 o’clock to work like a dog, with no respect or thanks is really starting to take its toll. Perhaps it’s a sign of getting old. I don’t know but whatever the case, I refuse to believe that I was meant to live this way. This whole way of life is insane in my opinion and I believe that it’s the pressure of society that makes us feel that we need all this money to be happy and”successful” (whatever that is). I need to come up with a plan.

I hope to make this an account of my retirement process.