When Mom turned 55, she could have retired. Dad, on the other hand, retired from the Air Force, then retired from Civil Service, then bagged groceries for ten years because he’d worked all his life and needed something to do.
For my generation, the retirement age is at least 65, but even present-day 65 year olds are being enticed to work until they’re 67 or older. Or, they cannot afford to retire. At this rate, I figured I’d never retire or I’d die at my computer. Either way, I never dreamed my retirement would end with being taken out by technology.
Actually, I thought AI would replace me at work before retirement age. That may still come to fruition. As AI learns to do my job, I may be phased out prior to being “deactivated” from this world.
Until then, this is my happily ever after. I’ve carved out an interesting life for myself where I’ve balanced interesting work with invigorating exercise after work along with my ever-present juggle of creative projects.
In the background, the country continues to spin out of control and is increasingly more expensive. It’s a wonderful thing that with age, one becomes naturally less active as far as socializing is concerned. I can no longer afford that life.
Fortunately, I’ve never been the “need a new outfit/new pair of shoes” type of woman. Especially since I receive “hand-me up” clothes from my nieces. Some clothes still had the tags on them.
My goal, when the time arrives, is to move from living with my parents for the second time around to moving into a retirement community. I need to research what my financial target is. I’d briefly looked online at communities in Raleigh, but the people in the pictures looked much older. I’ll need a community that accepts adults in their mid-50s.
Homeownership may be unattainable for me, but I’m hoping I’ll find a suitable retirement community or perhaps I’ll need to explore places outside of the States. I’ve led my life like an adventure thus far. Why stop now?