Part 1 this morning of a look-ahead for young people. Old age is going to creep up on you..trust the old-timers on this. That means the earlier you have a “game plan” for your senior years, the more likely you will be to “win.”
There’s a balance between lifestyle when you’re young and what kind of lifestyle you want to enjoy in the “golden years.”
Before we get into it – and begin to apply some basic “gap analysis” to the problem, let’s roll through some headlines.
After that, we will stare (mouth-agape and perhaps drooling) at our ChartPack of stock prices. Which have risen to absolutely insane levels.
Seriously! I mean think about it: Companies are not hitting revenue targets, almost 9% fewer people are working, bankruptcies are rising…
Despite the facts on the table (even without second wave CV fears and election pandering) what was it we said?
Oh yeah…”No more money for U until after the election…”
It’s like Investors are buying stock in a banana republic, we suspise.
Exsqueeze me? Is the world flipping nuts?
Bean up and click-ahead, brothers and sisters: Yes, the world IS nuts but we’re going on the “back-lot tour.”
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George,
How right you are to prepare for geezerhood. Case in point. We are what I would call “cat poor”. My wife and I are kind hearted souls and everyone seems to have figured that out. Stray cats magically appear at our house. Most are dropped off and if the local no kill shelter is full, they become wards of our family.
Friday, our latest resident, “Phantom”, needed a shot for a urinary infection. These are shots we have to give. Wife’s nephew’s girl friend is a Vet student near graduation. She came by to assist and instruct on the proper method for giving a cat a shot. My wife was holding the cat, which took an instant dislike to the Vet student. Keep in mind she is a “dog person” and even brought her dog along with her. I think the cat saw the dog, and even though he was safe inside my shop away from the dog, he went ballistic. In the process of getting loose from my wife, he jerked her right pinkie finger to the side, and as a result she now has a broken bone in her right hand. Clinic put on a temporary cast, and we see an orthopedic doctor this coming week. Simple tasks become more complicated at times.
Moral to the story,”No good deed goes unpunished”. Also, cat herding is dangerous work. Wife is operating one handed at the peak of our hummingbird season. We started with one feeder 10 years ago and are now up to 15 feeders that get filled twice a day. According to the experts, we most likely have over 1,000 birds visiting us. Little buggers are eating 15 pounds of sugar a week.
Lloyd Snider on August 8, 2020 at 08:26
Long ago before my dad died, he began tossing a HANDFUL of birdseed out into his back yard. At first he attracted perhaps a dozen or two of urban birds. Before the summer was over, he had three or four hundred birds showing up to be fed using up 2 to 3 cans of seeds in three pound coffee cans.
The birds began showing up almost an hour before feed time making a heck of a racket
It became a lesson in sociology when he told me it was a demonstration of how the U.S. welfare system worked.
It was a good illustrative lesson on how a free lunch giveaway works. It is only “free” if you get to eat it and have no other responsibilities afterward.
It isn’t free if you have to buy it, serve it or clean up after it is over.
Same goes for cats or dogs or any other creature taken in.
Once you assume responsibility for them, the problems they have become yours as well – along with the expenses and upkeep. Accept the risks and don’t complain.
I agree that doing “good” is a positive force. Doing that “good” though, should be at your own expense without expecting to be paid back. It doesn’t obligate one to provide for all unfortunate circumstances of the runaway population of the needy. Their life does not necessarily become a place you must sacrifice your life to.
Just as extending kindness to the undeserving is viewed by them as YOUR weakness to be exploited, free lunches and care aren’t really free and could consume your entire life and resources. Reliance on the provider without learning how to provide for ones self will only end badly for both when the burden becomes too great. Know your limitations before you commit if you are to become a platform for saving others.
Critters and people: some things never change.
A brilliant reply and illustration – Ed thank you.
Yes, AMEN, Ed! I have friends who are ‘slaves’ to their ‘pets’ (that they don’t pet!) Always amazes me seeing homeless people begging for food and help… but they have a big dog or two with them. I keep a pet bird (and yes, he lets me pet him!) but that is the limit. The single bird feeder in the backyard gets a half-full every few weeks intermittently so the birds do not become dependent on it. When the Java sparrows find it, the hordes come and will empty it in a matter of hours. Most gets scattered on the ground, but the ground-feeder birds clean that up, too.
I used to like dogs when I was young. But I don’t like the ‘sanitary maintenance’ needed. One friend lives with NINE dogs in her house. She lives in a smelly doghouse that I never visit anymore. Out in the boonies here everyone thinks they ‘must-have’ dogs for home security. I resisted that. My neighbors all around have dogs that will bark if intruders come past on the road. So I don’t need one.
“It became a lesson in sociology when he told me it was a demonstration of how the U.S. welfare system worked.”
Ed.. I once applied for a position with a fortune 500 company back in the early eighties when jobs were tight.. now I wont say which one. The position wasn’t a positive th ion high on the economic rungs.. just a basic hmm hourly wage position.
The interview went well..then came the offer and wage. The gentleman in.personell could tell I was a little shocked and contemplating the companies offer.. because he wanted to hire me for the.position he got this almost excited expression to entice me to accept the job..he said..you know you would qualify for food stamps with this posion.. I actually laughed and said..you do realize that’s not a benefit for the job or company. I’m sorry I cannot accept the position and left.
As a bottom feeder wage earner I can tell you that the average employee does not want a free hand they want to feel the satisfaction of being a productive member of society.
You did point out that the birds were trained to show up for the food..like rats in a maze we are slowly being conditioned and trained that in order to provide for your family you have to seek out those benefits through the federal social programs.
A steel worker would love to be a steel worker yet we trained them that they are inadequate to make steel in the USA that is acceptable for industry.
They are now on social programs. In the end a person would love to provide their daily expenses for a basic living.
Any one with a calculator or a paper and pencil doing a basic budget can see theres very few choiceseft for the average wage earner..the real economic advances are only allowed for the few at the top. The rest are being trained to seek out these necessities through socialism.
.
“Just as extending kindness to the undeserving is viewed by them as YOUR weakness to be exploited,”
Most everyone knows that I extend a helping hand to those that I can.
I can honestly say I was only taken advantage of once..and it was only for the cost of a meal..
Many times people assume the worst. Those that are truly in need rarely take more than they need..Ronald Reagan had cheese give aways..what was funny is the longest lines in our area wasn’t from the needy..
I think it was stanford th hat did a study. They had put out a board with various amounts of money on it. Saying take what you need. The sign was positioned in various locations and filmed. In the most needy areas with homeless you would see someone come up and take a dollar.. when positioned in more affluent areas people would strip the board of all the money.
I think harvard ir cambridge did a similar study to.. giving a homeless person money totally expected them to buy booze only to discover that they didn’t do anything like that at all.
Another one was the state of Florida.. the big thought was food stamp recipients were all on drugs..so they spent millions testing only to discover that it was totally false perception.. the percentages were so low that couldn’t post any.
There is never a free ride..
What is the old saying
GAS,CASH,OR ASS NO ONE RIDES THE BUSS FOR FREE
There is a cost perception for everything..
Harvard and Berkley I don’t know why I was thinking Stanford..
the affects are pretty dramatic.. I know when I have given a helping hand up I have always been amazed.. they rarely talk about how poor they are.. they don’t want to be thought of as being poor..
we took in a man.. I call him mr. manors.. he spent most of his life living under bridges and in trash dumpsters.. when he came to our home the police would look for his walker or wheel chair parked next to the dumpster and then tap on it saying can man are you in there.. the garbage men would save all the can’s they could so he could get a meal.. the officers would take him to the fanciest restaurant ever.. which wasn’t a fancy restaurant but a more common eaterie.. for a pancake and egg.. his favorite meal.
he was always so excited about family functions and would try to lecture the grandkids not to make the same mistakes he had made.. he would share anything he had if someone had asked him.. the same for the gentleman we have now living in our spare room.. nicest guy in the world lost his farm and his rental property all his belongings his business everything because of medical expenses for his mate that was let go by the very hospital she owed the money for when she got sick.. most of us hourly wage earners are one or two paychecks away from being homeless.. which is what makes this covid virus a real dangerous thing.. one third out of a job while the velocity of money continued.. the view from the bottom is bleak at best.. the house of cards will fall..unfortunately we didn’t get smart fast enough..
“The single bird feeder in the backyard gets a half-full every few weeks intermittently so the birds do not become dependent on it. ”
I did like my father.. I planted their very own area with the things they like to eat.. millet sugar beats wild rice etc.. that way they can harvest it naturally the way that they would in life foraging for food..
My father complained about rabbits in his garden my whole life.. never once having a rabbit attack his garden.. across the yard he planted a rabbit food garden that they ate from.. a few seeds and let it grow..
my parents taught us kids.. Never look down on anyone unless your giving them a hand up..
Being successful at old age starts when you are much younger.
Let’s try a short list of objectives for 20-somethings:
1. Above all, guard your health and try to stay alive.
2. Stay out of debt, and keep a positive cash flow.
3. Own your own home, and don’t over-build.
Do I know a single 20-something who ever followed this advice? Nope. Not even one. But by the time you hit forty-five or so, if you haven’t gotten your priorities straight, what remains of your life will be taking a turn for worse.
” Little buggers are eating 15 pounds of sugar a week.”
Anybody asks you what a “sugar rush” looks like can be point to your hummingbirds!
LOL
As a board certified Geezer and Curmudgeon, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed reading your column this morning. I only wish I had read, understood and complied totally with these words of wisdom from the time I was 20 years old. Fortunately, I did get a lot of it right, especially after a heart attack 20 years ago at 58 years of age.
One of my grandsons asked me if I could summarize the secret to a long and healthy life in 4 words. After a bit of thought, I responded:
Move more. Eat less.
With your permission I am going to let my grandkids read your column of this morning.
Thanks
absolutely
!
And part 2 coming Wednesday as well
welfare raccoons,,,17 of them,,on his porch,,all the ones that showed up voted democrat except the 3 rinos, they wrote in Pierre(Romney)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lipHEaxIGag&feature=emb_logo
https://youtu.be/a9hMJS1DsUk
MAD AS HELL
George is spot-on about planning for your ‘retirement’ or geezerhood. My mother always nagged me about “When you begin to earn money, begin to save money. ” Retirement savings is a buffer for emergencies during working life. I was fortunate enough to have enough savings to purchase my modest retirement home for cash, despite being ‘downsized’ into an early retirement. Worked my butt off in the final years with contracting that got my Social Security payout upped enough to buy groceries. I think I checked most of the boxes for ‘successful geezerhood’. And how much ham radio is ‘too much’??
Like unicorns, there is no such thing! (as too much ham radio gear)
Trump gave us the news. Nice.
Hi, George,
At any age, but especially in senior-hood, it is imperative to: eat healthy, exercise nearly every day, enjoy getting outside, pursue hobbies and special interests, and just live life the best that you can. It is wonderful living life with the right partner, but some folks like their solitude. Close friends are a treasure. Life partners are truly a blessing. Thanks.
You can do all the prep work and savings you want thinking you have a handle on things, but life can and does come along and kicks the foundation out of your plans. This is my hubby’s second. At age 40, after 18 years of marriage, his first ex cleaned him out, down to just about zero (including half his future retirement/pensions – existing and future and she got half the 401s and stock options, plus the house and everything in it and the two cars, plus he had to pay her large maintenance for 5 years Plus very large child support for the one kid who was 9 at the time….) Because you know, the ‘poor thing’ hadn’t worked and had no marketable skills…..(this was after he had already spent close to $100,000 in attorney fees (back in the late 80s). Yes, it was a Very long and expensive divorce for him in spite of the good fight he put up. When we got together we started with just about zero and started rebuilding as fast as we could.
Well, all good intentions aside, life will kick the heck out of you….between a few job downsizes and losses, having to become self-employed, several major medical issues that had huge bit out of pocket/not covered after med insurance resulting in a bankruptcy after 2008, well, let’s just say that hubby is resigned to the fact that he will be working until he is 85…one can only hope his health holds up. Maybe at age 86 he/we can finally retire. And me, due to medical conditions, I can probably keep working another 15 years – or until I am 80…
Yup, living the geezer dream here….not!
“his first ex cleaned him out, down to just about zero (including half his future retirement/pensions – existing and future and she got half the 401s and stock options, plus the house ”
The medical Bill’s and hospital did that to me lol.. the only ones got had any sex was them when they had me bent over the bench.
And I never even hot a kiss out of the dam thing ..
When I had to see the specialist for my eyes.. he charged four grand for ten minutes not even a blood test and didn’t offer me a cup of stale waiting room coffee or cookie. They wanted me to come back I said no. For four grand I could have a cruise a couple of nice meals and college girls in bikinis rubbing my temple saying poor baby..lol lol
George,
I hope your readers didn’t take my comments wrong. I willingly started feeding the hummingbirds and I also realize that I accept responsibility for any stray cats I take in. Each one gives me joy in their own way.
With cats, I am amazed that each one seems to have their own distinct personality. Each has certain quirks to their behavior that are totally their own. Actually, I think that trying to analyze each and every one of the cats; tends to make you a better student of behavior for both cats and humans. Also, I find cats to be much preferred to many of the humans I have to deal with daily.
Back to the hummingbirds, it is totally amazing the “feeding frenzy” each night just before sunset and again the next morning. Almost think I need air traffic control for the ones in a “holding pattern” waiting for their chance to tank up before going to roost. They are a lot of work, but are truly a joy to behold. Short term summer enjoyment, because the last ones will be migrating South by mid October.
My farm is also covered in deer and wild turkeys, which I continue to enjoy seeing every day. Neighbor is an avid hunter, but fully respects my desire to let the animals on my farm alone. We have a good relationship. If he shoots a deer and it runs onto my property, he knows that I am fine with him coming onto my farm to finish the process. Very responsible hunter, in that he never shoots unless he is certain that he can put the animal down with minimal difficulty. Truly been a great neighbor, who moved here from Boston.
“I hope your readers didn’t take my comments wrong. I willingly started feeding the hummingbirds and I also realize that I accept responsibility for any stray cats I take in. Each one gives me joy in their own way.”
I sure didn’t take you wrong Lloyd… I feed the critters to.. Rockey the squirrel comes by for corn all the time.. I put it on the bin and one day there is rockey with his mate.. and was was funny is they were both eating and he had his little paw around his mate.. It was the cutest thing.. I get a world of enjoyment out of watching the animals.. and what is a meal or two .. they do me a huge service to.. ( not rockey LOL) the birds eat pests..that in the long run would be more harmful than good..
tree rats
“tree rats”
you should watch the birds chase him away from the tree when he gets close to the nests…
one small bird rockey just wasn’t going to listen to her.. she flew over to a light pole and started screeching at the top of her lungs.. all of a sudden you seen birds all kinds and species of birds flying over to the tree and the bigger birds went to town and chased rockey back down the street.. It was amazing.. just about every species of bird came to her rescue..
they did that again when A young bird couldn’t find worms for her babies.. you could tell she was frustrated and anxious.. she started to screech and pretty soon other birds landed all around..close by.. they were standing over the worms so she could find them.. after she would get it.. they would fly off..
People say that animals don’t have feelings or minds but that is some pretty cool stuff there..
as for rockey and his mate.. they are always getting their butts in trouble with the local birds.. its hilarious to watch rockeys mate chew his butt…. or them play hide and seek with their babies..
This 65 year-old geezer is still working as a payroll administrator and I would like input as to what exactly Trump means with his suspension of Payroll taxes. In the payroll field, that means payments to SS, Medicare and Disability. But that would diminish our already diminished SS. Do I have it right? I was hoping there would be a suspension of Fed and State income taxes. Could he possibly be calling THESE payroll taxes?
How about it G_____ ? Do you know what the payroll tax deal really is? I also keep hearing the “deferred” accompanying the payroll tax talk.
“his first ex cleaned him out, down to just about zero (including half his future retirement/pensions – existing and future and she got half the 401s and stock options, plus the house ”
The medical Bill’s and hospital did that to me lol.. the only ones got had any sex was them when they had me bent over the bench.
And I never even hot a kiss out of the dam thing ..
When I had to see the specialist for my eyes.. he charged four grand for ten minutes not even a blood test and didn’t offer me a cup of stale waiting room coffee or cookie. They wanted me to come back I said no. For four grand I could have a cruise a couple of nice meals and college girls in bikinis rubbing my temple saying poor baby..lol lol
“Always nearly broke.”
unfortunately.. that is the average hourly employee….. that is why there is such a demand for social programs..
Its almost like a spiders web without borders.. we hear about this country wanting this one that country wanting another.. the ussr not wanting JB because of the corrupt way they were treated china not wanting DJT because he wants them to tariff and tax.. but really who is it that is pulling the strings..
from my perspective.. it looks like a spiders web.. just like any franchise.. you have the main office or spider that dictates what will happen and all the other baby spiders in their own web doing the will of the spider.. so what is the true end goal here.. what do they think they can accomplish..
Is the going option three just to cull the weak and elderly.. getting social programs like social security and medicare..the cacrousel from logans run comes to mind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wjXpTDuHiE