[mitchntx]

Since about 30, I've been saving, scrimping and hoarding pennies, working 2 jobs, 3 sometimes, all so that I could retire at 55.

Everything ... mortgage, debt, housing amenities, shop, tools ... everything was set up on this idea that I could retire with reasonable comfort and then work as I wanted, when I needed and do what I liked.

The last year has seen that dream slowly dwindle into the reality that I will have to work at this stinking job till I'm a hundred and 55. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

My job is great ... been there since March of 1982. I really like what I do. Unfortunately it comes with it's share of migraine headaches, mostly with the title of Manager attached somewhere.

I was talking with a very good friend yesterday and he made some really good sense. Might as well pull all the money from market accounts and buy a new car. The drop in value couldn't be any worse.

Oh well, just thought I'd rant a while ... kind of feeling sorry for myself. So I want all of you to feel bad, too. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif)

[sgarnett]

The good and the bad:

The world economy is in the crapper, no doubt about it.

Stock prices are meaningless until the end of the year at least. There's a lot of institutions being forced to sell whether they want to or not. Until that's done, who knows what the real values are. They certainly aren't based on the business fundamentals. Those fundamentals are declining, but not as fast as the prices.

My employer decided a few years ago that pensions were out of style. So, the only pension I have is my invested savings. Watching those savings plummet a month's pay per day is getting painful. It's going to take a long time to get out of this hole.

This post has been edited by sgarnett: Oct 7 2008, 02:19 PM