Lately, I've been noticing something a bit scary. Many of the older people in my life Aren't retired. My Grandma still works. I'm pretty sure my grandpa does too.
Why?
I know my grandma needs the money. And that scares me. I always picture retirement as a thing that old people do; They can travel freely, And do whatever they want.
That's not the case
Why are people postponing retirement?
My Thoughts on This
I feel ripped off! Growing up I started learning more about the world, And it seemed more and more ridiculous. So we get a job, We have this boss that tells us when we can take days off. They supply 100% of our income. We work for these people full time for 40 years. And eventually, when we are old, Our bodies beat up and tired. We get the freedom to do what we want!
By that time, We may or may not have enough money, Or energy to do so. While all this is happening, The government snatches a massive chunk of our money away from our every paycheck.
We have to pay for our home, Our food, And everything else. What is left is our "play" money. The money that brings us the most joy.
When I was working hard going to school and working two jobs. I felt heart broken. One job was full time as a housekeeper at a hotel. The other was a janitorial job. Then I went to school full time. Everything I did had to be rushed. I rushed my eating, Rushed my showers. I was always stressed and upset.
I wanted to draw! I wanted to do art. That's my passion. That's my everything and yet I don't get to do any of that stuff. As a child, I never realized the scope of the freedom I had. If I did. I think I would have used it more wisely.
I remember breaking down when I asked myself a simple question.
"When can I do art?"
Then I started thinking about retirement. And I realized I wouldn't be able to pursue my passion for art until the retirement age of 65.
At that moment I lost all my desire to continue existing.
I feel so used by my employers. Paying me a shitty 7-8.00 an hour, to work my butt off, They take my most precious resource, my time. And throw me so little money.
This is when I set my sights on becoming self-employed. So I could free from that "Bad Deal."
Almost a year ago, I left my job. And Now I'm saving and investing as much as I can. I still have to pay taxes, And work lots of hours. But I get paid to do what I love the most: Art! Sometimes retiring is about leaving that crappy job and doing what you want to do!
But there is still a big problem. Many people aren't retiring!
Read the rest of this post in my next blog...