Sounds like a pretty simple question, but have you done the math? Yeah, the math. Have you sat down and look at what you are earning and what you’ll need when it’s time to hang it all up and stop work, or if you think you’re going to work until you die, are you positioning yourself in an occupation or job that will allow it? We’re in a recession … no news there, unless of course you ask “W” because he’d rather not say. There are a lot of things to start thinking about; honestly, you need to start looking at all the “what if’s” because our lives and this country are starting to change and for the most part, these changes are going to be more challenging. So let’s look at some of the things worth thinking about:
Your Job
So, what do you do for a living these days? Is it something that people are going to continue to need and can you honestly say that this job won’t change in the short term? Look very closely because, as we are finding out quickly, there are very few jobs that have a long lifespan any longer. Even the proverbial “garbage man” riding around your neighborhood is finding his/her job up for grabs. Are you doing anything to extend your knowledge, education, experience? Whether it’s an online computer class or just picking up a simple skill like mixing drinks at the local bar, a skill is a skill and big business is rapidly discovering that finding skilled, ready to work employee’s are getting far and few between. Just keeping a good record of the things you have done is a good start to any job search so learn to be a good record keeper.
Your Health
It’s made the news and it’s no news to anyone that’s been out of work in recent history. Over 20 million Americans are going without any kind of health insurance and even fewer are really taking a good look at themselves. Overweight? Out of shape? Finding yourself feeling bad and getting colds more often? The combination of heavy corn supplemented diets and process foods are taking their toll. Also consider that most adults having had a series of inoculations against the basic’s for a long time. In the past they told us we wouldn’t need it, but turns out that we do and the list isn’t short. If your over 40 you should talk to your doctored. The CDC recommends you be up-to-date for Chickenpox, Diphtheria, Hepeatitis A & B, HPV (for women), Influenza, Measles, Meningitis, Mumps, Pertussis (whooping cough), Pneumonia, Rubella, Shingles & Tetanus. Getting away from the fried food, sugar, red meats and fat and increasing your intake of fruits & vegetables will do a lot to help you, particularly if you don’t have the medical coverage. Throw away the TV controllers, take a walk every night, just chase your better half around the house in their birthday suit …. It all helps.
Your Relationships
Married, seriously involved, starting over? With all the problems in the world and in the financial side of life, few people can honestly afford a serious miss-step in these areas. Are you doing what you need to be doing to nurture your relationships? Are you being the good friend that you hope to have? Is there anyone out there you can depend upon when all hell breaks loose? And most important, are YOU a good friend or just a fair weather friend? Now more than ever the old saying “you reap what you sow” has a lot of meaning. If you want to be able to depend upon other people you better be nothing less to them. Perhaps it’s time to start building some REAL friends, not just “let’s hook up for the weekend” friends.
Your Car, House, & “Stuff”
Are you sinking all your money into these? Cars loose value and unfortunately houses are too for the moment and buying lots and lots of “stuff” that is impulse buying rather than just focusing on what you really need just drains your money. You should plan to have enough cash in the bank to carry yourself for at least 12 months if you loose your job and this does NOT include unemployment benefits! You should take complete advantage of any 401K plan your company offers … remember, that match is FREE MONEY; can you really afford to ignore free money?
Your Spirit
No issue is more touchy than that of your spiritual belief’s. No matter what you believe, do you feel you are well grounded in those beliefs? Is it important to you and is it important to be around others with similar beliefs? And most important, do your belief’s make you feel better, safer, and happier? Only you can answer these questions, but they are questions that you need to explore and make sure you like the answers you are hearing. It’s all of having good mental health, which can get you through the toughest challenge.
Your Death
Yeah, most people would rather not ever think about what will happen to them at the very end, but it is important. How long did your folks live and what was the cause of their eventual death? Important, particularly since it often gives us a glimpse of how long we will live and how we might die. It can tell you how you need to adjust your life to try to stave off a premature fate, and if you know that a particular disease shows up from one generation to the next, you need to talk to your doctor about it; and frankly, if your doctor says don’t worry about it, find yourself another doctor that takes you serious. Also, think about what you want to leave your spouse, your friends, your children and anyone that is important enough to do that for. Having your financial affairs in order, a will drawn, and arrangements specified takes a tremendous burden on the survivors as well as gives you a lot of peace of mind knowing you did the right thing for everyone.
It’s your life, make the most of it and remember it’s the duty of the old to teach the young so if you haven’t adopted some young person to help improve, you have a debt to pay. Leaving the place better than you found it not only helps the world, it reminds them of their obligation too ….
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