"Also, not planning puts more burden on our system.
Done with this one. Good luck with your non-plans........... "
I totally and completey RESENT that statement, never mind your judgement about the no-plan option. I don't know where you are from Ras, what your life experience is but I'm with Sophie - been working my arse off for 30+ years, 23 of which has been in building and maintaining my own business. I'm not an oil company or a millionaire so I pay my due in taxes and yes, I prefer to see that money go to education, health and welfare systems, the so called "entitlement" programs because I am, well - a socialist I guess (tee hee).
I can tell you this though - my grandfather had a plan. Saved for their retirement. Invested. Worked 6 days a week 12 hours a day...until that is he dropped dead 1 year before he planned to retirement. What planning, huh?
In the past 10 years I've lost friends both suddenly and to long hard illnesses, all of whom were under 60 years old, all of whom were still working. No one PLANS to croak in a car accident. No one PLANS to get cancer and die 18 months later after an expensive and lingering illness. If I've learned nothing else in this life its that nothing is guaranteed, no one has a "pass" to live long and prosper, especially in this economic climate. Hey - prior to 2008 I had it all "planned" - gonna buy property in JA, gonna retire there in 2023, putting $$ into an IRA, saving a little as I can...oh well! I actually dropped the idea of buying land in JA a few years back for several reasons, money for it being only a small reason (and possibly surmountable) reason.
Nothing has come "easy" for me in this life, nor will it. I saved and put my own down payment down on my house. I saved and borrowed to renovate the thing. I work hard, I play hard - I'm not irresponsible with money but I don't let money speak for my lifestyle or make my decisions for me.
My only plan, as stated before, is the valuable piece of real estate I own in one of the most desireable markets in the country.
But I guess what I really want to know is how I or anyone will be a "burden on the system" without a savings account, IRA or corporate 401K? By collecting Social Security? By going on Medicare? Really????? I've paid into both since I'm 18 years old and even if there are only pennies left, I'm taking it. IT'S MINE (thus, "entitlement" program. You bet we are entitled to that shit. We paid for it.)
Really Ras, I'm surprised. You seemed like such a smart guy.
