Saving Money

[anonymous]

Odd thought for the day - do any of you have trouble saving money because of your health? I mean - because you feel your life will be short, so why save? I've always had this problem and I'm just wondering if other people with CF have this too. Like - how on earth could I consider an IRA or 401K when I always thought it was doubtful I'd hit retirement age. I realize that's an unhealthy way of thinking now, but does anyone else go through this? Also - I'm wondering if the fact that lung transplants are as good as they are now makes a change in this. Now I'm starting to realize that even if my health goes sour, at least there is the option for a lung transplant which could add so many more years to my life - so perhaps the idea of a retirement plan isn't so far fetched....What are your thoughts?Piper

 

[Mockingbird]

Hello, Piper. I am pretty impulsive with my money, too. I've never gotten myself deep into debt, or anything, but as far a storing money away for the future, well, I might get motivated every once in a while and start, but I always end up asking myself, "what's the point?" And blowing it on something. =-) I agree, it is not a very healthy way to live. There are other things besides money i've done that with, as well. When I was in high school, I did absolutely nothing to prepare to college. And, now that I am close to finishing college, I have done almost no thinking about what i am going to be doing next. I think there is a small part of me expecting I will not be having a future, so I don't really have to worry about these things. Me being lazy and a procrastinator, it is easy to listen to this little voice. So I don't really expect myself to die soon, but just in case, I do not want to waste time to preparing for a future that I might not have. =-) What a terrible outlook! =-) On the other hand, I don't really have any regrets from living like this. If I do reach retirement age, though, i'll probably look back on this and call myself an idiot. =-)Jarod22 with CF

 

[anonymous]

Jarod,I can't stop laughing at your last sentence! I wonder how we can break that cycle of thinking. I never did it with my studies or career, but I do it with a lot of other things too. I guess your sentence "I think there is a small part of me expecting I will not be having a future, so I don't really have to worry about these things" kind of hits a nerve and I can understand it. I just started thinking - well, I'm living more of a future than most have anticipated, and tomorrow is my future, it's not as far off as 10 years from now, but it's still my future. I too am lazy and a procrastinator, so it's probably just a really easy, lame excuse for us. What are our bodies supposed to think if we keep telling them - well I'm not planning for the well-being of your future, but I'm hoping you'll be there for mine! Silly, aren't we.

 

[anonymous]

Piper,Even if retirment seems far fetched you should tills put money aside, I invest $150 a month into my retirement plan. This money is being set aside for many reasons: (1) tax breaks (2) there will come a time when I am no longer healthy enough to go to work so I will need this money to live off, (3) If I don't use the money then when I am gone it is to go to my wife to help support her retirement or to help pay the mortgage. Believe saving money is a good idea.Dave 29 w/cf