SUSAN
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Hi Julia,
I just turned 60 in December and have never been married (I'm not gay either), so I am probably in a small category of women my age. I am used to living on one income. I am an administrative specialist in Portland and rent an apartment in Vancouver. I moved here from The Bay Area in 2001 because I could no longer make ends meet there, as prices rose exponentially. Unfortunately, I have not saved much for retirement for several reasons. I was a hippie until my mid-30s, believing I had to live for today and not think about being old, and then I changed jobs every few years, partly because I grew bored and partly because of layoffs or other changes in the workplace beyond my control.
So, I am probably not in a position to give financial advice! However, I listen to Suze Orman regularly and, at last, have begun to take the art of saving money a bit more seriously.
Vacations are important to me and I love to travel, but I haven't done a great deal of it (Have driven, flown and hitchhiked around the country and visited Hawaii once). I visit my family in upstate New York infrequently. It's difficult to spend money on vacations and save for retirement, but I am trying to do both.
Tips for making life enjoyable: Celebrate the holidays and cook for yourself even if you are alone. I decorate fully, make great meals, have friends over and bake cakes for people all year. I try not to worry about money, even though there is little chance that I can ever retire.
I create things to look forward to -- trips, gatherings, concerts, etc. I held a 60th birthday party in October so that friends could come from the east coast and California instead of having to travel in possible ice and snow for my real birthday, two weeks before Christmas. I asked everyone to bring a poem to read, and several of my friends wrote something for me. A friend took photos and made a book for me. It was such a memorable occasion and I'm happy that I planned it and had wonderful support from friends.
If I had life to do over again, I would have listened to my mother, who told me when I was in my 30s that I should start saving for retirement. I would have had more confidence in myself so that I would now probably be teaching on the university level and making much more money. But I don't dwell on regrets. I believe in moving forward and enjoying the freedom I have, the companionship of my four cats and the fact that I have many long friendships that will sustain me even if my money won't.
I recently completed a certificate program in editorial practices that I could possibly use to freelance to supplement my income. I am not certain whether I will build a freelance base, as I feel a bit overwhelmed by the idea of working two jobs. Now that I'm 60, I want my life to be easier -- and more fun too...
Sincerely,
Susan | 
