Layout:
Home > Okay, NOW I'm settling in

Okay, NOW I'm settling in

June 29th, 2007 at 12:56 pm

I wrote yesterday that even though I had successfully made the move, I was upset because my cat was missing in action. He has reappeared, and now I can breathe a sigh of relief and get on with it.

Of course, the most exciting thing is that all my debts are paid off! That's the delightful part about selling a house. Now that I'm living in my cousin's house, as a sort of caretaker, I will have no housing expense. We've also worked out a deal on food. At first she suggested we share food expenses. Reasonable, but then I found out she spends $600 a month on groceries. I didn't like the idea of spending $300 a month, which is easily twice what I was spending on my own. So I have offered to be the "food manager" and I am promising to bring in a lower grocery bill for two than she did for one. This will be easy; I just have to get her out of her wasteful habits and shop with an eye toward value, as I always have.

My "suite" in her her house is basically two rooms -- a nice, but rather small bedroom, with an attached full bathroom and large walk-in closet, and a sitting room with space for a couch and TV, maybe an end table or two. It's not set up yet. I also have my own patio off the bedroom door. My view is a wooded area with mountains in the distance. As my son said, I am a "pretty lucky girl."

My official retirement income is about $600 per month (it will vary a bit, since half of it comes from interest on my TIAA account, the other half is a systematic withdrawal from my CREF account.) I also have an emergency fund of close to $10,000. I will use this for big bills, such as my insurance premiums. I will also have access to make withdrawals from my CREF account, but of course I will have to be careful to protect my nest egg.

Although $600 a month sounds paltry, I think with my limited expenses, it will do me fine. When I'm 62, I can start drawing social security (which I will draw on my ex-husband's salary -- much greater than mine!) If I find I am cash-poor before then, I will get into a temp pool, or work part-time. I really don't want another job. I want some free time to write, to pursue artistic interests, and read all the books I want to!

I have many boxes yet to unpack, but I will be taking my time. I am already functioning pretty well on what I've done already.

It's good to be back, and it's good to be in Carolina!

9 Responses to “Okay, NOW I'm settling in”

  1. jason-lee Says:
    1183118762

    You know, in my opinion, $300 am month on food, although doesn't sound like much, but when you consider that many live on a fraction of that when deep in debt.

    Good to hear you are now out of debt!

  2. nance Says:
    1183122354

    Good news about the cat's return!

    I think that you will discover that you will be able to live on quite a bit less than $300. a month now that you aren't working outside the home. You will have more time to check out the ads, shop, cook from scratch, bake, etc.
    When I quit my high-stress job, I was surprized at how little money I spent on food, clothing, gasoline, etc.
    Six hundred a month, when you are debt free is not a paltry amount.
    Enjoy!

  3. Ima saver Says:
    1183128136

    Are you in North Carolina or South carolina? I am guessing North Carolina if you can see mountains. I live in the mountains of N. Ga. only about 10 miles from North Carolina.

  4. fern Says:
    1183130876

    I hope your cousin's situation is a stable one, eg, she will be there for a while?

    Your little suite there sounds sweet, especially with your own private patio and now your kitty has a place to bask.

    You may find that a simple part-time job of less than 20 hours a week would really not be a burden to you but could make a nice difference in the amount of discretionary cash for you. Just a thought.

    I perfectly understand your desire to leave the work world and do your own thing. But i find sometimes that when i have huge amounts of free time, i end up wasting it and not being nearly as productive as i am when i have limited time. (What's that expression, if you want to get somethign done, give it to a busy person? So true!)

    When i retire, i anticipate creating a fairly structured schedule for myself that will combine a little part-time work, a little volunteer work and then plenty of free personal time to do what i want.

  5. PauletteGoddard Says:
    1183130945

    Sweet debt freedom! Happy reading/shopping. Did you ever wake up and think "nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning"? :-)

  6. LuxLivingFrugalis Says:
    1183131805

    Glad to hear you are getting settled in and W.O.N.D.E.R.ful to know that you've been able to clear the debt slate!!

    ENJOY your new life of freedom!


    WOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

    (pea green over here!)

  7. carol Says:
    1183132358

    Glad to hear that kitty is back alive and safe. Sounds like you have a nice place to live with cool views.

    Best of wishes to you.

  8. Carolina Bound Says:
    1183161853

    Thanks, all.

    Julie, my new home is in North Carolina, near Asheville.

    Fern, I will probably take on some kind of employment in the future. Right now I am so busy trying to get unpacked and moved in, I can't imagine too much free time!

  9. monkeymama Says:
    1183211417

    I am so happy your kitty came back too! Hooray!

    Now relax and enjoy!

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]