I was reading an article about preparing for retirement (of course, that ship has sailed) but one thing I found interesting was the concept that, though there would be less income, there would also be fewer expenses.

I kept reading, thinking "Oh, some good news!"

Well, the idea was that there would be less money spent on gas, less mileage/wear and tear on the car, less money spent on coffee and lunches, less money for "work clothes", etc.

Not on THIS planet. I walked to work, so no money saved there. I brought my lunch in a bag, so not there either. I don't drink coffee, and would have had to bring it from home anyway. Not a lot of Starbucks in this neck of the woods.

And work clothes? Same as my "regular" clothes. Haven't bought a pair of pantyhose since Mary Tyler Moore was throwing her hat up in the air.

Now for the OTHER side: I'm home all day, so the computer is on all day now. It's costing more for electricity and propane, because (unlike Bob) I'm not comfortable at 64 degrees and all the lights off.

PLUS when I make those fifteen trips to the bathroom every day, I'm running our electric water pump (as opposed to gravity water at work), turning on OUR bathroom light, using OUR tp, washing my hands in OUR hot water and soap...

So far, I fail to see "fewer expenses". Must be the new math.

When ever there's an article about saving money, I read it religiously but same thing. No work expenses and now get much less on Disability. Don't drink or smoke, so can't save by eliminating those, shoot, if I'd done Starbucks, drank, smoked etc., cut them all out sometimes I'm led to believe I could save somuch money my life might change. I'm home, heatm water, light all the time. Never drove mucg but now both kids are, 2 vehicles eating up gas!!!! Insurance only covered part of wheelchair, rest wasn't cheap. I order on-line, shipping, nevewr find bargains like I used to, this isn't working great.Both kids going to college in 2010. YIKES!!!!!

Not to mention that our Disability, makes us more expensive, at home. WCs, Scooters, Ramps, stair lifts, widening doors, wear and tear on floors, adding grab bars to walls and don't forget bathroom renovations.

I read an article a while back that said that retirment can actually cost more than many "experts" think. They point out the saves but not the new expenses. You get 40 hours or so back that needs to be filled. It went on to state that most people who retire prefer not to sit at home all day and actually spend more time and money on socializing and hobbies. Potentially more lunches out, more movies, more golf, more books, etc. If shopping is someones hobby I hope they have a lot of money saved up.

I think my DH retirement 6/2010 will cost more for us because we will then need marriage counseling in order to live together under one roof!