Winter \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Moon of the Winter Solstice<\/p>\n
With Kate fully retired and our income coming now from Social Security, my pension and our IRA 2013 will be the first year fully in the Third Phase. \u00a0This both changes everything and nothing. \u00a0Everything in that our forward scan has to take into account not only personal and marital growth, but the inevitable physical decline. \u00a0Already the markers of the latter have made themselves known. \u00a0Nothing in that none of this is a surprise nor does it impact, at least so far, our capacity to continue creative, full lives.<\/p>\n
Money is not exactly tighter, but our flexibility has grown more constricted. \u00a0That is, we have sufficient assets and income flow for our needs; but, since they have to be managed as resources for an indeterminate amount of time, we can no longer flush out spare pots of cash for sudden trips or splurges. \u00a0This is a bit of a surprise. This mild surprise lies over against the relief and gratification of having enough. \u00a0Enough is enough.<\/p>\n
In return for somewhat less fiscal flexibility though we have very flexible time. \u00a0Kate can focus on sewing, quilting, the grand kids, reading, cooking. \u00a0We can both spend time on the garden and the bee hives. \u00a0I can spend more time reading, writing, learning Latin, learning art history and going to museums. \u00a0The trade off is more than worth it.<\/p>\n
So, what questions arise for the third phase given these realities? \u00a0I’m not sure right now, but I’m open to suggestions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Winter \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Moon of the Winter Solstice With Kate fully retired and our income coming now from Social Security, my pension and our IRA 2013 will be … Continue reading Enough is Enough<\/span>