In a previous post, Tapping Out and Letting Go!!, I shared that I am beginning to "Let Go" of some of my Holiday decorations......
It is not an easy task for me to do but I have come to the realization that I just can not physically keep doing what I have been doing.....
So I have been offering items up for grabs to my daughter-in-law and my niece and great nieces and what they do not want, I am donating to Salvation Army or Volunteers of America.
I also mentioned that my knee, the one that needs to be replaced , has been giving me a lot of trouble which was another reason for deciding to start "Letting Go" of some of my Holiday things...
I was able to speak to my Orthopedic Surgeon at work the other day and I will be having my knee drained next Thursday as it is "full of fluid".....it is more than twice the size of my other knee!!
More on this in future posts......
Okay, back to what I want to talk about in this post......
"Letting Go" is also something that one has to do when Planning for Retirement.......
There is a link to all the Installments in that series at the top of this Blog if you are interested....
The 3rd Installment was titled, Having a Plan: Planning for Early Retirement
In that post, I mention investments and "Downsizing Your Life"........
In another installment, the 4th one, Frugal Living:Planning For Early Retirement
Paying off your mortgage.......
Another thing I went over in this post was CARS!!!!
This also had to do with "Downsizing Your Life"!
This is from that post.........
CARS
The mistake we made was getting a new car every 5 years.
Over our 38 year marriage, we have had 15 cars! CRAZY!! and STUPID!!
Currently, our 2 cars are a 9 and 10 years old and we have very little mileage on both of them.
My car is 10 years old with only 46,000 miles on it and Joe's is 9 years old with only 56,000 miles. We are lucky that we do not live far from where we work.
Our plan is to keep them both until I retire in a little over 3 years, and then trade them in for 1 brand new car.
We always bought one new car and one used car but no more than 2 years old. We are still debating whether we will go with a brand New car or a slightly Used Car. It will depend on what we find at the time we are ready to go down to 1 car.
Where we live, with everything about a 5 minute drive from us, we can live with only one car nicely once I retire.
This will save us on Insurance, Gas and Maintenance!
That was what I wrote 3 years ago.....
We still have the cars that I mentioned in that post.........
My car was bought used.........
Again, giving us a decent trade in value for a car this age.....
We had very little issues with these 2 cars over the years but both were now starting to show their age and were in need of some major repairs so back in December, I told Gary, at Marcum Motors, which is a family owned business, to start looking for a slightly used pre-owned car for us.....
It was time to "Let Go" of owning 2 cars and go down to owning one car......
We had decided to go with a pre-owned car rather than a new car when we retired because of the cost, since we would be paying cash for it, and the fact that since we live extremely close to just about everything from shopping, restaurants and entertainment, our next car would really get very little wear and tear....
And even though Joe is working part time at Wegman's, it is 5 minutes from our house!!!
I wanted another Hyundai Tucson like Joe's, mainly because we live in NEPA and need an SUV in the Winter......
It was leased through a dealership when it was brand new, only one owner, had only 19,000 miles on it and was turned back into the dealership at the end of the lease and would be going up for auction......
They sent me photos of the car from the auction site and the car fax.......
If I liked the car, they would bid on it at auction but we were under no obligation to buy it if we did not like something about it......
We LOVED it!!!!
It was exactly what I wanted and it was the Sport edition which made me love it even more........
So we traded in our 2 cars and now we own only one car........
Again, checking off another item on our Planning for Retirement List!!!
This is our new ride!!!!
I have had that Vanity Plate for over 30 years......
But when we had traded in cars in the past, it somehow ended up on the car that Joe drove....
My son Joey just traded in a Hyundai Elantra that was 14 years old in the Summer and bought this Toyota Camry also from Marcum Motors......
So petty much everything that we planned on doing so we could retire early is in place......
This is the interior.........
We have also had our cars serviced there for over 30 years!!!
You can see that our previous cars were basic colors....
We have had many cars since we were married including luxury cars but I wanted something that was sporty and a bit flashy for our retirement car and I think I got exactly what I wanted!!!!!
Joe and I have prepared for this and are prepared for having to move our plan up a few months so we will be fine.......
Again, I emphasize having a plan for Retirement whether it is early retirement or not......
I hope you will be back to visit again soon.......
And thanks to those who took the time out of their busy day to spend a little bit of time with me!!
If you do not have a blog, PLEASE give me some way to reply to your comment, maybe by including your email in your comment. If I can not find a way to reach you, I will reply on the post where you commented so please check back......
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Great new car. Like you we planned for several years on how we wanted to retire early and because we planned so well we were able to fulfill our dreams. Hope it all works out for you and that you to can fulfill yours.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new car! I love that color - it is beautiful! I also love the Pittsburgh Penguins on your license plate and Joe's black and gold jacket! Happy Valentines Day!
ReplyDeleteA plan is critical. So is having interests and passions that get you up and motivated and excited every day. Sounds like you do it all!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on cars. I'm just not into them. My car is a 2001 and when it goes I'll replace with used. And when Rick's goes, we'll go down to one, most likely. He rides his bike and walks almost everywhere unless it's a trip and then he's with me. It's just smart -- and good for you, observing that!
Oh wow, I love the new car, it's so beautiful! Being in the north east I definitely get the need for something that drives well in the snow. We got a Subaru a few years back on a lease, and we are going to buy it after the lease is up because it is so amazing in the snow. Also my kids made a total mess of it, and we are way over on miles, so we kind of have to buy it out. But it really is such a great car.
ReplyDeleteAre you excited about retiring? I know it's a big adjustment, and like you said it takes a lot of planning!
Love your car. I went from driving Subaru station wagons to SUVs and I don't think I'll ever go back to a sedan - so much easier to get into a higher car. After my hip replacement. it was so much easier to get in and out of.
ReplyDeleteHoping you will get some relief from having your knee drained. I'm going to see my OS to see about the new Iovera treatment - it's like a nerve block for your knee. His patients have had good results. With helping my parents, I really can't take the time to recuperate from knee surgery - the hip was a breeze - only two weeks until I could drive and I only needed Tylenol for the discomfort - I know the knees will be a lot different.
Take care of yourself.
Love your car. it is beautiful. Hope your downsizing is going well.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day. Loads of hugs. XOXO
Hi Debbie! I thought that in retirement there would be nothing left to do ... Now, 10 years ago, I realize that I do not have time to do so much! It has disadvantages but the advantages outweigh them ... Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new car! It's great. Thanks for your sweet words
ReplyDeleteHugs
Oh, Debbie. It sounds like all your plans are falling into place!!! I love that you have made good plans that you were/are able to accomplish. It is really a sweet that you got the color/kind of car you wanted.
ReplyDeleteI hope draining the knee helps and that the surgery will be smooth and successful. I know that you know all the ins and outs of that procedure.
I have also been purging and getting rid of a ton of things. It is sad in a way but also freeing. I never thought I would be able to "do less" for the holidays but that has been my trend these last few years.
Keep us posted as to what is going on! xo Diana
Sounds like you are getting all ready for retirement, I bet it sounds good to be so close. I hope you can get relief from your knee pain very soon!
ReplyDeleteTerrific plans! You are indeed fortunate & wise to take care of yourself and each other. ONE word more: CONGRATULATIONS!!
ReplyDeleteMarcy Ray,
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by!! Thanks for your well wishes!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Congratulations on the new car. Praying for your knee surgery.
ReplyDeleteA car song for you from Australia:
ReplyDeletehttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lPsa8MJU_50
So sorry to hear that your knee is giving you pain. I am happy that your have an appointment to get it drained. Hope you feel better soon. Happy Weekend, Kippi #kippiathome
ReplyDeleteDebbie, congratulations on your upcoming well-planned retirement. Wishing you all the best with the surgery and new knee. #HappinessIsHomemade
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching your goals and on the new SUV! We started buying used too since the price is so greatly reduced as opposed to buying new. A 2 year old car off of lease is always a good value! I love red so that’s a real winner to me! Before my mom’s knee surgery her knee was doubled in size too. She got to where just standing was too painful. She had it replaced and has done so well. Then she had the other knee done a couple of years later. She’s 96 now and has no complaints with her knees (just a few other issues though)! I love Wegman’s and always check one out when we get near one! They have a lemon meringue pie they make there that I found in the cooler section that is divine!
ReplyDeleteLove your new ride girl! Yes it is sporty too and that's what I like. We just bought a new SUV too. Well, actually it's a year old. Was a lease and turned back in with low, low mileage. Mine last SUV was a 2007 and I bought it in 2008. We have always taken very good care of our rides. I know your knee must be painful at times. Bless your heart. I have arthritis in left knee but so far I do well with staying active and if needed I take Ibuf. But Deb, then my dang necks hurts so bad from arthritis till I guess I pay no attention to my knee! LOL! Something to be thankful for always. Looks like you are on a good path dear friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have been retired for almost 4 years. I am Retired RN. I bought my husband a big double cab truck for his retirement. We put a large down payment on it so our payments are only. $300 a month. My car is 16:years old with only 26,ooo miles. We used hubbys companies truck for 44 years which saved us a lot of money. And we live very comfortably. You are right the key to a great financial retirement is to plan early and wisely. And our house has been paid for 10 years. Best Wishes Always.
ReplyDeletePam,
DeleteSo glad to hear that you are enjoying retirement!! We are thrilled with our "new" car!! Planning is definitely the key and even though I will be moving up my surgery which means I will be retiring a few months before I qualify for my social security, I am so glad that I have enough money put aside that I can use to see us through until I do get my social security. I worked hard my whole life and saved that money so that is what it was supposed to be used for and I will use it because I need to take care of ME!!Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!!
Hugs,
Debbie
It's a beautiful car! I think going down to one is a great idea--it would save so much money, like you said, especially with everything being 5 minutes from you. :) Thanks for sharing at #heartandsoullinkup
ReplyDeleteThe car is beautiful, Debbie! I'm so glad you found exactly what you were looking for. And congrats on checking so many things off of your list for retirement. That will certainly help make the transition easier and less stressful. I hope the plans for your knee work out as well as everything else has. Thanks so much for sharing at Sweet Inspiration!
ReplyDeletelove your new car! The color is beautiful. I am headed into retirement also, but intend to work since I'm single and don't want to be bored at home. Wish you all the best with your knee surgery. Had to have both mine replaced and it's like a whole new world. No pain! Great to be able to walk longer distances. Still working on increasing those distances since I hadn't walked very far for at least 5 or more years. You will feel like a whole new person.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at Best of the Weekend! Congratulations on buying that beautiful car with cash. Good job. What a great dealership you have, to find exactly what you wanted. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteLove that new car! Isn't it great when plans work out?! Hope all goes well with the knee . . .
ReplyDelete