Retirement means changes. Drastic, way of life changes.
I have been officially retired less than a week. I knew that things would be different, and I would have to think in an entirely new way, but this is frustrating. I can’t do what I want to do, and that is give like I want to give.
When I was working a full time job, even further back when my husband was alive and finally making decent money, we could share. We donated to Relay for Life and helped others out in ways that we could at the time. No, we were never great philanthropists, but they say every little bit helps right?
Now, here I am, newly retired, waiting on that first check and seeing the numbers in my checking account. Then I see the comments about the Toys for Tots donation drive. My heart breaks for the kids who may not get a toy this year. This crazy, weird, freaky, messed up year. A year that has taken so much from so many. I really don’t want to see this year and its ugliness take toys away from the kids. They are the innocent ones in all of this.
But, I have to be realistic. I have bills to pay. I have groceries to buy. I have my own responsibilities. Yet, in the back of my mind I hear the whisper, for the kids. How, do you change a mindset? How do you sit yourself down and say, “Now, listen here.” When your heart whispers, for the kids.
My social media page has been filled with reminders of how I am accepting donations, both toys and monetary. I can shop. I have nothing but time now. I’m hitting sales and using coupons and percent off deals from those stores I frequent. I’m trying to get the most bang for the buck. Something I haven’t tried to do as much before now.
I’ve been driving people crazy I know. People who have learned better how to budget and know what they can and cannot spend. I have pleaded with the general public for any amount any toy. Because I know, I can’t do it alone.
Not now. I’m retired, there won’t be any over time money coming in. there won’t be any holiday pay or vacation pay. It will be the one check and I won’t see it for a while yet. I’m visiting those discount stores more now. I have more time to go from place to place and find the better bargains. That includes toys, for the kids.
Yeah, this is a bit of a light hearted look at retirement and the dilemma of wanting to do but knowing the checkbook says no. I’ll probably do a more serious look at this later, but for now, I need to have another discussion with my heart on finances and budgeting. We are retired after all.
Words from The Dirt Road 