Well, let me tell you something: I'm almost 60 now, and time really does fly when you are having fun. Old age creeps up on you like a thief in the night and then Bam! When you least expect it, something happens that pulls the rug right out from under you. It sometimes takes a life-altering event to realize that we should have put a whole lot more effort into planning for our golden years.
Don't get me wrong! I know there is life after 60! In fact, I am looking forward to getting those special discounts they give senior citizens and I am still pretty active and healthy… although I have gotten into the habit of grunting when I get out of bed each morning. But you know what they say about old age, right? If you don't feel any pain when you get up in the morning, it's because you're dead, ha ha!
But I digress. What really worries me is the lack of good job opportunities for us seniors, which has led me to wonder how I will manage when I'm older. Will my kids help me? Will I be able to afford to live on my pension and/or Social Security? Will my insurance cover my medical costs? In my case, the answer is no to all of the above, because I have no children, no pension and no Social Security to fall back on. I do have a rich uncle though… hmmm, not a realistic option :-(
So what is the solution? Well in my case I decided to start an online business to supplement what I earn from my translations. I realize I should have done this a long time ago because it is harder to learn new things at my age, but now that I am getting the hang of it, maybe I won't have to go out looking for a job only to be told "I'm sorry, we were looking for someone younger" or "Sorry my dear, you are over-qualified", or "Sorry, we aren't hiring at the moment".
This type of solution is not just for us older folks. It is a viable option for anyone, at any age, who is smart enough to realize that job security is a thing of the past, and that their best bet is to find other ways to put money aside for when life isn't as rosy or generous.
Now that I am older and wiser (kind of), I believe that it is better to be proactive than inactive. Thankfully, the Internet makes it much easier nowadays to find reliable ways to earn extra money. You just have to know where to look!
If you are curious about what I am doing, CLICK HERE to learn more.