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I’m Glad I Woke Up
By Molly's Brother | June 20, 2006
If there was one thing I could say to Americans in their 20s and 30s, it would be: WAKE UP! Too many of us are experiencing that lethargy and entitlement that comes with generations of wealth. We expect lives of luxury, even if we just charge it all.
I found this great clip on MSNBC.com. It’s a heartbreaking snippet of a story about not being ready for retirement. View Stretched Thin to see Dennis Mallum’s story. Like Dennis, I am not particularly literate when it comes to financial issues. I am, however, educating myself little-by-little. My heart goes out to people in situations similar to Mr. Mallum. I don’t know the particulars of his story–I don’t know if he used credit cards his entire life. I don’t know if he spent his entire career just north of the poverty line. I do know–or at least it sounds like–he’s not ready for retirement. I can’t even imagine how many of us are drowning in debt and will never be ready for that day. And those of us in unmanageable debt only fall further and further behind each day. Those of us in our 20s, 30s, and 40s who still have time until they retire need to get serious about developing that nest egg for the twilight of our lives. Honestly, viewing the story made me feel like Scrooge traveling with the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. (It also made me a little sad.)
Thankfully, I awoke in time to start to get my financial life in order. Although, life being what it is, I know nothing is guaranteed.
Topics: Deep Thoughts |
June 21st, 2006 at 3:30 pm
THe good thing about growing up working class and watching your parents struggle financially is that you at least are used to sacrafice.
June 21st, 2006 at 3:32 pm
That’s really true, too. I just hope that people understand what the long-term issues facing us all are.
There’s this feeling that–regardless of what happens–we’ll be taken care of. And that’s just not true.