| The recent economy has forced many to rethink or | | | | set. |
| even postpone retirement. It is a shame that some | | | | 3) Live on a sailboat. We did so for 8 years in the |
| do not consider retirement lifestyles that are cheaper | | | | Caribbean...from Trinidad to the US Virgin Islands. |
| than what they envisioned. | | | | Once in the islands we spent around $1000 a month. |
| It is simply a matter of choosing between continuing | | | | Talk about a ball that is what we had. Swim trunks |
| to work and spend at the same rate or retire and | | | | and a T-shirt, swimsuit and cover-up for the ladies, |
| look for ways to spend less. Among the lifestyles | | | | and we were dressed for fun. |
| that are cheaper than living in a traditional home are: | | | | All of these lifestyles involved downsizing in space. |
| 1) Full time RVing... many have discovered that the life | | | | We went from an 1800 square foot house to a |
| with a steering wheel in the living room is not only | | | | 35-foot sailboat, which had about 50 square feet of |
| cheap but a lot of fun as well. What is wrong with | | | | space. You do not have to do anything this drastic. |
| seeing all the National Parks as a retirement goal? It is | | | | However if you have the opportunity to retire from |
| a lot easier in an RV. | | | | a big house to an apartment... well Nike has it right... |
| 2) Park model living... there is a hot market for this | | | | just do it. You know it can be done. |
| lifestyle in the Phoenix area...where we have retired. | | | | The saddest scenario of all is for some to be fearful |
| How cheap?... a used 400 square foot, furnished | | | | of running out of money and continuing to work. |
| home may cost as little as $15,000 in a gated | | | | They are getting closer to their funeral and thus less |
| community with activities galore. A new model over | | | | time, if any, to enjoy retirement. These are the folks |
| 1000 square feet will cost less than $80,000 in a | | | | that should be retiring on less...it is far better than |
| more upscale gated community. Think of being on a | | | | working to spend more. |
| land based cruise ship as you choose what to do | | | | Enjoy. |
| each day. It is like a summer camp for the 55 and up | | | | |