No, not about the meeting last night. That actually went rather well, except for it running way too long (should be used to that happening by now).
No my rant is about something else, and really only partially a rant. More about worry for a friend.
You see my friend Deb is having lots of trouble with her knees, and can barely move her leg by the end of her work shift at one of our 7-11 stores.
Her husband retired in the middle of last year, and collects both Canada Pension and a pension from the company he works for.
The problem is that when her boys were young they took out a second mortgage on their home to pay for one of them to play AAA hockey and AAA baseball! Over the past little while they added the remaining owing on the mortgage to their line of credit. This never seems to get paid down as they are always borrowing from it making the total owed even more.
I, have over the years, given her a few frugal tips (don't want to overwhelm her) and some have been implemented (but not enough).
The problem she has now run into is that because of the constant pain she is in work is beginning to be something to be dreaded, rather than enjoyed as she used to. Also her boss is talking about laying her off so that a person she hired to take anothers place can have the hours promised. Deb's husband will not allow her to retire because they can't afford to. Their bills are too high, they owe too much money, they need her medical plan, the list goes on and on.
I have gotten to the point where I am so worried that once Deb does retire she will have no quality of life. As it is she walks like a very old woman, and every day it seems to be getting worse.
I am hoping that they idea I gave her today about seeing if she can go on long term disability is an answer. I do know that the whole thing is depressing her and as she is looking after an aging father as well is beginning to run her ragged.
I will continue to drop frugal tips and perhaps eventually her husband will take them to heart. It is more him not wanting to economize than Deb. He won't even eat leftovers!!!
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.
Oh, dear...I am so sorry for the state she is in....
ReplyDeletewhat strikes me as the saddest thing in this story is that "her husband WILL NOT ALLOW HER TO RETIRE"...that attitude would never fly with me.
Hoping something will turn up for them. It's so sad when people aren't able to provide for retirement...it's something one must do most of the adult life...it's so hard...just hold her hand and walk beside her with your encouraging words...that will help more than you know.
xoxo