One final note.  I'm not retired, yet.  Looking to at around the age of 55-56.  I'm 50 now.   Observing  my parents vs. my wife's parents has been an eye opener for me and my spouse.  Both have been retired for about 10 years..  My parents did lots of things while working, but now that they are retired, they have a...more

Wonderful Nana writes: "Have faith in yourself and spouse and it's magical.  But do divorce yourself from adult children finances.  They will drain your well dry no matter how much it kills ya."   I can't recommend this last statement enough.  We live in a culture of entitlement.  And often the worse ones are the c...more

ImaSwimDude,that bites.  A similiar thing happened to my dad, although, he was in his late 40's.  Lost his pension after 20 something years working there.  He recovered and went on a massive savings/investment program for the next 15 years before taking early retirement at 62.   I remembered his advice to me.  Son,...more

The saige advice of the more 'conservative' money managers of old really rings true in this day and age.  Live within your means, avoid debt and diversify your investments.  Save 10-20% of your income.  More if you can.   The bottom line is you should not trust corporations or the government for your retirement.  T...more

If any of you think Republicans or Democrats, or who you are going to vote for is going to make much of a difference, you are wrong.  Both parties are controlled by ellitest, money changers.  The Wallstreet people gave more $ to OBama than McCane in 2008.  In 2012, it will probably reverse with more going to the repubs...more

Good grief.  This sounds like nothing but a whiney bunch of pathetic people expecting the government to take care of them.  It's obvious the boomers have learned nothing from the greatest generation.  Baby boomers and their gen x & y offspring have completely bought into the 'entitlement" mentality.  America is doomed....more

Wilson420..   I live in TX so yes, it is easier for me.  Traveling does present a problem.  I agree that other devises should be used when a gun can't be.  We've have those as well.   However, so people don't think I'm some gun totting redneck, which I'm not, I think the best defense is to know your surrounding...more

Best defense against this is to get a license to carry a gun.  Learn how to use it.  Become an expert.  Take self-defense/self awareness classes so you have eyes in the back of your head at all times, especially in public places.   Take no chances.  If a thug threatens you in any way, blow a hole in his chest.  Bot...more

Leave it to the Europeans to construct a penalty system so competely unfair it's rediculous.  They handslap fundamentalist Muslims and allow them to live off their taxes but penalize the weathy..   If you want 'progressive' penalties, then increase the fines on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th offenses.  But to discrimate base...more