Comments on: How Do You Measure Up?

By: Vona Laird

Vona Laird — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:01:59 +0000

Hi there, I just started reading your blog after watching your show. Do you have any advice for single women in their 50’s, or do you think is is to late to get the their retirement in order. I am 53, and have quite a few friends that are my age that are really struggling and just getting by. I know that you just council couples. It is going to be interesting to see how us single baby boomer women are going to make out in the next 10 years or so. Myself I could be doing worse, but I am sure I could do much better. I wish that I had of found someone like you to give really good advice on money when I was younger. The biggest mistake I know that I have made is getting caught up in this consumerism, and the need to buy things to make me happy, which I now know was a big mistake on happiness. Anyway I really enjoy your show and your advice. Thank you so much

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:04:24 +0000

Hi Gail,

My husband and I have been living on a tiny income for the past year. I just recently started watching your show and can’t tell you how happy it’s made me about our situation. We’ve managed to live within our means for the past year on about 1500.00 a month (We have about 10 dollars left when everything’s said and done) while others have super debt on 7000.00 a month.

Recently, however, my husband pointed out that I guard our money like a dragon guards their horde so that we can do well for the future (we’re moving to a town far away and don’t have jobs there yet although he has an offer). After reading this blog I feel now that I do need to be careful, but not so careful that we aren’t living WHILE we’re living… and spending a little money on books or a movie isn’t so bad. Thank you!

By: NKM

NKM — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:17:24 +0000

Melaniesd - I hear you, we had no debt, carry no debt - I was taught, if you can’t pay for something up front, you don’t buy it. I don’t know how people sleep at night knowning they owe that much. I guess, It’s a different world now. I’m really happy to hear about your present life - a good partner makes life so much easier. Way to go! Thanks!

By: Melaniesd

Melaniesd — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:21:14 +0000

Thank you NKM!
Things have changed a lot in 10 years for me. I now have a wonderful husband who is careful with money and frugal. We have a nice home and a child. I have a good job. I can’t complain. : )

I work for a bank and it’s been a blessing to me to be able to help people with their money. I’m always looking for opportunities to help my customers be better off financially. But it also scares the pants off me when I see customers who owe 50, 60, 70 thousand dollars on top of their cars, homes etc - and they don’t care!

By: NKM

NKM — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:10:55 +0000

Melaniesd - Thank you for sharing your life lesson. Thank goodness you got out of that relationship and with no children too - bravo, for having the courage to walk away - it takes a lot to recognise a situation like this and do something about it. Once you experiece something like this - it frightens the hell out of you and you always vision the worst case senerios for the future. I wish you the very best for the future Melaniesd, looks like you are doing fantastic, just keep plugging away and it will pay off - if we can do it, you can do it! Thanks a million!

By: NKM

NKM — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:59:51 +0000

Kathryn - thanks a million!

Unfortunately, one cannot choose family, you get what you get, and you learn to move on and be very very careful when dealing with family. We moved across the ocean from all family after this happened, they are in UK, we moved to Canada and are much happier. haha love the idea of a night out of town - we are going to do it Kathryn. It’s time to live a little!

Thanks for your support and kind words.

By: Melaniesd

Melaniesd — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:57:04 +0000

NKM, thanks for sharing your story. It really does help others when we share with each other.
Hopefully you will be able to adjust your budget to allow for some fun each month. It’s so important to plan for the future, but we do only get to live this life once. Don’t have regrets!

As someone who was bankrupt several years ago, I do find that I get myself “worked up” occassionally worrying that we are not doing enough to be financially sound, but then I have to remind myself that I am a lot wiser now, and aware of where my money is going.
It is very scary when suddenly you have no where to go and no time to get there. As much as I hate the fact that I was bankrupt, it was a good life lesson. I am in a much better place financially & mentally now.
My bankruptcy resulted from having a partner who was a closet drug addict. When the bank came calling - it was the perfect wake up call to get out of that relationship. Thankfully, I didn’t have children with that man.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:11:30 +0000

NKM, that is absolutely terrible that family would do that to you!!! Family is supposed to be there in good times and in really bad times, not to kick you when you are down!
From the sounds of things you have bounced back fantastically and for that you owe yourself a night out on the town! Celebrate yourself because you deserve it. I applaude your sucess and wish you all the best!

By: NKM

NKM — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:59:12 +0000

This is a very interesting blog Gail - because we are always wondering if we are doing well at our age, we are in our 40’s.

About 13 years ago, we lost everything, and I mean everything - we were left with 2 suitcases each and a 4 year old in tow. No home, no car, no money, due to bad financial advice from family, who then turned on us, laughing and making mean remarks and all - basically we became the family joke. Thank God for good friends, who helped us out in setting up home again.

Today, thank the Lord, I think we are doing well, we have a comfortable home, a car, food on the table, able to buy the neccessaties of life, have investments, some savings, etc.

BUT we are so scard, soooo scard of being left on the street again, that every opportunity we get to invest for the future we are - which is making it a little difficult to live in the present.

So this blog has set me thinking and I am going to make some changes - cause we need to live in the present too. We hardly ever go out to eat or movies or anything - we go for walks and things, but not where, once in a while we may say - oh let’s go out to a really nice sit down dinner or let’s go the movies, instead of always waiting for the movie to come on TV. It’s time to change the plan a little.

Thanks Gail - you are the best!

By: Christy

Christy — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:10:40 +0000

There was an interesting “calculator” linked to the Money Sense magazine website not too long ago. It let you fill in your assets and debts etc. and compared you with others your age. Were you average, below average etc. I have the link at home but I would imagine it would not be hard to find. The best thing about it was that it was Canadian.