Mine is semi retired. I live alone, two of my adult kids live in the same town. A third one lives halfway across the country. I still "cook for a hay crew" sometimes. The biggest challenge I have is getting things done that I can't do myself. Part of the reason is that I'm single now and part of it is because I'm older and have health problems that slow me down. I hate to hire someone to do what may look like something simple. I make do and do without often just because of that. Silly, I know... 

What about you? Are you newlywed? Retired? Just lost a job? Won the lottery? What challenges do you face that are peculiar to your stage of life? 

 

Stage of confusion? Does that count?

Biggest challenge for me is financial... followed and tied in with medical. I am looking at getting approved (and will fight for) social security so I can focus on getting my health back in order (fibromyalgia and ibs). In a couple weeks, I should know if I will get some assistance from my ex-h. (Through the court system). I am single and live alone, parents are just 6miles away and sis/bil is 1/2 hr away. I am planning on volunteering starting in September for working with adults/children with disabilities while riding horses. (Just one day a week; 6 wks). Trying to find new ways of getting out and trying to be active slowly (so I don't kill myself). I am getting more adventerous as I get older (33). 

Our stage is always in flux. DH is 65 and in spite of being fully retired, still works 2-3 part time jobs to support his hobbies and stay active. I'm 52 and unofficially retired about a year ago. We met in the military when we were stationed in Northern NY. My full time occupation is maintaining our lifestyle without going over-budget and we currently have wiggle room. I would consider going back to work only if it's cost effective (income minus expenses associated with working). There was a time I worked two jobs, and paid off a bunch of bills but that took a tole on my health. Three years ago I was diagnosed with Diabetes and have been working my way back to better health. I'm better now than I have been in a long time. We've lived in our home built in 1896 for 10 years and have been doing most the renovation ourselves (constant work in progress). One son lives in the next town over and one lives 50 miles away. Both are fairly independent but occasionally need help. Things could change (as it has in the past) and we might have to adjust - hence the flux.

Dear All, I'll be 57 Heinz Varieties in October.  I consider myself to be only half-way through my life-span (I aim to AT LEAST be a centernarian, G-d willing!).  Yes, I am completely & totally disabled, but I know, even on depressed days & in depressed weeks, that I am blessed far beyond the circumstances of most people.  I was born with a cheerful disposition & great resilience, &  I praise the L-rd for those gifts.

I live in a VERY  wsell-maintained apartment building.  The Manager likes me & does any repairs that I ask her for, & promptly.  When my Darling brother comes every 6th month, he goes down a list that I keep of things that I need help with (mostly electronic) & is so sweet to fix everythign for me. 

Yours in Him, Deb

My husband and I are early retirees, enjoying no longer being in the public service sector, and the slow pace that retirement allows us. We too have some difficulties getting things done around the house due to physical limitations; husband has problems with vertigo and getting on ladders, also lifting problems due to a hernia; I have knee problems that makes some chores difficult, and the medicines we take that are supposed to keep us alive and well, only seem to drain our vitality. For these reasons we should hire people to do the handyman jobs, but generally we don't, unless it is plumbing or electrical related. Most often what needs to be done, doesn't get done.

 We thought retirement would be more active, traveling as much as possible, fishing, camping, visiting historical places. The gas prices have eroded that idea. We've lived here most of our lives and have seen and done everything within a day's drive; I would like to live elsewhere for a new start and new adventures. I doubt now that will ever happen.

Our son, wife and grandson are about an hour's drive away. Once or twice a month we get together with them for a meal; sometimes pizza, sometimes Sunday brunch. Grandson stays with us one day a week during the summer, then during the school year occasionally on Saturday. I'm glad that they are still close enough to easily get together with them. Edey

Older parents with young kids.  should have done it earlier when we had more energy lol.  We are 43 and 45 (just shy of 46) with almost 4 and 5 yr that is 6 in nov.   sandwich generation I guess.   both sets of parents close by.  dh parents need help more do to health and they are older.   my dad is in a nursing home.

creaky knees, sore hands etc are creeping up on us.   sil lives about 30mins away, my brother and sister  close by, one sister lives in the US. we don't see much of her.   that is about it for family.

I guess dh and I should have started earlier with the kids and house etc. but the time wasn't right.  Dh is the handyman for his parents but they downsized to a condo years ago.

 We have been married almost 5 years (september) and are both 25 with no kids.  We bought our first house three years ago and are trying desperately to get to where we want to be in our lives.

I'll be 30 in October and all I want for my birthday is a new mixer!  LOL  Married 1 year 3 months; been together 1 year more than that.  Have a 4 year old.  Work full time and DH is disabled, but does a fabulous job as a stay-at-home-dad!  DD comes home to him every day and they have a great relationship.  I'm very blessed.  Career-wise, I'm in a transition; I'm in non-profit, but I'm not sure I want to be in it my whole life.  I've been giving serious thought to becoming an elementary reading teacher.  I've looked into online schools, but I'm not sure if that's something feasible for me right now (they require a lot of observation of teachers which would mean time off from my job and a day here or there is not bad, but a weeks worth of observation every 8 weeks would be too much).  I may have to wait until we move to figure out the next step.

We are in the young family stage of life-meaning we have young kids.  I am 32, DH is 37 and the kids are 4 1/2 and 13 months.  I stay at home and DH works full time.  I try to make a little money here and there and am considering a part time job at night (though DH doesn't like this idea at all). 

Biggest challenges are to stay within our budget and being able to save something!  I get very stressed that we have recently had to slow our retirement contributions (actually eliminated them for a couple of months) and have no college savings for the kids at this point.  I feel like we will do better as time goes on but it is a challenge to find the money we need all the time!  Getting out of debt, building a savings cushion, saving for retirement, college plus a car down the road etc just seems like sometimes these things will never happen!!

     I within a year will be in the empty nest stage of my life. I am 39 and  DH is 45. My oldest daughter just graduated college in May she is 23(Yes, I was a very young Mom) and lives about 45 mins away. My younger one is 18 and will be a senoir this year she lives at home and says she wants her own apt. when she graduates. Time will tell, hopefully she stays home for awhile and furthers her education.

    Our biggest challage is staying out of debt. Currently we are debt free, thanks to Dave Ramseys teachings. House and everything is paid for. Sometimes it is hard to be patient and save cash for whatever the need may be at the time. I am saving for a car now. What I want is a Toyota CorollaS which is about 14000.00 I had almost 10000.00 saved was getting so close and DH lost his job in June. They provided him with a company truck and gas card when he lost that I had to take the money and buy him a car. Thank God I had it but it still stunk!! My 99 blazer with 140k will have to last another year. After they paid his severence pay they offered his job back he works const. and is a superintendent over several jobs. But he had to be a subcontractor with no benefits. We will see how it works out so far way less hours and decent pay so it may be better. I work full-time and carry our insurance.