We were married 10 years before we got our first home. We lived with lawn furniture for the living room and a picnic table for a dinner table. Luckily, when we moved, and we moved a lot, we were able to make a little money on each house. Now, we live in a decent neighborhood in a moderately nice house and our mortgage payment is very small compared to most people. My wife worked at various jobs over the years and now she gets much more SS than I. We also were able to save some money and invest it. I also saved enough college money to help pay for one kid's college, with her working part-time. The other didn't go to college. I did advance to a fairly high level and got into the old Civil Service Retirement System (pension system), which was a big draw for me entering government employment. I also was under hazardous duty retirement and worked a lot of overtime over the years. Although keeping up with house chores and repairs, as well as, lawn work keeps me pretty busy, and until recently, taking care of the elderly parents and their business affairs, I still find time for friends and hobbies. Some hobbies of mine are free, but the shooting related ones cost some. Like I said before, I think hobbies are important. I still like doing things with the wife, but I need to go to the man cave now and then and hang out with the old geezer buddies once in a while. I'm sure that going into the teaching profession, you'd never plan on getting rich. I know I never thought I'd get rich working for the government and my expectations were realized. Working part-time after retirement filled the gap for hobbies. Retirement is a big mental adjustment, as well as, financial. Some people so identify with their careers that they can't live without working. Hope you get to enjoy your retirement years.1. Thanks Be Mike! I really appreciate you taking the time.
2. I read much of what you said to my wife and we marveled at your pension covering your basic expenses.
3. Not so for a teacher pension, but since I get SS, that could even us up, and between the two for me: it will cover our basic expenses, and we will have a small "pile" to cover extra-ordinary expenses. When that runs out, we are in trouble, but we will still eat, and for fun, if I have the energy, there is always the wife who is my friend-with-benefits.