This little phrase has been trotted out over the years in our family. We always had a bit of a laugh because it was tongue in cheek and a bit cheeky. However, I’ve just been sitting here at the end of the second week of retirement and it just popped into my head.
Prior to retiring, I was on a pretty good income, with disposable income, that I admit I enjoyed disposing of! Internet shopping has been my friend, I will admit. Now since I have retired, my husband is the only one earning – although I have applied for some government assistance for health reasons. Holding my breath and crossing my fingers that they will give me a little something.
Because I have always earned my own money, as long as I contributed to household expenses, my husband has never quizzed me about, or given me any feeling that I needed to explain myself or justify my purchases. Now that I have received my last pay from my employer I am no longer receiving any kind of income. It occurs to me therefore, that I will in fact feel that I am answerable to my husband when it comes to financial expenditure. This will come as something of a shock, as for most of the time we have been together I have been the primary income earner. That is quite an adjustment.
I have always said that I am ‘a planner’ and like to know what is happening every step of the way in life. I like to feel organised and prepared and to know what I should or shouldn’t do with my money. I have cashed in my KiwiSaver and have that money in the bank, but it is possibly going to have to last me until such time as I reach my 65th Birthday and will be eligible for my supernnuation.
The days of not being financially independent seem to be numbered. Understandably, as a couple with a reduced income due to my retirement, we must be fiscally responsible. I still haven’t quite wrapped my head around it yet and worked out my finances, so that is making me a bit concerned, as I need to know what I can or can’t use my money for.
This is so new to me, that it will take a while to adjust, I’m sure. It is also a change for my husband too as having a financially dependent wife could be stressful for him. I will certainly do my best to be sensible and not get too spendy!
As with all the other life events and changes we have faced together, together we will get through and we will be OK.
Just hope he doesn’t say…
“What’s yours is mine and what’s mine’s me own!”
My journey with Parkinsons 