Even though I don't work as a Nurse since I retired last Spring, and am basically an antisocial recluse, I still feel as though I can contribute something to society. I enjoy giving information and support here when I can, and I enjoy communicating with other Nurses.
In my rural neighborhood, I perform a community service by policing the road that runs through the valley for litter. I paint signs that are meant to inform and/or entertain the locals and keep the rebels in check.
For example, I let those who paint graffiti on the bridges in the valley know that it's not appropriate:
And though it's not exactly a New Year's resolution, I'm always working on trying to clean up my own act.
A Very Happy New Year to my favorite online community!
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
10 hours ago, VivaLasViejas said:
All we can change is how we react to these things.
There are other things we can change, Marla.
We can change our socks and underwear.
Seriously, you make a valid point. Changing our attitude & perception toward situations, others, and things and how we react to them is our own responsibility. And our consciousness is changed, according to Joseph Campbell, through illuminating revelations resulting from dealing with trials and tribulations.
One must practise working a program every day, all the time, in order to change. A one time resolution is usually transient and will eventually result in us walking the well worn path of our old ways.
Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
Happy New Year!
Davey Do, we are lucky that you're choosing to spend your retirement time here on allnurses, and I hope your neighbors appreciate your signage efforts! ?
I'm not a resolution person myself. Just try to make my little corner of the world a better place for other people, whether it's my family, friends or community. I'm sure I could put a little more effort into my own health and well being, right now I'm just happy if I get out and walk my dogs.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 12/26/2020 at 3:41 PM, Davey Do said:
My older sister, who has been married and divorced so many times that I've lost count, has made a realistic resolution:
She's only getting married and divorced one time this year.
When my older brother advised me to never get married, I said, "But you've been married and divorced three times!"
He replied, "See? Do I have to do it again to prove to you you should never get married?!""
I didn't get married the first time until I was three months shy of turning thirty. Before that, I experienced two failed engagements. After the second failed engagement, I was lamenting to my best buddy who gave me some empathetic, sage advice.:
What you need to do Dave", he said, "Is to buy a 'one size fits all' engagement ring!"
I had a male coworker who kept an engagement ring in a safety deposit box. Every so often he would meet the love of his life and the engagement ring would see the light of day for awhile. Then, inexplicably it would end up back in the safety deposit box for another few months or years. On one occasion, my boyfriend advised this person to make sure to get a prenup. He came back to work a few days later, mad at my boyfriend. Apparently he had taken his advice and the ring went promptly back to the safety deposit box. Although it was pretty apparent he'd dodged another bullet, he didn't seem particularly grateful.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
My New Year is already brighter in seeing TriciaJ back on allnurses!
Not that I've been stalking you, but I noticed you haven't been on here since October. You have been missed.
7 hours ago, TriciaJ said:
On one occasion, my boyfriend advised this person to make sure to get a prenup.
Yeah- Belinda tricked me into marrying her by taking advantage of the situation and using my own beliefs against me. We had cohabitated for seven years and she was already taken care of in my will, but noooooooo we had to get married!
I demanded a prenup. She countered with a clause that she gets to commit me involuntarily if I get out of hand.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
33 minutes ago, TheMoonisMyLantern said:
Happy New Year's everyone!
I'm trying to always respond to situations with kindness and empathy. I'm trying to be less sensitive and accepting blame too easily.
A worthy endeavor indeed, TMIML! One in which I can identify.
When I would get upset at work, or anywhere else for that matter, and start mentally bashing those who I held responsible for my psyche pain, I would sometimes mentally recite The Lord's Prayer.
The part that goes "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" especially gives me cause to pause. Do I want to be forgiven of my wrongs in the same way I forgive another?
Prayer and humor has buoyed me through stressful events.
I'm not making resolutions, but I plan to eat healthier and exercise the dog and hoping with my new found freedom from Wrongway Hospital will bring better health since I have no stress now! Quitting was the best thing I did for myself ie a Christmas present to myself! LOL
I'd like to share a few words of wisdom to pass on. Take a personal finance class ASAP or at least read up on it via books and the internet. My favorites are Deal with Your Debt by Liz Weston, Personal Finance for Dummies, Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and the budget popularized by Congresswoman Elizabeth Warren of 50% for needs, 20% for debt and savings and 30% for wants. If you were ambitious you could reverse debt and wants. Some swear by Dave Ramsey, and he is OK, but I prefer the more flexible approach that Liz Weston offers.
Also minimize your debt and what you pay for college. Try to go to the lowest cost college. Public community college for an ADN and then do the cheapest online BSN program. I've met too many RN's that have six figures of college debt and we are all paid the same.
Lastly start your retirement savings with your first job and use both a Roth IRA and a 401k/403b pre-tax. It is due to my diligent savings and modest pension that I was able to start early retirement. The affordable care health insurance doesn't count roth distributions in the income limit so that is yet another reason to have some money in Roth accounts! But while you are still working max out an HSA by choosing a high deductible health plan, then you'll have tax free money for any medical expenses now or in the future. By combining withdrawals from my 403b and Roth IRA I'm able to keep in the income requirements necessary to get a govt subsidy from the affordable care act health insurance. Otherwise it would be $600-700 a month or more just like Cobra and would be unaffordable. I've also discovered that I can Cobra dental and vision without the medical health insurance. I just got my first trifocals ie progressives and luckily got in due to a cancellation, less than $300 with vision ins but list price $1300! But while you are still working max out an HSA by choosing a high deductible health plan, then you'll have money for any medical expenses now or in the future. Also Walmart has $4 generics and there is GoodRX for discounts and for an expensive med Costco is your friend as they have a low fixed rate mark up on all their meds and you don't even have to be a member to go to them!
To pull this early retirement off I refinanced my house due to record low interest rates, did a HELOC just in case I needed cash, and verified my employer allowed early and periodic withdrawals from my 403b; many do, but not all. There is a little known law the Rule of 55 that allows a person to take money from their 401k/403b without penalty if they leave their employer for any reason the year they turn 55 or later. This does not apply to Traditional IRA's though and only applies to a 401k/403b of your present employer. So consider rolling your money from prior employers into your current employer's 401k/403b instead of leaving it there or moving it to an IRA. You will be glad you did!
Hope this info helps a lot of my fellow nurses and visitors to allnurses both young and old.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 12/28/2020 at 7:50 PM, brandy1017 said:
Hope this info helps a lot of my fellow nurses and visitors to allnurses both young and old.
Have a Happy New Year everyone!
Wow, brandy, great information. You wouldn't want to become my personal financial advisor, would you?
I am so pleased that you are enjoying your retirement and have a grand financial plan for the future. You deserve to be comfortable.
I have never been really good with money, but have been frugal. My best buddy Rad retired early, at about age 60, on disability due to arthritis. Rad has always been good with money. Back in the early '70's, we were paid 50 cents an hour by the farmers out here for putting up hay. We'd make about $2.50 per job and I would blow the whole amount on stuff like MAD magazines and such. Rad would deposit $1.25 in his savings and have fun with the rest.
Rad now owns a 200 acre farm that is making a profit while he collects his SS. I am comfortable and don't like to talk about my good fortune because I'm superstitious.
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herring_RN, ASN, BSN
3,651 Posts
I wish the best for all of us.