5/30/06: High Anxiety

First, I’m getting excited about my upcoming trip to Wyoming. My younger self wouldn’t have taken this trip alone. But now that I’m older, I must be getting tougher and more determined. I refuse to sit at home waiting for the right opportunity, or the right person.

Second, I’m getting excited about buying a new car. In order for you to understand how big a step this is, you need to know that I’m driving a 1986 Acura Legend. That’ right—a twenty-year-old car. It has about 205,000 miles on it, and it is, finally, becoming very ill. Clearly, it’s not worth costly repairs. So, I’ve been car shopping. I’m such a Honda fan, it’s hard for me to consider anything else. At first, I was intrigued by Honda’s newest car, the Fit. But after driving it and several other models, I’ve settle on the CR-V. Of course, I’ll have to eat humble pie, after I’ve prided myself on NOT driving one of those gas-hungry SUVs. In my defense, though, the mileage of the CR-V is decent—23/29. If everything goes as planned, I’ll take delivery soon after I return from my trip next Tuesday.

I learned very disappointing, frustrating news this week. I’ll turn 62 in September, and I’ve been counting down to this birthday for the last five years, eagerly anticipating the big social security eligibility. This is one of the reasons I’ve been trying to hold my car together, counting on social security to help make the car payment. Only now did I find out that I’m not, in fact, eligible for anything yet because I earn too much. If I tried to start collecting social security before my “full retirement” age of 66, then my monthly amount would be reduced by $1 for every $2 I make over about $12,000 annually. Well, guess what? I make enough over that amount to wipe out any monthly payment. Oh, how I wish I could have invested my contributions myself, and now have full control over it. Bring on privatization!

I guess I’ll just have to work even harder to boost my income as much as possible. It’s a good thing I enjoy what I do. Meanwhile, I’m willing to take money out of savings when necessary so that I can buy a car, travel to marathons, and pay my taxes. If not now, when?

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