Grugger’s Way

Yes, Retirement Danger Four is my tendency to OVER contribute to compensate for not having a full-time job anymore.
 
And where do I OVER-contribute?  At home, at the grocery store, at the mall, at the movies, at restaurants, at social events, at church, at taverns, at casinos, at ball games, at fundraisers, at just about any place or event that I attend and have the opportunity to contribute SOMETHING, I feel obligated to fork over some dollars and I tend to OVER contribute.  At least I think I do.

I guess, by definition, that would mean contributing more than my fair share, that is, the same fair share that anybody WITH A JOB! could contribute.  Perhaps people don’t expect that I should reach for my wallet every time the check, the bill, the invoice, or the collection plate comes around.  Perhaps I am wrong in my perception that folks think I am a gold-brick, a slacker, a non-contributor; since I don’t have a job anymore.  But then again, perhaps I am correct, and they DO think the worst of me, that I …don’t hold up my end, carry my weight, etc. etc..

And for whom do I OVER-contribute?  For my spouse, my adult children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors, former co-workers, even the children of former co-workers, plus waiters and waitresses (oops, “servers,” I forgot), people who don’t even KNOW that I am retired now and gold-bricking, not contributing, living on the public dole, a charity case, whatever.

You know what?  I think I am OVER-thinking.  So I will do whatever feels right…so long as no one else is contributing MORE.  Oh, man, there I go again.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS