Following up with Suze Orman’s The Money Class: Learn to Create Your New American Dream -

This book feels refreshing to me, particularly the last chapter, “The Ultimate lesson.” I think it reflects some of the authors’ discomfort with having to give bad news: things are different. Retirement is changing. Home ownership is changing. Employment is definitely changing. Collectively, we can’t afford the life we were living.

Mostly, she talks about putting the past in the past, and living with today’s realities, which are not as rosy for many families, as they may have been in the past. She says:

1. Get honest with yourself and your family

2. Get an 8-month emergency fund in place

3. Buy (or rent) a smaller house, and pay off your mortgage before retirement if at all possible

4. Plan to work (part time) as long as you can — but, prepare as if you may have to leave the workforce earlier than you prefer. Anything can happen.

She tries to present this as a message of hope — and upon reflection, I do find it hopeful. Lying to ourselves is always a strain. Letting go of the good times past is a bit sad, but it’s also refreshing. Like a breath of air for all of us.

Start of the post series here.