<p>Infertility was a curse for so long, now a blessing. H and I finished school with student loans, but we were able to get them paid off and sock a bit away for retirement when we were DINK’s: dual income no kids until I was 35 and husband 44. That initial money, diversified, is making way more money than current deposits into the retirement fund. Husband now disabled and single income for the past 20 years, but we had a stay at home parent which was huge. </p>
<p>We saved via state prepaid tuition plans and supplemented with some contributions to a 529 for college. Our two D’s are now in college, one at state flagship and another at state U. Prepaid plan covers tuition. Merit money rolls over to cover some room (D1) and most room and board (D2). Right now are paying as we go for the rest and holding on to the 529 for vet school for D2. D2 graduated high school with her AA, which was also a huge savings. </p>
<p>We are still funding retirement. I am self employed so NO MATCH and NO PENSION. I have to match my employees contribution, but the match I get from myself is, well, my money… I think we will be OK. I had wanted to retire at 60( I am 55), but that is not going to happen as we were not able to pay ahead on the house and it is still not paid for. With the recent economy and health care changes, 65 looking good. I am healthy, and hope to be able to travel at that point, and perhaps sprinkle in medical missions. I don’t sit still well…</p>
<p>My Volkswagen bug is 8 years old, and I was so hoping for a new car in 2011. Probably not going to happen. D1’s is 10 and D2’s is 12. Yikes. That is what worries me the most. They are not all going to last until D2 is out of vet school…</p>