CATCH-22

John wanted to have one last meeting with our financial advisor, before going ahead with his plans to retire and let the Houston townhouse go mid-summer, so he drove over to San Antonio yesterday to meet with her. Looks like she's managed to convince him that he should hang in there a while longer.

Based on the estimated budget he provided her with, and assuming we will both live to be 85 or 90, we only have enough savings to fund 80% of our future needs. We used to have plenty, but lost about a fourth of it all when the economy tanked. Pretty discouraging, huh?

Of course, I see a couple of major flaws in their reasoning. First of all, it's based on a budget that John drew up - which means it allows for constant upgrades on cars and gizmos, more remodeling projects, travel and entertainment, etc. In Houston, these are his only pleasures in life, so they are very important to him. Once he's here in the Hill Country full-time, really living the good life, I just don't believe he'll feel the need for those kinds of crutches much anymore (though he may need some time for weaning away).

The second flaw is that, if John moves here soon, starts going on his photo-taking walks and working in the garden on a daily basis, eating what I have prepared with our fresh from the garden produce and locally-raised, grass-fed meats, he just might make it to 80 or 85, despite all of his existing health problems. If he stays in Houston much longer, getting no exercise at all (except when he comes here occasionally and almost kills himself over-doing it), and continues to steadily gain weight by eating mostly packaged, processed and restaurant foods? Not a chance in Hell!

So, what's a girl to do?