I am not prepared!--for retirement.

I wrote a series of blogs many months ago, titled ‘DIJATC’ (Damn, it’s just around the corner). I was of course referring to retirement. As I just past my 62^nd birthday last week, it all seems to be like a looming train, transfixing me in its bright lights. I am simply not ready.

There’s the mortgage to think of and probable medical expenses that won’t necessarily be covered by the state, and who the hell can afford medical insurance beyond 60, never lone at all. Now that my subsidy from work has gone for that purpose, I shall let it lapse. It’s a huge monthly figure for the 60 plus brigade.

Why am I in this reflectively fearful mood? Well I am on what many would say is a good salary and yet my disposable income is not big after all of the expenses one associates with owning (trying to) a very very modest unit. I look at friends who are on various benefits and see their daily struggle. Some of them are stubborn buggers and won’t accept any help, in the form of the odd hand-out or food etc. I can’t push that.

It brings home to me, the struggle many like myself will also face. I have been preparing for the drop in income, by making changes to the way I shop. I try to make things last longer and attempt to ignore the advertisements on TV for products of ‘want’ and concentrate on those that I ‘need.’

I do not look at the crap that comes through my letterbox---it goes straight in the bin, along with my desire to pluck out the ads on ‘fabulous savings on wine, this week on at----‘you get the picture.

I know that I won’t be travelling so much, so my car mileage will drop dramatically when I retire. I hope that other expenses will head the same way.

I am not relying on Kiwi Saver, because I will not have been in it for long enough. I have been thinking of other ways of making savings; for example, growing my own veggies. That will mean retraining my Jack Russell so that she doesn’t ‘help’ me so much with her digging. You should see the holes in my garden!

So in the knowledge that the ‘train is coming,’ I shall continue to find ways to shop cooperatively, do my garden and just retreat in my desire to keep up with the ‘Johnnies’---not that I ever did.

Oh yes, I will have to continue working for maybe two years before I absolutely stop working. Then of course there are my books, if they ever sell. So far that little venture is just costing me heaps of money, with no profit, unless of course you readers get out and buy them. Ooops, you may be in the same position as me---so go and get them free at your local library---ask them and they will buy them. You get them free and now that I am my own boss re publishing--- I shall get a pittance for my efforts. At least it keeps my mind in an ‘exercersive’ mode. I better stop, because I am starting to sound like our dear ‘Miranda.’

Thank goodness not all landlords are nasty and mean!

One has to be very careful about pointing the finger at landlords and labelling them all as mean and only concerned about their own profits. We all know that we have people living in substandard accommodation and the families suffer with the dampness and the related health issues. We know that this has ramifications for their education and their start in life. They start behind their healthier cohorts in the education system and become tomorrow’s poor.

An exaggeration?----Just go into some of the lower decile schools and talk to the hardworking teachers and teacher aides, who often feed and go way beyond their job descriptions to try to make a difference.

Today’s news that John Key is investigation one of his MP’s in the National Party for not insulating one of her hoses because she couldn’t get a subsidy. I could understand (assuming that the report is true?) a landlord who is stretched to the limit, trying to save money, but an MP is on a reasonable salary and could well have other income sources (not just National MPs, so let’s be fair).

I am going to wait until we know more before going too far in my musings, but this all makes me wonder at the fairness of our system. I have been following a debate on Facebook about people receiving the pension while they are still at work and suggestions about making it means tested. I swing in my thoughts from side to side; unable to comer to a comfortable position. Perhaps it is a ‘middle position, where a phasing process would be best. The bottom line in relation to the above report is that as a society we should not allow such mean, and yes unnecessary profiteering, especially when the victims are so visible.

Let’s continue the debate. Yes, landlords are providing what the Government cannot to the point where everyone is housed and paying fair rents, but don’t label all LL in the same manner.

NO---I AM NOT A LANDLORD!

Yes. have taken down many of the chapters for 'Roskill'

Roskill and 'Talk To Me' are on sale (Talk To Me , next week) form my website or direct. I have had it free for ages so now's the time to buy them. Sorry,---- am guys gotta pay the bills eh.

www.authorneilcoleman.com    or for those in NZ do it direct and get a discount ----neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com .

Get the damned ball,Perdy, not the bloody ducks

I know you can't really see, but that's Perdy chasing ducks instead of the ball. She eventually retrieved the ball and the ducks survived. Just enlarge the picture and you will almost see the action

Shaky Isles Cafe----it hits the spot

I am always looking for great places to eat on those weekend mornings when one is not in a hurry and that can accommodate Perdy if we wish to take her. Today was one of those days, but we didn’t take Perdy because I had plans to shop after breakfast/brunch.

St Lukes was our destination; however Kingsland suited us for breakfast. Driving down New North Road we noticed Shaky Isles, a café that also has one in the city, I think. The outside looked rustic and I spied the all-telling doggie watering bowl. Great; next time, if the food was good, I could bring Perdy.

On entering we were immediately made welcome to have coffee while we perused the menu. There was a good range, but not too many choices that take ages to decide. I didn’t feel like an ‘all Day Breakfast Special that usually looks like every other café catering for quick typical breakfasts. I wanted something just a little bit special.

We both (which is unusual for us) settled pretty quickly on the ‘Rocky Isles Mash,’ which consisted of sautéed young potatoes, chorizo sausage, wilted spinach, streaky bacon (always the best because it goes so crispy and most of the fat has drained off--- well that is what I think and I am sticking to it) with a delightfully poached egg that oozes all over the mixture. To top it off there is a Hollandaise sauce to bring it all together.

For about $18 it is well worth the price. I didn’t feel that I had eaten too much and a good walk with Perdy to regain her love after leaving her at home and the world would be sparklingly wonderful.

Yes, a really good place for decent, wholesome and not the run of the mill fair.

 Well done. I’ll be back with Perdy and yes, the coffees very good.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Excuse my Finger!

Finland, wonderful to see you.

It's always great to see yet another country reading my blogs. I hope you check out my website and books. Glad to have you aboard.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Perdy (alias Spot) exercising and pretending obediance!

What, Perdy, star of 'Talk To Me,' alias Spot, pretending to obey me? The pictures lie. She was just acting for the cmaera.
 I was wlaking perdy down at the Bay and a guy got out of his car with a flash camefra and starting shooting.
Naturally, I had to give him my card as I am trying to get over my natural 'shyness' at taking every opportunity to push my books. Lo and behold, I get home and he had already sent me an email with the pictures attached.

 Nice one William---your'e the star.