E Trade Ad that provides me an opposite message

My Grandmother (Nana) I think really was ready and enjoyed her retirement. She became a single Mother when my Grandfather died in the 1950's and she spent over 20 years working at Macy's. She liked to read, needlepoint, and had spent much of her life alone. She loved time with her Grandchildren and maybe her children (I'd say she wanted to more than often the reality), but she was fiercely independent and didn't need someone with her at the dinner table or even when she traveled. She was bringing herself down to meet us at our place in Bethany Beach, Delaware from New Jersey on her own in her 70's.

Short of her, I don't recall anyone that really seem happy retired. No matter their financial situation, they are always fearful they will run out of money. I've seen this with people with literally millions in the bank and an income to more than cover every expense. From my Grandparents to Aunt and Uncle and many others,  all wait until retirement to take these bucket list trips and then are too old, have too many disabilities, perhaps just too many excuses, but they just don't happen. Mac and I live to travel. It's our greatest passion. While we intend travel as long as possible into retirement, we take every opportunity to travel now. Simply, climbing pyramids, multi kilometer walks per day are challenging now; we know it isn't going to be easier 20 years from now.

Most people I know in retirement end up often bored and finding themselves without purpose. When I say this, I don't mean "no reason to live" but more a day to day routine, a role in society daily, etc. Many find this gratification in volunteer work of some form. Clubs and activities also can fill this void. Many times, it can be a combination of the two. Others, however, are just not naturally "joiners" and such things do not relate, let alone appeal to them.

I watch the E Trade ad and I think if I could be 85 and be a life guard, WOW! I was a swimmer, life guard trained (my Mother never let me be as a teenager 😰) and at 49 there is no way in hell I could be a life guard. If I was DJ Nana, how fucking cool? Most importantly, I look and think wow these people have to get up and go and do things I wish I could do now. Perhaps if  ETrade wanted to convey my need to save, and I would think I am at least part of their audience, might stick the 85 year old bagging groceries, worse, pushing carts back to the store. Have someone doing late night drive in, working at a gas station. Hip and fun doesn't make you want to go home...


 This is Getting Old