[redkatz]

I am 64 years old and earn approximately $40 thou per year, but I live in one of the most expensive states in the US, so it's really only like half that. I am single with no kids. I am absolutely bored to tears with my current job -- every day is 50 hours long!! Have worked in this industry for over a decade and never really liked it, but it pays better than anything else here (mostly service jobs in this state). I REALLY need to do something to earn better pay to afford relocation in 4-5 years as I near retirement. There is no question that I can't stay here on what I would earn on social security. But how/what????? Anything that interests me takes way too long to retrain for and often ends up paying less than I make now, even IF I could afford the cost of the retraining. There are zero opportunities in the current job for advancement, even if I wanted to stay - which I don't. I feel very desperate, poor and useless right now because am worried about how I can afford to relocate without becoming homeless. Any ideas on how to approach this and get some clarity?

[Little Lulu]

Welcome to PC redkatz. It does sound like you are in a dilemma. Even if you managed to obtain retraining, getting hired when you are in your 60's would probably be an issue. Can you manage to save anything in your current position for the relocation?

I recently relocated to the coastal area of South Carolina which has one of the lowest costs of living in the US. Housing, gasoline, taxes, food - all cheaper than anything else I am familiar with in the US. I've met several people who relocated here from the west coast and quite a few from New York because they could not afford to retire in those areas. Jobs in the service sector here are easy to find and that might augment your social security enough for you to live.

Hugs and best wishes. I hope you find your way. Having a plan always makes me feel better.

[rlouise1985]

This is really difficult... I sometimes find solace in doing a few hours of volunteering each week in something I really really love.

For me, this frequently turns into job offers. Maybe in this short term this could help with boredom and provide you with an opportunity to jump ship into something you love? The retraining is for free then, because you are donating your time...

Good luck

[Perna]

That is hard. I think if I were in your shoes I would just keep on keeping on in the current job and figure out a part-time/2nd job just to make X dollars to relocate. I'd call it my "relocation project" and do a timeline and figure out how much money you'd like to get off the island and somewhere less expensive where you could live on Social Security.

I'm 64 also, will be 65 this year and am studying to get my State insurance license so I can help my stepson, a broker. You might look into something like that or real estate (if you got a license you would be extremely helpful in any office, even if you did not want to sell product; offices are always needed for phone answerers, etc. and knowing what you are talking about and being licensed to do so would put you ahead of the younger crowd who are not licensed but just want a desk job. I know my stepson uses "housewives" to come and sit/answer the phone when he has to be out of the office but he's having a heck of a time getting real employees as they have to be licensed as he hires someone and they flunk the exam, hence me who we're going to have pass the exam (I find it is hard to learn the stuff though, I won't lie, it's extremely detailed, dry, and confusing :-) so then I can do "special projects" for him (live too far from the office to be much help sitting in to answer phones or file, etc.

But I know my son has a guy who use to have a license many years ago/in a different lifetime studying for one again to help him who's in his 70's, not great health, etc. Old people have to buy insurance, real estate, financial products (CFP) too so age is not a "surprise" or something that might put customers off?