One: the high cost of being female.

I read a U.S. estimate that says it can cost between $500,000 and a million dollars today- well, whenever; it’s kind of hypothetical From cars and computers to Oxford shirts and haircuts and dry-cleaning, if it’s a female service or article of clothing, it costs more. I’m past the point so it’s irrelevant for me. I simply do not buy new clothes, and because of Covid-19, I haven’t thad my hair cut for months. One could write a piece about the pleasure and comfort of old clothes. Or one could do a survey asking people how old is their oldest piece of clothing.That might be fun. No scarves or belts.

But while we’re on the subject, what about the high cost of being old? Forget senior discounts, what have older people lost? And what does it cost to compensate for failing energy, that is, paying someone to do a job you have always done for yourself? Combine the two: the high cost of being female and the high cost of being old. It costs a lot to be old, and even more to be poor: housing, food, clothing, health, services, transportation. Smart people are full of advice. I myself wrote a book on retirement that went through several editions. (The Best Is Yet To Come, Key Porter Books , 19-something) One reviewer thought i was blunt and cheerful about some of the harder facts of life in the twilight zone.

*Make your money last? Some people have trouble making a spouse last a lifetime.

*Make the money first, then make it last. (Not simple)

*These days lots of people don’t live within their means because they can’t afford to.