Intro music.
Fades to:

Narrator: Welcome back to PreRetiree Lane. The pace has picked up here since the events at Stu and Marta Hunter’s anniversary party. Of course, I’m still dead. Died right there at the party—but I’m still here, destined to help my neighbors because my death made them realize that they hadn’t done much to prepare for their financial needs in retirement.

Let’s peek in on Ava and Ron Maynhard first. I didn’t know them so well as they just moved in. Let’s see if I can get up to speed—

Ron: I didn’t realize there was so much to a budget.

Narrator: Guess Ron needs to get up to speed, too.

Ava: We have to know where our money goes before we can find money to save—

Sound of shuffling papers.

Ava: Plus, we’ll need to find our Social Security estimates, review our insurance situation, look into a will, and we really need an emergency fund. And there’s the whole issue of what to do with your parents on the farm and what’s best for them in the long-term—

Narrator: I like this girl already! She’s getting herself organized.

Ron: Ava, what’s this?

Sound of handling paper.

Ava: It’s a credit card bill.

Ron: $3,000?

Ava: It’s from my trip last year, with Mercedes, when we went to Europe. I told you I was charging it. I got a great introductory offer…3.9% APR for the first six months, and just 18.9% after that.

Ron: It’s not like I didn’t want you to go…but, it’s $3,000 at 18.9%. Some introductory rate now.

Ava: We can afford that payment.

Ron: Just because we can afford it doesn’t mean it doesn’t cost too much.

Ava: But honey, it’s under control. That’s not our biggest challenge by far. We have to get some money out there working for us all.

Ron: I know. Brandon’s a senior looking at colleges, and we still want to buy your folks out—

Ava: I’ll talk to them at the family reunion next weekend. If I tell them we’re making financial plans, I’m sure they’ll be willing to talk it through with us.

Narrator: Oh geez, Ava, run, the big lug is gonna hug you. That’s my cue to skidoo. I’ll do a quick check on Mercedes.

Narrator: There she is, at her desk at home. Love those cute reading glasses she’s wearing. Makes her look very serious, indeed. Think I’ll just get a little closer, after all, she can’t see me—

Sounds of paper shuffling, pencil writing on paper.

Narrator: What’s she got here? A list? That’a girl, organized as always. Says ‘My Business To Do’ Let’s see here. Down payment…start-up expenses…business plan… Seems like a good start to me.

More paper shuffling.

Mercedes: Where are my tax return copies? (more paper shuffling) I’ve got to get a better filing system.

Narrator: What else’s she got here? Capital sources. Small Business Administration, credit unions, home equity, personal loans, credit cards—stay away from that, Mercedes. Wait—what’s that she’s written there? Fraud? Williams family fraud. That’s her ex-in laws. What can that be all about?

Whoa, woman, careful there, you almost bumped into me.

Sounds of footsteps, window slamming shut.

Narrator: What’s she looking at out there?

Sounds of curtains being drawn. Footsteps again, door closes.

Narrator: Guess she doesn’t like her papers being rattled about. ‘Course, if she knew it was me and wasn’t really the wind doing the damage. Something bothering her if she left the room like that. I’ll keep an eye on her. Now I gotta see how Stu and Marta are doing. I’m a little worried about them.

Narrator: Looks like I’m catching them in mid-conversation. And nobody’s looking too happy.

Stu: It’s not an allowance, Marta. It’s just a budget for us. We’ve got ground to make up in retirement savings.

Marta: What else would you call it? You want to limit what I can spend every month based on some formula—

Stu: It’s a straightforward plan. If we want to maintain eighty percent of our current income in retirement, then we have to save the right amount per month now.

Marta: Why do you keep saying that? I’m not going to make less money—

Phone Rings.

Marta: Hello? Yes, Phil, he’s here, just a minute. Stu? Phil Thresher is on the phone for you?

Stu: What’s he want…I’m off the clock. (affects much nicer tone on phone). Hello Phil. What can I do for you? Yes, I understand. (pause). Uh-huh…Uh-huh…Uh-huh. How can that be? Don’t just say ‘I don’t know’! (pause) Sorry...yes, yes, I know it’s not your doing…Yes, I appreciate the heads up. But what am I supposed to do? I’m this close to retirement, Phil!

Marta: Stuart, what is it?

Stu: Yes, all right Phil. I’ll…see you on Monday.

Phone hung up.

Marta: Well, what is it?

Stu: They did it.

Marta: Did what?

Stu: The company declared bankruptcy.

Marta: Oh Stu, your job—

Stu: My job is fine. That’s always going to be there. Everything’s going to go on as normal. Except they’ve declared our pension fund in default. It’s gone.

Marta: Thank goodness that’s all. You still have your job. I was worried for a moment.

Stu: Sure. Keep working. No need to plan for retirement now. I’m never going to be able to retire.

Marta: You’ve still got your 401k…and maybe I could look this budget business over.

Stu: Sure. Sure.

Narrator: Stu looks stunned. Look out Marta, he’s gotta sit down. Hmmm…what’s ailing him? It’s obvious this isn’t good news, but it could be worse. What does Stu know that Marta and I don’t?