To the editor:

In answer to Mr. Vaughan’s Nov. 28 letter, I have some suggestions. First, before you retire, pay off your mortgage. There is no way you can make a house payment when you retire. Replace all appliances and buy a reliable low-gas-consumption vehicle. Save at least $200 a month for biannual taxes. Buy only what you need. Don’t listen to President Bush that you need to spend a lot to help the economy. It only makes our representatives and senators richer – they give themselves raises each year. (They don’t retire on Social Security.)

Never charge anything on a credit card that you cannot pay off monthly. Use debit cards for gas and groceries – it provides an itemized list from your bank where you spent your money. Keep little cash on you – you won’t be tempted to buy what you don’t need. Cook at home, and don’t eat fast food. Save for a really good steak dinner a few times a year.

Stay as healthy as possible, so you don’t have to take drugs. Drug programs are a farce, but you need health insurance. Make sure you have long-term care insurance if you own your home and have savings. Nursing home fees will kill you if old age doesn’t.

Enjoy local art, events and church-sponsored festivals.

Last, but not least, visit everyone you know in a nursing home so you get used to the routine. They will appreciate it, and so will you. Volunteer and make life richer for others and you will be rich, too!

Karen Keim,

Lawrence