Downsizing

Our generation is working hard to keep what we've worked so hard to get.

When it comes to retirement, our goal is to be able to retire with two important safety nets: an adequate fixed income and health insurance.

"I'm just an ordinary 53-year-old woman married for 34 years who is experiencing an amazing time in my life," Trish Cooper says. The outlook wasn't so bright a couple of years ago. "My job of 13 years ended just as the financial markets crashed and I was unable to find another one. It was emotionally draining, but I embraced the opportunity to spend time with my new granddaughter."

It's been ten years since I traded in my time-wasting, too-long, hope-it-isn't-raining commute to a fancy office in the city for the freedom of working virtually from home.

Like many people, as long as I have my laptop and cell phone, I can work from wherever I happen to be, which has included islands in Thailand and beaches in Mexico (that hammock in the photo is my idea of heaven), my friend's homes around the country, and yes, even my own home office.