Yesterday I dropped off the last of my children at school, and now our nest is empty (sort of, my 7-year-old son is still at home, as are our two cats), so me and Mrs. C8j are now living a relatively empty nest life (or at least a single child family).

What does this mean? Will we become Helicopter (or worse a Blackhawk) parents? We seem to have the time to do this, but given my son is on the Autism spectrum, we will be closely involved with his education, but again, that may not really count. Will we be foot loose and take up new lifestyle ideas ? Nah, not me any how, although I might get a bigger TV (80″ does sound pretty sweet for the football season).

Do we now have much more disposable income? Ay, there’s the rub, I have an empty nest, however money obligations continue to live on don’t they? University education costs continue to dog us, schooling costs in general, repairs on our house must be done, so when do you finally get some “me money time”? I have no bloody idea.

I have had a few younger co-workers say something about how they envy me, being close to retirement and such, however, I usually beg to differ with them, pointing out that throughout my life my disposable (or discretionary) income has shrunk throughout my life. The time I had the most “me money” was when I was in High School and University. As soon as I graduated my “throw around” money started to shrink and it continues to shrink.

Maybe one day I will suddenly realize that I am “foot loose and fancy free” financially, but I honestly cannot see that day any time in the near future (unless it rains money, or I start making a bloody fortune on this blog (OK, that is always funny when I write that)).

Question: When do you think you will be financially comfortable and your money is your own?