Agony Aunt: Right on the money
Dear Wendyl,
I am 60 years old and work part-time in my own business, which I have run for the past 30 years. I had always intended to keep working well into my seventies, but some recent health problems mean I need to slow down and possibly sell the business.
My problem is that my husband expects me to keep working and supporting us. He is 70 and retired five years ago, and we have lived very comfortably, mostly thanks to my income. He seems to have no sympathy for my health problems and makes comments like “get out of bed you lazy thing”, if I dare to have a lie-in. How can I get him to see that I’m an ageing woman who needs to slow down, not a cash machine?
Lisa, by email
Dear Lisa,
I have absolutely no idea why you are taking your husband seriously. He is obviously incapable of seeing past his own needs so you have to put yourself first. You have a successful little business and have worked hard to stay afloat and you deserve to now reap the rewards and take it easy, especially with your current health problems.
Sell the business and put the proceeds into an investment but, first, book yourself a nice holiday and have some time away from your husband. When you come back home, you may see things a little clearer and find that you can have the life you want, rather than the one your husband expects of you. The average life expectancy for Kiwi women is 80-plus, so plan to enjoy the next 20 years of your life doing what you want to do.
Wendyl`
- Wendyl Nissen
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