Saving enough money for retirement can be tough. One of the largest costs people anticipate is their housing and possible long-term care. But instead of choosing to live at an expensive nursing home, one man has a clever alternative plan. Terry Robison says he plans to live out his golden years as a guest at various Holiday Inns across the country.
In a recent Facebook post that went viral, Robison explains his logic. He reasons that the average nursing home will set him back $188 a day, while a long-term stay with a senior discount at a Holiday Inn is considerably less at just $59.23. And that’s even before you factor in other freebies you get by being a guest at the hotel, like toiletries and coffee. Plus, you’re able to swim in the pool whenever you feel like it.
So far, it sounds like a solid plan to me! Check out his post in full below:
https://www.facebook.com/Terry.Robison.25/posts/2141070562642775
After accounting for the price of the hotel, in which breakfast is included, Robison says he’d be left with $128.77 if he’s comparing it to the cost of a nursing home. With that money, he says he can dine out at restaurants for lunch and dinner or even take advantage of room service.
Plus, most hotels have simple amenities like a coffee maker or a microwave in the room, so he won’t have to eat out all the time.
He also plans to use the cash he’d save on extras like laundry, gratuities and special TV movies. Robinson notes that Holiday Inn’s amenities rival that of any senior living facility, including “a spa, swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge and washer-dryer, etc.”
He points out that you wouldn’t have to stay in just one Holiday Inn location, either. You could take your life on the road and check into hotels across the country. He’ll never have to do tasks like cleaning the toilet or vacuuming again, either.
People facing old age sometimes worry how they’ll face keeping up the house when they may no longer be capable. But Robison has a plan for that, too.
“TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem. They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience,” he wrote.
And should the worst occur?
“The maid checks to see if you are ok,” wrote Robison. “If not, they’ll call an ambulance . . . Or the undertaker.”
Robison’s post has now been shared more than 133,000 times, and people are chiming in to say he has an idea so crazy, it just might work.
However, before you take his plan and run with it, keep in mind that his math may not exactly check out.
Holiday Inn prices vary by location, and that’s to say nothing of the skilled medical care you may need in advanced age.
For their part, Holiday Inn gave the following statement to KHOU regarding Robison’s plan:
“While we’re not certain how Mr. Robison arrived at his current budget calculations, we look forward to welcoming him when he reaches his ‘golden age.’ He did miss one big benefit in his long list of reasons to stay with us – kids eat for free at Holiday Inn. So that’s another excuse for the grandkids to come and visit.”
Some eagle eyes have also pointed out that Robison’s idea may not be entirely original, with versions of his post circulating the internet as early as 2004.
Completely new or not, the idea has certainly struck a nerve! What do you think of the Holiday Inn retirement plan?
Kate Streit lives in Chicago. She enjoys stand-up comedy, mystery novels, memoirs, summer and pumpkin spice anything. More.
