I've been reading alot about IRAs because

#1. I'm looking at my growing pile of excess cash and wonderin how long I can hold off on spending it.
#2. This whole hype about a bankrupt social security scares the pants off me
#3. I see what my poor parents are going through (One thought they'd beat old age by just not planning for it and the other has become the first New york bank with 0%interest and a whole lot of fruitless collection attempts from the other party) In a sad way, they remind me of the whole ant/grasshopper story.. and although my husband is wonderful, I'm too scared to rely on good fortune and forego the traditional retirement planning many years before it happens.

It all sounds so sweet.. but I'm a little nervous about any "stipulations" that may exist regarding retirement accounts. You've seen them.. the void on any thursday during a hailstorm when user carries a red umbrella while dressed in full uniform deal. Perhaps it's just my nature to be cynical. I am a native new yorker after all