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Oregon grocery store worker, 91, retires after raising more than $80,000 online Oregon grocery store worker, 91, retires after raising more than $80,000 online
(4 months later)
Betty Glover spent seven decades in the American workforce and unable to save, was still working as a cashier at a WinCo storeBetty Glover spent seven decades in the American workforce and unable to save, was still working as a cashier at a WinCo store
A 91-year-old grocery store cashier from Oregon can finally retire thanks to an online fundraiser that was made necessary by the economic forces which compel some Americans to work virtually their entire lives.A 91-year-old grocery store cashier from Oregon can finally retire thanks to an online fundraiser that was made necessary by the economic forces which compel some Americans to work virtually their entire lives.
Betty Glover has spent seven decades in the US workforce and occasionally even held down two jobs at a time but nonetheless was unable to save enough to retire and still pay off her monthly bills, medicines, groceries and the camping trailer in which she lives, according to the Rogue Valley Times, which recently profiled her.Betty Glover has spent seven decades in the US workforce and occasionally even held down two jobs at a time but nonetheless was unable to save enough to retire and still pay off her monthly bills, medicines, groceries and the camping trailer in which she lives, according to the Rogue Valley Times, which recently profiled her.
She has been working behind the cash register of the WinCo Foods grocery in South Medford, Oregon, when she decided she wanted to dedicate more of her final years to creating memories with loved ones.She has been working behind the cash register of the WinCo Foods grocery in South Medford, Oregon, when she decided she wanted to dedicate more of her final years to creating memories with loved ones.
“I’m used to working and I hate the thought of not working,” Glover told the local television station KDRV, adding that she also loves her customers. “But then I decided that I would like to enjoy my” two children, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.“I’m used to working and I hate the thought of not working,” Glover told the local television station KDRV, adding that she also loves her customers. “But then I decided that I would like to enjoy my” two children, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
One of Glover’s granddaughters helped her launch a GoFundMe campaign with an initial goal of $40,000. The campaign succeeded resoundingly and as of Wednesday had raised more than $82,000, mostly from community members and store regulars.One of Glover’s granddaughters helped her launch a GoFundMe campaign with an initial goal of $40,000. The campaign succeeded resoundingly and as of Wednesday had raised more than $82,000, mostly from community members and store regulars.
Glover was able to set her last day at Winco for this upcoming Monday, according to an update on her GoFundMe page.Glover was able to set her last day at Winco for this upcoming Monday, according to an update on her GoFundMe page.
“I’m speechless,” Glover said to KDRV. “I didn’t think for a minute that people would be that generous. Even if it’s whatever that they can afford, it’s amazing that they give it to me.”“I’m speechless,” Glover said to KDRV. “I didn’t think for a minute that people would be that generous. Even if it’s whatever that they can afford, it’s amazing that they give it to me.”
Glover – who plans to celebrate her 92nd birthday just days after she retires – extended her working career well past the average American retirement age as the cost of living in the US has soared and most employees’ wages have stagnated throughout the years, making it difficult for many to save. Longer lifespans and slashed social security benefits have also driven an increase in the average American retirement age, according to experts.Glover – who plans to celebrate her 92nd birthday just days after she retires – extended her working career well past the average American retirement age as the cost of living in the US has soared and most employees’ wages have stagnated throughout the years, making it difficult for many to save. Longer lifespans and slashed social security benefits have also driven an increase in the average American retirement age, according to experts.
The director of Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research, Alicia Munnell, has previously told Forbes that American men and women on average were retiring at 62 and 59, respectively, in 1992. Those ages had respectively gone up to 65 and 62 by 2021, Munnell said.The director of Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research, Alicia Munnell, has previously told Forbes that American men and women on average were retiring at 62 and 59, respectively, in 1992. Those ages had respectively gone up to 65 and 62 by 2021, Munnell said.
As the Rogue Valley Times reported, part of Glover’s childhood unfolded during the Great Depression. She grew up on a farm, where her family members produced their own meat, vegetables, fruit, milk, eggs and bread.As the Rogue Valley Times reported, part of Glover’s childhood unfolded during the Great Depression. She grew up on a farm, where her family members produced their own meat, vegetables, fruit, milk, eggs and bread.
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Glover told news outlets that she couldn’t believe some of the prices she had been ringing up at her register.Glover told news outlets that she couldn’t believe some of the prices she had been ringing up at her register.
“It’s crazy to see how much eggs are right now,” she said to the Rogue Valley Times, even as egg prices have since dropped from their peak average cost of about $5.43 for a dozen less than a week before Christmas last year.“It’s crazy to see how much eggs are right now,” she said to the Rogue Valley Times, even as egg prices have since dropped from their peak average cost of about $5.43 for a dozen less than a week before Christmas last year.
Glover told KDRV she is ready to leave all that behind and focus instead on being the matriarch of her family.Glover told KDRV she is ready to leave all that behind and focus instead on being the matriarch of her family.
“I’m the last of my generation,” Glover said to the station. “I’d love to watch those little ones grow up. They are really sweet and when you work when your children are small you miss a lot of their life and now I’d like to enjoy my great-great-grandchildren.”“I’m the last of my generation,” Glover said to the station. “I’d love to watch those little ones grow up. They are really sweet and when you work when your children are small you miss a lot of their life and now I’d like to enjoy my great-great-grandchildren.”