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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18,586 Likes: 16
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18,586 Likes: 16 |
4 - What about “phuuk work”...? You’re 59, you’ve been workin’ for 45 years, you’re debt free, and you “can swing it if push comes to shove.” You’re 3 years away from bein’ able to draw social security.
There’s more to life than work. Does life (for you presently) = work...?
Every day on this side of the ground is a win.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,019 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,019 Likes: 3 |
Embrace early retirement, kick back for a bit and enjoy life.
Run the numbers and calculate what it truly takes to pay the bills each month, cut back everything unnecessary.
I found myself in a similar situation at the same age, I was amazed at how far I could make what I was sitting on last.
I too considered another job, it never happened, I found it wasn't really necessary. I'm now past the age required for early social security payments and haven't even applied.
Just be savvy and wise with your decisions, put quality of daily life first. Don't get depressed, avoid those thoughts and feelings at all costs. Keeping yourself busy helps, let travel and/or hobbies become an obsession.
Medical insurance is a major factor, if you were dependent on a group policy your employer had you'll have the option for Cobra coverage for 18 months, it'll be the least expensive option with no change from the company policy. After that, you'll be damn glad there is Obamacare, it'll be cheaper than the Cobra payments were after you spend enough time unemployed.
So give it a year, if you just can't keep your time occupied go look for that oddball job, might need it to keep up on your insurances anyway.
Just don't let yourself get depressed!
Padded VA Hospital Rooms for $1000 Alex My ignoree,s will never be Rock Stars on 24 hr campfire.....Like me!!!! What are psychotic puppet hunters?
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,209
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2003
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Good luck on the transition. I had the same thing happen 3 1/2 years ago at age 64. Also no debt, no pension, but a decent amount of savings. As a CNC Programmer in a fairly rural area, I knew finding new work without changing careers wasn't going to be easy. I just took 3 years off, hunting, fishing, and chasing grandkids. After a lifetime of hard work, grew up on a dairy farm, the hardest part was getting used to not having pressing duties. Lately I've started doing repair work in my daughters jewelry store after her repair guy retired. Part time work, but it will pay for fishing tackle and some powder and bullets while giving me something to do to be productive.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,840 |
Starting over, or getting older, aint for puzzies Good luck.
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408 |
Pretty much anyone can do lawns, the guy that does mine makes 6 figures a yr. i had considered that. 10k-ish in capital. i actually like doing yard work. i think i'm part mexican.
My diploma is a DD214
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,894 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,894 Likes: 5 |
What I hear is that you really don't like the work you do, but you do it for the money. That is poison to the soul. It also seems you are in a good position financially, and while you have some wants, your needs are minor.
I'd suggest taking some time to figure out what you want, and go pursue that. Might make less money, might make more. Generally, we do much better at something if we actually enjoy and take pride in what we do. That can be your own show, or be the trusted second in command at someone else's show. Job one right now is to figure out what you want to do when you grow up.
Sic Semper Tyrannis
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,840
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,840 |
Cobra was not cheap when I got laid off So, kids and I had no insurance Just paid cash for everything ( medical and braces for two of them ). That gobbled my POS severance package. But all bills paid and kids taken care of.
Id have been fugged had I chose Cobra.
Lucky bothing major happened those couple of years.
Last edited by hookeye; 01/24/21.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,283 Likes: 9
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,283 Likes: 9 |
That sucks. But if I was you I'd do some looking of for a state/county/city job. They can't discriminate due to age and you could run that out for a few years and then go your own way. Heck lots of cities have crews that do landscape stuff on city property. Doesn't pay that great but it pays better than not working and you can be outside every day.
You get out of life what you are willing to accept. If you ain't happy, do something about it!
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,382
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2017
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I retired at 60. Best thing I’ve done in lots of years. Look, you are debt free which is a great accomplishment in this day and age. You can ride unemployment for a while. Why stress yourself? Something will always pay something, so you won’t starve. Take your SS at 62 and keep calm for a couple of years. Ride the company benefits as long as you can if it make financial sense. It still takes years to get years of experience, so don’t sell yourself short because you know lots of stuff in your profession. Companies want people with product knowledge, not necessarily just a kid with a degree. I ran into it all the time. Educated kids that were book smart, but they had near nothing for practical product knowledge. Good luck doing what you want, but do something that makes you happy.
My other auto is a .45
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408 |
4 - What about “phuuk work”...? You’re 59, you’ve been workin’ for 45 years, you’re debt free, and you “can swing it if push comes to shove.” You’re 3 years away from bein’ able to draw social security.
There’s more to life than work. Does life (for you presently) = work...? this is a dominate thought it my head. and no, life does not equal work for me. i worked because thats all i ever did. but i could definitely be retired if the money situation wasn't stressful.
My diploma is a DD214
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,840
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,840 |
Pretty much anyone can do lawns, the guy that does mine makes 6 figures a yr. i had considered that. 10k-ish in capital. i actually like doing yard work. i think i'm part mexican. #beaner
FUGK CCP
It’s time to WAKE UP GOD BLESS THE USA WWG1WGA THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 638 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 638 Likes: 2 |
Rem141,
I'd not bet against you. You have lots of knowledge in a very desirable field. You're disciplined if you've lived below your means. Report back in a few months and I'm thinkin' you'll have good things to say about your situation.
ttpoz
in silvam ne ligna feras (don't carry logs into the forest)
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,073
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,073 |
Might turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you. Best of luck. Hasbeen
hasbeen (Better a has been than a never was!)
NRA Patron member Try to live your life where the preacher doesn't have to lie at your funeral
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18,586 Likes: 16
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18,586 Likes: 16 |
4 - What about “phuuk work”...? You’re 59, you’ve been workin’ for 45 years, you’re debt free, and you “can swing it if push comes to shove.” You’re 3 years away from bein’ able to draw social security.
There’s more to life than work. Does life (for you presently) = work...? this is a dominate thought it my head. and no, life does not equal work for me. i worked because thats all i ever did. but i could definitely be retired if the money situation wasn't stressful. There’s a difference between standard of living and quality of life. Sometimes you gotta decrease your standard of living in order to increase your quality of life. Good luck and best wishes, whatever you decide to do.
Every day on this side of the ground is a win.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,551 Likes: 68
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,551 Likes: 68 |
Buy a 24ft ladder and start knocking doors, cleaning out gutters.
200-400 cash a day
get a high school kid and pay him to do most of the work while you upsell the homeowner on attic ventilation, foundation moisture control, driveway sealing, pressure washing. Etc
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408 |
What I hear is that you really don't like the work you do, but you do it for the money. That is poison to the soul. It also seems you are in a good position financially, and while you have some wants, your needs are minor.
I'd suggest taking some time to figure out what you want, and go pursue that. Might make less money, might make more. Generally, we do much better at something if we actually enjoy and take pride in what we do. That can be your own show, or be the trusted second in command at someone else's show. Job one right now is to figure out what you want to do when you grow up. this is the truth. i look back on life and realize that if i had a job that didn't suck the life out of me, i would have been happier and so would my family. hind sight is 20/20 for sure. and yes, the last sentence is my goal.
My diploma is a DD214
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,551 Likes: 68
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,551 Likes: 68 |
Slumlord school of Technology
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,274
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,274 |
I have been unemployed a number of times in my life (it goes along with being an a$$hole who will not conform), most recently about 10 years ago. Each other time I was fired from a job led to a much better situation, so I took the plunge 10 years ago to start my own business. It turned out to be the best decision of my life. I haven't been fired in 10 years now and I have the mix of freedom and income that I wanted.
It's not easy, it might take a few years to get everything running right, but at the end you're your own boss and from my perspective, I will work, doing the things I truly enjoy, until my last breath.
Eliminate qualified immunity and you'll eliminate cops who act like they are above the law.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408 |
Pretty much anyone can do lawns, the guy that does mine makes 6 figures a yr. i had considered that. 10k-ish in capital. i actually like doing yard work. i think i'm part mexican. #beaner i do tan well.
My diploma is a DD214
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 75,000 Likes: 5
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 75,000 Likes: 5 |
Sorry to hear amigo. Best of luck to you!
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