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Rodney · 04-23-2006, 06:14 PM

Interesting idea; I've done something like it at parties, and the results are always good.

Ten years ago I was 40, married and and homeowner with no kids, with both my wife and I employed in well-paying high-tech jobs. I was incredibly bored and stressed at the same time, but had all the money I could spend.

Five years ago, I was 45, married and a homeowner, in a management position I truly despised and never should have taken -- except that the commute was five minutes long and the money was even better. I kept hope alive by stashing away extra money to pay off the house early.

Today at 50 -- well, I was laid off several years ago and went back to school to get a degree for _another_ career that I turned out not to like. Wife's been laid off, too. Good thing the house is paid off, but the COBRA's a bear. We're keeping our heads above water with part-time jobs at the local university. I'm hoping to get on there full-time in an admin job. The work's not inspiring but the people are good and frankly, there is a near absence of BS and tension. I leave the job each day with my head straight. That feels good. We have our nest egg intact and don't really need a lot to live on what with no house payments. And my investments have been paying off quite well lately, so even with our minimalist jobs our potential net worth has been rising quite smartly this year. I'm starting to feel middle-aged for the first time in my life.

Five years from now I'd like to still be in a full-time job at the uni, covering expenses and coasting down to retirement, while still growing the nest egg with investments; I'd hope to be using some of the nest egg to back the wife in a small business which would turn into a full-time job for her and and a retirement living/activity for both of us. Somewhere between here and there, the time might be right to invest in income property, and if so I'll pick up a house or two for rental income.

Ten years from now -- basically the same, though we may possibly leave this expensive beachfront college town and buy a business and house someplace cheaper and less crowded.

All this is of course subject to change without notice, intentionally or otherwise. With everything that's potentially unstable right now -- the long term value of the dollar, energy availability, global climactic degradation, and person things like health matters and disabilities -- all plans, everywhere, are subject to change without notice. Perhaps more now than at any time in history.

04-23-2006, 06:14 PM	#28 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Interesting idea; I've done something like it at parties, and the results are always good. Ten years ago I was 40, married and and homeowner with no kids, with both my wife and I employed in well-paying high-tech jobs. I was incredibly bored and stressed at the same time, but had all the money I could spend. Five years ago, I was 45, married and a homeowner, in a management position I truly despised and never should have taken -- except that the commute was five minutes long and the money was even better. I kept hope alive by stashing away extra money to pay off the house early. Today at 50 -- well, I was laid off several years ago and went back to school to get a degree for _another_ career that I turned out not to like. Wife's been laid off, too. Good thing the house is paid off, but the COBRA's a bear. We're keeping our heads above water with part-time jobs at the local university. I'm hoping to get on there full-time in an admin job. The work's not inspiring but the people are good and frankly, there is a near absence of BS and tension. I leave the job each day with my head straight. That feels good. We have our nest egg intact and don't really need a lot to live on what with no house payments. And my investments have been paying off quite well lately, so even with our minimalist jobs our potential net worth has been rising quite smartly this year. I'm starting to feel middle-aged for the first time in my life. Five years from now I'd like to still be in a full-time job at the uni, covering expenses and coasting down to retirement, while still growing the nest egg with investments; I'd hope to be using some of the nest egg to back the wife in a small business which would turn into a full-time job for her and and a retirement living/activity for both of us. Somewhere between here and there, the time might be right to invest in income property, and if so I'll pick up a house or two for rental income. Ten years from now -- basically the same, though we may possibly leave this expensive beachfront college town and buy a business and house someplace cheaper and less crowded. All this is of course subject to change without notice, intentionally or otherwise. With everything that's potentially unstable right now -- the long term value of the dollar, energy availability, global climactic degradation, and person things like health matters and disabilities -- all plans, everywhere, are subject to change without notice. Perhaps more now than at any time in history.