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  #81  
Old 02-18-2022, 11:37 AM
mgarblik mgarblik is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliff R View Post
I decided to retire last month.

Like most things in life it's a leap-of-faith. Every year I kept telling myself, one more year, pay off some more debt, sell a few more things I'm never going to use again, build up the investments some more, and still I just kept working.

Then a year ago January one of my very best friends died from COVID. He had worked for Wendy's for over 30 years, had his own vending machine company, and saved and saved for retirement. He went at 62, and had plans of selling his house to his son and buying a big toyhauler and diesel truck to live in and pull around his Roadking. He wanted to live the dream, and sadly passed away less than a year later and never got to do any of it.

Kind of a wake-up call for me, as my friend was in good health and should have had many years left to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

Instead of working 12-14 hours a day 7 days a week I'm doing quite a few "bucket-list": projects, throwing more sticks for my dogs, spending more time with the family, etc.

I'm still selling parts for a while, until someone either buys the business or a deplete the inventory and sell off all the equipment and cores, etc.......

I am on the same game plan as you, Cliff. Good for you. I was more or less forced into retirement in 2013 at 56 years old. If I wanted to preserve my pension, myself and many others had to go. If you have enough $$ to make it work, I congratulate you and know you will love your decision. I had to immediately go back to work because I quickly found 40% of my retirement income going to health care for my wife and I. Now as I approach 65 next year I am going to do the same as you Cliff. On my 65th birthday, I am closing shop, signing up for medicare, and hopefully enjoying some retirement fun. Good for you Cliff. BTW, I sent you a PM if you get a chance. Thanks.

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Old 02-18-2022, 09:47 PM
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Thanks guys. I have the two rooms in the basement completed, moving on to clearing one of my properties that I had logged two years ago.

Although the basement carpentry job went well I'd absolutely starve to death doing that sort of work for a living!.......
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73 Ventura, SOLD 455, 3740lbs, 11.30's at 120mph, 1977 Pontiac Q-jet, HO intake, HEI, 10" converter, 3.42 gears, DOT's, 7.20's at 96mph and still WAY under the roll bar rule. Best ET to date 7.18 at 97MPH (1/8th mile),
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  #83  
Old 02-19-2022, 12:08 AM
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A guy I used to work with said:

"When I retire, I'm not going to be one of those old guys in the backyard bangin' out birdhouses".
(And has 200 already made to sell at swap meets).

For some reason that stuck with me.............

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Old 02-19-2022, 08:41 AM
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For sure I have PLENTY of work to do right here. Most of it has taken a back seat to my business so the list has grown over the years. I also get a lot of local work since I'm well known in these parts for being able to fix carburetors of any variety and get small power equipment, chainsaws, leaf blowers, string trimmers, portable generators, etc, running after they have sat too long with stale fuel in them. So even if I get caught up with the bucket-list stuff there will always be something to do to keep me busy.......
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73 Ventura, SOLD 455, 3740lbs, 11.30's at 120mph, 1977 Pontiac Q-jet, HO intake, HEI, 10" converter, 3.42 gears, DOT's, 7.20's at 96mph and still WAY under the roll bar rule. Best ET to date 7.18 at 97MPH (1/8th mile),
  #85  
Old 02-19-2022, 10:31 AM
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Default Best Advice I Received….

I retired three years ago, and I must say retirement is highly UNDERrated! I love it! On the day he found out that I was going to step down the 90 year old patriarch of our bank came down to my office to see me to offer some wise words of advice. He said,

“On that first morning when you wake up after you retire something in your life has changed! For the first time in your adult life no one is making you get up, get dressed and go anywhere. For the first time, the choice is yours! You can lay in the bed until noon, or you can get up, get dressed and make something out of the rest of your life. But the choice is entirely up to you!”

Wise words from a wise man. I rarely sleep past 6:30 now and have my hands full with ranching, grandkids, cars, playing sports and church work. I can honestly say that from a satisfaction standpoint I am happier now than I ever have been. I can see why people just quit and then die if they have nothing to excite them, nothing to make them get up and get going. Have a purpose that is more than just a bucket list of self-centeredness, for you’ll never find satisfaction in those things.

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Last edited by Pecosbill; 02-19-2022 at 10:33 AM. Reason: Left out a few things
  #86  
Old 02-19-2022, 10:53 AM
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Been doing my job for 44 years this year and 68 years old. I know I still do it better than lots of folks out there and most days still enjoy it, being a high energy person I can still outwork the younger folks. Been a small owner since '84 Some days I think of it harder than others-the days I have clients with unrealistic expectations on what can or can not be done on their pets health care and what the costs can be for them or my actual costs to do it. With the dramatic increase in specialists over the years and the philosophy taught to younger veterinarians "only a specialist should do that" and the potential legal ramifications of normal complications if not a specialist have changed my profession. As well as newer veterinarians wanting that "work -life balance" and to be "entitled" to a salary to have that, pay off school loans and work a 30 hour work week! Vs actually earning that salary. Years past most of us knew owning your own business was the way to a higher salary despite the longer hours and headaches of being a business owner(keeping staff. paying staff, cost of goods, making enough to keep the doors open), then you sold it as part of your retirement. Well now most of the newer folks do not want that responsibility so fewer options, mainly corporate buyer. They are taking over the profession(check out Mars veterinary/pet division holdings!) kind of like they have pharmacies, and even the human health side-how many MDs not in a hospital corporate group?

So exploring that some. Or just work til I am tired of it and lock the doors. Luckily my expartners and I had an accountant years ago that pushed us to set up a Simple IRA so some retirement to draw on besides SS. As you other small business owners know retirement plans, health insurance plans for you and employees comes out of your potential salary. Work another few years and hopefully some fewer hours to be able to enjoy some things besides work, like car projects! Maybe a cheap dyno and just do my own Engine Masters trials

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  #87  
Old 02-19-2022, 12:41 PM
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I'm retiring this year and will pick a point sometime between now and the end of the year to walk away. I've been in banking/mortgage lending for almost 40 years and turn 60 in a few months so I'm almost ready to leave the daily grind. Like a lot of jobs, what was once enjoyable has become bogged down with regulations/rules created by people that that have little idea what they are doing. My wife has a great sales job that allows her to work pretty minimal hours in her territory with great benefits so she will stay on a couple of years more to help with the transition and to keep our health insurance plus eventual Cobra benefit going to bridge the gap to medicare. We love to travel and I've got a '74 T/A to restore that is underway now that should be a multi-year project so looking forward to having the time to do more on it as well as travel more soon!

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  #88  
Old 02-19-2022, 12:56 PM
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" I know I still do it better than lots of folks out there and most days still enjoy it, being a high energy person I can still outwork the younger folks."

+2

I believe that for sure Skip. The "energy level" of the younger generation is "low". They have PLENTY of energy to reach in their pockets to check their cell phones, but beyond that very few have the drive, stamina, or motivation to do much else.

There has never been a better time in modern history for unskilled, uneducated youngsters to find good paying jobs with plenty of potential for advancement. Nearly every business I walk into these days has a sign saying "hiring all positions". My wife works at the Chamber of Commerce and tells me that those companies can't fill their positions and even when they do most don't stick around very long so it's a continues struggle.

Something else few mention is that they are willing to pay these unqualified, unskilled and untrained entry level folks so much money that long term employees are outraged and some even quit for higher paying jobs. Anyhow, that's what's going on here, not sure about your neck-of-the-woods.......

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73 Ventura, SOLD 455, 3740lbs, 11.30's at 120mph, 1977 Pontiac Q-jet, HO intake, HEI, 10" converter, 3.42 gears, DOT's, 7.20's at 96mph and still WAY under the roll bar rule. Best ET to date 7.18 at 97MPH (1/8th mile),
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Old 02-19-2022, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Cliff R View Post
The "energy level" of the younger generation is "low". They have PLENTY of energy to reach in their pockets to check their cell phones, but beyond that very few have the drive, stamina, or motivation to do much else.
Exactly!

The local High School called me 5 years ago a few months prior to retiring and wanted to know if I'd help the Auto Shop teacher part time, I said sure, doesn't pay much, but it sounded fun.

There are about 70-80 kids annually in the auto program. I would say 10-20% of them are engaged depending on the year. They are constantly on their phones. We have plenty of cars (staff and donated) to work on, state of the art equipment and a ASE Master tech for a teacher.

Were in an affluent area. Everything is given to them right now by their parents, I don't know what some of these kids are going to do when they are on their own.

When I started, the teacher had them doing RC car builds for club activities. Interest died away, so I suggested building real cars. We have 3 current builds and restoration projects, but only 3-5 kids are committed to working on them. Heck, I get more participation in my Saturday Car Club from a bunch of old guys.

About 50% of the Auto kids have no plan or intention to go to college. Some are going to the big box tech schools that don't offer a degree but charge 10s of thousands of dollars for a certificate. I tell them that they need some kind of degree so they can have a greater chance for a comfortable lifestyle when they are my age.

Our school offers them a chance to get a ASE Student certification which will make it easier to get that first mechanic job and to get into the GM, Ford, or Stelantis apprentice programs to become a dealer tech. About 20-30% pass the test.

So much more opportunity available today than when I was their age.


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Old 02-19-2022, 03:54 PM
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I live right near a huge warehouse complex next to the Dayton International airport. Almost 8,000,000 square ft. of warehouse space. Chewy.com, 2 Amazon buildings, Champion Brands, 2 Croc's and many more. They ALL will hire you off the street, ON THE SPOT, for $20.00 an hour. You have to pee in a jar though. So you can work 3-4 days and when you fail your drug test, (which 80% do), they fire you and give you your 3-4 days pay. So you walk 400 ft. to the next warehouse and in 2 hours you are working again for 3-4 more days. You can repeat the process over and over and after 6 weeks, you can re-apply to the first warehouse where you failed drug test #1. So with even the slightest amount of energy, you can work a full time $20.00 an hour job and never pass a drug test and stay employed forever. Talked to the director of personal at the Chewy.com warehhouse. The average employee after they pass a drug test lasts 3 weeks on the job.

On the flip side, I can have an excellent student, a smart go-getter in a GM ASEP apprenticeship program working at a new car dealer on customer's 50K car or truck and the dealer will only pay these excellent candidates $11.00-12.50 an hour. How do they expect to get any decent employees in the future?

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Old 02-19-2022, 06:11 PM
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"You have to pee in a jar though. So you can work 3-4 days and when you fail your drug test, (which 80% do)"

A good friend of mine is upper management at a local factory, one of the biggest employers in our area. They needed to hire apprx 30 temps to meet an upcoming quota that they were behind on. He was tasked with getting them thru the hiring process and on the line ASAP. So he put them strait into training BEFORE their drug tests came back, hoping to speed up the process.

All was going well till he got their drug test results, 28 of them failed it.........true story!.......Must be an "Ohio thing"......

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73 Ventura, SOLD 455, 3740lbs, 11.30's at 120mph, 1977 Pontiac Q-jet, HO intake, HEI, 10" converter, 3.42 gears, DOT's, 7.20's at 96mph and still WAY under the roll bar rule. Best ET to date 7.18 at 97MPH (1/8th mile),
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Old 02-19-2022, 08:20 PM
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Not surprised in the least. The warehouse group I described ALWAYS has 1000 or more job openings. Without the instant hire loophole, some might have to close. Drug test failed employees is a large percentage of their workforce.

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Old 02-19-2022, 11:35 PM
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My retirement plans are different than some on here. I'm 62, like my job most days, have no pension but have pretty good health insurance and life insurance. Based on all my actuarial factors, I should live into my early 90's.

So, my plan (at least at this moment) is to work till 70. SS payment will be 24% higher, 3 more years of good income, 3 less years needing to draw down my savings.

I've religiously stuck to a 40 hour work week. So, I've had lots of time with family activities, farm projects and adventures, etc. I have a few more things on my bucket list, but if I was on my deathbed tomorrow, I wouldn't have any regrets from missing out on life.

I'm realistic enough to know that things could change my plans, but I have no need to retire yet. When the time comes, I'll have no shortage of things to do.

Eric

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Old 02-20-2022, 12:28 AM
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When I was injured on the job (Jan 2000), and was living/working in Memphis TN, I sought some temporary work as a delivery driver by a chain deli by the name of Jason's Deli. I worked with a bunch of teenagers, and mostly younger adults. I was amazed at how many of them used drugs of all kinds.

One of my co workers, and I decided to start a rumor that beginning in 2 weeks they were going to start drug testing. (the fast food industry usually doesn't do drug testing). The rumor would ultimately tell who was using drugs, because they were all talking about it. The employees were panicked as the rumor spread throughout the store, all tolled there was roughly 60 employees working there at the time. After hearing the rumor we figured out that 4 people out of the 60 would pass a drug test, 56 people would be out the door. I guess you can easily see why the fast food industry doesn't drug test, there would be even less people working there.

One guy I remember said he was going to quit smoking dope, I asked him why. His reply was I'm 32 years old, have 2 kids, and was married. He continued that his dream job was to work at Gibson Guitars, he was also a musician. He further went on to say he's always worked as a delivery driver since high school because they didn't drug test, but saw no future being limited by his drug habit. Last I knew he did quit, and got a job at Gibson. That's the exception to the rule from what I saw, that was 22 years ago.

I knew one asst manager that worked at a BK I ate at frequently, she was a heroin addict. She was found dead at her home one day.

Being in the automotive industry most of my life, I've seen all the people that abuse alcohol, and smoke weed daily. One Buick dealer I worked at mechanics, parts dept., and service managers would road test cars and stop at a bar during the road test. The bartender would see them pull up in front in a Buick , and see who got out of the car, and have a shot, and a beer poured before they got through the front door, it went on every day. The owner was just as bad. usually a couple times a week he'd take a 2 hour lunch and come stumbling back to the dealership.

There are a ton of people that use drugs in our society, it's pretty sad they need these crutches to deal with day to day life.

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  #95  
Old 02-20-2022, 01:41 PM
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I'm not allowed to do drugs here......my wife tells me I'm already nucking futz and don't need any more help!......LOL.....

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73 Ventura, SOLD 455, 3740lbs, 11.30's at 120mph, 1977 Pontiac Q-jet, HO intake, HEI, 10" converter, 3.42 gears, DOT's, 7.20's at 96mph and still WAY under the roll bar rule. Best ET to date 7.18 at 97MPH (1/8th mile),
  #96  
Old 02-20-2022, 03:31 PM
mgarblik mgarblik is offline
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Sirrotica, Just had to look up Jason's Deli. They are a BIG player. 250 locations in 28 states! I had never heard of them.

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Old 02-20-2022, 03:35 PM
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Based out of Texas, there are 2 stores in Columbus that have opened within the last 10 years or so.

They're more in the south, but are expanding all throughout the US.

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100% Pontiacs in my driveway!!! What's in your driveway?

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  #98  
Old 02-20-2022, 10:44 PM
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Default Anyone else retiring soon?

I’m buying my in-laws place on 1/2 a block in Matador Texas, building a 20x40 building out back and open Shop Apache, wherein I will fix flats, do minor auto repairs for the locals and just hang out, play with my boat, vehicles and dogs, grow beautiful flowers for the Mrs. and stay completely baked, 24/7 starting March, 2028. But, only when we’re not dragging a camper down the road somewhere. We plan to do some traveling, finish seeing the National Parks. I’ll be 62. That’s 50 years and more than enough work. We won’t have any money. Just SS and whatever cash I can hustle up. But we will have no debt and our property taxes will only be $600/year vs $6000 here in Lubbock. We’ll make it work. If not I’ll run for Sherriff or something.


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Old 02-21-2022, 12:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 02Hawk View Post
Then this past Christmas, my little brother who was 61 was feeling ****ty and jumped in the shower, had a dizzy spell and wacked his head on the coping. My sister in law tried to get him to go to emergency but he told her no F..ing way was he gonna sit at emergency on Christmas eve and then went to bed and never woke up.
He had just sold his business and had spent several months getting his cabin redone so they could live there full time.
That is having me rethink my near and far future
Our hearts go out to you 02Hawk, deeply sorry my friend.

I also love your Steven Wright quote,.. 24 beers in a case, 24 hours in a day. Coincidence?

My fav Steven Wright lines:

I have a map of the USA in my glove box that is actual size, it says '1 mile = 1 mile'. It's a bitch to fold.

I put instant coffee in the microwave and went back in time.

Brad

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  #100  
Old 03-02-2022, 12:18 PM
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I think the drug is bad for the young adults. How little self control do you have to stay off of pot for a couple weeks to get a job. Then you can smoke all the pot you want after that. It still gets me when people hold up signs saying they need money in front of the local Walmart that have help wanted signs up. I can not believe how these younger people have to smoke every single day..........everything in moderation as my uncle you to say.
Back to topic how many people who will/have retired work a part time job? I am 51 and would like to retire or more like partially retire in the next 10 years or so. What are you guys doing for health insurance besides Medicare? I have the VA to fall back on but not the wife.

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