60+ year old thread.

Nice work Mike.

 

Good Morning Porch Pals & Gals! Long day yesterday, think I'm gonna call it a day off and putz. Got that second Jurry Summons for tomorrow, so don't want to start anything until I know what that outcome is. Already had to reschedule a Dr. because of it; and that set me back to an August appointment!

Sorry to hear about the cause, Mike, but great work on you! That's called DADreneline!

Thanks Tom. Didn't figure that this group would appreciate a link, but here it is. I guess they caught me napping, as it doesn't say it was originally (vastly overpriced at) $60. But it's already made me happy...

$19 CKE Nut & Bolt Thread Checker (Inch & Metric) - 26 Male/Female Gauges,Stainless Steel - 14" & 12 Metric

CKE Nut & Bolt Thread Checker (Inch & Metric) - 26 Male/Female Gauges - 14 Inch & 12 Metric - - Amazon.com

Thanks for all the balloon pics Mark - especially the action shot! Funny you mention the BMWs. Parking is "first come, first served". But there are several groups that have staked out territory on the event map, and it's generally respected. I told the Toyotas to meet past the BMW section, in front of the Port-o-Potties (convenient!) When I got there, there were 2 BMW, and I gave them about 2 dozen slots of space to my park spot. One BMW guy drove past me, then parked further down - like he's going to surround us or something. It just filled up with other people, as I can only surmise they didn't want to get up early yesterday. Over the course of the morning, I had 3 different Vettes "on my trailer".

 

Most chores are done for the weekend, lawn mowed, shopping done. So today was sleep in and have coffee in bed with my girl and the kitties. When I got up I made something for breakfast that I haven't had in a long time, corned beef hash and eggs. Man was that a nice treat. I have one more portable ac unit to hook up in the kitchen and then I'll be ready for summer. A few days of 80 degree weather said it's time, now it'll cool off a bit for next week.
Put gas in the taco yesterday after 3 weeks, 1/4 tank $26. Regular is $4.39 here now. Ebike is saving me on fuel cost. My friends are spending $60 to $100 a week on gas just to get to work. That's a big bite out people's budgets. Supposed to rain here tomorrow so I'll drive the taco, rest of the week is supposed to be nice so I'll be on the ebike.
Taco is a year old the end of this month, just turned 4,000 miles. She should last me well into retirement if I ever get to do that.

 

You keep saying something along the lines of, "... retirement if I ever get to do that."

What kind of chain is holding you back?

 

2 divorces and left with nothing but social security if it will still be there when I'm of age. 7 years ago I started my life over, bought a small 1000 Sq ft house and I was happy even though there was nothing in it. I had a garage sale couch, a cardboard box for a table and a lamp. So I mean I had nothing, just my clothes and my tools. No pots and pans, no dishes or utensils, no towels, etc. All the things you seem to take for granted in life until there gone. The only guarantee in life is that there's no guarantees. All things change, that's just the way my life has been. Not trying to be pessimistic, it's just reality. I accept things the way they are and I keep moving forward one day at a time. Right now I still feel blessed, roof over my head, food on my table, and still in good enough health to keep working. My hope is to retire after 65 and be able to slow down some, work part time to supplement my income.
So that's a little about me, lol.

 

Greg, I’m impressed with your positive attitude. You've been handed some unfortunate circumstances in your life. You are proof that happiness isn’t always decided by high end material possessions.

I’ve had a quote in my office for over 30 years from Andy Rooney.

“For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.”

― Andy Rooney

Hang in there.

 

Well the entire trick to retiring is to do one of two things successfully. One is to be frugal enough to invest early and find ways to squirrel away a few bucks to feel secure in the years you no longer have a paycheck. The other way is to be frugal enough to never need more than you can afford after you no longer have a paycheck. A lifetime of good financial habits.
Once you decide to retire be sure to live somewhere that whatever income you have will support your spending. Move to a place that won't kill you with property taxes, high utilities, and other fixed costs. And then continue to squirrel money away in places that make money. That may mean you find opportunities to buy and sell what other people discard because they don't have the energy to shine something up. I've made good money buying dingy crap, cleaning it up, and reselling. Everything from cattle to real estate.
And if you have all your ducks in a row... you might be surprised that you can live comfortably on Social Security. That's my target goal, to live on it and even bank some. It can be done.
It sounds like you've already learned the lessons in the need to be frugal. Some people never do. If you have, you are already money ahead

There are a lot of people out there playing to your fears, especially "financial advisors" that want to make money off you. Avoid them.

And since the post before mine ended with a quote... this is the one I've found most useful in life: It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes us happy.
Sounds a lot like Andy Rooney, eh?

 

You can also add that you must have a spouse/partner that doesn't have a nuclear meltdown when you tell them you are retiring. I have EVERYTHING else in place except permission. Finally got permission to go this coming January. I hope I can suffer through until then.

 

Well THAT's a chain of a different color...

 

I put my faith in the American Dream at an early age, and now I want for nothing. Being a Landlord has been my life’s work, my hobby, keeps me active and interested in life and in continually upgrading my property, in my tenants and their being satisfied and happy in my units. Over the years, I’ve had marriages, babies born, families raised, tenants buying their own homes and moving on, Christmas cards, small gifts, and the very satisfying knowledge that I’ve put a roof over all those folks heads for many years. I’m not super rich in dollars, but in being good at what I do, I know that I am well appreciated, and nobody can hope to be richer than than I am.

 

Amen to this!

 

That was the one my son started out with.

 

I'm a saver by nature, and I was squirreling money away in my earlier years. Then I got divorced, then my son went to college, and a lot of that nest egg went away. So I ended up doing it the other way around. First and foremost I got out of debt. Paid off the mortgage, didn't take out car loans. Once I was in that situation I suddenly found myself with a whole lot of extra funds that I could cram into 401Ks and whatnot. I don't have the numbers in front of me but I was able to probably triple the amount of my retirement savings over the last 10 years of my working life.

 

Yeah I know all about being frugal, grew up poor, I know how to stretch a dollar and make one. I'm a Jack of all trades and good with my hands, I learned that out of necessity. I know all about planning for retirement, started that twice in my life but divorce is a bitch and when you have nothing you cash it in to survive and start over. I've never had a lot. My first wife left me because she said I was a simple man with simple needs, she wanted more, you know the big house and cars and all that. I am very humble, doesnt take much to make me happy, I enjoy being home when I'm not working. I finally have a good woman by my side with the same values as me. We never fight or argue, we just are. So here I am at almost 62 and still working 50 to 60 hours a week. I dont have anything for retirement as most of you do. But you know what I have more than a lot of people, the lord gives me what I need, might not be what I want but it's always what I need. I remember where I came from and that makes me appreciate what I have. Sometimes I think I am more blessed right now than I have been at any other time in my life. I have had more but never been as happy with what I have as I am today. I'll make retirement work someday when I get there, I just want to slow down a little to enjoy daily life a little more before I die. You know go fishing, or for a bike ride, or a flea market, spend time in the woodshop, repair some bikes maybe, etc. I'll be ok, I have my Betty, our pets, a home. I think those are the most important, I'm happy right now. Work kinda sucks but it's a blessing in disguise.

 

Greg, your outlook and attitude towards life are righteous. It’s what will get you through the tough times and allow you to really appreciate and cherish the good times. The simple things in life are what’s important. God bless you Greg.

 

Hello, good afternoon and to 60+ members.

 

The rest of the folks will be along.

 

YO... fill the cooler.

 

Spoiler: Life is Good!

 

Yo, yo, yo!! Good morning fellow Porchatonians!!