(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Advice to the Younger Guys: DO IT NOW!!!

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
I was always the guy who worked 2 [sometimes 3] jobs, because when I got older and retired I'd be able to do all the projects--street rods, mostly--that I'd put off when I was a younger man.

Nowadays, I'm almost 60...laid off in 2008 when the recession hit and the business cut back. At my age, I've only been able to get hired for temp jobs since then. One interviewer even went as far as telling me that my age might "skew" insurance rates for his company if they hired me [so they didn't]. Because the temp jobs are just that, I've had to cash in my cash-value life insurance, and that was after I had to cash in my 401(k) to keep my house.

But I've still done my best to keep my head up. Then last May I was hospitalized with atrial fibrillation; now I'm on meds for that. An old, long-neglected back injury [kept telling myself, "You're tougher than that!"] is causing hip pain when I stand too long. And in the past couple of months, I've developed a VERY painful arthritic shoulder...so I'm having to teach myself to do a lot of tasks with the other arm, since the prescription I'm on [can't take NSAIDs like ibuprofen, which used to help, because of the A-fib meds] only takes the edge off the pain.

And those street rod projects? Still sitting, because I'm currently not physically able to do what I did even 5 years ago. If you'd have told me 5 years ago that I'd be having as many physical problems as I am today, I'd have laughed in your face. Yeah, I'm better off than some folks I know...but a lot of them are now going on disability.

To get to my point: I don't want your sympathy, and I don't want your pity. I just want to tell you younger guys, DON'T PUT OFF THE FUN STUFF AS YOU GO THROUGH LIFE. I never expected to end up like this, and I'm pretty sure most of you don't expect it, either. But if you put the fun stuff off until after you retire, like I did, you may not get the chance to do any of it. I should've learned from my dad's example; he planned to retire at 62, but he died six months before that, and left a lot of his dreams undone. But I was hard-headed, and convinced myself that I was different, and that nothing would ever happen to me to keep me from livin' the dream when I retired.

If you pass a chance to do something for yourself, when you get "a round tuit" you may not be physically able to do it...much less enjoy it. Learn from my mistake. Now, I'm not saying to let the work slack while you party; that's not what this is about. But I had a friend who built his '41 Ford street rod while he was in his early 40's, rather than working that 2nd job like I did. He's enjoying his car now, while I'm looking at some rusted metal knowing mine may never get built, and if I die too soon, it'll probably be sold for scrap.

As a younger man, I learned some lessons from my brother's mistakes. Now I'm telling you young folks to learn from my mistakes. If you want to find a tractor and restore it...DO IT! Don't wait. If you want to build an old truck or car, DO IT NOW, while you're still physically able. Things change quickly, and your chance may be taken away in a heartbeat.

Mine was.
 
That's good advise Buzzman, my father-in-law is in a similar position, farmed all his life, figured he'd do it until he died. Sadly due to heath reasons he had to retire and sell out at 50 now he's 62, sits in the chair and looks out the window.

You never know when or if something bad will happen to you, I'm in my mid 30's so I do what I can now (or at least what my wife will tolerate) but the second job sure comes in handy when I get the urge to buy another tractor! :D
 
Seen that the last couple of weeks on a cruise. There were people on board who had put off thier trip of a life time too late.
They were either weeks away from dying of a chronic disease. Or so aged and frail everything was a challenge and struggle .
On the other extreme . Why do some parents travel with children under the age of 12 and in particular pre school aged children? The little demons are bored, scared, tired, ill or looking for trouble. The Mothers were having no fun either chasing the little devils. It' was not a rest or vacation for moms or the children. The kids will never remember the trip.
 
Good advise indeed, but also make sure you start a plan for your financial health NOW also. I can't even fathom how a young couple starting out today will be able to retire in any form of comfort in the years to come.
My wife and I depend very heavily on our rural lifestyle to provide most of our food, and enjoyment.
There are many tractor related projects that I would love to take on, but finances do not allow that to happen, and traveling on vacations, are out of the question. You can't eat memories, and they don't pay the day to day bills!
Loren, the Acg.
 
Great advice. I too am having to slow down due to aches and pains. I have had both shoulders fixed, one wrist, and one heel. I used to run my sawmill all the time and split a lot of black locust posts. Built our 2500 sq ft house. I hurt every day but keep going. I did take time to build a big shop and am in it every day. Fixed up my 17 Model T 10 years ago, keep my 3 antique tractors running to garden with, cut firewood, make sorghum syrup and and try to do whatever else needs doing. But I sure do hurt a lot. The only pain killer I can take is aspirin because I have one of those weird livers. I will be 62 this year. Don't put off your fun projects til you retire.
 
Those are wise words I have lived by for at least the past couple of years.
My father constantly says to "sock money away, stop spending it"
Well, the bills are paid, the mortgage is never late. My retirement account still gets its weekly fix. We dont have car payments. A low mortgage. A couple years ago I met the woman of my dreams. Together we do everything. It wasnt long before I got my first diesel truck, then shortly after that the tractors came rolling in.
Now we are pretty heavy into tractor pulling. Its what we both want to do. We could say that its not necessary and the money spent would be better off in a bank account, or under the matress but the memories we get together doing what we love cant be measured in dollars.
From camping at pulls, to working on the tractors and everything in between we love it. We are living the dream. We dont have alot of money, but are the richest couple in the world as far as I am concerned.
I have thought many times to my self, it I want to do it, I cannot afford to wait. At 32, I wont be young forever.
 
I am 55 and have been living to get my dreams done for the last 15 years. My 84 year old conservative father has questioned my priorities, yes my bank account is low but my wife and I and kids have had some great trips, both kids are in college doing fine and I have some ground to farm and several fun tractors and a classic farm truck. I was in my early 20's at a tractor show visiting a very senior man telling him my wants. He said if you are mechanically talented then build that shop and fill it with tools and projects for he then continued I did not and am now old, my eyes and body won't work but I have more money than I can spend but no great experiences.
 
I'm in the exact same boat.57 years,dont want to quit,but I may have to.No money saved(farming/bad crops,wife with health issues...).What am I going to do?
 
Yep...when I was younger, I spent all my time working because I worried all the time, about everything.

Now that I'm older, I'm a bit wiser. I'm taking one day at a time. And I'm trying to pass along some of that hard-earned wisdom for free. Wisdom comes from making mistakes...but the price is less if you learn it from someone else's mistakes.

I seldom took my kids hunting or fishing because I was too busy working. Now I wish I'd taken some of those weekends and done that. I made it to all my kids' baseball games, but that was because they were in the evenings, after work...and I could still work 2 jobs on the weekends. But I missed out on a lot of what could've been quality time with the kids...because I was worried. About the bills. About having cable TV and video games for the kids. About stuff that, for the most part, in the long run doesn't matter...and never did.
 
Whew! I thought you were going to advise them to save for their financial future,but ya,you're spot on. Things are a lot more fun while you have the energy to do them too.

Several months after my wife lost her job a cousin asked me if we were ready to kill each other yet being together all the time. I said h3ll no! We're having the time of out lives. We can do all the things I didn't think we could do until we retired.

If something happens to one of us the other one will have some great memories. I've told her that one of these days somebody will find our bleached bones and at our double funeral everybody will be asking the same question. "What the h3ll were they doing there in the first place?".
 
I understand your thinking b&d. That being said I think I would rather travel with small children than some grumpy teenagers who are embarrassed by their parents and don't want to be around them. But maybe I don't know how wonderful that could be :)
 
The saving thing is important; if I hadn't had my retirement savings to fall back on, I'd be homeless AND still have the physical problems.

So another part of that advice is...if your employer offers a 401(k) or similar retirement plan...and they have a percentage match...that's basically FREE MONEY once you're fully vested in the plan, so put in enough money to maximize the employer match!
 
Yup, that would be my advice too. I hear way too many working guys saying that they are going to do "such and such" when they retire. I know darn well they never will. I've always liked to travel. I started going places just for fun when I was in High School. Yeah, it has kept me broke but when I retire I can stay home and sit by the fire. I feel sorry for those silver hairs driving those huge homes on wheels up and down the road. I did my traveling when I was young and could sleep on the ground.
 
Ya,that's all true enough if you're employed instead of self employed. I have a huge net worth but I don't know if I'll ever be able to cash it out or if I'll have to live off SS and whatever pittance the boy can afford to pay me if he's ever able to take this place over. All I know is,I have the money to do things now,the wife has the health and freedom and the boy is around enough to do chores so I can get away. If I want to do it,I'm doing it. I'm not going to bet that I won't have to work to the grave.
I just have to look back and laugh at some of the situations we've gotten ourselves in to by "taking the road less traveled" though. When I was telling some stories at Board of Review last night,the ladies there were just sitting there with their mouths open saying "NO way!".
Lee Little knows just what I'm talking about don't you? LOL I think I've told Jon F a few of those stories too haven't I?
Ya,we can all laugh now can't we? ROFLMAO
 
I'm 66. I'll retire April 30. People seem surprised and ask why. My answer: because I can, because I want to, because I've been working full time since I was 14 and because I tend to get older, not younger. If you can do it, do it now. Been to too many funerals of folks who said "just one more year." I have never talked to anyone who was bored in retirement.
 
This advice was almost spot on except for what I would like to add. When you have your health you already have it all. Everything else is a bonus. I am 62 and do 90% of my work from a wheel chair, you would be surprised what you can do with a disability . Just attack it like eating an elephant one bite at a time. I have young friends that help me do the heavy lifting, and in exchange I give them love and knowledge.
 
Very well said, there are no guarantee's in life, I always put family first and toys second, worked full time and always farmed and built a few hot rods and muscle cars and bought and sold a lot of stuff, don't let possessions get in the way of enjoying life, be satisfied where you are at and enjoy every day. I have sold off all my nice cars and trucks, just have the work horses left, they were just clutter in my life anymore, I want less, not more stuff at this point in life. I still farm and garden and love working in the shop but most of the shop work now is for the kids or Son in law, I don't know about every body else but since I've past age 60 I have a completely different outlook on life, I can't take anything with me so why dwell on all this material goods as we head to the end. I want to simplify and lighten the load some and enjoy every day. After this Winter I'm thinking spending the Winters south some day would be nice.
 
I hear you Buzzman. Sorry to hear about your predicament. I"ve been working on a 68 Torino, buying up every part that it needs as quickly as possible. It"s like the old saying "Make hay today, for tomorrow is sure to rain." I"m down to just paint, wheels, and a whole bunch of elbow grease...
 
I am 41 and live by that theory, I get all my bills paid but enjoy life. I have always told people I have never heard a older sitting on in a chair on the porch say " I wish I would have worked more" they generally tell everything they missed out on while they were working.
 
I know what you're saying - I watched my Dad work hard all his life, sometimes 2 jobs and he never got to enjoy a single day of retirement. I've been very fortunate to have been able to do my little farming adventure and balance the time with a full time job. I'll be 60 this year and if I hadn't starting doing what I'm doing back in the 80's it would never have happened.
 
I will take this a step further and tell the young men-and women, to seek out a career that pays well! Go for the gold when your young! Then you can coast. I could have been anything I put my mind to but I chose to be a heavy equipment mechanic, because I liked it, after obtaining a rinky ding bachelors degree. Instead of becoming an accountant or engineer or comp programmer and laughing at them, I chose this. I'm now 51 and a lot of them can retire soon. I am at the ceiling of my pay scale and with three kids what was good pay became okay pay and now just barely enough pay. I busted my hump to pay off my house which I built myself, bought a few tractors to restore and thought I could enjoy things now.. It is painfully evident as I work check to check that I will have to work until I'm 70. I have not one extra dollar to play on my hobby I finish most weeks with $2 in my wallet. I never waste! I have never been on a plane. Don't own a boat, snow mobile, jet ski or cool old car. My kids seldom get to go anywhere and our big treat is take out pizza. My young nephew was talking about a good paying job he could never do because he didn't have the "passion" for it. Passion! He!!. Passion doesn't pay the bills!!! Work a GOOD paying day job even if it sucks and relax and play on your off time. Or,...do it my way.
 
We have a plaque hanging by the dining table that reads "Live your Dream, Not Dream your Life"
I can't imagine not loving everything you do. I worked a real job for most of my life, until I turned 40. Decided right then and there, that if I couldn't enjoy everyday, no amount of money was worth it. Sold the house, quit my 80 hour a week job, and moved to a ranch. I manage 6500 acres, for absentee owners. We summer pairs for others, so I don't have much to do in the winter. Get paid ok, have a wonderful 4 bedroom house, and vehicles to drive. I get to keep my horses, dogs and tractors.
Again my advice is live your dream!!!!
 
I agree with Buzzman. I see some of the same things with my dad, he is 73. In pretty great shape for his age, but I see him slowing down due to age and old injuries.

At 44, I am starting to feel middle age, nothing too major wrong. But I am not 25 any more.

So I second the advice....

DO IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick
 
My wife's uncle made big money as a supervisor in a large plant. Retired at 65?. I don't believe he lived to draw one retirement check. Enjoy every day.
Her brother worked hard and set up a very good business and had started really enjoying life, hunting all over the country, fishing and many other things. Died of an aneurysm at 53.
Richard
 
I've come to the conclusion that I'll have to enlist some younger friends to help with the street rod project. But when I started accumulating cars and parts, part of the reason was to be able to say "I did this." I realize now that, at best, it'll be "WE did this."
 
I made the kind of choice you did...and I agree with you. DON'T follow the advice about "choose a career doing something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." SCREW THAT...go for the dollars while you're young.

BUT take the time to do the fun stuff along the way.
 
I know people told me but I couldn't believe how much I aged from 50 to now 68.
I am in reasonably good health but arthritis has changed my life.
Simple thing are now a task and things like motorcycles can no linger be operated safely.
I would never have believed driving at night--especially when raining, would be so difficult.
One of my doctors recommended that I try[b:615ab8823a] Diclofen [/b:615ab8823a]and it really helped my joint pain. Problem is, many people have problems, especially with stomach, but it has worked for me for about eight years.
 
I farmed until 1992, had to get out because of health at 37. Told I would never work again. Got most of my health back and went to work for the city after 2 years off. 16 years, last 2, half time because of health, then took early retirement at 55. Good retirement benefits. 2 more years working 16 hours a week for a small town. Retired now, 58, with enough savings and income to enjoy retirement and do some of the things we always wanted to do. Health restricts what we do but we do enjoy everyday....James
 
When I was younger ,20 I did just that. Started to live my dream. April 7th 1981 , I stopped selling my time to my boss, and followed "my" dream , and started a dairy farm . I am 53 now and have few if any real regrets . Sure it has been 7 days a week. But I have friends that have been out of work for 6-10 month periods and what do they have ? SQUATT!! Lots of time off, and no money to spend. I don't buy this crap about needing to do things like build a car ect. It is much more importend to be able to provide for your family . And never have to worry about getting tossed of the job , and not being able to pay the rent/mortgage , because you have some lame toy that you wasted time and money on. And just Who every said that old folks that go on cruise , or some kind of trip are not enjoying them selves to the fullest of their ability ? Just because they can't run or dance, doesn't mean they can't still appreciate the view of blue water, clear sky , and warm temp. This whole thread just seems like a bunch of "ME" generation guys whining about poor choses they have made in life,and wanting a do over. It isn't going to happen. People who think that they should be entitle to some kind of retirement , will get exactly What they can pay for . If you where born to money, then you will get a rich retirement , enjoy. But if you are a working stiff , and you have lived life like you had big bucks , and didn't. well then you will get just what you can pay for, nothing. Remember 3 score and 10 years , is a life time, any thing more is all borrowed time. Bruce
 
I've worked for most of my life. I didn't have the "toys," the bass boat, the new cars. I didn't go out drinking [and rarely drink at home, yet today]. I paid my bills. I raised my kids. And I put off my joy, which was working on old car, because I thought I'd be able to do all that when I got older.

I don't want a do-over. I just want to warn younger folks that if they're counting on staying healthy until long after they retire, that's not guaranteed. When we're 20, we're all 10 feet tall and bulletproof. When I was 45, I changed jobs to a good-paying position as a welder on an assembly line, working 11-hour days. The idea was, in 20 years I'd retire at 65 and I'd be able to do what I wanted. Well, the company gambled big and lost their main contract, and closed the plant after a few years...wasn't MY choice for them to lose the contract. But my health has gone downhill since then...I guess you'd say that was a "choice" of mine as well? I'd say sometimes there are things we can't control [heart condition is hereditary, just so you'll know I really didn't "choose" to be this way].

Had I done the building of the rod--slowly, a little at a time, as I could afford it--when I was younger, I'd have my "toy" now, to either enjoy myself or to sell to someone else. But at the time, working long hours as many days a week as I could manage seemed to be the "right" thing, because my health was gonna hold out until the day my ticker just stopped ticking...or at least that's how I imagined it. Just didn't turn out that way.

I'm trying to put a little bright light out there for those who are doing as I did, to let them know that it doesn't have to be this way for them. So why be such a sourpuss with your response? You seem to be in a very distinct minority with that kind of response. Hope your day gets better, and your mood improves...because everybody deserves to have a good day and be in a good mood. [Some just choose to NOT have anything good to say...and THAT is a choice anyone can avoid.]

May God richly bless ya.
 
we moan and groan about today's generation not working and then post on here encouraging them to take it easy now so they can take it easy later.
 
My dad made a simple remark to me that I have lived by all my life and never regretted it---

[b:0007be1e2c]"Satisfy your Needs before your Desires"[/b:0007be1e2c]
 
Amen, Buzz. My point was not that I am "entitled" to a retirement or want a do over (well maybe a little). My point was that one doesn't have to end up working 45 yrs just to get by. I have sibs that are comfy and some that will die broke with only SSI to live on. I wish I was in the former, don't you? Now that I care for my parents age 90 and 93, I see how much they have in the bank and how much they need to live on, and I don't have nearly that much. My dad did ok starting a small tool and die business at age 44 but still, he had to work till 65 to amass enough to have some play money. Fortunately their health is ok relatively speaking, so they had time to enjoy some of it. There is nothing dishonorable about working to provide for your family. But, when it becomes what ONE has to do every day out of necessity, then it takes away from the family. My post was meant to be a warning to choose a good paying career. You can't live your life backwards either. I have a BIL that partied and spent money all his young years. He's now 62, has a mortgage, part time job, no real skill, and not one extra penny. He will literally work until he dies.
 
I'm also helping Mom manage her affairs. Mom's mom died 2 years ago just 3 months shy of her 101st birthday, and she was as sharp as a tack to the last. Mom is 82 and is beginning to have some memory problems; she'd put her bills "in a safe place," and then forget to pay them. So now Mom and I get together about 3-4 times a month, and I write, sign, and mail checks for her so that everything is paid up and paid on time. I'm thankful that I live close enough to do that, because my brother lives 2-1/2 hours away, and my sister lives halfway across the country.

But counting on your health--or your memory--to last forever is taking a HUGE gamble. It's better to enjoy each day as it comes, and not put off any large dreams and projects, thinking that you'll have plenty of time later...'cause you might not. Not wise to spend all you make today and not save, either; if I'd done that, I wouldn't still have my home. The idea of working long hours because you're healthy now is foolish, if it keeps you from doing some things you enjoy and think you'll be able to do it when you retire. Don't go overboard, but do a little now when you're young and are able...because tomorrow you might not be as able.
 
I'm simply encouraging the younger folks to NOT "take it easy" now, but to set aside some time for the things they enjoy while they're still able...because when they get older they might not BE physically--or mentally--able.

If you took that as encouraging young people to become slackers and do nothing, you certainly got the wrong meaning from my post. And if it put you in a bad mood, all I can do is hope that something puts you in a better mood, so you can enjoy what's left of your day today.
 
Once your needs are met, there's no shame in doing something you enjoy. It's all a matter of setting priorities. But DENYING yourself the opportunity to do something you enjoy, once your [and your family's] needs are met, simply because you think you'll have plenty of time, money, and health when you retire is a gamble. My dad didn't live long enough to retire. He was going to build a "pullin' tractor" [most likely stock or near-stock] when he retired, and then go have some fun. He had the money and the skills to do it, but he thought he'd wait until he had "all the time in the world" after he retired. That time never came for him.

Once the needs are met, and you have some savings, and if it does no harm to anyone else, there's no sense in denying yourself an activity you enjoy, just because you think you'll be just as healthy and able later in life. That's the simple point I've been trying to make. Not trying to upset anyone, or to encourage young folks to be slackers. I just wish more people would've tried to understand my point before getting upset what I'm saying. I don't wish to put anyone in a bad mood...but then again, I suppose that being happy is a choice some folks make...while others choose to be otherwise.

And I wish everyone a blessed day.
 
No, not teachers. We do have a moderate to small pension to cover most of the fixed costs. The real reason we can retire is because we have saved our money, and do not have children.
 
Been thinking about your health issues. Do you have medical insurance? If so get the hip replaced. In four months you will be almost as good as new. The A-Fib problem, heart docs can perform a procedure called catheter ablation. At a good university hospital the success rate is about 70%. There are also beta-blockers that can keep the heart rate down and the A-Fib under control.
Good luck and thanks for your message.
 
Hey Buzzman, I hear ya and have told some youngsters the same thing. 2 yrs ago at 61 had to go in for 4 hr surgery to repair and open up and grind out bone spurs and put in spacers and titanium plate to keep my neck vertebrae stable and away from my spinal cord. I had already went numb in both arms/hands and legs were starting. It was 10 yrs coming on slow it was mis-diagnosed many times. Finally sent me to neurologist and did MRI and ordered a collar immediatly and emergency surgery. Once you damage nerves they usually don,t recover. Swelling from surgery even damages them more. When out of recovery/anesthesia my whole left side was parralized. 2 days I was walking with walker,4 mos of PT to learn how to walk,tie shoes button shirt etc. Just about the same as a stroke but different causes. Being self employed most of my younger life, I did have my fun/toys along with working my a$$ off but I told my ridiculers back then that I'm going to have my "fun" while I can. Good thing I did. I still have to re-learn how to ride my bicycle again this summer. Left arm still only 50% , walk funny , very slow reflexes to catch myself. Am enjoying retirement but I am having to live a different lifestyle than I had planned on. Main problem is all my nerves are "crossfiring" and making all my muscles work against each other so in 1/2 hr I am so exhausted I have to stop and rest or fall over. No fun. Point is, it's good to plan financially for retirement but to work every spare hour forsaking "fun and family" is not the way to get there. You will have your motorhome and be ready to travel but there will be nobody to go with you and nobody to go visit and your best friend will be your money. My one Grandpa who farmed made it to 65 1/2. Out of my graduating class of 200, 35 of them are dead.No one is saying don't work and support your family,that's first,but you aren't going to have a lot of fun at retirement if all you are able to do is sit at home alone gloating over your portfolio.
 
Precisely why I gave up a good job when I was 53 and took a part time job for half the money. I wanted to ENJOY the toys I had, not bust my hocks so I could buy more.

It's been 10 years now, and I've never regretted a moment of it.

I retired completely at 62 for the same reason. Nope, I ain't got much money, but I keep the bills paid, have a little extra for the occasional toy and do WHAT I d**n please WHEN I d**n please.

Nobody ever died saying "Gee, I wish I'd have worked more hours and put more money in the bank."
 
I think the point of Buzzman"s post went over your head, Bruce from Canada.

I think most dairy farmers would trade everything at the last auction for just a little more time with the family and grandkids. Buzzman was basically stating don"t count on tommorow being there because what "If tommorow never comes"- nothing to do with work ethic.

It"s hard to go on a cruise- go for a Sunday drive- visit family- be a role model to your grandchildren-- when you are 6 feet deep.
 
you need to add delusional to your whole host of ailments if you think you are going to put me in a bad mood.
 
(quoted from post at 13:19:27 03/14/14) This whole thread just seems like a bunch of "ME" generation guys whining about poor choses they have made in life,and wanting a do over. It isn't going to happen. People who think that they should be entitle to some kind of retirement , will get exactly What they can pay for .
Click to expand...

Ya, thats the way I read it as well, sour grapes only talking about life. Hey, thats just the way life is, some people get dealt a bad hand, but its irresponsible to tell young people to quit working hard and trying just so they can play around with a stupid car. Whats a young person suppose to do, play around with a car and then what if they dont get dealt a bad hand? What about all the older folks that live a long and fruitful life? Good luck living that if you didnt plan ahead... oh, they will have a hot rod, so ya know, they got that going for em... Where is that eye roll face?
 
(quoted from post at 14:09:42 03/14/14) we moan and groan about today's generation not working and then post on here encouraging them to take it easy now so they can take it easy later.
Click to expand...

Ironic, aint it?
 
Hey, how ya doing! You know, I do remember the family trips we took back in the mid 60s when I was 4 to 7 years old. What a time we had! Dad worked full time in town and farmed 160 acres with livestock, but still took time to take the family on a two week vacation every year. We would always go somewhere different so us kids got to see some really great places. And to top it off they would sometimes pull into an implement dealer so I could get my tractor fix! Lots of good points on this topic but I think the idea here is BALANCE. If you work hard there's nothing wrong with playing hard. Enjoy life as you go and TAKE TIME........
 

I have advice for young people. Get a Gov't job. The work is usually easy, often you can have a second job on the side. Big benefits including insurance and retirement. Retire at 45 with a good pension and take a part time job and play.
 
Paul, you understood my point. Unfortunately, a lot of others didn't. Thanks for your perspective on things.
 
Now, WHERE did anyone say that a young man was supposed to stop working? You won't find that, because I didn't say that. And nobody said anything about stopping HARD work...except the folks who added their own "translation" to what was actually said. Nobody said NOT to pay your bills, and nobody said NOT to save for retirement. Nobody said NOT to plan ahead. I believe I said that you need to be aware that tomorrow's not guaranteed, and having your health isn't guaranteed...so live your life every day, while you have the chance. That INCLUDES working, that INCLUDES saving for retirement, that INCLUDES paying your bills. But once you reach the point where those items are accomplished, you need to take advantage of your good health and do something NOT related to work. Nobody said it HAD to be related to old cars...or old trucks...or tractors. That's just where MY interests lie. Everyone has different interests, and you should get SOME enjoyment from life before you're physically unable to do what you enjoy.

That's the ONLY message I wrote. If you got something else from the original post, it was added by YOU...not ME.

Hope you have a better day tomorrow, because you certainly don't seem happy today. May God richly bless you.
 
Scenario #1....My grandpa was born in Germany, lived there during the depression. Immigrated to the USA before WW2. His idea of a vacation was blueberry picking in Michigan for the weekend. You make money while you can, so you have nothing to worry about when you retire. My dad had no complaints about his childhood. G-pa lived to be 88, and financially had nothing to worry about.

Scenario #2....My bro-in-law was a machinist. Spent a good part of his off time working on outlaw 1/4 mile cars. 97 Camero did low 8"s. Took his kids to weekend races. At 54 he died from a blood clot. Family had enough ins to bury him, but not enough to pay off the $60,000 he owed to support his need for speed.

I know, 2 extreme examples.
You"ve got to find, what my dad would call a happy medium, what works well for one family, may not work well for another.

FWIW...don t. ...
 
I won't say you are right or wrong Bussman,but you and some others NEVER had the DEPRESSION era bred(instilled)into you on making and saving money.As the old saying goes "Money may not be the only thing,but it is far better then the other thing".My wife and I both come from familys that never took vacations or had much outside interest and they all died happy,I think.
 
While reading this thread, I got to thinking-----Some people are happy with Nothing?? Others can't have enough.
Just like the television program where they gave a homeless man $100,000 (I think) and a year or so later he had went through the money, even bought someone a new truck, and was happy to be back on the street??
 
Sometimes you just have to decide when you have...enough. And then be happy with that. I knew folks who didn't have a hobby or anything besides their work to bring them any joy. Once they reached retirement age, most of them didn't last 6 months. You've probably known people like that, too. And I think it's because they lost their one purpose in life.

My grandmother was from the other extreme. She got an associates degree in accounting in 1928...right before the Great Depression hit. She married a farmer, and during the Depression she kept the books on the farm. She once told me, "Sometimes we didn't even have a spare nickel for a pack of gum for the kids...but we had what we needed." But they also never missed going to church whenever the church-house's doors were open, including ice cream socials and Sunday School picnics, either. Her joy then was in her church activities, as it was throughout her life. When her kids grew up and left home, she worked as bookkeeper for her brother-in-law's oil company until she retired in her mid-'70's, working part-time after she turned 65. She then turned her attention to the local senior citizen center, where she helped serve meals several days a week until she was almost 100...because she got joy from "helping out the older folks in the community," as she told it. She only stopped serving the meals when she became a little unsteady on her feet and grudgingly had to start using a cane...she was "only" about 98 then. She died about 3 months shy of turning 101.

The point I've been trying to make through all of this is...it doesn't make sense to put off doing what brings you joy, no matter what that may be. NO, I'm NOT advocating going into debt to experience your joy. I'm NOT advocating skipping out on your financial obligations, to yourself or to your family--including saving for retirement and saving for unexpected expenses, as well as paying your bills--in order to have some joy. If your joy includes doing something you can't financially afford, then by all means put it off until you CAN afford it...or find a different, more affordable way to enjoy it.

But don't put off doing what you enjoy simply because you think you'll have all the time in the world after you retire, or because you think you'll be just as healthy after you retire as you are now. Your body's like any other machine; parts wear, even with good maintenance. And like cancer, arthritis has no cure, either. So don't assume these things will skip over you. Maybe they will, and maybe they won't.

Don't forget the parable Jesus told in Luke 12: 16-21, about the man who made big plans for what he was going to do in the days to come, and the bins he was going to build where he was going to store all he was saving for "the future." Let's never forget that, no matter what WE plan, God sometimes has a different plan, and we may not even live to enjoy what we have today. If our focus is always on gaining more, and preparing for health and prosperity in our latter days...we also need to realize that we may not be there to enjoy the fruits of our work, or may be in bad enough health that there's little comfort found in what we worked so hard for.

That was my original point. Sorry some folks missed it, and thought I was advocating skipping out on your work, or not doing a good job because your focus was elsewhere, and not providing for your family, or going deep in debt to accumulate expensive toys or build "money pits" you won't ever be able to afford. For example, if you find joy in tractor pulling, as many of us do...if you can't afford to build the tractor you want, it costs a lot less to at least go to the pulls and learn to appreciate the work of the ones who can and do build them. You can find less expensive ways to feed your joy. Just don't suppress your you completely, thinking you'll always have time [or be physically able] to do it "later." Too many folks I've known have been wrong about that...some were DEAD wrong.
 
Don't put off the fun stuff??? I'm too busy trying to keep my head above water and raise our children. Wish I could afford a fixer upper.
 
(quoted from post at 01:29:52 03/15/14)
That's the ONLY message I wrote. If you got something else from the original post, it was added by YOU...not ME.

Hope you have a better day tomorrow, because you certainly don't seem happy today. May God richly bless you.
Click to expand...

I read your message and it was loud and clear. Simply put, Im sorry you are mad at life because you were dealt a bad hand but you dont have to be bitter at the whole world because of it. Not everybody lives to 100; happy, healthy and strong. Remember, when they say the average age people live to is 74, it really means some live a lot longer and some die much sooner. Averages are made up of extremes. You may be in the "a lot sooner" group but you dont have to hate on everybody else that isnt with you...

As for me having a happy day, I thank you for the well wishes. Today is great, yesterday was outstanding and tomarrow is looking about the same. But nowhere is what I said indicated my day was anything, much less an unhappy one. Thats why its clear you are projecting your miserable life on me, like you did to others in this thread that you disagree with. Im not hte only person you claimed was having a bad day with no indication of such.

Again, Im sorry things are going so poorly for you and in some strange way, I actually sorry that things are going so great for me. Why I feel bad that things are so great for me is confusing but I do feel sorry for you. Cheer up, things wont be rotten forever! If it helps, I wont tell you about next week because I dont want you to feel bad but next Thursday is going to be great for me. Sorry.
 
(quoted from post at 11:19:27 03/14/14) When I was younger ,20 I did just that. Started to live my dream. April 7th 1981 , I stopped selling my time to my boss, and followed "my" dream , and started a dairy farm . I am 53 now and have few if any real regrets . Sure it has been 7 days a week. But I have friends that have been out of work for 6-10 month periods and what do they have ? SQUATT!! Lots of time off, and no money to spend. I don't buy this crap about needing to do things like build a car ect. It is much more importend to be able to provide for your family . And never have to worry about getting tossed of the job , and not being able to pay the rent/mortgage , because you have some lame toy that you wasted time and money on. And just Who every said that old folks that go on cruise , or some kind of trip are not enjoying them selves to the fullest of their ability ? Just because they can't run or dance, doesn't mean they can't still appreciate the view of blue water, clear sky , and warm temp. This whole thread just seems like a bunch of "ME" generation guys whining about poor choses they have made in life,and wanting a do over. It isn't going to happen. People who think that they should be entitle to some kind of retirement , will get exactly What they can pay for . If you where born to money, then you will get a rich retirement , enjoy. But if you are a working stiff , and you have lived life like you had big bucks , and didn't. well then you will get just what you can pay for, nothing. Remember 3 score and 10 years , is a life time, any thing more is all borrowed time. Bruce
Click to expand...
ame here, i followed my dream to be dairy farmer at 18 and worked at the side to help pay for it,i quit the dairy cause of circumstances beyond my control, immigrated to Canada to start over.. doing what i wanted to .. having my own place with lots of cows be they milk or beef or in the end Bison. I never lost focus .Never had a boring day in my life.
I never had money but it did not prevent me from getting bit by bit what i wanted. the vehicles and machinery i own were all fixer uppers, my hobby is building and fixing so i lived my hearts desire my whole life. Be self employed and do what when and how i want.
I'm still healthy at 64 and still running my ranch by myself.
I have lots of assets accumulated to retire comfortably but i can't imagine doing anything else than i'm doing now.

My advice is follow your dream come h#ll or high water.
Where there is a will there is a way.
Life is to short and waiting for retirement to start doing what you want is just foolish,.do it now while you're still full of P''s and vinegar.
Money ought to be secondary.
 
(quoted from post at 07:47:53 03/15/14) .........
You"ve got to find, what my dad would call a happy medium, what works well for one family, may not work well for another.

FWIW...don t. ...
Click to expand...

very well said.

Reading thru the comments, there's a wide variety of opinions. We used to take our 3 kids skiing every year out west. Cost quite a bit of money that could be sitting in a bank account now. But just the memories alone are worth it. Hadn't gone skiing for 10 yrs while our kids were in college but wife and I went this winter again (in our early 60's). Could have put that $5 grand in the bank but we're still working and saving for retirement so we wanted to do it while we still can physically do it.


I wouldn't try to offer advice on how one should live their life. Me telling someone they shouldn't work 2 or 3 jobs and enjoy life is not going to make them change their ways.

Also, me telling someone that they should quit buying every newfangled electronic thing or ATV or other toys and quit maxing out their CC's to save for retirement also would fall on deaf ears. Appreciate Buzzman's post but I'd like to know if anyone reading it actually changed their behavior based on his or anyone else's comments.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Brown David
  • Locked
Tractor Sale Gone Sour. What Would You Do?
6 7 8
Replies
144
Views
9K
Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse
D
"what is the part number?"
Replies
7
Views
331
used red MN
U
TracySixPack
  • Question
Great Bend 330 loader Disconnect and Install
Replies
6
Views
210
caterpillar guy
C
3
Shouldn't have done it
Replies
12
Views
861
BarnyardEngineering
BarnyardEngineering
S
I do not understand how to use the new format. Can someone help me? I would like to learn how to see the daily posts .
Replies
13
Views
1K
plattman
P
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top