good and bad Challenges

David G

Well-known Member
I appreciate the support on here and consider you my friends.

I went through losing both parents and almost losing my business in the last few years. I have been able to pay back all the debt and again have cash in the bank. The emotional cost of going through this leaves me jumpy and weary. It is hard for me to answer the phone because I always expect it is always bad news, and hope this will pass in time. I disappeared in New Mexico this summer to do a project that was deemed impossible, we met the schedule and the push is off. I was working some very long weeks to do this, and am working to decompress now. These pushes take a lot out of me and get harder as I get older. I was approached about a year ago about merging my company that does automation with a electrical contractor. I am moving through this process now and it looks to be a good relationship. I am planning to retire from work in 5 years when I am 65 and this needs to happen if I can do this. I will retain control of my company until that time, but share in the responsibilities and ownership until that time. I do not think I could go through this again.

Our last kid went off to college this fall, my wife are taking our first empty nest vacation first of next month and taking the boat to Branson for a week. My boat is 15 years old and only has 150 hours on it, my motorcycle is 5 years old with 3000 miles on it, I am looking forward to slowing down a little.

Thanks for putting up with me.
 

Good for you BUT a kid in collage BTDT several times...

My boat has not been in the water since 2004 when my first kid went off to collage I plan to get it in the water in 2020... I paid for 15 years of collage I deserve to boat again... I love to fish and be on the water : ) The only person I have to look after now is ME...
 
David I have found that you need to make time sooner then later. The reason is you never know what later will bring. All too often many do not get to do what they want because health issues interrupt their lives.

This is some advise from a workaholic that is trying to reform. We need to think about what is enough. Ray Charles was once asked if he resented how his earnings where less than white entertainers of his era. His answer was this "I can only eat one meal at a time, I can only make love to one woman at a time, so why would I want more than that."
 
Reality is like peanut butter, left in the jar it serves no hunger. Spread too thin it gets lost. Sometimes chunky, sometimes smooth, always to be enjoyed. A light rye, and peach jam are complementary. Eat on. Jim
 
David;
My business is similar to yours. I am old enough to slow down now, but I can remember the "burn out" times. It takes time to recover, don't rush it.
 
(quoted from post at 19:51:29 09/12/19) David I have found that you need to make time sooner then later. The reason is you never know what later will bring. All too often many do not get to do what they want because health issues interrupt their lives.

This is some advise from a workaholic that is trying to reform....

JD is right on this. I used to be a workaholic -- just lived to work! I'm not comfortable writing about these things online, so suffice it to say that I went from young-and-super-active to still young, but no more work. Have still not had a vacation since. Can't afford one. Have kept dreaming up ways to "[i:20dba84ebf]get back in the game[/i:20dba84ebf]" over the years, but life always seems to have other plans -- plans that always seem to push us further away from our dreams.

If you can find a chance to do more important things now, [b:20dba84ebf]take the chance![/b:20dba84ebf] Spend time with your family (QUALITY time!!). See sights you want to see. Learn things you've been putting off. [u:20dba84ebf]Get your heart at peace![/u:20dba84ebf]

When young, I watched my Dad work himself from a strong, healthy man to a frail shell of his former self, all so he could provide for his family and keep his word to his customers. He didn't know the hoops he'd have to jump through. Almost killed him. When his big break came and he started working at Compaq, he started doing more for him and Mom. Yet even when the mainstream doctors told him he had maybe 6 months to live, he still kept going with all he had. I was with him when he died, and he still had not found his peace. Was the only time in my life I'd ever seen my Dad accept defeat.

Money is a necessary evil, but it cannot give you peace. Peace of mind, yes....but not peace at heart. That you have to do for yourself.
 
It sounds like many of us are in simalar situations. It's been 2 1/2 years since I took a real vacation. We do large projects and I shoulder the brunt of the responsabilities. We bid on projects in the upper six figures sometimes seven figures and worry you don't make a mistake and lose money. We have to make times for ourselves and reduce stress, stress is bad! I have been thinking of retiring or semi-retiring next year but don't know if my nest egg is large enough. I'm a couple years older then you and more then ready to slow down at work.
 
I got to the point where if I wasn't working at least two jobs I thought there was something wrong. I am 73 and have now realized that there is more to life than just work. I piddle at farm work and cleaning up my woods, and occasionally take in a welding job for a little extra cash. I am sure you will enjoy winding down and selling the business. My advice is do it slowly so all of a sudden you don't ask yourself what now. Ellis
 
been ther done that also,farmed over 1000acres ,cattle,goats,sheep. then for twelve years on top that did machinery assemble, then also did small engine shop, twelve years . today trying to settle two estates my parents,this one been going on 7 years, wifes parents, have ground I control rented out or in crp program,engine shop still trying to close up, still trying to get house night mare over also. also tyring to start ss. I had one week off during my life. I finally had enough. anybody want small engine mower business? I miss cattle most but not the debt.
 
David congratulations on completing your job in New Mexico. I am with JD Seller, if you have the cash in the bank plan your exit ASAP. I was ready to retire at 65 but company acquired another large project and they convinced me to stay, long story short I just retired this April at 70 but due to my wife's back issues we cannot travel like we planned 5 years ago. The only winner was the company, I should have left 5 years ago and enjoyed time with my wife. Once you are over 60 you never know the health issues that can appear suddenly and have long term implications to your retirement plan.

JimB
 
That's right, you never know.
I retired 19 years ago, told my financial guy I was going to travel for 5 years. Did want to be one of those people pushing someone in a wheelchair while sucking on O2. Turned out we traveled for 10 years.
But, don't retire thinking you won't have anything to do. I'm so busy I don't know how I had time to work.
 
Good Morning David
I am glad for you being able to slow down , Even at sixty we don t know how many days we will have . I say if you have the money enjoy it while you can.
I retired at 66 & we planned on traveling , fishing & enjoying ourselves but my Wife s RA put the skids to that . Right now if we go over 75 miles ,she really pays for it .So we stay close to home .
I don t like to go fishingand leave her at home because she really enjoyed going herself . So now I just go for walks when I can .
She just turned 76 on the 3rd of Sept. & In will turn 80 in Nov .

Azpeapicker
 

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