That's me. And somehow today made me feel a little sad. I wonder if its a mid-life crisis, more like the thought that very soon my life will change. Right now the routine works pretty well, with a job that I can still save money from, inheritance money which means that I fund my 403B to the maximum, no serious problems ... just...
I want to be a bit lazy. I like my work, but I hate the rush, the complexity, and the deadlines. Along with the paycheck, the medical insurance and the bus pass are very, very useful and would cost me plenty to replicate.
I love doing mosaics, but can I make at least a partial living from them? Can I sell them?
I'd prefer not to rent any more. I'd like a little garden, not to mention making things like decorative walls and backsplashes. Even if it would be possible (hah hah) to do that with the rental, I couldn't take it with me.
I'm certain that its my "this is it?" mental cry. I have to keep reminding myself that "it" is good and much better than many others.
50!
April 30th, 2012 at 02:59 am
April 30th, 2012 at 03:12 am 1335755563
How about a 5-year plan to phase out of work and develop some part-time income, whether the mosaics or not?
A house sounds nice. I bought mine at 45 and have never regretted it. You'll always need somewhere to live, and if you're lucky, you'll buy something that will appreciate in value too.
April 30th, 2012 at 03:17 am 1335755824
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April 30th, 2012 at 11:14 am 1335784465
Dido, as always, offers some sound advice. I would commit to paper a rough timeline of how much longer you think you need to work and formulate some kind of plan to phase in retirement, phase out work.
Ever problematic is the question of health insurance, unless you have a spouse's plan you can move to. If not, vote for Obama, our best chance for affordable health care decoupled from employment.
This has been a public service message.
April 30th, 2012 at 12:02 pm 1335787373
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April 30th, 2012 at 01:09 pm 1335791361
Have a happy birthday and welcome to fifth decade!
April 30th, 2012 at 01:16 pm 1335791786
April 30th, 2012 at 02:45 pm 1335797107
My dad is wondering whether to pull the trigger on retirement, but he's hoping he can hold off until he hears the results of the Supreme Court decision on healthcare this June and then the results of the election in November. I'm sure the Republicans won't stop trying to dismantle healthcare reform, but if the Supreme Court doesn't overturn it and Obama manages to win and help keep it in place another 4 years, hopefully people will see it does more good than harm and politicians will stop trying to repeal it. Those are big "IF"s, though, especially (I think) the Supreme Court one. Talk about your activist judges, their Citizens United thing transformed our political landscape, so they're definitely not scared of big decisions.
April 30th, 2012 at 05:35 pm 1335807355
So it's upwards from here! -Dido
April 30th, 2012 at 05:36 pm 1335807365
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May 2nd, 2012 at 02:16 am 1335924961
ceejay - Been reading my comments to Lucky Robin I see.
homebody - very good point. Plus if I had an absolute hankering for a big garden, I could join my sister at the farmette.
May 12th, 2012 at 05:58 pm 1336845526