Are you still a working stiff or retired ?

RayH · Oct 18, 2006

Im 41 and not yet retired. Ive made a living of doing a little of everything and not alot of anything. I spent 4 years in the Marine Corps living in the dirt and 4 years in the National Guard working on helicopters. I then delivered vehicles for the railroad and working parttime as a deputy marshal. Then I went to school for a couple years and got my A&P license and worked on civilian aircraft. Then I was machine operator making vinyl siding. I then worked in a warehouse as a trailer loader then shift leadman. During this period, I also got my real estate license sold real estate for a couple years Then I drove a yard truck and a tractor/trailer for that same vinyl siding company. A few months ago, I quit that company after 12 years and continue to drive a tractor/trailer for another company.
My resume looks like a jigsaw puzzle but the pieces dont fit very well. I dont see myself driving forever, quite honestly, it sucks.
Im open to suggestions on what I should try next.

OakHillFarmer · Oct 18, 2006

I work for a high tech company on second shift. Last year my wife and I sold a handful of rental properties and bought a small horse farm. I love it. We're expanding the business to handle 23 horses. We have an indoor arena and we're in a beautiful spot in a pretty small town. We work long days to keep our boarders and ourselves happy and it'll be enough to give up the real job in a few years. I'll consider myself retired when I don't have to sit in a cube for 8 hours a day. Nothing better than being on the farm with my 2 year old daughter. I'm 36 so my target is 40.

ToadHill · Oct 18, 2006

I retired the first time in 1998 after negotiation union contracts for over 30 years. Retired again last year from my arborist business, but with the early snowfall in our area (22" with leaves still on the trees) I've spent the last week working with my daughter who took over my business this spring. Lots of work evaluating trees to see which are worh saving and which have to be removed.

mikim · Oct 19, 2006

I'm a federal employee so I guess I qualify as both working and retired at the same time

.... actually I was eligible to retire 18 months ago but won't be financially ready for another 39 months, at which time I will retire with 41 years of federal service - 12 yrs active USAF, 9 years full time reservist, and 20 years straight civilian.

randy41 · Oct 19, 2006

i am 56 and am semi-retired. I drive a school bus (health insurance), I grow veggies which I sell at the farmers market (this borders on being a hobby), and most of my income comes from working during tax season for a CPA firm (I am a CPA).

I think many of us will never fullly retire as this country is on the verge of a skilled labor/professional shortage.

Slacker · Oct 19, 2006

I'm primarily a database/systems admin at a large airport in NC. Spent nearly 10 years active duty Army, then went into GS service. Left the defense dept to follow the wife to Duke U. Went to work contracted to the airport shortly after. I'm 31 years old and life's been good to me so far....

Highbeam · Oct 19, 2006

Still working. I'm a civil engineer for a smaller city very near Tacoma. Been doing it for 3 or 4 years now after 4 years as a consulting engineer for a small private firm. Only 37 more years to go since I'm not quite 30 yet.

I "run" all the private and commercial construction projects in the city so it can be hectic or it can be mellow. Good bosses and coworkers, minor political issues when dealing with small city politics.

It's just like SIMS city where each construction project is a piece to a puzzle. As the projects come in they need to build for themselves plus chip away at the major infrastructure. The floating sidewalk principle where there is no sidewalk on either neighbor's lot.

KYErik · Oct 19, 2006

I'll probably be working for another 35-40 years (I am 33 and I love my job).

I've been teaching biology full time at a community college for the past 8+ years. Having summers off gives me plenty of time for summer "farm" projects...

DavidA · Oct 19, 2006

I retired in October 2003 at age 60. I was a Real Estate Appraiser for 31 years. I keep my professional credentials up to date and can practice at any time. However, I am very happy being retired. I spend my time bush hogging between the rows of some 50 acres of young pines, working in my wood working shop, fishing, hunting and occasionally playing golf. I just don't have time to really work anymore.