If you knew then what you know now...

[MossRoad]

I've thought about this a few times over the years. I'm 29 so I don't have as many years to think back on as some of you guys. For me, right now, I can't imagine being any happier. I've got an amazing wife and young son with another on the way. I've got a very well paying job (especially for the area we live) that I don't necessarily love, but there are worse things. I live on 10 acres in a pretty rural area, butted up against another 35 that my dad owns. I've got a pond out front, beagles penned up out back, and a tractor in the barn. We're on track to be completely debt free in less than 8 years.

I've got everything I ever wanted and I couldn't be any happier. I was driving home from visiting some old friends yesterday and that 'Great Day to be Alive' song (I think by Travis Tritt) came on. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my son asleep in his car seat and I couldn't help but smile. There's lots of things I wish I knew, but I wouldn't change a thing.

There you go! I'm pretty much in the same boat... great family and debt free. That's all that really matters.

 

[Tig]

Less time watching TV, more time playing guitar.

 

[riptides]

I am surprized by the number of (what I think are low) replies to this topic.
We have so many people that have earned wisdom the hard way on this site.

I am fortunate enough to be blessed with just smiling at my life.

You can always make money, you cannot make time.

-Mike Z.

 

[dsgsr]

I'm the youngest of 21, I grew up poor and hungry. I haven't got any where near what dooleysm has but I'm tickled to have what I have.

David

 

[Ductape]

I'm the youngest of 21, I grew up poor and hungry. I haven't got any where near what dooleysm has but I'm tickled to have what I have.

David

The youngest of 21 ???!!!! You sound pretty wealthy to me ! What could be better than lots of family ?

 

[Boiler74]

I let one great woman get away..... trying to not let that happen again. If I could go back, who knows? I could be looking in the rearview at a little one of my very own.

J.

 

[txdon]

I wish I would have known that when one retires time speeds up.

All the projects that I wanted to do "When I retire..." are getting done soooo slowly or time is getting quicker. Could it be that I need more breaks and more recovery time. I must have used my real job as recovery days.

Does anyone have a witty answer to the question: What do you do to keep busy now that your retired in the country?

 

[N80]

Well, I got lots of philosphical answers to this question but I'll turn it towards a practical tractor type thing.

When I got in the market for a tractor I needed something to do some mowing on my place. I did a lot of research, went to a lot of dealerships and looked at a lot of used tractors. I worried about the cost, fretted over financing and bought the most tractor that I could get with the money that I had. I knew I'd made a reasonable purchase for something I needed and would use.

I did not know:

1) That the tractor would end up being waaaay more useful than I ever imagined in ways that have been truly useful and have improved the condition and value of my property.

2) How much fun I would have doing what a lot of people would call work. That was a big surprise.

Being a pretty pragmatic and frugal person, I don't think I would have made a different purchase as my tractor has met my needs and my budget perfectly. But knowing the two items above, I would not have sweated and fretted over the purchase as much as I did. If I had it to do over, I would have made the purchase with more relish and gusto. And, I might just have spent a little more money on something a little more fun (read:bigger and fancier than I need). But probably not.

 

[nobull1]

Take calculated chances in all aspects of life. Don't fall into the rut of most people, especially with careers. There are people who spend their entire lives doing a job they don't like just to make a paycheck, and are too nervous to try a change. It's not how much money you make, it's how happy you are along the journey. I wish I had figured that out 25 years ago. We all don't have to be sheep "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life" I read that on someones sig somewhere, but don't remember where .

 

[DUMBDOG]

Do not sweat the small things. There are other things in life other than work. Enjoy your kids while they are young as they grow up way to fast.

Enjoy some of the fruits of your labor when you are young, save enough but not to much.

Retire early and do something that you enjoy, if it pays well or not. Watch out for the evils of inflation, especially on health insurance and real estate taxes.