Recent content by Scarecrow

This reminds me of a comedy show I heard on the radio years ago. The "interviewer" was interviewing an "esteemed scientist". Interviewer: "Dr. Esteemed Scientist, what is the smallest amount of time you have ever measured?". Esteemed Scientist: "Why, that would be the time from when the...

Still working, but my current plan will have me retiring when DD is heading into high school. DW may or may not be working at that point. But, college $ are set aside. HS years should be relatively cheap. I won't need to buy DD a car. If she needs to go some place, she can use my car. It's...

DrRoy, I'm in a similar situation to you. I'm in IT, tired of the game, tired of being on call. There aren't that many callouts in my department, but, even if you don't get many calls, it is still draining, since you never know what catastrophe is lurking around the corner. I also thought...

You might be a cheapskate if you hear comments from your boss such as: "Your shirt has holes in both elbows, you need a new shirt". "Your pants have a hole in the knee, you need new pants". I've been on the receiving end of both of these comments.

Some years ago, our department director took an early retirement buyout, and we thought we would never see him again. Recently someone saw him in the lobby, decked out in the "interview costume" (nice suit). Word is that he is bored in retirement, wants to get back in the game. There is a...

I'd say high skill DIY (plumbing, electrical, auto mechanics) do not factor much into ER. The DIY that DW and I have done that saved massive amounts of $ have been: Cooking at home instead of restaurant/carryout. Doing our own yardwork. Cleaning our own house. Those are recurring events...

I also plan to retire to a small farm-ette, 2-20 acres outside a modest sized city. Currently live in a suburb of a fairly large city, not my ideal living arrangement. But, given my and DW's work arrangements, suburbs are the best way to go for now. I grew up on 3 acres, with a pond, huge...

My megacorp is making lots and lots and lots of profits. CEO has flat out told us over the years that shareholders come first, it's all about the shareholders. If there are some scraps left after shareholders and Exec pay/bonuses, we'll get a little something. This year they are talking 3%...

Some people need an "assist" to get over to the "other side". Some years ago, my coworker (57 at the time) was planning to work until 62. Along came a downsizing, and he was "picked". He got a year's severance, and unemployment, so that really boosted him up to 58+. We exchange emails every...

B.S. in Computer Science, over 30 years in IT, I guess most would call that a career. But it sure felt like a job. The technical work was often interesting/enjoyable. But difficult coworkers and clueless mgmt can ruin everything.

I'm doing OMY's in my mid 50's, but I will absolutely NOT NOT NOT be doing them at 60+.

I was in college around 1980'ish. I worked one summer in a factory (union wages) and made almost enough in that one summer to pay for all 4 years of tuition (state university). If I would have worked a little more OT (time and a half pay), I could have covered all 4 years tuition. And this...

3% cash, but DW and I are still working, so more cash arrives each day. We don't need a cash bucket for expenses. I was surprised at some of the high cash positions mentioned here.

Sycamore, I am in a situation similar to yours. Probably will retire next year, at which time I will be 57, DW will be 52. One kid finishing college, another yet to start, but funded. DW may continue to work, if jobs are available. She actually likes to work. I think she has a mental...

I have a concrete example of office jobs disappearing in my office, by my own hand. We used to have round the clock computer operators (Shift supervisor and 2 or 3 operators), monitoring computer consoles, responding to error messages, calling people to fix problems, submitting jobs, etc. Part...