Hello, 47 yo. Was let go at 45 after 18 1/2 yrs during the co I worked for second down turn. Weathered the first downturn and after seeing so many petrified co workers turn on each other to keep their positions I'd had enough. I could have stayed but it was a horrible environment so I went with it, looked quite a while for another job but didn't want to go back to what I was doing and honestly got to liking time to myself. Wife and I are very conservative and with the Lords help have worked our back sides off. We're not real bright but have monster work ethics. Figure we have probably worked about three average lifetimes all ready. 0-debt, 600k+, 300k+ 401ks, 300k+ in real estate we plan to sell soon hopefully. We do every last bit of our own maintenance, car, home, etc, so our expenses are reasonable that way, We are humble and in no way materialistic. I like going and we do have a considerable vehicle gas bill. We have lived the last yr and half off the wife's income + about 2k out of savings per year. Her income will likely not raise significantly in the future except for minor raises and regardless of what she says she will probably work as long as she can, but I would like her to be able to also stop should she want to. She enjoys working. I did start a very small business with no returns yet but possibly in the future. It's a small niche thing so may not go over at all but has been good for our taxes. Now it's time I get my finances in order for the future and I need HELP, lots of it, because I would rather not go back to work for someone. I really need to start making some kind of return. Hyper