Anyone ever 'want more'?

[MichealKnight]

DawgMan....thanks for the post.

*IF* my average annual nominal returns are 5.5% or close..... with average yearly inflation of 3.1%, here's what is my hope, and. my "budget plan" for kids after age 18: (No way in heck they'll be told about it. I want them to work summer jobs, pay some, etc). Of course, I know I can totally plan and control my kids future so here is my hope and budget:

For each child
***********
*College: $410,000 (That isn't quite Wharton money. Saddens me. But....it's 4 years at $60k per year, and 2 years Masters for $160,000 total.

*Wedding: $70,000. (High for some, low for others. We're NOT status symbol people - BUT - if kids go to good schools, consort with kids from well to do families, I sort of figured what I think is an above -average expense)

My dream is they get degrees, then live AT home and work a year or two, bank a chunk of the money, then go for Masters.

*$25,000 some form of study abroad, I feel this generation must be well versed abroad

*$15,000 "start-up" costs. Help with initial costs be it furniture or whatever.

*$30,000 6 month emergency fund.

*$75,000 put aside either for investments or savings, OR 20% down on a 1st house, with hopes of saving PMI and building equity.

After that....I feel if a 26 year old has been (hopefully) raised in strong school districts, been given some home-education vis a vis wise spending, cutting coupons, saving and managing money, traveling, people skills, persuasion skills, AND been allowed unto Master's Level in education with. NO debt, PLUS an emergency fund, PLUS around $75k towards house, or retirement savings..........*then*, well, if it doesn't;t work out then it's either stupidity, or bad luck - neither of which one can do too much about. I *try* to do good things. Neither is in sports, but both are in karate, 13yo DD hit black belt after 7 years so at least there's some "stick to it". ALSO, once kids are "gone", my hope is to buy a much smaller house, BUT A HOUSE WITH 2 extra bedrooms, 2 extra bathrooms, should one or both kids have a need later in life. (Lower cost of house areas of course)

13 yo did zoom 7th grade full year. NO help from us. multiple honors classes and worst grade a B.

7 yo DS is ADHD and a challenge with meds after meds after meds, but shows lots of personality, people skills, and does "good enough" in school.

Both get allowances for chores, and have to keep a weekly log about money in, money out, and savings. Both have to watch things like "Shark Tank", DS seems to get off on watching CNBC when its on and he's money obsessed lol. When we go for walks he tells me to buy stock in FedEx or Amazon because he saw a truck doing a delivery and "that means Mr Bezos made lots of money today". Both do. a weekly 60-second oral presentation for me and DW on any topic and even though I'm lounging now, I've showed them all my plaques and news articles from my business days and reminded them of the 70 hour weeks and how that is the norm, and that expectation. When DD comes out to eat with me, I show her the 'deal' we're using, and how that money can go towards something else, etc.

My *one* bad decision in life I feel (other than ignoring stocks all my life till now) : The big house. Yes I paid cash so it's not like a stretched each month to pay. But darnit, the property taxes and upkeep costs : Killer. At this point it's a heartbreak to leave. DS gets TONS of special-ed in one of the best districts in the country for that. My ultimate hope is to stay 11 years till DS is 18. My *reality* plan....is to move when DD is 18, and DS has 4 years of high school left. It's in a rather exclusive neighborhood, well rated schools, in PA - and quick access to I-95 or trains....many in the neighborhood are Wall Street hotshots who commute to NYC so I'm hoping at very least the home doesn't go *down* in value.

Anyhow thanks for bringing up the 'off the books' factor with kids.

I wonder if people think my 'set asides' for kids will be too low, too high? I guess its many opinions, none right, none wrong.

 

[Letj]

I over spend what I have (according to the 4% thing) and I have more dough than ever.

Yeah, I want more! A boat and a slip -

To each their own. A boat and a slip sound nice but I don’t want the responsibility. I’d rather be an international nomad and take long interesting cruises instead.

 

[MichealKnight]

Koolau...

Thanks very much for the post.

My plan - - and I know it's afoul of the 4% rule..... is based on 5.5% withdrawals....for the next 5 years. Then, move to smaller house and use additional cash flow towards college costs. And yes, my principal REDUCES each year, using an ROI of nominal 5%, and 3.1% inflation.

Then, after college and kid stuff is done..... it's going to a smaller home and using a SWR of about 3.8% per year. I've totally ignored Social Security and figured, 100% of what I get, will go towards health care. (It it's a net if $18k per year, I just feel that medicare, plus $18k out of pocket for 2 adults should do it)

Your 40/60 60/40 comment is well taken. I'm only 5 months into this and all my life I wrote off the stock market as bullcrap. But now when I look back I can't deny: People who stayed in, prospered. So yes, for now....I have money invested in funds and stocks and a rental home, BUT $1.4mm is still sitting in CASH as I evaluate what to do.

Long term my feel is something like this:

58 % into equities, MOSTLY via funds like Vanguard Wellsley, other mainstream value/dividend/growth funds, and a few individual blue-chips.

30% into either net-leased commercial real estate (7-11, Wendys, Dollar General), OR just buying a few 3bed/2bath rental homes in areas like Atlanta or Raleigh or Austin with conservative expectations (total 4.6% returns including rent and appreciation and expenses)

When I put all that into "how long will my money last" calculators, I'm getting to around age 86, and the kids only inheriting maybe $200k each.

Of course, as is life - maybe I'll be treated to a decades long doldrums and my 5.5% ROI dreams will be dumped on. OR maybe I'll get a surprise and it'll work. I see historical stuff for Vanguard Wellsley@ 9.5%. I see state teacher pension funds anticipating 6.42%. And while things do go up and down, I still see an increasing population, and I feel the large millennial generation is in debt, and has longer life expectancies. Despite what we've been told they WANT cars, SUVs, kids, and homes. I think they will have no choice but to be into the stock market for all these reasons. So they'll help keep equities propped up in value. So all of that taken in, knowing full well that some bad years and some great years will happen, I'm hoping my 5.5% nominal ROI is a realistic dream.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Regarding whether 5.5% norminal ROI is realistic, no one knows. However, our money manager models our investments based on 5.65% annual returns, randomized using Monte Carlo. ROI does not equate to withdrawal. I do not believe withdrawal rate should be more than 4% in the long run. Obviously the past few years the stock market has gone up very fast but like what they say, what goes up must come down, hopefully by not more than 20-30%.

 

[RAE]

So... who is raising those "2 young kids" with you working 70 hours a week?

Years from now, when it is far far too late, they may wish that you would have spent more of your time, and less of your money, on them. They only grow up once. Don't miss it. You can't get it back. Money, and power, although nice, are not end-alls of life.

+1, my thoughts exactly. Your kids need your time when they are young.

 

[DawgMan]

DawgMan....thanks for the post.

*IF* my average annual nominal returns are 5.5% or close..... with average yearly inflation of 3.1%, here's what is my hope, and. my "budget plan" for kids after age 18: (No way in heck they'll be told about it. I want them to work summer jobs, pay some, etc). Of course, I know I can totally plan and control my kids future so here is my hope and budget:

For each child
***********
*College: $410,000 (That isn't quite Wharton money. Saddens me. But....it's 4 years at $60k per year, and 2 years Masters for $160,000 total.

*Wedding: $70,000. (High for some, low for others. We're NOT status symbol people - BUT - if kids go to good schools, consort with kids from well to do families, I sort of figured what I think is an above -average expense)

My dream is they get degrees, then live AT home and work a year or two, bank a chunk of the money, then go for Masters.

*$25,000 some form of study abroad, I feel this generation must be well versed abroad

*$15,000 "start-up" costs. Help with initial costs be it furniture or whatever.

*$30,000 6 month emergency fund.

*$75,000 put aside either for investments or savings, OR 20% down on a 1st house, with hopes of saving PMI and building equity.

After that....I feel if a 26 year old has been (hopefully) raised in strong school districts, been given some home-education vis a vis wise spending, cutting coupons, saving and managing money, traveling, people skills, persuasion skills, AND been allowed unto Master's Level in education with. NO debt, PLUS an emergency fund, PLUS around $75k towards house, or retirement savings..........*then*, well, if it doesn't;t work out then it's either stupidity, or bad luck - neither of which one can do too much about. I *try* to do good things. Neither is in sports, but both are in karate, 13yo DD hit black belt after 7 years so at least there's some "stick to it". ALSO, once kids are "gone", my hope is to buy a much smaller house, BUT A HOUSE WITH 2 extra bedrooms, 2 extra bathrooms, should one or both kids have a need later in life. (Lower cost of house areas of course)

13 yo did zoom 7th grade full year. NO help from us. multiple honors classes and worst grade a B.

7 yo DS is ADHD and a challenge with meds after meds after meds, but shows lots of personality, people skills, and does "good enough" in school.

Both get allowances for chores, and have to keep a weekly log about money in, money out, and savings. Both have to watch things like "Shark Tank", DS seems to get off on watching CNBC when its on and he's money obsessed lol. When we go for walks he tells me to buy stock in FedEx or Amazon because he saw a truck doing a delivery and "that means Mr Bezos made lots of money today". Both do. a weekly 60-second oral presentation for me and DW on any topic and even though I'm lounging now, I've showed them all my plaques and news articles from my business days and reminded them of the 70 hour weeks and how that is the norm, and that expectation. When DD comes out to eat with me, I show her the 'deal' we're using, and how that money can go towards something else, etc.

My *one* bad decision in life I feel (other than ignoring stocks all my life till now) : The big house. Yes I paid cash so it's not like a stretched each month to pay. But darnit, the property taxes and upkeep costs : Killer. At this point it's a heartbreak to leave. DS gets TONS of special-ed in one of the best districts in the country for that. My ultimate hope is to stay 11 years till DS is 18. My *reality* plan....is to move when DD is 18, and DS has 4 years of high school left. It's in a rather exclusive neighborhood, well rated schools, in PA - and quick access to I-95 or trains....many in the neighborhood are Wall Street hotshots who commute to NYC so I'm hoping at very least the home doesn't go *down* in value.

Anyhow thanks for bringing up the 'off the books' factor with kids.

I wonder if people think my 'set asides' for kids will be too low, too high? I guess its many opinions, none right, none wrong.

Well, I will give you credit for trying to think up every potential cost!

Maybe I missed it, but what were you underwriting as your annual spend should you close shop? And, are the big nuts you have noted above in this number? When I was your age, I used the 4% rule as my guide post as to when I had enough. Then I started to add more discretionary to my desired spend and the goal posts moved. Then I started thinking maybe I should be more conservative and use a 3%-something WR... goal posts moved again. Fast forward to today, my almost additional 2 years of PT work, a strong market, has basically put me closer to a low 2% WR. More conservative than most here, but I have plans to strategically give it away at appropriate times (i.e. kids, grandkids, charity). If I heard correctly at 47 you would start with a 5%-something WR? That feels pretty aggressive at your age. Also, you may want to careful about letting your work skills aka superpowers go dormant to long as they may not be as effective if you have to jump back in after a few years.

We are all different in our risk tolerance so no one size fits all!

 

[OldShooter]

@MichealKnight, I think the problem here is more fundamental than most posts are addressing.

One useful thing I have learned in life that that the concept of "enough" is the key to personal happiness. The Heller/Vonnegut story is the is the situation in a nutshell. All you need is to internalize the concept.

By most people's standards DW and I are rich in money but more importantly we have enough. We do not, however, have a home in Vail nor do we have a private jet. If we lusted after that kind of living, our money would not be enough and we would not be happy. There are many here who also have "enough," just maybe not quite so much money. You have almost as much money as we do. Plenty enough, I can assure you. You just need to figure this out and internalize it.

You have, your words:

... something to be thankful for and satisfied with. ...

Believe it.

 

[FIREd]

I know who I am. I'm a simple guy who doesn't have much of a taste for luxury. For many years my ex-wife and I enjoyed a top 1% income but we always had a middle class lifestyle because that's what felt right to us. The simple life that I have now is just about perfect and what would make it truly perfect can't be purchased for any amount of money. I don't want more, especially more stuff. And I feel grateful for what I already have.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

I don't want more, especially more stuff. And I feel grateful for what I already have.

I am with you 100%. As a matter of fact, we have too much STUFF and I would love to pare down. I am quite thrilled that I was able to retire as young as I did. I am ever aware that our days on this earth are limited so I want to enjoy those days to the best of my ability.

 

[Helios]

Coming in too hot. 2 mil is way too much of your treasure.

Something way less money, less problems.

Use that treasure to feed your family and your future, not to feed that ego.

Wisdom takes longer to acquire, but has value.

 

[tryan]

Guided my brother thru the potential sale of his business ... easily would provide for him, wife and 5 kids forever. He's running the numbers and I would ask "what are you going to do with yourself after the sale." I stayed on that message. Closing day, he walked away from the table when the buyer kept uping the anty ... So I asked him "why did you walk". He said "the buyers are a$$holes, and I asked myself 'what will I do if I sell'"

Little more related, I got out of mega corp at 45. But never stopped chasing foreclosers and real estate deals. Some would call it work. To me, it's fun. Find what's "fun" for you.

 

[75Norton]

Scratch that itch by starting a smaller venture with low risk. Fewer or no employees will also lower the stress.

I am 66 and still run some side businesses that keep me in the game and in touch with my favorite customers. I don’t need the money but it does make it easier to splurge on occasion.

 

[indiajust]

You don't need permission to work till death, double down on risk, abandon family and friends for ego, dominance, control. The tax man, the lawyers, and the larger empire will happily monetize your need for action. Put it all on red seven and spin that wheel.

I don't expect to see much of you around these parts though.

What's it worth to you? Upside and downside?

 

[frayne]

If you still have the fire in your belly and desire to accumulate and live the so called good life, go for it. The only thing you are really sacrificing is the finite commodity of time. Your choice.

 

[Maidensong]

A Different Challenge

You've already proven you can be successful in business. Now you have the opportunity to realize that you are more than what you do (did).

Presumably there are people in your life you care about. Now is the time to pour yourself into your relationships. Romance your wife. Spend time with your kids.

You've accumulated enough stuff. What about your spiritual life? Are there questions about "life, the universe and everything" that are churning in your heart and mind? You have the freedom to explore that now without the tyranny of needing to earn a living.

Travel. Experiment with creative outlets. Take up a different challenge. Make friends with yourself. Give yourself credit for being more than a paycheck generator.

Have some fun, for Pete's sake! You've earned it!

 

[Koolau]

You've already proven you can be successful in business. Now you have the opportunity to realize that you are more than what you do (did).

Presumably there are people in your life you care about. Now is the time to pour yourself into your relationships. Romance your wife. Spend time with your kids.

You've accumulated enough stuff. What about your spiritual life? Are there questions about "life, the universe and everything" that are churning in your heart and mind? You have the freedom to explore that now without the tyranny of needing to earn a living.

Travel. Experiment with creative outlets. Take up a different challenge. Make friends with yourself. Give yourself credit for being more than a paycheck generator.

Have some fun, for Pete's sake! You've earned it!

Good advice for all of us at that point where we're trying to decide whether to ER - or otherwise change the direction of our life.

 

[NoEZmoney]

I can relate.

So I'm close to poppin' smoke and dustin' off to retirement in a little more than a year. I work for another agency but I had my freelance biz for several years as I was grinding it out for companies that kept getting acquired by larger groups and managed by younger folks who merely managed by spreadsheet and had zero affinity for the business they were in. Like you, I had market forces beyond my control affect my biz and after sitting in on way too many conference calls with people on both coasts who were more concerned with "keyword" optimization than creating solid marketing messages, I realized it was time to cut loose. I was (and am) pretty good at what I do but ageism prevents people from seeing that at times. Sr VP's even now will compliment my work in agency-wide emails but look shocked when a project Mgr introduces them to me, cuz they'll say surprisingly: "You did that!!??" on some successful campaign or whatnot.
Yep, I still wish I had another 10 or 12 years b/c in the stillest of times, I still come up with decent ideas for projects and keep notes. But the nature of my biz means a lot of uncompensated OT, multiple personalities, incredible deadlines and operational BS thanks to overlapping technologies. The tail has really been waggin' the dog.
Too many former colleagues have either died at work or after a bender from stress-related illness and in taking my current job, I try to make peace in knowing I am backing away slowly for health and mind's sake.
Maybe I have something ahead where my desires/capabilities will merge with an opportunity to still be "in the game" but not on a heavy level; I don't know. We all have to come to terms with what makes us tick. I do miss some aspects of the former work life but the older, wiser me realizes there's such a huge trade to be made as I see fewer days ahead than behind.
Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

 

[Markola]

OMG. OP, you’re 46, have $4 million and you listen to REO Speed Wagon? Condolences. What a sad story. Obviously, you need to take another year off and get some tunes from this century. Otherwise, you’re wasting your early retirement and we don’t allow that around here.[emoji450]

 

[ivinsfan]

JMO for a guy with no formal schooling and who worked hard at his own business for decades, your plan for economic assistance to your kids is over the top.



Don't do/pay everything for them, let them go out and figure out how to make their way in the world like their parents did. ...


You have time to think about it ...

 

[Koolau]

OMG. OP, you’re 46, have $4 million and you listen to REO Speed Wagon? Condolences. What a sad story. Obviously, you need to take another year off and get some tunes from this century. Otherwise, you’re wasting your early retirement and we don’t allow that around here.[emoji450]

Not sure I could name you a song from this century without thinking about it for a while. No doubt it would be by an artist that started playing in the 60's or 70's. Our youngest (32) loves Classic Rock (heh, heh, only thing I played in my house though the other kids did develop more contemporary music tastes. Full disclosure - youngest also likes country 'cause that's what DW always played.)

One could do a lot worse than listening to REO IMHO though YMMV.

 

[bolt]

Conventional wisdom recalls wealthy folks replied:

Question: How much money is enough? And can you ever have too much? I know people who have more money than they’ll ever spend and yet they are still not happy. So what is the right amount?

For John D. Rockefeller the answer was “just a little bit more.” At the peak of his wealth, Rockefeller had a net worth of about 1% of the entire US economy. He owned 90% of all the oil & gas industry of his time. Compared to today’s rich guys, Rockefeller makes Bill Gates and Warren Buffett look like paupers.

And yet he still wanted “just a little bit more.”

Before you can know how much is enough, you’ve got to define “enough.”

Link: https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/blogs/2017/12/10/how-much-money-enough/930449001/

I read JBogles "Enough" book, I re-read sections often.
Theres always something new I forgot.

Good luck & Best wishes...

 

[pletal]

Always want more!

I'm almost 46. Wife, 2 young kids. I've never been to college even a day so no 'fallback' job as a doctor lawyer Indian Chief or plumber or dog catcher.

Anyhow, I had a mostly successful small business career....mostly set records, mostly did well - - until the very end where some things were my fault, and certainly a lot of it was bigger better competitors, and market forces that cut my run more prematurely than I'd have liked.

Basically, I have $3.4mm in liquid cash-stocks plus, own personal residence outright that easily is worth $1.0mm. I've been kicking back for 5 months now, plotting my overall strategy to stay retired ie asset allocation, possible real estate buys, etc.

Darnit, part of me wants my mini-empire back. I usually had a decent sized business - -a few acres and a building on a nice main road, staff of 40 full time people, lovely unique perks , choice seats at the hockey game, the whole nine yards. BUT - a big part of me is relieved. No more employee stuff. No more customer crap. No more sitting duck, waiting for the newest e-commerce fad to take a bite out of my bum bum.

But at times - I want it back. Many of my staff nucleus were with me 20+ years in what is a high turnover business. And a few of my best people - visit with me once a week, telling me that the minute I start a new business - - they'll take a huge pay-cut and join me in a heartbeat.

So the last month I was on a piece of property - - freaking choice location. BUT....would've taken some time vis a vis tearing down buildings, paving lots, getting permits, establishing lines of credit, hiring a few people (would've been just 8 of us, a tiny army all of us hands-on ), construction of a new facility....THEN, some decent losses while the business establishes and I learn the new market.

Total cash needed was $2.3 million.

I punted. I certainly made a good faith offer, but deep down I was scared of the risk. Had things gone well - - I'd have only made $210k per year which is only 9% returns. ALOT of things would have to go right for that to happen and frankly, it's less than I used to make at my apex. One one hand it's not "worth it" to risk 2.3 mill, get back into a cut-throat business, and hope it goes well not to mention the 70 hour weeks are back which I'm used to, and would happily do because the people. that are ready to join - - are a pleasure. BUT, I knowingly put in an offer that was good - -but I sorta knew someone would beat me out by just a little....and sure enough it happened today.

BUT if things didn't work out in the new business - I think I'd lose a good $400k of my total investment - - I can't lose $400k with no hopes of recouping it.

Darnit, I'd love to show my kids my new place, even see them work in it to learn things.....but then I'm thinking, if I fail, how cute would it be if I had to tell kids that the whole college expense thing is not gonna happen right?

So here I am.

Bottom line, if over the long term, large-cap stocks can return me an *average* of 5.5%..... and if my real estate investments return 4.5% - - I can live a rather nice lifestyle, handle college costs, weddings, etc, and then probably have enough to live comfortably till we croak. Not the lofty way I had envisioned, but nevertheless....something to be thankful for and satisfied with.

I look at historical S@P500 returns and feel over the long term , my 5.5% is realistic.

My 4.5% would mean a long term investment in a property. leased to a TacoBell, 7-11, etc, OR rental homes....making a modest 3% net return on yearly rent, plus an average yearly appreciation of 2.5%. (Much of the appreciation is gone after real estate commissions when you sell the house hence I'm not counting the full 2.5 appreciation towards profits). Again - history shows about 3.5% average appreciation. And while there's ups and downs to come..... for the next 10-15 years, anywhere from Atlanta to Raleigh to Sarasota is gonna have more population growth and more housing demand so at very least I feel realistic in my expectations.

But darn. Part of me is relieved today.

But part of me is gut punched.

And the holy trinity of Dunkin double chocolate, McDonald's double cheeseburger value meal, and blasting music in the car (Peter Gabriel and REO).....hasn't cured me yet.

Comments, questions, insults, anything is appreciated.

I'm a decade older at 56. Sold my business 2 years ago after 20+ years, Still working there for now. Miss the larger paycheck, but not the hassles. Mini-empire yes. Your company ownership defines who you are mostly to those around you. "hello meet " " he owns " ". Nice feeling, have to miss that.



I was asked the other day do I miss it and the perks? Respond : Would you rather have enough money so you don't have to work or own a business? The money wins out. Employees are no fun anymore in my former industry. Do some consulting or start a small company 1-4 employees and keep it simple. Don;'t risk your nest egg, you worked hard to get it. You can start a decent low overhead business for 100k. Also, with things going the way they are now, its like the roaring 20's. The fun train has to stop sometime. I sold my company 6 months before COVID. Without PPP the company may have folded. Good luck



People say I'm crazy
Doing what I'm doing
Well, they give me all kinds of warnings
To save me from ruin
When I say that I'm okay, well they look at me kinda strange
"Surely, you're not happy now, you no longer play the game"

 

[MichealKnight]

Thanks IndiaLust

You don't need permission to work till death, double down on risk, abandon family and friends for ego, dominance, control. The tax man, the lawyers, and the larger empire will happily monetize your need for action. Put it all on red seven and spin that wheel.

I don't expect to see much of you around these parts though.

What's it worth to you? Upside and downside?

Points well taken and they mirror many of my thoughts. Certainly I plan to look for a venture....but thus far in 5 months I came across (2) better than realistic opportunities, and I made a half-hearted attempt on both - almost throwing the match on purpose.

Some of my thoughts were the same: Banks get paid my be. Licensing fees - paid by me. Staff, gets paid. Customers get catered to by me. Myriad of vendors get to bill me. Everyone gets a nice chunk without doing much - while the whole risk is mine all over again and my ROI while *better* than paper assets like the stock market.....the risk is much more and if I don't succeed - I'll be out a good chunk of money forever.

Also, I can't deny - I love doing nothing. I love it so much. We haven't gone to the movies ever since Covid started. Later this afternoon I've got the whole theater rented out for private viewing, and DW, DD and myself are gone go see Back to the Future -- I can't wait

 

[MichealKnight]

Oh my, REO

OMG. OP, you’re 46, have $4 million and you listen to REO Speed Wagon? Condolences. What a sad story. Obviously, you need to take another year off and get some tunes from this century. Otherwise, you’re wasting your early retirement and we don’t allow that around here.[emoji450]

How do I say this - I love science progress. I love medical progress. I"m glad that people are less prone to getting beaten up for their skin color or whom they go to bed with. BUT beyond that, I truly despise modernity. The digital life. The slavery to tech. The weakening of relationships. Culture decay. Fiscal irresponsibility. I really have a disdain for it. And watching my old shows, older movies, my older music - -frankly makes me feel I'm above it, and inoculated from it. I'll even invite more ridicule now: One of my 'fun' purchases these days is buying 80's t-shirts themed after anything from KnightRider to Shawshank Redemption and I feel like its a coat of armor around me

Back when I listened to REO - - I don't remember lockdown drills and shootings at my school.

Sadly, those "ancient" days are gone, and today....they can all eat organic, sustainable, they can save the earth without ever once talking to a stranger, they can go to memorials for the latest mass shooting live-streamed-on -Facebook, they can get all jealous because their friends puts contrived cherry picked moments on Social Media, they can live check to check because they need the latest phones and fashions, they can have babies without proper family and financial structure ....they can listen to certain genres of music....and walk around angry and impatient, and wag their fingers and bob their heads and literally have fist-fights over French fries. (Google "McDonald's Fights....you'll see tons of this. And you'll notice a certain way of walk and talk is common ....)....then they can wonder why they are uptight when they have to reach into their $400 handbag to pay the $50 doctor co-pay that drives them mad. And they sadly have to wonder why there's more memorials for victims of mass violence.

Sadly I've got young kids who will have to be a part of this stuff.



BUt - yes, in 45 minutes - on non-streaming, regular cable tv....Leave it to Beaver starts

 

[MichealKnight]

pletal - thanks!

It seems we relate on some of the things - - even the emotional part of being king of castle.

Trust me, the employee problems and drama got to be too much. And the new crop of people coming up are too smart for me, and attitudes and priorities are just off the reservation, at least in my opinion. It's curious, the "megacorp" that bought my business....already reduced my 40 employee headcount to 32. And a few of the biggest whiners are now told to tow the line or get out - - that MegaCorp makes enough money and doesn't need their production. (Hee Hee)And then with cutthroat online induced competition (which I realize many retailers face)..... it got to be maddening some days. This new venture - would've been in the same industry and I could've scaled it down from 40 employees to 8 ---mostly trusted old hands - -but it's so darn cash intensive hence the 2.3mm outlay. Sort of daunting to me.

I've toyed with doing like you said - something small but that would involve me learning a new trade, versus the *sole* trade I've known since I was 16.

One thing I'm seriously considering is once I feel Covid Safe, taking Spanish classes at community college. I"m already good with basic conversation learning on my own over the years, good enough to put customers at ease and at least build rapport. I'd say I'm as good as a high school student who has taken 2 years of it -- and my accent is way more spot-on. I'd like to be fluent. And then down the road I feel this skill, might help me with a small scale enterprise because now I can communicate totally with what is a huge growing, and profitable market.

Time will tell.