Now age 41. I have a lot less hair, the lbs tend to hang around the belly more.
I got laid off from my engineering gig during covid in 2020. With no debt, we went against the conventional wisdom and paid off our mortgage right after I got laid off. It was a great decision for DW and I.
With no debt abd being on unemployment for a couple of months, I hung up my calculator, khaki pants and polo shirts. I became a police officer, which became a profession I absolutely love. I'm in the process of switching to a much larger department, which will give many more opportunities in the next 10 years when I enter my 50's.
DW loved the engineering salary, but is supportive because she can see how happy I am. DW is still stay at home, raising our 3 daughters (8, 10, 12).
We close on our house in a week (through all deadlines), we'll net over $1.8MM. We'll rebuy hopefully at no more than $1.3MM. I would like more like $1MM.
Retirement assets are not as strong as they should be. $1.3MM. I only contribute the minimum to it, which is almost 30% of my salary with the department match as i am out of social security. Maybe I could do more, but I am working on setting my girls up for college and maybe some "starter" money. Of course, the best gift parents can give their children is not being a financial burden to them.
So just over $3MM total net worth. Most importantly, life is good, kids are healthy and wife is happy. I'll never have as much money as I thought I would when I was 27. But I am extremely satisfied with work and family.