Thread: I'm Going Back to Work (I Think)

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Seems to be quite a few of us in the same boat, here. Pert'near 20 years ago, my company's "in house Doc" took me out of the field - told me I couldn't do any climbing or lifting over fifty pounds; for a "high voltage" maintenance electrician, that was an end to the job I truly loved to do; so, I found a job driving a desk and telling other folks what to do, after a fashion. A few years later, after three heart attacks and the onset of diabetes, my Doc gave me an ultimatum: quit working or meet an early end. So, I took disability, and retired; I was only 53 (I'm coming onto 67, now), and didn't really feel as sick as the Doc said I was, and got on fairly well for about five years, and enjoyed being "not employed". I tried to get some part time stuff, but the disability business kind of put the kibosh on any work in the trades, and nobody wanted a broken old "sparky" for a supervisor or teacher (I tried to offer my services as an instructor to the local ROP) of any sort, even though I had a history of supervisory experience and over thirty years in the trades; for bosses, they wanted college educated people - experience didn't count for much. A few more unfortunate health setbacks around the turn of the century slowed me down to the point that I doubt I could make it through a full days work, now, even if it was only bench work. But, my IRA is dwindling away, and 'uncle sugar" whacks me for income taxes at a rate that is ridiculous, so I keep an eye on the job market, but for most intents and purposes, I am un- employable; my health issues make me too much of a liability to employers - they even turned me down for a spot driving cars around at the local auto auction a couple of days a week. I am afraid I'm going to outlive my money, and leave my bride destitute if I do kick off. It's a puzzle that I don't like to ponder. I've tried to plan as best I can, but the future sure does look foggy and scary, and this most recent "socio-economic" ruction is not encouraging, at all.

I just turned 60, and that, along with my wife's health issues, has made me think more about the issues you are facing. I've already outlived my Dad (55), but my heath is okay at this point. As we know, that can change.

My problem is that about 20 years ago, I sacrificed my numerous skilled careers working for others, to self employed full time custom painter. Obviously there are no "perks" associated with this decision, ....except for the fact it has made me very happy every day....however! Other than SS benefits and a very small retirement left from the past, I plan on working every day until I drop. Having said this, my wife was disabled badly enough at 41 that work of any kind is not an option, so having any kind of lifestyle requires me working.

I assume you have cut your living expenses and paid things off, as we did. If we can't pay for something we don't buy. We save the credit for emergencies. That all offers some security, but I also cannot live on the available benefits without cutting some minimal things too. As a result I am looking at what I can do that is related to my custom painting experience, that does not require the physical demands of paint and body work.

My own plans are to start the move to less demanding sources of income now. I have started promoting design drawings for people who want to spend a little, to insure a good result, before they spend a lot of time or money on paint. This is taking hold, and I've done several for out-of-state builders, by using my website to attract them. (Now I need to build a new site, since I cannot add new pictures any more.)I have also had book offers from publishers over the years, which I have declined, but now I think I can offer "real" help to either beginners or experienced painters, who might be weak on design, so I am writing a book right now that I may publish myself...if I can figure out how best to market it.

What I am thinking is that you also have experience that might help others, and can possibly do something like this.....how-to books.....consultant.....If you attend events or anything that you might base a website on...either job related, or hobby related. (They are cheap to build and operate) You could sell advertising on a site if you can attract enough traffic. I think there are also probably some internet marketing opportunities, that could be done from home, that would generate extra income for you. Maybe you could do what I intend, and that is to do more than one of these, and maybe make some $ off of each. I hope there might be something in my rambling that helps. Anyway, good luck in whatever you choose to do.

I know I'll have to work (my present job) until I am at least 65 - another 19 years. What will it be like then? I have been saying for many years that I would never be able to retire.

I sent out 3 inquires this week end,so I should get a good feel as to what I am facing.Like I said in the beginning thread,being 70 is the big problem.Like Hotrod Paint I did not like the Corporate Life,so I resigned and started out on my own making no provisions for a retirement account.I sold the business and invested as best I knew with a major broker.Little did I know I would face this sick economy and stock drop in such a short time.If it makes a quick recovery (not counting on it) I'll be ok. A small retirement check and SS just won't pay the bills.Cut backs coming.

Going back to work will help to off set the loss,if I can find something in my field.

I have 36.5 years in at my current job with no expectations of any layoffs, so I will probably continue to work for 3 to 4 more years (if my health continues) and retire when I am 66. But that will be retirement from this job only, as I hope to have something else lined up for after that. Nothing like what I do now, probably less days or less hours and definitely less money, but something to fill in financially and keep the brain and juices flowing.

In addition to enjoying watching the grass grow, I also like working.

Right now at my ripe old age of 33 I think I will be working for awhile yet, I hope. I may be oblivious but I am glad I have no idea what my stocks in my 401k are doing. I did start thinking about it one day and got a little concerned, not quite worried yet but then I realized that the way I am, I will be working until I'm dead anyway. I might not be turning wrenches my entire life but there are other jobs that need to be done also even if the pay is little or nothing. If I work at a soup kitchen as a volunteer I'm sure they will feed me For the time being I'm going to take comfort in working until I can't anymore after all I got all of eternity to rest.

Man,

Some of you give me hope and others paint a pretty sad picture-I am 53 now and want to work until 62-my Wife is 46, and is made of good German stock (so I think I'll keep her working for another 20 Years or so-ha ha).

We've saved like crazy through the Years, even though I get a little freaked out every now and then-called my Edward Jones guy Thursday night in a panic, and he sounds so optimistic (how else is he going to sound?)-This is the time to buy! The indicators are that we are close to the bottom! On and on-

Hope when I retire I can sweep floors at a Hot Rod Shop (gotta have some type of Social Interaction)-my Father-in-Law enjoys Retirement more than anybody I've ever met-he is always busy, and just loves it, but told me last week he's going back to work, as his Investments are stagnant too.

I fantasize sometimes of not having to work, but I know that after about a Month or two I'd probably go crazy-

I retired from IBM as a field service rep a few months ago and bought a large (15,000 sq ft.) body, paint and fabrication shop. I know I will have to work for most of the rest of my life, and I was so tired of the corporate world, I took the plunge. My retirement income is small, but my income from the shop is just enough to bridge the gap to what I was making. I don't feel like I'm working, it's more like play to me. The folks who work there are great, I only help out with the hands on stuff if we get busy. I do more physically than I used to, but am mentally relaxed. My wife says I'm much more pleasant to be around. 31 years at my last job was enough. My investments are for later (I'm 58), which is good, as they are like everyone else's; not doing too well. I feel fortunate that I'm finally doing something I like, with people who are fun to be around, and the only corporate directives that I have to deal with come from me! The feeling of freedom is so refreshing! If I never see the inside of a computer again, it will be fine with me! Thanks for listening.

I'll be 56 in a couple months so retirement is a ways off yet for me. Fortunately, I kept my retirement plan going (Even though it's dropped like a rock the last few months), when I quit my job and started my own business. I plan to work as long as I can. Fortunately in the sign business there are some jobs that take little physical effort, so I hope to slow down by taking more of those lite jobs as I get older and turn down the heavy labor jobs. I feel bad for young people just starting out and/or people that have big payments to make. I've been through the second mortgages to pay off equipment. I'm glad that's over now but, I'm sure I'll have to upgrade some of it one of these days. Hopefully not before the economy turns around. In the meantime I'll just keep pluggin' away and hope for the best.