Things That Surprised You...

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OK Corgi Rancher

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I understand liking to work at a job you enjoy. After 14 years in the AF, 15 years as a cop and 13 years owning/running my own business I stumbled into the job of driving a propane truck. One of the best jobs I've ever had.

I'd go to work in the morning, with just one other guy when I worked in Colorado or by myself when I worked in Idaho, get my truck ready, and hit the road. Some days, in Idaho, I'd spend about 7.5 hours driving and enjoying the scenery and about .5 hours pumping gas.

I didn't know many people on my route but I knew all of the dogs! The pups thought the big blue truck was the Treat Delivery Vehicle.

I miss a lot of it. I miss the feeling of being part of something more important and bigger than just me and the camaraderie of the military and police work. I miss the people who'd stop in when I had my business. I miss the enjoyment of driving around a beautiful countryside to deliver gas and see my doggo friends.

But, I really enjoy the freedom of retirement and rural living. My wife has 4 kids with all their kids (her grandkids) and we visit them in TX frequently. I don't see mine as often as they're in AZ and AK. Most of our neighbors are cows and horses and donkeys. We get along great!

I've had challenges like everyone else but I feel very fortunate to be where I am in life, even though I live a very simple, uncomplicated existence.
 

Glocktogo

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Well I came in to work at 5am this morning to load a bunch of veterans on an Honor Flight to DC. I complain about my mobility and assorted aches and pains, but I ain't in a wheelchair yet! Between Covid and the economy, I figure I'll work till 65 and then retire. Could be better, could be a lot worse!
 

Gadsden

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They're Nigerian Dwarfs...I doubt they'll get big enough to knock me over. Even the largest was easily caught and held...and she's the wild one. I'm guessing in about a month I'll have them following me around like a puppy.


View attachment 307619
You've got me wanting some now...LOL
 

okcBob

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If I could change one thing, I would go back and start preparing for retirement much much earlier. In my industry we do not have pensions, only our 401k. By the time I am 55 we will not be able to retire. I will more than likely have to go all the way to 65. :(
Congratulations to you and your family!
This.
I just retired a few months ago. I highly recommend it, but I worked until 67.
55 would have been preferable.
Maximize your 401-k every year and start at a young age.
 

wawazat

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This.
I just retired a few months ago. I highly recommend it, but I worked until 67.
55 would have been preferable.
Maximize your 401-k every year and start at a young age.
My wife and I have 55 as our goal. Her retirement is a bit ahead of mine because I honestly had no intention of seeing 40 years old until I met her, so I spent every penny on experiences to try and max out enjoyment until then. I can still get there in the next 16 years, it will just take a little more sacrifice.

She wants to travel but I require some form of a job to feel like I have a purpose. We are constantly brainstorming ideas for a business where I work for myself that allows for our travel to be tax deductible as a business expense.

The thing that surprises me the most right now is how different my life and the things I value are from what I thought I wanted in my 20s and early 30s. Before my wife and our two kids, I had no interest in settling down with anyone and definitely no kids in the picture because I wanted a clean break when I was finally done with life. Thinking about my expiration date being less than 18 months away from today and I cannot imagine cutting this short. Every single seemingly impossible day I managed to somehow power through has paid off a million times over to allow for the life I have now and the people I love all around me.
 

turkeyrun

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I hope to retire and be able to enjoy it, someday.


I started saving [401(k)] early. Planned to retire at 55. Dad passed at 57, his brother at 51, sister at 52 and dad at 51. I had high hopes.

Between '08 crash and Wells Fargo, 32 years of saving disappeared. I managed. Ppppppto pull enough to pay cash for my 160 acres.

Kept working and saving. Planned to retire at 65. Spent my birthday in the hospital with Fauci biohazard. Wif cancer diagnosis, at same time.

Haven't worked or done much for a year.
Company may medical retire me, soon.
We have been on half pay for a year and have lived very frugal.

Trying to build aerobic, unable to breathe after a SLOW, 1/2 mile walk is not my idea of happy retirement. I have done 1 Cowboy shoot and 1 fishing trip. The cowboy shoot was harder than a RnG. The fishing trip, with sons, was awesome. I didn't do anything but fish. Still, wiped me out.

Now, we take 1 day at a time. Life revolves around Dr appointments, but we are together, upright and moving forward.
 

OK Corgi Rancher

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You've got me wanting some now...LOL

I can see where they're gonna be a lot of fun to have around. I spent about an hour with them this morning. It's a goat roundup every time I wanna hold one...but every morning I'm having to chase them a little less. Had the biggest one, Annie, eating out of my hand this morning which is surprising because she's the biggest pain in the a55 of all of them. The babies scream like I'm killin' 'em every time I snatch one of them up. But they're calming down now. I think by the end of a week or ten days, maybe, I'll just be able to walk right up to them.

They're pretty cool. But, I love animals, so...
 

OK Corgi Rancher

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Well I came in to work at 5am this morning to load a bunch of veterans on an Honor Flight to DC. I complain about my mobility and assorted aches and pains, but I ain't in a wheelchair yet! Between Covid and the economy, I figure I'll work till 65 and then retire. Could be better, could be a lot worse!

That's awesome! I envy you getting to do that.
 

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