Originally Posted by beach tribe (Post 12767835)

Doesn't matter as long as Alex is the QB.

Originally Posted by scho63 (Post 12767737)

It has been 17 years since I've had a real vacation and I'm burnt out. Since I left Silicon Valley in late 2001-early 2002 I have been on this never ending yo-yo of extreme highs and lows. At nearly 54 years old, I've faced a lot of self reflection of what I want out of the remaining part of my life, whatever that may be.

After working for 14 companies in that time and almost six with my current employer, I've decided to resign from a $100,000+ job and move to Scottsdale AZ to take a 6 month sabbatical from any and all work. My only job for the next half of year is to lose 75-100 pounds, get a great tan, and improve my golf game so I can have a 8 or 9 handicap again.

I'm leaving around the 16th or so of this month and spending a week or so driving out visiting friends along the way I know from my childhood.

While it was really scary to walk away from a great job to go to a place with no job, no home and just one or two friends there, I am really excited to be entering a new chapter in my life. :D

It is a short ride we are on so you better enjoy it along the way!

Originally Posted by cwhocares (Post 12768876)

For you younger guys, Manage your money now. Put as much as you can into your retirement funds. (Pretax or not) DON"T try keeping up with everyone else. Pay cash for as much as you can. The mind set "it's only $50.00 a month payment" will get you into trouble. I retired 4 years ago at 55 and don't regret a day of it. Our expenses our set up on my retirement income and does not include my wife's income. Manage yourself now so you can live a life after work.

Originally Posted by TrebMaxx (Post 12767908)

I left a well paying but high stress job when I was close to 50. Thought about being semi-retired, taking on small jobs in my field here and there. After about a year and a half I started going a bit stir crazy and decided to get a job albeit a low stress job. Found a good government job that doesn't pay like my previous job did but is very low stress and in my skill set. I will be 54 in a few months and will be able to retire with a pension at 60 if I choose to. I have found that money isn't everything and I am much happier now. Good luck to you Scho, sounds like you have a great plan.

Originally Posted by MahiMike (Post 12768930)

A govt job sounds great.

Originally Posted by TrebMaxx (Post 12769172)

The best part of a gov job is a pension after only being there 10 years. My previous job had a decent 401K, they matched up to 6% of which I of course took advantage of. They also did profit sharing which grew the nest egg even more. I rolled the 401K over to a IRA and it isn't a small chunk of change since I started it when I first started working there. I wish I would of contributed the max allowed by law. I have had a couple of substantial inheritances as well and could retire now but my wife isn't ready so it doesn't make any sense for me to sit around by myself. I told her though that my plan will be 60 or maybe a few years after that whether she is ready or not.

I agree for the youngsters out there, start early saving for retirement and you will be amazed with how much you will reap.

Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks (Post 12768551)

Weird how similar our situations are. Same age-range. Just sold my business and am taking at least a year off. Haven't had a real vacation since 2007. First day of freedom was February 1st. Just got back from a week in Scottsdale. Played Grayhawk, Talking Stick, The Raven, Legacy, and The Phoenician. Good luck, and enjoy the time off! Life's too short to grind it all away without enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Originally Posted by TrebMaxx (Post 12769172)

The best part of a gov job is a pension after only being there 10 years. My previous job had a decent 401K, they matched up to 6% of which I of course took advantage of. They also did profit sharing which grew the nest egg even more..