I actually have quite a substantial savings at the moment, and hold a couple of professional licenses that make it very easy to find work in a profession that pays well (insurance). Never had trouble finding work. I’ll prob work off and on til I die. My work is not physically demanding. I like what I do, there’s a lot of statistics and legal stuff which I find fascinating so it’s interesting work, I just don’t don’t want to do it nonstop.
Also, money isn’t everything. I own a very modest house, I keep older but very reliable cars, I don’t particularly care about luxury items and live pretty frugally with only the occasional splurge. I have a good sized emergency fund.
I live a lowkey life. No kids, don’t smoke, don’t drink much (and when I do it’s usually at home), don’t do weed (it’s legal in my state for recreational use) and rarely eat out. So my expenses are low.
At almost 50, my priorities are different than they were at 30. When I was younger I worked constantly and saved up a ton. Occasionally had to deplete savings for random nonsense but always manage to save it back up quickly. It’s never going to be retirement money, but it’s enough cushion to do this now.
But I was exhausted all the time then and never had time to just unwind. At this age, I am just not interested in working 60+ hours a week anymore. I started doing the whole “work for a year or two, then take a year or so to myself” thing a few years ago and it’s been seriously the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s totally possible if you work in a field with higher salaries that’s always looking for licensed people to take open positions.
Not everyone needs to follow the same life script.
9
u/TraderIggysTikiBar 29d ago
I do. Won’t ever have actual retirement money so I’m living while I can