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You're probably right. I definitely expect my job prospects to dry up by 40. But at this point I can sustain myself without a job. My goal is to be able to sustain myself for the next 15-20 years without a job.
Spouse? Kids? I've known a couple who where you are. They were also single. Responsibility for someone other than yourself is the biggest thing preventing most people from doing what you suggest.
Spouse? Kids? I've known a couple who where you are. They were also single. Responsibility for someone other than yourself is the biggest thing preventing most people from doing what you suggest.
I won't get married or have kids unless I have several millions in the bank. Marriage is a huge cost. And I prefer to raise kids after I'm fiscally independent. Spouse and kids aren't necessities. We think of them as such in our society. But they aren't. They're more luxuries that you should be able to afford. I'm holding off on all of that until my fiscal situation is completely ironed out. Divorces are expensive. And if I had kids I want to be able to put them in private school without worrying about rubbing 2 pennies together. I understand many people are in the grind of families and spouses, and will have a much harder time pivoting. But at some point in everyone's life, you have to learn to scale back. When I decided to commit myself to scaling back my lifestyle about 8 years ago, I've found myself never hurting for anything. Now I'm 38, great job, and 100% debt free.
I've seen 30 year olds happily retired, and I've seen 50 year olds who can't even see the promised land of retirement. And the differences between them is minimalism. The reality is, the winning strategy in the market is minimalism, and heavy investment.
What the hell is your problem? You are in your late thirties and you're not a millionaire yet. Well newflash, most people aren't. You're in a solid profession and have 25 years to build a pension which you can then spend the next 25 years spending. You'll be able to retire earlier than most as well. What a whiner. Grow up!
I won't get married or have kids unless I have several millions in the bank. Marriage is a huge cost. And I prefer to raise kids after I'm fiscally independent. Spouse and kids aren't necessities. We think of them as such in our society. But they aren't. They're more luxuries that you should be able to afford.
Spouses and kids are neither necessities nor luxuries, they’re privileges. Whether you can afford the privilege is subjective to each person.
I won't get married or have kids unless I have several millions in the bank. Marriage is a huge cost. And I prefer to raise kids after I'm fiscally independent. Spouse and kids aren't necessities. We think of them as such in our society. But they aren't. They're more luxuries that you should be able to afford. I'm holding off on all of that until my fiscal situation is completely ironed out. Divorces are expensive. And if I had kids I want to be able to put them in private school without worrying about rubbing 2 pennies together. I understand many people are in the grind of families and spouses, and will have a much harder time pivoting. But at some point in everyone's life, you have to learn to scale back. When I decided to commit myself to scaling back my lifestyle about 8 years ago, I've found myself never hurting for anything. Now I'm 38, great job, and 100% debt free.
Assuming you marry somebody who makes a similar amount to you and will not be sucking you for alimony, then marriage will speed your retirement.
Double income towards a mortgage that you would otherwise have to pay off alone. Reduced costs in terms of food, vacation hotel rooms, gas for trips, utilities, etc.
I find it kind of sad that there are so many people who are now 50+, still deep in the trenches of corporate America and high stress work life.
I just turned 50 and I'm earning the more $ than I ever earned earlier in life. I've pushed my 401k saving to $1,400 a month, I should come close to hitting the cap this year. I do not feel threatened by competition from younger, less experienced workers yet. Maybe that's something I'll worry about when I hit 60, but I'm confident I can get another job tomorrow if I were to get laid off or left my company. Being deep in the trenches at 50 is fine, but one thing your right about, your saving / retirement accounts. In theory, you should have 4 times you yearly salary saved by age 50, few of us can claim to be on target. personally I'm off by about half that amount.
You are doing what you can. Unfortunately, as you say, at 38 you are getting too old to be a software engineer. Too expensive, that is. You should be prepared to transition into a less youth oriented career.
At least you are concerned for your future. Others just keep mindlessly working and when the bottom falls out for them, don't know what to do and are caught like a deer in the headlights of a car.
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