How to beat the self-betterment paradox of work?

[MongooseHugger]

I have seen some IT threads where older workers clearly were discriminated against. Yet IT companies whine about skills shortages. (Interestingly, despite claims of teacher shortages, I've also seen loads of accounts of older teachers facing age discrimination too.)

I do believe that IT is surely going to be not a good long term path as H1Bs, outsourcing, and, of course, age discrimination make it a bad long term field. As for teaching, it would be a lot more solid, were not Silicon Valley, not content screwing over IT workers, now be trying to wipe out most of the teaching field with big tech products and "educational" software. BTW, I've found that the claims that teachers are overpaid is false. While some, particularly the Chicago teachers union, may be exceptions, usually it's the principals, superintendents, and administrators (at colleges) who make the real big bucks.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by charlygal

I know quite a few six figure earners (over age 30) who work a 40 hr week and their jobs DO NOT take over their lives. I can only speak from experience but I've not witnessed 30 being the cutoff age for having good employment. Some people are just fear mongering.

For me, 40 was the starting point. Everything before that was paid on-the-job training. At 30, I was still barely useful to my employer and my paycheck reflected that.

[MetroWord]

Originally Posted by BusinessManIT

I'll tell you what. I am definitely NOT bored in my retirement. So many interesting things to do and no more deadlines or after hours support. To each his own (or her own) I guess.

I understand that different people have different attitudes.

I know a girl who inherited 70k after her father died. She quit her job as a NA and lived like a queen with her boyfriend for a year. Then when the money dried up, she was unable to get a job and eventually became homeless.

My husband and I own a business. Had we come across money like that, you can be sure we would invest it into our business. We live a modest life now to have a secure future.

Different strokes for different folks. Some people love to do nothing while others like myself have to have something to do.

[BusinessManIT]

Originally Posted by MetroWord

I understand that different people have different attitudes.

I know a girl who inherited 70k after her father died. She quit her job as a NA and lived like a queen with her boyfriend for a year. Then when the money dried up, she was unable to get a job and eventually became homeless.

My husband and I own a business. Had we come across money like that, you can be sure we would invest it into our business. We live a modest life now to have a secure future.

Different strokes for different folks. Some people love to do nothing while others like myself have to have something to do.

But I do plenty in my retired life. I very rarely do nothing. Very interesting activities. Only I do it on my schedule and whenever I want, not on someone else's like a bosses, or due to the vagaries of running a business. And I have enough money to do this until I die. Sweet.