What Would You Do?

[InDebtInDC]

It seems like we have one thread like this once a month. My stuff hasn't changed. I'd like to get triple PhDs and teach women study in college, and do consulting work on the side.

[disneysteve]

I guess in small towns they farm out carrier routes.

Is that paid for out of your local taxes? Could be, I suppose. It seems like it should come from Federal money, though.

[maat55]

Is that paid for out of your local taxes? Could be, I suppose. It seems like it should come from Federal money, though.

I'm not sure how they pay them, I just blame it on the city. I have a conservative backbone and think the government in theory, is not capable of managing money efficiently.

[flavor]

Presently our lifestyle is great, except that my husband has to work, while I stay home with the kids. We're trying to budget very well, so that my husband can retire at 60 or 62. That doesn't mean we deprive ourselves of anything we feel is important to us. ( yearly vacations and eating good food ). We have 0 debt, and are pretty much happy with everything we have. ( house, car ) The only thing we want is time to relax, to nap, to read, to garden, and to entertain more. With the kids it's hard to put ourselves first, so by the time my husband turnes 62 , our youngest will be in college. Than we can sit and read the paper peacefully, my husband can spend hours creating software programs, I can have the time to turn our yard into the best looking one on the block, we can go for walks, bike riding, and playing tennis. Most of all, we want good health. Without it, life would not be enjoyable.

[disneysteve]

Presently our lifestyle is great, except that my husband has to work

That's exactly how I feel. Our lifestyle is fine except I have to work. If not for that, everything would be terrific. I have a cartoon on our refrigerator of a guy speaking to his boss saying, "I like working her, sir, but it sure takes a big chunk out of the middle of my day." That pretty much sums it up. There are so very many things we'd like to be doing with our lives that we can't do because work gets in the way. School does, too, so I guess things wouldn't be perfect if I could stop working, but it would definitely help a lot.

[Ima saver]

I would like to have a winter time small cottege near a beach, so we could go there when the weather was really bad in the mountains. I don't think my husband will ever quit working, he is a workaholic. He would probably work for free, restoring old cars.

[Caoineag]

I would spend more time doing my hobbies, rollerblading, biking, hiking, travelling, reading, gardening and learning. At this point in my life, I would probably not stay retired though. Maybe take a year to relax and then switch careers to something I really want to do.

[aida2003]

I would move back to Europe, which is actually a dream to do in our retirement.

[FrugalTexan75]

I would do either one of these options, or perhaps a combination of both:

1. Quit my job. Research about the best tutoring methods, spend time and money going to places to learn a variety of methods. Once I felt I had a good handle on a good variety of methods, I would start a tutoring business. I probably would only do it part time - maybe 20 hours a week so I'd still have plenty of time to do other things.

Option 2: Quit my job. Buy a small, inexpensive home. Learn how to do my own repairs and maintenance. Spend time improving my sewing and other needlework skills. Then either become a foster parent, or possibly adopt a couple children. Also have at least one cat and one dog - probably more.

Either way - I would also spend some of my money/time doing some traveling. As well as volunteering at local animal shelters or at the school I used to teach at.

[lazybum]

Assuming all my debts/bills were paid...and always would be
I would open my own Bar! Make even more money.
By my critters a big piece of land with a stream running thru it and build them each a little house w/ all the extras. And myself a modest new home as well.
Hire a maid!
Buy my mother a new house and car.
Donate to animal charities.
Start a new no kill shelter in my area.
I don't care to travel, people are people no matter where they are. I wana make things better where I am now.

[Thrifty Ray]

I have done this!

I was fortunate enough to live this for two years. I decided to "retire" to help take care of my parents, elp my kids start a business and just take some time off.

I helped the kids get the business up and running..they are starting year 3 now and doing great!

I took care of my parents. My dad passed away this past December and I will be forever greatful I took that time to spend with him.

I learned to bake from scratch, I learned to knit, I worked the splitter for the hubs side business, I spent ALOT of time with my grandbabies--who I am now very, very close to. I watched my DD3s grades improve and bonded more strongly with her...

It was a wonderful two years. I am now back at work, enjoying my job with some wonderful memories!

[Bookie]

I would give myself over to riotous living and debauchery . . .

And when that got old, I'd switch to good works to atone for my sins.