sumdude Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 My current life that is.. in the last few years mt wife left and we divorced, my parents passed away and other things have happened. I've had a few unsuccessful little relationships. I'm 42 and I have no responsibilities other than job related ones. I've been at my job for 13 years! It's a good job I guess, I work with great people, good pay and benefits .. but.. it's just not doing it for me. No real interest in what I'm doing anymore. During my commute which has been the same the whole time I feel like it's Groundhog day all over again, just in a huge rut I guess. I keep trying to keep a band going because music is my passion but it's hard to live the double life. I want to do my own music which I write but there's not enough time for everything. So even at gigs i find myself playing the same cover tunes and not fulfilled. I have a decent chunk of change in the bank from selling my parents house. People say "You should buy a house now, perfect time!" All I can think is what the hell for? Just so I can live in it by myself? If I had a family or even the potential for one maybe.. So i feel like quitting my job and living off savings. Traveling, doing whatever the hell I feel like that day. Get off the modern life treadmill for a year. Seems crazy in this economy but this feeling has been building in me for a long time. Damn mid life crisis!
Engadget Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 Be glad you HAVE a job. I can't find one anywhere and I'd kill for something I didn't even like.
Els Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 Honestly, if you feel that strongly about it and are willing to risk not getting a job immediately after you return from your year off... you should do it. Why take away your own happiness just for a house? A house would be the last thing on my list of priorities in life, IMO. Go throw yourself into your passion for music if you can afford to do so, maybe something great will come out of it, and if nothing does at least you know you tried something DIFFERENT in life which most people don't.
Author sumdude Posted May 12, 2010 Author Posted May 12, 2010 (edited) Honestly, if you feel that strongly about it and are willing to risk not getting a job immediately after you return from your year off... you should do it. Why take away your own happiness just for a house? A house would be the last thing on my list of priorities in life, IMO. Go throw yourself into your passion for music if you can afford to do so, maybe something great will come out of it, and if nothing does at least you know you tried something DIFFERENT in life which most people don't. Seems a bit nuts though doesn't it? I could go the safe route, keep my job while maybe looking for another that may be more rewarding. Invest or hold on to the money until the time is right to do something with it. Maybe start a business. I would hate to waste what my parents hard work has left for me. The reality is i find myself in a really awesome position in some ways. Through fate I suppose. Whatever ideas I had about where my life was going when I got married are completely gone. The whole get married, buy a house and have a family thing. Sometimes freedom and choice is scary. I'll probably never have an opportunity like this again in my life. it's a huge risk and most of my adult life I've been pretty risk averse. But like they say, no risk no reward. I know a music career is a total long shot. But I think life has a funny way of working itself out. I ended up with the job I have now through chance while I was working in music full time. I have a lot of different skills, I don't worry that much about making at least a living though I don't take what I have for granted. Edited May 12, 2010 by sumdude
lino Posted May 18, 2010 Posted May 18, 2010 Traveling is an excellent idea IMO. I haven't gone through what you've been through but traveling always helped me before. Also, any sort of physical activity that you LOVE to do will help a lot. It can't be something that feels like a chore when you do it though... you really have to genuinely enjoy and love doing it. Surfing is what does it for me. Nothing like being out in the waves and letting it take you away from everything. I'd probably be really f*cked up if I didn't have the opportunity to do it nearly every day.
pureinheart Posted May 18, 2010 Posted May 18, 2010 A job is hard to find these day, let alone a good one...the money will go quick...can you just take a leave of absense? Check into it, I bet you can...
pureinheart Posted May 18, 2010 Posted May 18, 2010 Seems a bit nuts though doesn't it? I could go the safe route, keep my job while maybe looking for another that may be more rewarding. Invest or hold on to the money until the time is right to do something with it. Maybe start a business. I would hate to waste what my parents hard work has left for me. The reality is i find myself in a really awesome position in some ways. Through fate I suppose. Whatever ideas I had about where my life was going when I got married are completely gone. The whole get married, buy a house and have a family thing. Sometimes freedom and choice is scary. I'll probably never have an opportunity like this again in my life. it's a huge risk and most of my adult life I've been pretty risk averse. But like they say, no risk no reward. I know a music career is a total long shot. But I think life has a funny way of working itself out. I ended up with the job I have now through chance while I was working in music full time. I have a lot of different skills, I don't worry that much about making at least a living though I don't take what I have for granted. A friend of mine did the very same thing you are thinking of doing...he's screwed now. First he was offered to opt out on his retirement, then he sold his house and had a nice nest egg...the money went QUICK..oh ya he didn't work for 2 years and played all over the US...but he's stuck now. He REALLY has a dead end job now, no benies...
alphamale Posted May 18, 2010 Posted May 18, 2010 So i feel like quitting my job and living off savings. Traveling, doing whatever the hell I feel like that day. Get off the modern life treadmill for a year. Seems crazy in this economy but this feeling has been building in me for a long time. Damn mid life crisis! why don't you take 3 weeks off and go to Fiji?
carhill Posted May 18, 2010 Posted May 18, 2010 So, find a way to take your skills into consulting/piecework, give up your lease, buy a rental with the money in the bank and let your tenants and a few side jobs finance your cheap travels. I've even made a side business out of travel consulting and managing miles and points. No 'income' but I get free flights and rooms out of it. Once you get back, you'll have the house, no debt, your skills and a fresh outlook on the world. Kick the tenants out, live in the house, find a new job or new career and move on. Mortgage the house, buy another, let the tenants make the payment; rinse and repeat. Start a property management business. Start a handyman business. Die broke with a smile on your face. I've just described what I've been doing most of my life. The cool thing about it is that it flies under most women's radar and they don't even notice you. Stealth. Good luck
Ross PK Posted May 19, 2010 Posted May 19, 2010 Since you've got the money, now is the easiest time to get a house, so I'd go with that if I were you. Better than living with your parents or having to rent a place for years to come.
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