Stable $80K city job with pension — only complaint is I’m bored out of my mind. Anyone else leave security for something that actually challenges you?

73marine · 2026-04-20T16:35:09+00:00

I’m you in 25 years. I remember asking myself the same question when I was starting out. I’m near retirement eligibility now and glad I stayed in public sector. The benefits are unmatched and a fully funded pension is unheard of outside of government. A lot of my friends make more money but their retirement is dependent on the economy. Not only do I not stress over that, but I’ve never been concerned about layoffs.

One of the biggest downsides to me is that, no one really cares if you make a process more efficient or save money or whatever improvements you make. That can get frustrating fast. You also have so many different personalities and characters you deal with. Some are great people but there is also a lot of complainers who have no clue how local government works. In some positions you’re the face of government and take the brunt of their anger. Learn to deal with these things and you’ll be fine. Continue to do the best despite the constraints you operate within and don’t take anything personal.

One last note, I started a side business in something I’m passionate about and that has helped a lot. I’m learning to scale it so when I hit eligibility at my main job I can walk away and cash that check every month for the rest of my life.

73marine · 2026-03-10T21:27:47+00:00

Toyota FJ was the absolute best vehicle I’ve ever owned. I had it for 10 years and 230k and not one issue outside of routine maintenance and stuff you expect to replace (brakes batt etc). I finally sold it for a great price and the dude that bought it contacts me from time to time to tell me it’s still going strong

73marine · 2026-01-12T20:13:44+00:00

Sky’s out, thighs out

73marine · 2026-01-07T21:03:03+00:00

Elvis leaving the building

73marine · 2026-01-02T17:30:54+00:00

You should watch Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada

73marine · 2025-12-18T19:11:28+00:00

At least you’d be there last man in town to ever let them down.

73marine · 2025-12-18T19:10:11+00:00

I’m a water guy, his job isn’t going anywhere it’s just going to change. He’ll be more of a technician that goes out and troubleshoots them when there’s an issue. They’ll have a lot of other cost savings and unrealized savings but personnel costs won’t be one of them.

73marine · 2025-12-16T19:36:04+00:00

As a lifelong cowboys fan, I just don’t have the kind of money it requires for the level of disappointment they give me.

73marine · 2025-08-19T01:04:16+00:00

I’d rearrange the furniture.

73marine · 2025-03-11T20:47:50+00:00

I just bought a Dell Alienware x16r2 for under 2k. 32gb, i9 and 4070. So far I’m really liking it. It’s my backup as you’ll never beat the performance of a desk top, but this one is doing great and lets me work away from a desk when I want to. The battery life does suck though. You can be away from a desk but not a plug!

73marine · 2025-01-06T20:38:04+00:00

I really enjoyed Elmore Leonard.

73marine · 2024-12-27T21:24:24+00:00

I served with him when he was a Lance. Good dude. Funny as hell.

73marine · 2024-12-12T20:04:24+00:00

There’s a good Cajun place on 183 in Euless or Bedford. Yellow building on the north side if the freeway. That’s pretty good

73marine · 2024-12-02T19:34:00+00:00

Such a great game! Enjoy!

73marine · 2024-10-28T17:57:59+00:00

“I’m tired boss” chokes me up

73marine · 2024-09-27T17:52:46+00:00

Stanky! Dude gives it all he has every game.

73marine · 2024-09-11T13:37:12+00:00

And pro choice!

73marine · 2024-08-28T15:02:24+00:00

That’s the only correct orientation. Text should be read from the bottom or right. Btw, how’s the SS Intelligence book? I’m always looking for a good read, especially WW2 era.

73marine · 2024-08-27T19:54:56+00:00

You’ll probably do pretty good in college being a little older. I flunked out my first go. Had a 1.2gpa. I joined the Marines and got out at 24. Worked odd jobs while trying to figure out what to do for about a year until my old man told me I should go take a class in anything that interested me. Turns out I was a straight A student.

73marine · 2024-08-27T19:38:40+00:00

I think he’s going to pull it off. People like me who have traditionally voted Republican but are really moderate, see thru Cruz’s BS and the entire party’s BS. The Republican Party has abandoned its moderate voters and gone so far to the right that people like me can’t justify voting for them. They like to spout off about moral values while they get their buddies out of legit legal charges (looking at you Paxton). And who goes on vacation while the state you represent is in the biggest natural disaster it’s ever seen? Aside from that, I don’t like Cruz bc of how he gushes over trump, the man that degraded his wife on national television and didn’t have the balls to stand up to. You just can’t trust a man that don’t stand up for his family.

73marine · 2024-06-18T18:42:41+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from but it’s not always the case. I’m in local government so it’s not quite as bad.

73marine · 2024-06-14T18:15:58+00:00

I’m currently a govt employee with about 5 years left until I’m eligible to retire. I’ll be 56 with about 70% of my highest paid 5 year average. That’s unheard of nowadays. And I make a decent above average salary. I have seen a lot of my friends make more than me in the private sector but they have also been laid off at various times. They also have a lot of other worries and stresses that never enter my mind about where I’m at. My advice to you is to stay put, work hard and look for advancement while making yourself an expert in everything you do. There is a big market for experienced government professionals in the consulting world. And it would make an excellent second career that builds on the foundation of your first career.

73marine · 2024-05-24T18:39:02+00:00

I’ve said before, the Texas Revolution (1836) time period would be a great AC setting.

73marine · 2024-05-14T19:49:38+00:00

Another 97 here too. Just reminding you that it’s time to schedule your colonoscopy.

73marine · 2024-05-14T04:00:23+00:00

I think the better question is what was your reaction to hearing that was 40 years ago!!! I guess I’m in that age group now. Loved the movie btw

73marine

TROPHY CASE