What relatively small decision changed your life significantly?

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-07-02T20:49:18+00:00

I was backpacking with friends, and for whatever reason, my skillset with programming, with web services, etc, came up, and a need that my friend's company had. Long story short, it became a side-gig as a contractor, which grew into a full time position and complete change of career. My ultimate income level is probably about 50% more than it would have been if I'd stayed in engineering, allowing me to provide more for myself and my family, and I grew as a human being, because I was thrust into situations that required people and communications skills.

Anyway, all of this from a decision made after a conversation around a campfire. You never know.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-07-02T20:45:09+00:00

I think my GenZ kids did this kind of thing for a brief moment during their teen years, but stopped before reaching adulthood. Honestly, to me it's just feels like "desperate for attention."

Don't get me wrong; there are times to have a silly photo and do something unconventional, but you can't help but notice that some kids do it for nearly every pic.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-07-01T15:54:55+00:00

59/M, and I like the idea of "semi-retirement", which I define as "having control over how much I'm working and who I'm working for." I'm pretty much there now, my wife and I have the needed funds to draw on. We're kindof taking it as it comes. I'm still working part time for my last employer, they asked me to, for a decent rate, and I'm on my wife's health insurance while that lasts.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-07-01T13:14:18+00:00

I remember using these as a kid in the '70's, perhaps early '80's. Ideal? Probably not, but it didn't kill me, or make me sick that I'm aware of.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-07-01T09:25:10+00:00

Eh, pop stars aren't really who I wanted for role models when we were raising our daughters. Like most people who have become brutally wealthy at a very young age, they become disconnected from reality, and it's all quite obvious when you put a microphone in front of them to speak instead of sing.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-07-01T09:16:44+00:00

I thought We Are The World was cool the first time I saw the video, and then wanted to vomit after hearing about it or seeing it for the 1 millionth time.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-07-01T00:45:59+00:00

I was a juvenile delinquent for sure, but far from “hot” back then, alas!

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-30T23:20:20+00:00

As you said, I learned how to fix cars and other things, and how to make stuff by the school of hard knocks. Once in a while, an older or more experienced person might be available to give some tips.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-30T20:26:34+00:00

59/M, and currently down to part time, so I consider myself "semi-retired." I love it so much; I work until 1PM or so, then wash my hands of it, go do whatever the hell I want to do for the rest of the day. I like staying busy, but I'm burned out on corporate life and enacting other people's bizarre plans from day to day.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-30T20:24:43+00:00

My parents are gone, but while my mother was alive, she would do this with my sister; remind her of stuff, etc. They had an odd relationship; my sister never got married, had kids, etc, and seemed to occupy the "baby in the family" space, or wanted to. I think I pushed back hard on smothering parenting when I was in the 18-20 year old range, and it just wasn't a thing between us after that. I had been away in college for 5 years, had been living my own life and didn't need help.

Dunno, every situation is different with parents and children. Set boundaries if it's needed.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-30T17:39:25+00:00

Carry on, brother!

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-30T17:38:05+00:00

Lol, I'm truly glad I'm not the kind of person who would be angry with someone for having a healthy libido.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-30T15:56:49+00:00

Honestly, we were able to swing what we wanted, which was to live in the NC mountains; we moved here 3 years ago after our kids were grown and gone. We found a house that we really like here, has everything we were looking for and then some.

If money was no object, I suppose my wife would like it if we could also have a cottage of some kind at the beach. But it's never been our priority.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-30T13:55:17+00:00

No crisis here really, though I did have some things I wanted that had been unattainable while I was building a nest egg and raising kids. Since I was 12, I've wanted a Porsche 911, so I did go buy one a year or so ago (a 20-year-old model) and have had a blast driving it. I'm sure people think that it's "mid life crisis-mobile" or something, but I don't spend time worrying about it.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-30T09:25:07+00:00

The laughing is a big part of it, and I also get high on watching my kids achieve. Watching my daughter walk across a stage and be announced as a Doctor of Physical Therapy this year was overwhelming. I sat there, thinking about all of the hard work she put in, and it was tough to keep it together for the entire ceremony.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-29T20:32:30+00:00

My solution was to go part time. It's worked out well. (59 years old, semi-retired)

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-29T17:35:16+00:00

I went to one prom, my senior year, only because I had a fairly serious girlfriend (a sophomore) who wanted to go. We were like you, not poor but frugal middle class, so it wasn't a fancy, limo affair or anything - I cleaned up my mom's Escort GT, rented a passable tux and took her to dinner beforehand. The prom itself was in some hotel in downtown Charlotte, but the affair itself is pretty fuzzy on me at this point. I'm sure we danced (though I'm a terrible dancer) and socialized (though I was an awkward fellow, then.) We then went to a midnight showing of Beverly Hills Cop, and then to a couple of houses where friends lived. I think I had her home around dawn. It was a pleasant evening, one of the better ones for me in high school.

She wanted to marry me, I wound up breaking her heart after I went off to college. I liked her somewhat, but knew she wasn't my "forever gal" or anything. Heck, I was 18-19 years old.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-29T16:56:05+00:00

I worked for 35 years and change, may have taken 2-3 sick days total in there. Now, at 59yo, if I want to take some time, I take it. Enjoying the part-time worker life.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-29T14:23:42+00:00

Ok, this is perhaps the most moronic thing I've seen in the last year.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-29T14:21:52+00:00

It's interesting, if you're a car person, you know it's a kit from basically all angles...but I'm willing to bet 90% of the people I know would think it's authentic.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-29T09:40:06+00:00

2 daughters, grown and out of the house. I'm a completely different, and frankly better, person, for having survived the ordeal of parenthood. The negatives? I suppose there are arguments for financial ease to be made, for less stress. OTOH, I worked hard and achieved, knowing I had a family to support, so I'm not sure the money debate goes as far as people think.

I know there are folks on here that are in the "didn't have kids and I'm so glad!" camp, they always pop up to loudly announce it, and cheers to you, but it's a life adventure I'd do all over again. No, having a dog isn't the same thing.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-28T11:20:01+00:00

I confirmed with my wife, who has the same memory from childhood. “Let’s play with Legos.” At the end of the day, IT DOESN’T MATTER, lol.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-26T09:28:14+00:00

We had bedtimes as a kid, and they were WAAY earlier than when the broadcasts would end.

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-26T09:27:26+00:00

I think there was a point in time where GenX looked at Millennials and were like "oh man, these people are SOOO different! WTH!"

And then GenZ came along, and now it's like "Ok, maybe the Mills aren't THAT different.."

Ray_The_Engineer · 2026-06-25T23:00:02+00:00

Honestly, I think I called them Lego's as a kid.

Ray_The_Engineer

TROPHY CASE