If I were younger I would start saving more for retirement.
I never thought much about this when I was younger. I made choices that took me in the direction of where I am now. I started college but never finished. Instead I followed a dream and a whim and when back to New Zealand.
At the time I thought I would get married and this whole gay thing would go away. I felt that I would feel settled and grounded with a wife and children. But, nope... I couldn't do that. (This picture is me when I was 21 years old, this was my "girlfriend" at the time.)
I came back to the States without a scholarship to finish school and I had no money. I felt I had to get into the 'working world' so that I could get away from the constrains of my Mormon family and upbringing. I moved with my job and was finally making what I thought was good money. But I never really thought about savings and planning for retirement. I guess I was in Peter Pan mode; thinking I would never have to grow up and eventually retire! No way... I was young and having fun!
Again my life changed course and I knew I had to get out of retail. Was money really better than happiness? I decided that I wanted my own business. My partner and I owned a deli and bar in downtown Baltimore. If anyone who has owned a business before, you know; you sink a lot of money into getting the business going. Again, I was living in the moment, not thinking about retirement. But... isn't that a good thing; living in the moment?
A few years later I sold my business, eventually moved to Texas and changed careers again. In May of this year I will celebrate 15 years at [major bank].
Not bad I think, until I went to a 20 year anniversary celebration for a co-worker who is younger than me! He has his college degree and is making much more than me. Well, no use worrying about all those "should haves" and "could haves", I made my life... I have to live with it. The other choice is to whine about it and wish things had happened differently. But it didn't. I have to be happy with where I am right now.
So reality is; I'm not younger. My life is what it is. I'll deal with it. So I can't tour the world when I retire.... I can't do that now anyway, so why worry and whine?
Have y'all thought about this? What would you do if you were much younger?
6 comments:
Youth is definitely wasted on the young. I wish I knew then what I know now. I think I would have traveled more... maybe lived in Italy or Paris for 6 months just for the experience. Seen more of the country, maybe. I probably also would have forced myself to go to college, which would have made my life easier in the long run. I'm happy with where I am... and I'm not dead yet. There's still time.
I would recognize my addiction and break it while still in my teens and avoid 30 years of unhappiness.
If I was in my 20s again, I would appreciate the fact that I was really good-looking and had an amazing body. (I never once thought this when I actually was in my 20s.) I would use these assets to full advantage in exploring my gayness.
I would never marry and travel more. instead of college, I would go to paralegal school and enter the law profession.
oh well, water under the bridge now.
There are so many things I would do differently If I was younger; the first that leaps to mind is move to the Pacific Northwest. I wanted to do so as a lad, but I lacked the courage to do so. Now it feels too late.
As much as there is that I'd like to change, I don't know that I would, because if I did, then I wouldn't be where I am right at this moment.
(See what happens when you read to much sci-fi, you get all metaphysical with yourself.)
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