On 12/12/2011 12:52 PM, Tommy Joe wrote:
> On Dec 11, 4:14 am, > wrote:
>
>
>> I hit the workforce at 15 as an office boy or "gopher" as they are
>> called these days. That was in 52 if I recall correctly. Only ever had
>> the one employer, a rarity these days. Haven't been out of the workforce
>> since. Doing consultancy 2 - 3 days a week now just to fill some time.
>
>> I will never qualify for what you call SSI.
>
>> If you haven't had a job for three years, it can be really difficult to
>> find someone willing to take you on. You get tarnished with "that"
>> brush! Hard to shake off.
>>
>> Come to think of it, I can't recall any of my peers being unemployed in
>> the 50s when I first started out in the workforce. There was always some
>> work around if you were prepared to (a) do anything that was available
>> or (b) go to where the work was. Some of my peers went on to uni after
>> high school and then found themselves unable to get work in their field.
>> They took any work that was going, even as a tram conductor. Different
>> attitude amongst a lot of the young people these days.
>
>> Depends a lot on what you were doing BEFORE you had the three years
>> without working. One of my friends retired a millionaire at 45 back when
>> a million was a real lot of money. After a few years he was climbing the
>> walls so he bought into a copper mine and, with a couple of partners,
>> operated it. He's since sold out of that and does some real
>> entrepreneurial stuff these days. He was a little older than I so he
>> must be in his early 80s by now.
>>
>> Golden rule: Keep mind and body active as long as you can.
>
>
> I am a believer in the golden rule. But when it comes to keeping
> the mind and body active, I'm sure there are more ways than just work
> to do it.

I'm sure there are. I get my jollies from my work. It gets me out and
about and meeting people. That's the important bit.
>
> You seem a bit bitter about me possibly getting SSI payments of
> $675 a month when I turn 65. I realize that could all be in my mind.

Not bitter in the slightest. I have way too much in the way of
superannuation income, my fault I know for investing in my future from
my 20s onwards. It was compulsory in government employment.

> Anyway, not everyone ages the same. My sister could retire now but
> she wants to wait till she's 70. That's her call, but I think it's
> nuts. Well, maybe not nuts - let's just say I can't identify with
> that kind of thinking. Retire now and take your ass to Hobbyland.
> God, I don't understand it.

I have hobbyland AND work. What could be better?
>
> The reality is, many people spend their lives trying to keep up
> with the Jones's. No crime in that (well, maybe sometimes) - but also
> no crime in me not taking that route. But just because I have always
> chosen to live close to the ground does not mean I have not done my
> share of work. I work hard and I work good. Just because I openly
> admit to hating it does not mean I'm not good at whatever I do.
> That's because I feel if you have to work you might as well do a good
> job. Just because someone says they love their job doesn't mean they
> really do, or that they're good at it. I deserve that SSI and it
> can't come soon enough.
>
> Prepared to work at anything? I've worked moving furniture, did
> 6 months in the carnival working the games (hated it), worked in a
> poolroom on and off for 10 years, and even sold myself on the streets
> when I was younger. At the poolroom I worked for all the beer and
> free pool time I could handle, no cash. I have also been driving a
> cab for 33 years. I've put in my fair share of work and I deserve all
> that's coming and more. I do not measure the value of work on the
> basis of time put in, but rather on the basis of energy and honesty
> put in - although I certainly feel like I've done my time. Yes, my
> time in the workforce - for me it's very similar to the time one
> spends in prison waiting for parole. Let me outta here.
>
> A lot of people are living beyond their means. That is their
> business. But when things don't pan out they cry the blues. They
> call themselves broke when they still have money in the bank. They
> don't know what broke is. I've worked hard and I've been dead broke
> many times. Maybe I could have tried harder. But I'll leave that for
> those who want it. Yes, I'm all for staying active and busy, and I'm
> sure there are many ways to accomplish that without having a job. By
> the way, I'm making like $100 a week driving the cab. It's getting
> bad. I feel fortunate that I'm getting that SSI just when I need it
> most - if I make it to 65 - almost a year away - and who knows what
> might happen before then?
>
> TJ
>


--

Krypsis