Becoming a mustachian after a Near Death Experience

[grock]

Hello everyone.I want to tell you the story of how I started down the FI road. Its just the begining of the path but at least I have seen the road. 2 years ago I was t boned by a crazy lady doing 68 in a 30. I sustained some life threatening injuries. 10 months later on the way to a doctors appointment I was crashed into again by a dunk driver. After 2 long years my law suites are over.  I realized many things in the wake of the accident, the main one being that my relationship with money is terrible. With my settlement money I paid off all debts. My wife and I were going to buy new cars but I found MMM and decided not to. We now share a used nissian I bought for $9000. I currently have $68,000. What I dont have: a house (living in parents basement, not fun since I just turned 30), a job (i was a massage therapist). I have to restart my life and not sure what to do. I almost bought a house in Colorado for $60,000 but backed out. The opportunities in my small Wyoming town are limited. Just wondering what I should be doing. Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

[marty998]

1st question... are you ok now?

I'm stunned you wanted to go out and buy another vehicle after being crashed into twice! You'd want to hope lightning doesn't strike 3 times!

No better way to restart your life than to get working again (if you can), buy a house and pay off a mortgage. Keep setting yourself goals and targets and you'll make progress.

good luck, and good on your wife for sticking by you.

[trek240]

How are you not already FI after the lawsuits? Something similar happened to one of my family members, and his settlement was enough that he'll never have to work ever again.

[lizzzi]

I think you and/or your wife getting jobs would be the first step. And tied in with that: where do you want to live geographically? Your small town? Casper, Laramie, Cheyenne? Another state? And I think you should research pros and cons of buying a house versus renting an apartment, and decide which you want to do...then work toward it. I'm just guessing that whatever you want to do, it probably isn't living in your parents basement...unless it's nicely set up as an apartment with a separate entrance. Thank God you're alive--hope it is all behind you. Any residual limitations on what you can do because of your physical status?

[grock]

Unfortunately there were many people involved in the accident and the payout was not as high because of it. The second one was a hit and run. I am currently looking for a job. I didnt drive for two years but I am ready again.

[pbkmaine]

What is your background and education? What do you do in your free time for fun? What interests you? Why Colorado?

[druth]

Have you gotten to MMM's "50 jobs over 50k without a degree" posts? 

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/07/25/50-jobs-over-50000-without-a-degree-part-1/
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/08/05/50-jobs-over-50000-without-a-degree-part-2/

Also I am very 'motivational bullshit' averse, but I found the book "Do what you are" helpful, and the library had many copies.

[calimom]

How are you not already FI after the lawsuits? Something similar happened to one of my family members, and his settlement was enough that he'll never have to work ever again.

While that's sometimes the case, it's not always the case. My husband was killed by an uninsured drunk driver so there was nothing to go after; the guy was indigent. We did have  UIM coverage, which paid for the car and a death claim. In the OP's situation, it sounds as though there were other claimants and not a lot of coverage overall.

Gronk, how are you doing now? It seems your injuries do not allow you to return to working as a massage therapist? What would you like to do/be able to do? Have you checked out any programs in your state that might provide job re-training? What kind of work has your wife done in the past?

You were smart to pay off your debt and it's a good idea to hang on to your cash. Look around the forums for ways to invest your nest egg. All the best to you for continued health and healing.