I recently got news that my sons best buddies father died at 49 yrs old.
He had cancer, but this was unexpected.
I'm a bit overwhelmed that this happened and I'm feeling great compasion for the
son.
Makes me think more about a bucket list and actually doing it.
On another note, again I can count my blessings, in a news group
I was posting about saving money amd investing, conversation was going well
until someone posted, the can't save any money on $30k living ib California.
I told him I don't know your circunstances, age, family, health etc. but, I
suggested 4 or 5 ways to cut expenses and increase income.
Here's the response I got back, and again I have compasion, but I don't see
there is much room to improve his lot. Yes, I know the smoking and dogs...
1 Im 64 yrs old
1A. I live in a lower cost part of California. But..its still
California...where I have to buy gas, electricity and so forth.
2. I run my own small business fixing machinery in machine shops
3. I live 100 miles from my closest customer, nearly 200 from my most
distant one.
4. I live in my truck when Im on the road
5. I pack food for a week or two when I go out on the road.
6. I buy my food as canned goods and carry a stove with me to heat it
up on.
6. My insurance is with AAA...and I get the best rate possible
7. At one time..I had $250,000 in the bank and about an equal amount
in investments. Between the stock market crash of 2007-2010..and the
fact I had a son who took (4) extensive treatments to get him free of
methamphetamine addiction...all that money is..gone.
8. I own my own home. However..Id be happy to move OUT of
California..if I could find the work AND the money to bail
9. The wife and I do animal rescue. Current expenses are about $60 a
week in dog food.
10 We both smoke. Thats another $100 a week (roughly). Ive attempted
to quit 23 times. She has tried 10 times. Still no luck after 40 yrs
of smoking. The physical addition is easy to break. The mental
addiction...particularly for me...in a hands on, physical job..has
been impossible to break. Longest Ive quit..under hypnosis..was 6
months. I need to try hypnosis again.
11. If I sell..right now..all of my toys, tools, vehicles, boats,
clothing and the house..I doubt if I could generate $75k
12, I spend about $150 per week..or more..on fuel
13. If we simply shot every dog we call our own and stopped
rescuing..I could save about $5k a year.
14. If we quit smoking..(impossible)..we could save about $5k a year
Last years income..before expenses, fuel, food, dog food etc etc..was
about $31k.
This is about half of what I used to make during the Good Years when
manufacturing wasnt fleeing OUT of California.
Ive had 7 interviews in the past 30 days with big companies. I flew
out to Conneticut the 27th of last month for an interview. Result:
Im too old and I dont have enough "class". Though all interviewers
remarked I have a superior work ethic and am extremely talented at
what I do.
I had an interview this morning on the phone in fact. They wanted a
tech to work out of the San Fancisco area. Thats not happening..as
its 350 miles to the north of me..in an area where a single bedroom
walk up studio apartment is $2000 a month. For $45k a year, plus
"possible overtime". I turned it down. Nice company, seem to be good
people..wrong area, too low of pay.
15. Ive been in the military, Ive been a cop. I ran an alarm company
for 17 yrs. I ran a time clock company/fire alarm/access control
company for 4 yrs. I ran a pawn shop for 3 yrs. Ive been fixing
machinery for 22 yrs.
16. Im 64 yrs old and will have to work at least..at least another 6
yrs to get the maximum out of Social Security.
17. My wife is disabled and collects $623 a month on Social Security.
As of last September.
Ill not go into my other debits..taxes, property and personal etc etc.
18 Fuel here in California is $3.64 a gallon..at the cheap places and
depending on which vehicle I drive..I may get 10-22 mpg..and drive on
average..450 miles per week.
I never..ever play the lottery, drink, go on vacation, do drugs or
even have cable tv.
Come up with a good way to bring in more income based on the border
line income I live on..Id be very happy to look it over.