Author Topic: Things you wish that you knew when you were 40  (Read 18769 times)

loki

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Re: Things you wish that you knew when you were 40
« Reply #50 on: March 01, 2014, 09:52:07 PM »
Good thread...worth treading.

MinimalistMoustache

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Re: Things you wish that you knew when you were 40
« Reply #51 on: March 01, 2014, 10:56:38 PM »
That I was (and still am) worthy of all I was giving away.

Bigote

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Re: Things you wish that you knew when you were 40
« Reply #52 on: March 02, 2014, 03:24:34 AM »
- 40 is nice in that the "hard physical work" of raising your kids is behind you.  Your kids are now capable of making their own bed, preparing a meal, etc.  At the least, you can leave them alone while you go to the store, and they may be babysitting other kids by now. 

Heh.   My son was born when I was a few months shy of 41.    I'll be pushing 50 before I get to where you describe.  The good news is by putting it off we were FI before he was born, so he gets lots of time with mom and dad. 

hybrid

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Re: Things you wish that you knew when you were 40
« Reply #53 on: March 07, 2014, 05:41:09 AM »
- 40 is nice in that the "hard physical work" of raising your kids is behind you.  Your kids are now capable of making their own bed, preparing a meal, etc.  At the least, you can leave them alone while you go to the store, and they may be babysitting other kids by now. 

Heh.   My son was born when I was a few months shy of 41.    I'll be pushing 50 before I get to where you describe.  The good news is by putting it off we were FI before he was born, so he gets lots of time with mom and dad.

I'm among the first of my friends to stare empty nest in the face and when I talk to them about it not one have a plan going forward, they are so very day-to-day keeping all the various balls in the air. I tend to view the world from 20,000 feet, and I have plans for the day when my 18 year old becomes independent (which could be 1 year or 6, who knows).

So have a plan for that day, whether it comes at 50, 55, or later. 

Theadyn

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Re: Things you wish that you knew when you were 40
« Reply #54 on: March 07, 2014, 08:11:18 AM »
I'm 45, and perhaps this rather bleak post simply reflects my mindset after a particularly difficult couple of months but here goes.....

It can all vanish in the blink of an eye.  Everything you've worked for.  Everyone you love.  From one moment to the next, your life can change irrevocably.  All of it is far more fragile than I ever realized.

When I was younger, I never knew this and simply believed that if I worked hard and did my best, it would all work out.

Damn, that's depressing and I'm sorry to post it.  But there it is.

If, right this minute and overall, things are good in your life, be grateful down into your bones.

+1     I am 42 now and it happened to me.  Was doing good financially, though we messed up on some things.   Uh, LIFE INSURANCE people!!  This goes for any not FI yet, whatever the age, if you have someone that may be dependent on you or you want to make sure they will be okay.  We honestly didn't think it was a super huge rush to get, both of us with good paying jobs, healthy, daughter grown and out of house.  Boom, cancer can suck everything dry, even with health insurance.  Two years of fighting it and losing the battle, the spouse was left with nada, no husband, no job (relocated to be closer to his job and family), a mortgage, and a tiny workplace life insurance policy.  And I got lucky, Texas, where he was treated, didn't care he was deceased, the spouse was still liable.  Like I said, I was lucky in that I wasn't sued for it (probate).

It can and does happen and I am starting over with nothing.  It is very real, I'm sorry to say.

Spork

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Re: Things you wish that you knew when you were 40
« Reply #55 on: March 07, 2014, 08:21:48 AM »
I'm 43.

Budget for eyeglasses/contacts.

Just when you think your eyes won't go...yep. They do.

Interesting... I'm sure I can find the cash for lasik (it gets cheaper and better over time... by the time I need it I'm guessing it'll be a pittance)

Since it applies to this thread: If you haven't gotten lasik by 40, you probably shouldn't.  At 40,presbyopia is from 2 to 5 years away and will put you right back into corrective lenses.  (I'm generally against almost any optional surgery, but that's a different topic entirely).


 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!