anyone successfully escape the 9 to 5 life?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by covance

I am really driven by time more than money. I wish I could find something that makes me the same or even 20-30% less than what I make right now but that is drastically less time than a 40+ hour workweek.

So, covance, if you would like to share your age, education, skill set, job experience and target income, maybe we can give you some ideas.

For example, you mentioned real estate, after I retired the first time, I became a real estate broker for about 10 years. I contracted with FHLMC (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) to repossess and liquidate properties that they had foreclosed on.

I specialized in their more challenging properties (properties in the scary parts some towns like gang hangouts, grow operations, meth labs, chop shops and combinations of the above).

Needless to say, evicting those types of people was, shall we say, interesting. Why? Because they just aren't thinking quite straight -

See, part of my work life experiences involved "real estate finance" -


humfrz

[soundman98]

The 2 biggest stressors in any work are employee's, and customers.

I've always found customers easier, but only due to multiple easy customers averaging out the numbers

[86MLR]

Originally Posted by soundman98

The 2 biggest stressors in any work are employee's, and customers.

I've always found customers easier, but only due to multiple easy customers averaging out the numbers

Yeap, I would like my job more if I didn't have to deal with people.

But then I think at least 50% of the population are oxygen thieves.

[alan.chalkley]

I guestimated that i could finish working for any boss in 2018 , but then investment markets took a slide and i still work , until investments get back to double digit returns.

[Clutch Dog]

visiting your local recruiter will quell any 9 to 5 woes. Me personally? I look forward to the 9 to 5. and not sleeping on ikea furniture in a rental

[why?]

Originally Posted by alan.chalkley

I guestimated that i could finish working for any boss in 2018 , but then investment markets took a slide and i still work , until investments get back to double digit returns.

that's another way people "escape" the workforce. The issue is the same thing, lots of studying and guessing where certain stocks might go, and tons of research. If you like that thing it can be worth it.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

I'm sorry but that's simply not true at all. It's a falsehood that's so often perpetuated by the folks who benefit from you believing it. None of the multi-millionaires and business owners I know are holding any risk. Some have put some of their own capital into the enterprise but not more than they can afford to depart with. .

I'm assuming you do realize the risks these folks took to get into the position you describe, correct? One of the reasons they have the diversity in their portfolios and revenue streams you mention is exactly to help mitigate risk. So, in other words, they have a plan and their plan has worked over the long haul.

Yes, there are some that inherited their fortunes (that's actually a minority of millionaires) but there is some work involved in staying in that position, and the person that created the multi-generational wealth in the first place had to step in front of the train and take the risks.

Keeping a failing business alive to protect the employees is not doing anyone any favors, it's just delaying the inevitable.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

I'm assuming you do realize the risks these folks took to get into the position you describe, correct? One of the reasons they have the diversity in their portfolios and revenue streams you mention is exactly to help mitigate risk. So, in other words, they have a plan and their plan has worked over the long haul.

Yes, there are some that inherited their fortunes (that's actually a minority of millionaires) but there is some work involved in staying in that position, and the person that created the multi-generational wealth in the first place had to step in front of the train and take the risks.

Keeping a failing business alive to protect the employees is not doing anyone any favors, it's just delaying the inevitable.

Yes. I think that Hollywood and TV has created the perspective that all "rich" people are greedy fools that will screw anybody over for a dollar. This is of course a totally fictional view. There certainly will be some but it is likely no larger a percentage then in any other income/wealth range.
Managing what you have and understanding how to protect it is vital and the more you have the more important it is to do so. If we go back to the lottery winners and look at how they manage sums that can reach millions we can see just how important that management is. A quick search show that 70% of winners of large sums are broke in 5 years. The simple reason is they did not manage those funds and figured they would last forever. I would be willing to bet that the 30% that don't go broke already had money so knew how to manage it.

[soundman98]

funny how hollywood has so deeply shaped our views on everything...

i laugh every time someone asks if security footage can just be 'enhanced', or that all gas tanks explode violently...

[mazeroni]

Originally Posted by covance

I am really driven by time more than money. I wish I could find something that makes me the same or even 20-30% less than what I make right now but that is drastically less time than a 40+ hour workweek.

First, move to Mexico. If I'm not mistaken, you can cross the border which entitles you to stay for 6 months. To renew, just come back to the USA and turn back around and get another 6 months. I'm aware of many freelance writers, designers, programmers, retirees who do this for the reasons you mention. They want to work less. But the only way that is manageable is by greatly reducing your cost of living.

But for this, you have to develop a skill that allows you to work remote and there has to be demand. I think programming is your best bet, but it's not for everyone and it can take years of hard work to become competent enough to make a name for yourself and get decent jobs.

The only other thing I can think of is to find a partner who shares you vision. Either they are ambitious and want a successful career and don't mind "floating you" and covering the majority of expenses, or they also want a 20~30 hour job and both of you are willing to live frugal lives.

Just bear in mind that if it was simple or easy, more people would do it. When people go off on their own, most quickly realize how hard it is to survive and eventually come back to a full-time job. Although I think most people give up when they discover that paying $500~1000 a month per person for healthcare without a company to subsidize the cost is insane.

[Turbo]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

First, move to Mexico. If I'm not mistaken, you can cross the border which entitles you to stay for 6 months. To renew, just come back to the USA and turn back around and get another 6 months. I'm aware of many freelance writers, designers, programmers, retirees who do this for the reasons you mention. They want to work less. But the only way that is manageable is by greatly reducing your cost of living.

Getting gunned down on the street or killed in a hostage taking in mexico would certainly give you a shorter work week

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soundman98

funny how hollywood has so deeply shaped our views on everything...

i laugh every time someone asks if security footage can just be 'enhanced', or that all gas tanks explode violently...

Defibrillators restart a stopped heart.
If you don't have a defibrillator you just need to do CPR for 10 seconds and the person will come to and start running.
Car crashes result in a slight cut on the forehead that will be gone in a few minutes.
Gun shot wounds are either instantly fatal to the bad guys but cause massive trauma that the hero just lives with and carry's on.
Gangs of thugs will attach the hero one at a time. Until the last one's turn and then he will drop his weapon and run away.
If you stalk a woman (or man) long enough they WILL fall in love with you.
Any professional business woman that has to go to a small town at Christmas will meet a man she hates at first but then will give up everything to stay there with him.
Jumping will save you during an explosion while the guy beside you that didn't jump will die instantly.
During car chases some woman push a stroller will almost get hit. Any fruit stands within a 20 mile range is however doomed.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Defibrillators restart a stopped heart.
....

Any computer system can be hacked in under 30 seconds if you type randomly enough

Any spy satellite can be repositioned to anywhere in the world in the same 30 seconds.

Police detectives can tell you to "not leave town" and you have to obey.

Any woman who owns a bake/book/coffee shop is a better detective than a trained police officer.

We may have to start a new thread....

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Any computer system can be hacked in under 30 seconds if you type randomly enough

Any spy satellite can be repositioned to anywhere in the world in the same 30 seconds.

Police detectives can tell you to "not leave town" and you have to obey.

Any woman who owns a bake/book/coffee shop is a better detective than a trained police officer.

We may have to start a new thread....

Oh and on topic...
Get rich schemes work unless they need to fail for the plot.
Small business owners all live in massive 6 bedroom homes because their tarts are very popular.
The only thing done in offices is file needless TPS reports.
If you are going to inherit a large sum of money from an unknown relative you will have to go through some bizarre procedure.
Any treasure you find is yours with no government interference or taxes.