Boy . . . I am so almost out of here.
I've learned to eat beans the past few years, not spend too much money and I've grown accustom to a lot more free time. All of this is good training for retirement.
Actually, retirement might (will be) an income booster, given the present situation.
The only thing I have to wonder about is if I even want to pay the $20(plus seminar fees), to keep my license up. I'm not so sure about the equipment either.
happy trails to you
until we meet again
happy trails to you
keep smiling on till then
Nothing wrong with beans.
Here is today's little lunch I finished a bit ago. Beans, rice, fresh ground pepper, fresh squeezed orange juice. I spent a while preparing this simple meal but I used to never have time to do things like this. 
I've always been good on a grill but I've become much better now on the stove or in the oven. Great meals and a fraction of the price of going out to eat.
For me, our city was getting ready to cut benefits, raise the amount to input into retirement AND raise the amount of years to even qualify. The only thing they cut was how much per year you got into the equation. Many jumped before this happened. Some would have lost $1500 or more per month.
I shop once a month, rarely take frivolous trips in the car and have even started using the bus sometimes.
My only vice is my bike but it's a relatively cheap expense. I do burn a lot of gas through it but my trips are site seeing and I often just toss the bedrool beside the road out of site for a nite. Once a week then maybe a motel and nice hot shower or sometimes just a truck stop.
I don't need a lot of the things that I once thought were bare necessities.
I hope that's not a "battery operated device" next to the knife...har har har...:-)
Surv69- Many states allow you to put your Land Surveyor's license into "Retirement Status" for a single fee, then no annual fees after that. You can reinstate it later if you decided if you want to use it further. If your state has CEU or PDH requirements, usually you have to come current on those on reinstatement. Beats the alternative of letting it expire and having to start all over again. For only $20 that is a no brainer, keep your options open and keep it active. Our State is $200 to renew, so a one time $50 to retire it is attractive to many. I don't actively use mine, but have elected to keep it current.
As far as retiring, if you have the means to do it and live in a lifestyle you find acceptable, go for it and get out of the rat race. You need to work because you HAVE TO or that you WANT TO. Or SWMBO doesn't want you hanging around goofing off while she works... I am very fortunate, my situation is a combination of the last two: I want to work as I enjoy it, and my SWBO is to envious of my retirement planning and the lack of hers.
LOL RB...Nope, just a nice jalapeno summer sausage from Wisconsin.
I thought it was a nice cigar and was trying to read the wrapper label, until I saw the crackers.
Your the only guy I know that takes pictures of his meals.
Is this something you have always done? Do you have an album of dinner photos that you look at when you are getting hungry?
JRL
Do you stand at the kitchen counter and eat too? LOL
I usually don't use a plate though, I eat right out of the pan I cooked in.;-)
Cheers,
Dugger
Its true the economy is in the tank however you might also look at it as an opportunity. Opportunity to spend time with loved ones due to constraints you couldn't, or go back to school and study a subject that always intrigued you. This will pass, Enjoy the ride.
For me, our city was getting ready to cut benefits, raise the amount to input into retirement AND raise the amount of years to even qualify. The only thing they cut was how much per year you got into the equation. Many jumped before this happened. Some would have lost $1500 or more per month.
What happened, are you retired?
