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Dream_Seller
Joined: 01 Feb 2014 Posts: 78 Location: China
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 4:17 am Post subject: |
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"Is this what the next 25 years will be like"? "Do I deserve other experiences?" "What else could I be experiencing?"
Poverty..oh yeah..that is so scary. |
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Yanklonigan
Joined: 23 Jan 2017 Posts: 36
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:57 am Post subject: |
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I think because we're living so much longer than before that we've become obsessive about getting our nest ready for old age. I have seen many people who never planned for old age and now they're still working. However, life is a one-time journey so it's sad to settle for the humdrum just because it is safe. I guess I'll follow Aristotle's advice on "moderation" in all things. I think the Buddha taught us to walk the middle path between the material and spiritual worlds. Life is a gamble.
I have been working pretty much since 1966 and most jobs suck! Some suck less than others. I think I'm currently at my favorite job (12 years) and it took me 51 years to find it! Second guessing oneself is counter-productive. |
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Mikalina
Joined: 03 May 2011 Posts: 140 Location: Home (said in a Joe90 voice)
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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I have been bashed from pillar to post over the past 20 years through TEFL and have the scars to prove it. I'm presently living in my little rented flat investigating the art of fermentation and practising a vegan lifestyle (no, vegan diet - can't give up leather). If I should ever be bitten by the travel bug again, I'll grab my passport, flashcards, signed drawing of St Petersburg and be off.......
This life is NOT a rehearsal....... |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh
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Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2017 8:15 am Post subject: |
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currentaffairs wrote: |
You are already limiting yourself before you have even left the country. To move on from your cozy gig in the US means going for freedom, enjoyment and something of the unexpected. However, you will apparently only go for a Peace Corps, Foreign Service or Defense Language Institute job... so you are playing it safe. If you kept your options open I would have more faith in a successful change.. |
I am pondering other choices. I also thought about purchasing a backpacker's hotel, etc. There are many options. However working for the IRS is the worst job that I have had in 15 years since graduating from college. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh
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Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2017 8:37 am Post subject: |
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Dream_Seller wrote: |
"Is this what the next 25 years will be like"? "Do I deserve other experiences?" "What else could I be experiencing?"
Poverty..oh yeah..that is so scary. |
No job is a guarantee from poverty. We may be delusioned by believing a government job is safe. The problem with that is that the country may one day face a financial crisis. |
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Yanklonigan
Joined: 23 Jan 2017 Posts: 36
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 11:30 am Post subject: |
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Very good post. I have enjoyed reading this thread. The 21st century is full on uncertainties. Once we make a decision, it is best to go full steam ahead and not look back and regret the decisions we've made. In the long run, we probably did make the best choice. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh
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Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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Yanklonigan wrote: |
Very good post. I have enjoyed reading this thread. The 21st century is full on uncertainties. Once we make a decision, it is best to go full steam ahead and not look back and regret the decisions we've made. In the long run, we probably did make the best choice. |
The key to happiness is to not judge past decisions. The happiest people focus on the moment not the past or the future. |
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Kowloon
Joined: 11 Jan 2016 Posts: 133
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Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:53 am Post subject: |
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I think that is most cases it's a self fulfilling prophecy. The type of person who is terrified of losing their status and not maintaining their lifestyle post retirement will likely never take the risk to leave a stable job. As they age they will be reassured they made the right decision, any problems they encounter they will assume would have been even worse with less money.
Likewise, those capable of using the experiences gained when younger as crutch to support a more frugal dotage are much more likely to take a the plunge. Neither option is deficient, just different. There are exceptions, obviously, those who for one reason or another got trapped through life experiences. That must be very difficult. |
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scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:54 am Post subject: |
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Not everyone is cut out for a life in the Pedagogical Foreign Legion. I certainly was not cut out to be trapped in an office doing what the boss told me.
While I was doing my teaching in exotic locales I did not know how I would spend my retirement. Things worked out. They usually do. |
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Yanklonigan
Joined: 23 Jan 2017 Posts: 36
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Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 11:43 am Post subject: |
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I'm happy I took the plunge myself. I have discovered that life has a way of balancing out in the long run. However, I'm always slow to advise other people to take the same plunge I took many years ago. I am from a very large family and I have numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and even great-great nieces and nephews. They appear to enjoy hearing about my life overseas, but I have never encouraged any of them to follow in my footsteps. I tend to believe that the "safe and secure" passage through life is the best path to take for most people.
Scot 47, I hope I'm making more sense today. I wish you would write a book about your life as an English teacher overseas. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh
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Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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Yanklonigan wrote: |
I'm happy I took the plunge myself. I have discovered that life has a way of balancing out in the long run. However, I'm always slow to advise other people to take the same plunge I took many years ago. I am from a very large family and I have numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and even great-great nieces and nephews. They appear to enjoy hearing about my life overseas, but I have never encouraged any of them to follow in my footsteps. I tend to believe that the "safe and secure" passage through life is the best path to take for most people.
Scot 47, I hope I'm making more sense today. I wish you would write a book about your life as an English teacher overseas. |
Yanklonigan, in my case, I would not call it a plunge. There are no guarantees in life, but I can probably return to my current job at the worst. Not to mention that Peace Corps volunteers have hiring preference for US federal jobs.
I would like to join the Peace Corps to get the experience required to work for USAID or some other Aid work in Africa.
I just felt alive on my recent trip to Tanzania. I am already planning to climb Acacongua December 2018. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh
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Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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I appreciate everyone's feedback. Some sage advice. The first issue is getting out of working in a cubicle. I am currently 37. It has been difficult to start working in a cubicle at the age of 35. Whether, I leave the United States or not, I need to get out of this cubicle.
There are many options, maybe the problem is too many options. Some things that I am considering: Peace Corps, government job abroad, real estate, and pilot.
I like adventure. I would even consider pursuing something fun, even if I end up applying for some government job when I am 50, to survive until I retire. Life is long, I would give it up to do something interesting from 37-50. |
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scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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Do the Peace Corps. If you make it, it will open doors to other things. If you don't, you can always go back to the States. |
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