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He changed careers at 55

Started by Weekend_Sawyer, October 27, 2003, 10:41:51 AM

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Weekend_Sawyer

Pete stopped by on Saturday, dumped a load of wood chips off and visited for a while. Pete is an Arborist, 62 years old. I had lost track of him around the mid 80's. Back then we were working on a large data archive for NASA. A place to put some of that data that was being sent from various satellites. Pete's masters degree was in math and he was a sciece type. He was working on the archive but it was not really his field. I did not know it then but he was becoming disenchanted with the whole show. Last spring I was delivering a load of mulch to the Lovely Miss Celest's house. As some of you may remember I converted my pickup into a dump bed last year. I had the bed raised and this guy stopped by to ask how I did that to a pickup bed. It was Pete. Celest wound up unloading the truck by herself as Pete and I caught up. Always an outdoor type right around the time I lost track of him he was helping some friends trim their trees. They had some that were too much for him to handle so they called in a tree trimming service and he hung around to see how it was done, after that he was hooked. The job at NASA did not appeal to him anymore and this was challenging and new. As we looked over his truck and supplies I noticed he had a load of wood chips. When I asked what he did with them he said he took them to the dump at $25 a load. Not any more. I am taking all he can bring in and use it for my landscaping. I just don't use them near the house because they aren't treated. They even work well in one part of my driveway that wants to wash out.
 In about 12 years I'll be 55. Right now I am still enjoying my career but sometimes I long to be doing something completely different, don't we all. Oh well mabe I'll make the change at 55.
Imagine, Me a Tree Farmer.
Jon, Appalachian American Wannabe.

trey_w

whew...there's hope for me yet!   :D
If you put your two cents in and only get a penny for your thoughts...who gets the change?

Mark M

I did that career change thingy too when I was in my early thirties. Went back to school and spent 6 years getting retrained then went back to work for the same company. Right now I am wishing I could climb trees cause I would like to do some arborist work. Maybe I wouldn't have to climb trees?

DanG - know you got me thinking :o

Mark

Texas Ranger

As the little guy said as he emerged from his baptisim in the move "Brother Where Art Thou"  "Come on in fellas, the waters fine!"

Been in the same job for 35 years, walking the other fellas (and countries) woods all that time and longer.  Never thought to change, never made much money to speak of, but have had one fine life in the woods.  One of my more successful friends says I don't have a profession, but a life style.  Think he is right.
The Ranger, home of Texas Forestry

DanG

I been thinkin' hard and long about a career change at the age of 57.  I've just about had enough of this stuff I'm doing, and I get no respect for my 34 years of service to this company. My 401k is getting smaller instead of bigger, and the so-called "retirement benefits" are going away faster than I can keep up with'em. I want to start building something for myself while I still have a little of my health left.
It has become painfully obvious that nobody is gonna look out for ol' Dan, but ol' Dan himself. :-/
I have a sawmill, and a small farm, and I do a little welding, which I enjoy almost as much as sawmilling. I know I can make this money on my own, and I can continue to line the pockets of the CEO with any gravy that comes along. Thing is, this time the CEO will be me. ;D
"I don't feel like an old man.  I feel like a young man who has something wrong with him."  Dick Cavett
"Beat not thy sword into a plowshare, rather beat the sword of thine enemy into a plowshare."

Fla._Deadheader

  DanG, Ed and I were parts gatherin today, and took a detour. Ended up talkin to a feller that could make us a fortune :o :o He is an Electrical Contractor. He has a side thing that there is NO WAY, he can supply the product demand. We been lookin at machinery this evening and found a very impressive website, where them folks is doing the same thing we been researchin. Involves PINE TREES ;D ;D ;D  Know where we kin get any PINE TREES  ??? ??? ???  About a 5 year supply of PINE TREES ??? ??? ???  After that you and ED can have the business ::) ::)
All truth passes through three stages:
   First, it is ridiculed;
   Second, it is violently opposed; and
   Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

-- Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

Percy

Good thread people.

Career changes later in life can be stressfull and most folks dont take the chance. I was kinda forced into it as the big logging companies here on the B.C. coast are shutting down. One thing about being forced into it, you have to make choices that you wouldnt have  made otherwise if you stayed in the comfy job. I dont nearly have as much coin as I used to,(used to buy $180,000 log trucks every four years)now Im sweating over a 109 meters of WRC for $15,000. I sawmill fulltime now, its tough, but Im happy. Lost 20 lbs since I sold the peterbilt in may, have been able to play guitar in our local bar band "The Accelerators" prettywell whenever. Im home and happy now, just a tad broke.

Don Staples....no profession but a lifestyle....Excellent statement ;D ;D
GOLDEN RULE : The guy with the gold, makes the rules.

Captain

Yep, got some of that career change going on here too....THE WIFE is a full time college student until spring of 04 in Equine Studies.  Gave up the career in accounting in preference of a "stay home" vocation boarding, grooming, training (riders and horses).  She's scared to death.

I'm just looking forward to some income from her soon, this working my regular and after hours jobs 7 days a week is getting tough.  Besides, it cuts into the sawmilling time ::)

Captain

Brian_Bailey

I made a career change 2yrs ago when I was offered an early out after 29 yrs. of doing the same ole thang. Jumped on it and haven't regretted it. Sometimes change is good  ;D.
WMLT40HDG35, Nyle L-150 DH Kiln, now all I need is some logs and someone to do the work :)

Ed_K

 I jumped off the boat when I was 46 8) . I don't regret it at t'all.
I'm happier, lost weight, and half of the 401 disapeared. But I don't have a bunch of managers telling me how to get the job done. My hours are longer, but I most times don't realize it.
 Doing tsi's, cordwood and sawing a few logs is a real satisfing way to get along. Rita say's I'm semi retired. Or is it retarted  :D  ;D  ;) . Don has the right statement  ;).
Ed
Ed K

DanG

This thread is a gem, especially for me at this time. I made a decision today, to retire as soon as the paperwork can be done. I've been unhappy there for a while now, and I can see so many opportunities that I can't take advantage of while working full time.
It all came to a head today, about noon, when the boss took me out for a piece of "humble pie." It is pretty obvious that he expects a little smooch in the nether regions whenever he is around, and he AIN'T gonna get that from me, so I get second-guessed and nitpicked about every little thing. I ended up informing him that he is a f%&^*$g moron, and I will be out of his hair very shortly. ;D  Discussed it with Linda tonite, and I will start the paper down it's winding trail tomorrow. 8) 8)  Should have about 2 to 3 months more to work.

Now, Harold, we need to talk about this latest venture you have in mind.  I got pine trees....several of them...and they should last another 5 years if the beetles don't get them and nobody cuts them down. :D :D :D   Send me some details before I get too wrapped up in my own ideas. I'm getting booked up real fast. :)
"I don't feel like an old man.  I feel like a young man who has something wrong with him."  Dick Cavett
"Beat not thy sword into a plowshare, rather beat the sword of thine enemy into a plowshare."

Percy

QuoteThis thread is a gem, especially for me at this time. I made a decision today, to retire as soon as the paperwork can be done. I've been unhappy there for a while now, and I can see so many opportunities that I can't take advantage of while working full time.
It all came to a head today, about noon, when the boss took me out for a piece of "humble pie." It is pretty obvious that he expects a little smooch in the nether regions whenever he is around, and he AIN'T gonna get that from me, so I get second-guessed and nitpicked about every little thing. I ended up informing him that he is a f%&^*$g moron, and I will be out of his hair very shortly. ;D  Discussed it with Linda tonite, and I will start the paper down it's winding trail tomorrow. 8) 8)  Should have about 2 to 3 months more to work.

Now, Harold, we need to talk about this latest venture you have in mind.  I got pine trees....several of them...and they should last another 5 years if the beetles don't get them and nobody cuts them down. :D :D :D   Send me some details before I get too wrapped up in my own ideas. I'm getting booked up real fast. :)

Hey DanG
Congrats on a bold decision. I dont know your boss so I cant comment on that aspect of things but Ill take your word for it.  :D :D
 Exciting times a-comming and that money thing aint all its cracked up to be... ;D ;D
GOLDEN RULE : The guy with the gold, makes the rules.

DanG

Thanks, Percy. :)  He ain't really that bad of a guy, just got this little power thing going on. ::)
I know I'm gonna be poor, but I know how to do it. I been practicing for years.

My late Aunt Evelyn used to say, "There's only one good thing about being poor. It's cheap!"   :D :D
"I don't feel like an old man.  I feel like a young man who has something wrong with him."  Dick Cavett
"Beat not thy sword into a plowshare, rather beat the sword of thine enemy into a plowshare."

McGruff

This is beautiful.

My wife and I have this discussion all the time.  I have too much time invested to quit.  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Just over seven years to go and I'll have 32 years in.  Then I'm gone.  Work sure seems to get in the way of alot of things I would rather be doin'.  (plantin' pine trees, pounding nails, huntin' & fishin') Hopefully I can talk my wife into retirement at the same time I retire.  She's my number one hired hand!!

Now, if I can only get these pine trees to grow.........

woodmills1

1973     engineer BSCE
1975     photographer
1977     machinist
1980     teacher MED
1986     part time firewood cutter
1995     partime sawyer
2003     full time sawyer/you name it

change is good
James Mills,Lovely wife,collect old tools,vacuuming fool,36 bdft/hr,oak paper cutter,ebonic yooper rapper nauga seller, Blue Ox? its not fast, 2 cat family, LT70,edger, 375 bd ft/hr, we like Bob,free heat,no oil 12 years,big splitter, baked stuffed lobster, still cuttin the logs dere IAM

Bro. Noble

James,

Looks like you fell off of the 'Socio-economic' ladder too :D

In the late 60's I was an extension specialist with the Univ. of Mo.  Got fed up after 7 years and went to farming/cutting posts/working at a fertilizer plant.  Had to do a little teaching of veterans ag classes and highschool Voc. Ag. to put bread on the table.  Decided I'd get kicked around less milking cows than teaching school so went to milking and later sawing.  Now I milk and saw and log and milk ::)

I don't often look back,  but just thinking about my present situation compared to my extension co-workers of 30 years ago.  Most of them are dead so I ain't complaning :-/  I've enjoyed my life and the struggles that go with it.  My wife and I have raised a family that we are proud of.

A guy needs to work at something he enjoys,  with people he likes to be around.  Too many people measure wealth in money.
milking and logging and sawing and milking

logman

It must be something in the water.  I too am considering
quitting my state position and starting a wood related
business.  I just turned 46, hate my job, although you would
never find an easier job.  I have so many ideas to make it
on my own that I don't see how I could fail.  I have a sawmill
and a love for timber framing and log construction.  I figure
if one aspect isn't paying out I'll focus on another.  I see so
much wood going to waste around here.  They are putting
a development across the street from me and I have been
riding by these brush piles of logs for a couple of months now.
I stopped Saturday to check out what was in there.  It used to
be an old orchard and most of the logs are cherry and I
think apple.  There is big stuff in those piles and I don't think
they are planning on doing much with them because I would
think they would have done it before they bulldozed them into
piles.  I am going over there tomorrow to find out, but I'm not
sure I have the time to do anything about it if they tell me
to come and get them.  It's agonizing.  
LT40HD, 12' ext, 5105 JD tractor, Genie GTH5519 telehandler
M&K Timber Works

Larry

I retired from the telephone company as Manager-Outside Engineering at the ripe old age of 50 - 1/2/99.  It was great pay, benefits, and good people to work with.  Unfortunately with budget constraints I was forced to design outside plant facilities cheap and dirty.  Sorta like a guy would have to do with $1,000 income but $2,000 worth of bills each month.  Sure wasn't proud of the work I was doing so I just hung it up.  I've had a bunch of small jobs that I have enjoyed in the last five years but none of them were really big money makers.  I would like to turn Pro in the sawmill business next year or so but only time will tell.

My wife Kathy also retired from the telephone company about 1995 with the aid of a huge buyout.  She always wanted to have an antique shop so we opened one up.  Lot of fun but not really a moneymaker so we closed after 4 years.  Took a job as an office manager after that with liberal time off.  She enjoyed that but quit couple of months ago as she wants to try something else.

One of the great benefits is that we have been able to spend a lot more quality time with our parents who are in there waning days.

Been a few bumps along the way.  As DanG said we have watched our 401k's shrink a lot.  Health insurance and taxes keep going up while the income doesn't.  Would we do it again -- Yes and Yes.  Ask me in 10 years or so and I might have a different story.  
Larry, making useful and beautiful things out of the most environmental friendly material on the planet.

We need to insure our customers understand the importance of our craft.

oldsaw

I've been in the same business, with different jobs for all but two of the past 17 years.  I'm basically happy for the first time in many years, and am earning some money...finally, nearly as fast as the wife spends it.  When the economy strengthens, which it will (always does), I'll be doing pretty well.  The travel can be a real bummer, but, I finally got smart enough to look up FF members when I have a few minutes to spare.  The upside, is that I can't get downsized.  The job is guaranteed as long as the company survives. That's the good news, the income isn't guaranteed.

I'm pretty lucky.  I've had plenty of jobs I've hated.  Funny thing, it usually wasn't the job, but the peanutheads I had to work with, or work under.  Still, I don't work with my hands on a daily basis, and growing up on a farm, I miss that.  Hence the wood stuff.  Going to try to get out on Saturday and tip a few trees, stack some logs, and break a good sweat.  It's a mental health thing for me.

All you guys taking the leap deserve, and have earned my admiration.  I've had jobs I wanted to do that with...funny thing, neither of those companies still exist today...but the whole self reliance thing has a lot going for it.  That's what a commission job is all about too.  Good luck, and, no, 55 isn't too late, unless you die the next week.  Life is short, do what makes you happy AND puts bread on the table.

Mark
So many trees, so little money, even less time.

Stihl 066, Husky 262, Husky 350 (warmed over), Homelite Super XL, Homelite 150A

Weekend_Sawyer


 Great replys!
 I have had 4 different careers within the space agency. I hung tapes in a large data archive, I operated various computer facilities, I became a technician and learned to repair systems and now as a systems engineer I get to work on every part of a computer facility from power to the size of disks we need. The great part is getting to travel around the country and some parts of the world installing these systems.
 Most guys my age in the buisness are in management but I will not go that route, as I tell anyone who will listen, I basicaly turn screws for a living, course I get to specify the screws.
 I havent burned out on it yet but that day is comeing. When it does (as was mentioned before) I'm sure my change will have something to do with wood.

 One thing I have noticed and Pete said it too, you have to be prepared to live a little simpler, you will not make as much but you sleep good when you work hard.

Weekend Sawyer
Imagine, Me a Tree Farmer.
Jon, Appalachian American Wannabe.

Mark M

I might expand Prairie Dog Sawmill to include firewood. I was checked the other day and Birch is selling for $190 a cord, Pine for $130 and Cottonwood for $100. If I build a kiln that will be heated off my wood boiler I could sell sterilized bug-free dry wood as a specialty product. Whadda ya think?

Mark

Gus

I kinda did the opposite of most of you guys.
I spent my life until in my 30's beating a living out of the woods. I loved it. I still like it or I wouldn't be here. Because of physical reasons I had to find something else to do. Got educated and NOW I work for a telephone company. I came here with little knowledge and a lot of common sense. It has served me well. Now I have 10 years in and know the job pretty well. My boss is great. He's a real guy with common sense, which I'm learning is difficult to find in a boss. He doesn't expect me to do dumb stuff and he doesn't have an ego that needs nurtured. The work is interesting (never a dull moment and you never know what to expect) and I enjoy meeting the new people all the time.
It is about the people, isn't it?
Hey, my boss is 200 miles away also. That doesn't hurt either ;D

Gus
"How do I know what I think unless I have seen what I say?"

DanG

Well that is an interesting twist.  I'm beginning to wonder just how many telephone men we have on the forum. :D  I've been with them for nearly 34 years, and it has been a great job. I, too have enjoyed the people I've worked with.  I've spent all of my time in an inside plant environment, as a C.O. tech, and analyst in the control center, and a tech attached to the Translations Engineering group.  Now I'm a C.O. tech again, working on t-1's, up through OC-48's. This part of the business is advancing faster than I care to keep up with. We can no sooner learn a new system, til it is replaced by something different, and I don't want to go to any more schools.
I just got the form for my letter of intent to retire, via fax, and will send it in before the day is out. 8) 8)  Also just got off the phone with the HR lady, and she roughly calculated my final work day as Feb 6, if my retire date is Apr 1.  Leave it to me to make a major move on April Fool's day. :D :D :D
"I don't feel like an old man.  I feel like a young man who has something wrong with him."  Dick Cavett
"Beat not thy sword into a plowshare, rather beat the sword of thine enemy into a plowshare."

D._Frederick

Hey guys think things over if your 50 or older, and don't burn any bridges. The way companys are being sold, taken over, or destroyed by crookes, the odds are that you will not be retired from the company that you spent years  working for. If your  40 + , the new company will not pick you up in a take over. This is a view from Oregon where un-employment is still over 8%. Don't quit a job with the idea that you will walk across the street and have a new job, it just isn't going to happen, your job just went to India.

trey_w

DanG, I did the same job you did for quite awhile.  Working on Verizon's Push to Talk project now.  I agree, I get more and more obsolete with every passing day.  I'm tired of trying to keep up, and I'm tired of learning just how little I know about this business now.  
If you put your two cents in and only get a penny for your thoughts...who gets the change?

Ric

DanG,

Add one more telephone guy to your list...or at least ex-telephone guy.  I put in most of Nextel's transport equipment in Texas and eventually went to work for them as a CO tech.  Loved the job, had a hard time with the management though.

Glad I'm out of telecom now, but wouldn't mind jumping in ahead of the next big wave and making a ton of money and jumping out. :)

Gus

Interesting fact about South Dakota. The average worker is nearly 50. I think it is 40 something.
Gus
"How do I know what I think unless I have seen what I say?"

johnjbc

I also work for Verizon started in 1992. Currently Team Leader in the PPM (Preventive Proactive Maintenance) Center for Central PA ::). But seem to get put in a different position about every 2 years.
Hope to be my own boss in another 3 years. :D :D
LT40HDG24, Case VAC, Kubota L48, Case 580B, Cat 977H, Bobcat 773

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