My kids are all grown up now. I even have grandkids. My wife and I did all the things "responsible" members of our society were supposed to do: Work hard, get an education, save and invest your money. I strategized through my career path and worked for companies with long histories of success and innovation that I would be in a position to not only help out my kids when they needed it, but also to be able to retire based on my planning. Instead I find my house is probably worth less today than when I bought it 25 years ago, my earnings are a fraction of what they once were, my employability is in question and my investments and savings have tanked like nobodys business. Although my wife is employed, the sword of damocles is swinging above, waiting for the inevitable outsourcing. Meanwhile, I watch my state and federal governments spend like there is no tomorrow. Maybe there isn't.

Anyway, I'm not angry, or even down, although I DO get frustrated! I always tried to convey to my kids that we all need to be principled, but be flexible when it comes to the changes in our lives we cannot control. So dad has to lead by example and not be defeated. Doesn't mean I can't lament what I think should be, instead of what is. As long as I'm getting out of bed every morning, I'll make things work.

And 52 is too young to have regrets (for most things anyway!)

Other than putting a lot of money in nuclear stocks just before the Japanese tsunami, I don't really have any regrets, and still hope to accomplish a few things!

__________________
Chief

1991 350SD