The big 18 and adult things?

It seems the industry standard is floating around 15-18% for lineman…wish my company was at a match/auto contribute of that rate I’d rather have a 401k so when I leave this earth my kids will have whatever is left
Sure, that's the downside to a pension...stops when you die, or if you have survivor benefits, when they die.

My pension is 1 of 3 legs to my federal retirement. TSP (401), Pension, and SS (FERS supplement between this October and when I turn 62). TSP is mine and the largest portion of the 3 legs.

We will be drawing funds from my pension, 2 IRA's, 2 SS checks, my tsp, her 401, and rental income. So 8 sources a month.

Should be enough to keep the wolves off the porch and give my spoiled nephews 7 figures each when the wife and I croak.
 
What Hunting Wife said. 33 years ago a young lady and I had serious talks. What we came away with was : no kids - horses and dogs. No luxury cruise vacations - hunting and fishing trips. No sports cars - 4X4 pickups. No huge houses - 1000 sq. ft. is plenty. Max out retirement accounts. Fitness, good food, no tobacco, work hard. Worked for us. Before you tie the knot, make sure you have the same thoughts about life and life goals.
 
Sure, that's the downside to a pension...stops when you die, or if you have survivor benefits, when they die.

My pension is 1 of 3 legs to my federal retirement. TSP (401), Pension, and SS (FERS supplement between this October and when I turn 62). TSP is mine and the largest portion of the 3 legs.

We will be drawing funds from my pension, 2 IRA's, 2 SS checks, my tsp, her 401, and rental income. So 8 sources a month.

Should be enough to keep the wolves off the porch and give my spoiled nephews 7 figures each when the wife and I croak.
Pensions are great but if I was starting over at 18 it wouldn’t be at a co op because of a pension. Especially when I don’t have a wife and kids I’d be doing construction or storm work. I have a buddy that is clearing 350k a year doing that and only works 8 months out of the year because he hunts the other 4 that beats the shit out of working 40 hours a week for the next 40 years to me for a pension. Some careers it may be a huge reason to work somewhere in the line industry it isn’t
 
I thought you couldnt cross state lines and have a texas cdl and use it somewhere else but I always wondered how everyone else did lol. Are you talking union pay or non? I applied to all the groundman positions for pike and native and mastec but I think union is up around 55 or 60 a hour? Im not to sure. I always heard Florida or Georgia was the laughing stock of the trade

This should show you the problem with Texas
 
I retired from the military at age 38. I retired from my second career as a machinist/toolmaker at 64. At 67 I went back to work as a gunsmith. I enjoy working and it affords me the freedom to mostly do whatever I want. I did save a little over the years. Several years ago I had an accident and by the time it was said and done the tab was $41000.00, and it was a relatively minor accident. Don’t over look good insurance even if you have to pay for it yourself. No one is immune nor bulletproof. A Roth IRA is a sound investment. If you decide to marry, don’t rush into it. I know I’m echoing previous comments. The military isn’t the same as when I was in but it provides some security if you stay until you retire, a paycheck every month and medical insurance for the rest of your life. There are some other benefits as well but those are less important. Take the time to enjoy life along the way!
 
100% I hear you what im saying is it took a lot of people with trades jobs etc almost a decade to get back to where they could save enough to invest money (thats probably a stretch 5 years more like it). Your not investing or buying sales when your out of work, i feel like ive said that enough now? Our local was literally handing out boxes of food to members following the crash. Different worlds i guess.
Thing is, no one forced anyone to stay in the trades and go without a paycheck. McDonald’s was always hiring.

@TrapperJ sometimes in life we have to swallow our pride in between stepping stones. Is McDonalds or driving a school bus a place you want to work, probably not. Will it be a band aide while you recover, absolutely. You can still keep fighting for what your end goal is while still supporting your basic needs.
 
Seems like a lot of advice here about planning for the future. That's all good but remember that the future is always going to be somewhere out there in the future. While you're going to live every single day of your life in the present.
 
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