Thanks Blarman. Business is good so I shouldn't complain.

Hi Herb. I enjoy what I do and I believe I am good at it. I don't have kids so that isn't a problem. I can't imagine working for someone else. That would probably drive me nuts. I guess I think of this every Christmas. It would be nice to have extra time off but then again I would probably be bored stiff.

Dagny and Hank worked hard, but not entirely for the money (though it was a major part). Had either of them hated their jobs...they would have quit.

I enjoy my job, but will continue working until I can hit the balance between having enough years left to enjoy retirement, yet have enough money to do so.

I'm close enough to retirement, now, that if I won a million dollars, today, I'd pull the plug in an instant, regardless of the fact I enjoy my job. I've earned it!

based on the reality of govt entitlements, they are trapped into increasing tax rates...

as long as we have a democracy where everyone has the vote (as opposed to a republic where only those earning income would earn the right to vote), the politicans who will get elected are those who promise to rob peter to pay an increasing number of voting pauls...

Yeah. Money does not buy happiness, but the lack of money is very inclined to result in unhappiness. It is a 'threshold phenomenon' ...or it should be (with some people, it is an infinite series!). ;>)

Jan

I suppose there are practical reasons. You stil lhave to pay property taxes that fund the schools, and home schooling is really kind of a full time thing. I do think that parents could teach what the indoctrination centers dont teach as I noted in my comment

that makes sense. the money is just a tool to allow you to do what you want and have a good time in life. money doesnt buy happiness, but it sure HELPS

if that is the case why do so many parents accept sending their children to government schools. that is the initial down fall for them to ever think in terms of being independent, because they do not learn to think which means they do not have the ability to reason.

Rich, you are the essence of the u.s. spirit, making your way
to the benefit of yourself and others like those who made this
country what it is. . the lifestyle of a worker with integrity
always takes its toll and has uncertain results. . Eddie's
character is a great example of the wonderful people who
never quit, who keep the food coming and the power on,
who keep the water flowing and our homes intact.

I worked from age 9 to age 59.8 and retired. . I took a
different route -- engineer, air force, manhattan project
worker ... and spendthrift. . I desperately love the life
I have, now, and know that I have been lucky beyond
my hopes. . but, then, I was going to be the next Edison.....
instead, that's Dale Halling!

please be proud of your sustenance of your town, your
extended family of customers -- you make their lives better
with every breath you take. . Thank You Sir!!! -- john

p.s. might I buy a tool or two from you, online?
.

What do you do?

Jan

Crucial point.

Jan

I like your phrase, but I would have left the explanation at "...applying them to get the most result." If you are making ends meet and enjoying life, it does not matter if you are an origami artist or an engineer. (Yes, I know of some of the recent contributions to aerospace that origami artists have made.)

To me, the important thing is that you use your xmen super powers to (a) be self-sustaining, and (b) have fun.

Jan

The one thing which stands out to me in your comments is that you have an outstanding work ethic, it just isn't getting the output you think it should have. I can understand your position.

Sometimes things just don't go our way - through no fault of our own. There's not much you can do but keep going and hope for a break. Don't fault yourself, however, for putting in the time you did. I look around and there are far more people expecting life to go well for them when they are only working 20 hours a week (and not using the rest of the time productively). I don't think it is your work ethic which is in question.

I think I parallel you in several ways. I was in retail both as employee and employer for thirty odd years. It didn't make me rich, but it put food on the table and provided clothes and shelter and some extras now and then. I have a few questions. Do you love your work? Are you good at it? Would you be happier if you owned a bigger enterprise which required you to have it be the focus of your life? Note, did Hank have children? Did Dagny have a family of her own? These are a few questions you might ask yourself which might help you decide how healthy your work ethic is. In my case, I tried certain other jobs that after a few weeks I hated so much that I didn't want to get up in the morning. Small retailers work long hours for less pay, than most other professions. If you chose that and are happy with what you do, regardless of what others make and with less effort, then you are blessed. You'll find that you don't have ulcers and your children don't hate you. (At least not because of your work ethic.)

To thine own self be true.
That said, my father was a self-employed workaholic who worked 7 days a week and never, ever took a vacation. His great concession to family was he did not go to work until 8am on Christmas morning.
He worked until four days before he expired, then confessed: "I could have been a better father."
So be true to yourself and contribute, and don't let yourself get sucked into what Prager U calls the "missing tile syndrome." * But be true to your family, too. In the end, it's all you have.
*https://www.prageru.com/courses/life-...

Best of luck. It used to be people that didn't have a strong work ethic were embarrassed. Now they brag about it.

I like that.

That is excellent. I think if I had read AS at a younger age I would have approached things differently. Life is still good.

I don't like to compare myself to others. I compare myself to me. I retired at age 62 because I wanted to and I could. I now spend my time doing what I want to do, when I want to do it. I am not rich, but I do have savings and investments I live on. I am where I need to be in my life right now. I get to spend more time with my wonderful husband, my kids, my grandkids and I have rescued 4 dogs and we all travel. I love my life. I have always loved my life and enjoyed what I was doing at each stage of my life. I was the CFO of a medium sized company when I worked and I was very good at what I did, and I loved it. I was a stay at home Mom when my kids were small and I immensely enjoyed that. In my opinion, life is to be enjoyed.

absolutely. even animals learn which of the "xmen superpowers" they possess and specialize in using those to get food/shelter/protection. Parents should teach their children the same way animal parents do. Protecting the children from the realities of the world makes them weak and stupid and doesnt help them survive.

Working hard is not the answer. Working smart to get as much return for your work IS the answer. They dont teach this in government indoctrination centers (public schools).

Everyone has what I call "xmen super powers" of one kind or another,. Growing up is a process of figuring out what YOUR super powers are, and then applying them to get the most result (money). Not all "work" is effective in making money. We each have to pick and choose careers that will make best use of our superpowers.

agreed

I'm almost 73 and about to undergo yet another interview for a job, which might actually result in hiring this time.
From very modest circumstances, became a professional, worked my butt off, made a whole lot, lost a whole lot, still very physically, mentally, and psychologically fit, and while I could - and do - sometimes lament how it all worked out, it was a hoot and it was fun. But it's a bit different at 72 when the person interviewing you is less than half your age. I think this one may work out, it's very good money, will get me over the hump, but the resilience of my work ethic will carry me through. Without that, I'd be gone.

I can imagine how hard it would have been for Dagny to have watched her brother do all the things she loathed. A looter is one thing but when it's your own brother that would be the worst. Luckily I don't have a "James" in my family.

Hi Wiggys. I started helping my dad when I was about 10 years old. I worked all thru high school to save for college. I will be 52 in January and wouldn't retire even if I could financially. It would be nice to keep more of what we earn.