Hi, my name is Danny Dog, and I'm dictating this reply to the guy who feeds me and scritches my ears when I allow it. I was found on the streets of a Third World country called Fresno, transported to Seattle and adopted by the most beautiful, wonderful Mom in the world. I instantly became a 7-pound package of adoration following her around and driving her crazy. And I've learned to tolerate the guy, although it took a couple of years because for obvious reasons I had trust issues. I take them and Grandma for a walk every day, get just enough attention, and the food ain't bad. But best of all I'm surrounded by love and security instead of big street dogs trying to kill me every day. How lucky can a boy get?
I have two suggestions for you that you might not have considered. The first is to build yourself into your own business as a consultant. Sit down with a laptop or legal pad and make a list of the unique expertises and knowledge bases that you have built up over your working career, and then ask yourself who in the business world needs that knowledge. Compile another list of the gazillion contacts you've made over the years and reach out to them for feedback. Spend your severance time registering as an S-Corp or LLC and planning a consulting gig you can do a couple days a week at a truly ridiculous hourly rate. I charge 5X what I used to make working for other people. I work only when I want, usually in my bathrobe or gym shorts, and I get a lot more respect. The second is... give back. The financial mentoring you mentioned below is one good possibility. Train as a community emergency responder for floods or earthquakes. Teach a class. Volunteer a few hours a week at a food bank or a senior center. I deliver for Meals on Wheels, and all us volunteers are either semi- or fully-retired. We make a difference. Two weeks ago a client, 79, was clearly experiencing a stroke when I arrived with his meal. The EMT said my call to them probably saved his life. Can't top that feeling. Enjoy your new life, and don't stress about it too much.
What price can you put on memories? I went to five World Cup games at Stanford when the tournament was last in the US in 1994. I was near broke and somewhat underemployed at the time, but I never even considered not going. It was worth every dollar, and no regrets. This time around, despite being far better off financially, I barely considered it. Several games were played only a ferryboat ride away, but having been there and done that and not wanting to pay massive ticket prices, I waved it off and parked in front of the TV for every match. No regrets this time either.
Time is everything, and money can give you more of it. When you don't have to work, and don't have to stress about paying the bills, it gives you more time to share, as you have done with your loved ones, and more time to give back to the world if we choose to. That to me is the greatest gift of my financial stability. Time to spend as I wish.
Mark, my choir and I will be singing our way around Ireland next June. We'll be performing in cathedrals and meetinghouses (and no doubt a pub or two), not cow fields, but hey, anywhere you can find an audience, right?
My wife insists on driving the seven miles to Costco to save on gas fillups. I have given up on that battle. I'm a big popcorn guy, but it's gotta be hot and fresh. Never a bag already popped for me -- Costco has 44-bag boxes of microwave popcorn (pretty good) and huge 8-pound containers of Orville Redenbacher (really excellent) for popping up at home. Both fantastic deals for around $16.
I read some of this book while I was dealing with my own Emperor, and there were a number of memorable quotes like that, but I never finished it and eventually gave it away.
Comments
What a great post. Sounds like you did this and had a very, very happy return on your investment!
Post: Fear of the Unknown…
Link to comment from July 26, 2026
You wouldn't like how I "edit"... it leaves a stain.
Post: Too Good to be True
Link to comment from July 23, 2026
Hi, my name is Danny Dog, and I'm dictating this reply to the guy who feeds me and scritches my ears when I allow it. I was found on the streets of a Third World country called Fresno, transported to Seattle and adopted by the most beautiful, wonderful Mom in the world. I instantly became a 7-pound package of adoration following her around and driving her crazy. And I've learned to tolerate the guy, although it took a couple of years because for obvious reasons I had trust issues. I take them and Grandma for a walk every day, get just enough attention, and the food ain't bad. But best of all I'm surrounded by love and security instead of big street dogs trying to kill me every day. How lucky can a boy get?
Post: Too Good to be True
Link to comment from July 23, 2026
I have two suggestions for you that you might not have considered. The first is to build yourself into your own business as a consultant. Sit down with a laptop or legal pad and make a list of the unique expertises and knowledge bases that you have built up over your working career, and then ask yourself who in the business world needs that knowledge. Compile another list of the gazillion contacts you've made over the years and reach out to them for feedback. Spend your severance time registering as an S-Corp or LLC and planning a consulting gig you can do a couple days a week at a truly ridiculous hourly rate. I charge 5X what I used to make working for other people. I work only when I want, usually in my bathrobe or gym shorts, and I get a lot more respect. The second is... give back. The financial mentoring you mentioned below is one good possibility. Train as a community emergency responder for floods or earthquakes. Teach a class. Volunteer a few hours a week at a food bank or a senior center. I deliver for Meals on Wheels, and all us volunteers are either semi- or fully-retired. We make a difference. Two weeks ago a client, 79, was clearly experiencing a stroke when I arrived with his meal. The EMT said my call to them probably saved his life. Can't top that feeling. Enjoy your new life, and don't stress about it too much.
Post: Fear of the Unknown…
Link to comment from July 23, 2026
What price can you put on memories? I went to five World Cup games at Stanford when the tournament was last in the US in 1994. I was near broke and somewhat underemployed at the time, but I never even considered not going. It was worth every dollar, and no regrets. This time around, despite being far better off financially, I barely considered it. Several games were played only a ferryboat ride away, but having been there and done that and not wanting to pay massive ticket prices, I waved it off and parked in front of the TV for every match. No regrets this time either.
Post: FIFA Financials
Link to comment from July 20, 2026
Time is everything, and money can give you more of it. When you don't have to work, and don't have to stress about paying the bills, it gives you more time to share, as you have done with your loved ones, and more time to give back to the world if we choose to. That to me is the greatest gift of my financial stability. Time to spend as I wish.
Post: The Paradox of Wealth
Link to comment from July 16, 2026
Mark, my choir and I will be singing our way around Ireland next June. We'll be performing in cathedrals and meetinghouses (and no doubt a pub or two), not cow fields, but hey, anywhere you can find an audience, right?
Post: So Maybe That’s What It’s All About
Link to comment from July 12, 2026
My wife insists on driving the seven miles to Costco to save on gas fillups. I have given up on that battle. I'm a big popcorn guy, but it's gotta be hot and fresh. Never a bag already popped for me -- Costco has 44-bag boxes of microwave popcorn (pretty good) and huge 8-pound containers of Orville Redenbacher (really excellent) for popping up at home. Both fantastic deals for around $16.
Post: Frittering away Frugality
Link to comment from July 9, 2026
Mazel tov, Hung, and thank you for coming to America. You and your wife have made this a better country for all of us.
Post: Retirement, One Year On
Link to comment from July 2, 2026
I read some of this book while I was dealing with my own Emperor, and there were a number of memorable quotes like that, but I never finished it and eventually gave it away.
Post: Luck, Stupidity, Automation and Inertia
Link to comment from June 29, 2026