[JimD]

Ilya,

Thanks for the reply. You’ve definitely given me a lot of things to think about and revisit the things I’m doing and the way I’m doing them.

I’ve been working those same hours for over 20 years. At first it worked out well for both family and my own temperament. However, as I’ve gotten older, and the job has become routine in the extreme, and my priorities have changed it’s really no longer working as well as it use to.

Given my area of specialty as TV Broadcast Technician, actually a computer, server, automation, technician because of changes in the industry, it would be difficult to make a change. The other TV stations are cutting personal instead of hiring.

I attempted to move into the computer tech industry but the companies I applied to basically are looking to hire people a lot younger than myself. Of course they won’t really admit to that. Two companies were interested in hiring me however it would have meant over a 50% pay cut and no health insurance. Additionally, the hours wouldn’t have been much of an improvement as I’d be on call 24/7.

On most nights I have 4 to 5 hours when very little needs to be addressed so I spend that time reading, planning, and doing some research. Although I don’t do a lot of the latter as our IT supervisor has snoop ware installed and likes to see what people are doing on the company computers. I really need to start taking one of our laptops to work with me so I can work on web pages, templates, and graphics.

Basically, our expenses are kept to a minimum; however, I did notice that spending has gotten a little out of control of late. Something I’ll have to address again. Sadly, given my age, putting enough back from current income to enable me to reach a point of financial independence strictly through investments isn't a very probable situation. Like a lot of people my age I waited to long to get started. It’s as the old German saying goes; “To soon old. To late smart.

The wife works as a regional supervisor for a marketing / merchandising company that has accounts in several major retail stores. She works around 30 hours a week but occasionally has to go out of town. She helps out as much as she can with the other tasks such as cleaning, cooking, washing, and personal finances.

at your age you have to act efficiently on all levels, not just on the level of day routine.

That is a fact, and it is an area where I feel I’m not meeting my expectations. I do a review at the end of my day and see that little concrete progress has been made. Perhaps I’m being too hard on myself but I feel time is getting short for me to reach my goals and meet my expectations.

You've mentioned trash, but may be you can delegate something else.

I should have explained that phrase. It’s a phrase I heard from Tony Robbins years ago. His use of it was referencing all of the little daily tasks that go along with daily life. Such as, paying bills, balancing check books, checking investments, changing the oil in your vehicle, mowing the yard, and taking out the trash. The kids help out some but with school, working part-time, and the grand children their time is very limited also.

My two major priorities are:

• Debt Elimination
  and
  Increasing Non-job Income

I’m adding these to my priorities:

• Increasing Organization and Efficiency
  and
  Eliminating Clutter