Geezers post got me to thinking.... I’m going to be 40 this year and my son turns 12. To all of you entering those golden years if you could give your 40 year old self a piece of real advice what would it be?

Take care of your knees.

This.....and your back......34 years of working on a concrete floor has destroyed my joints.

Marry a rich woman so you don’t have to work everyday just to keep the lights on

Your family is much more important than your job.

Get the generic brand of blue pills they work just a good.

Don’t sweat the changes in your body and your health. Our 40’s are full of worry, trying to get our kids grown and new medical problems popping up. Exercise, eat relatively healthy and enjoy life.

And prepare yourself to take the back seat with your kids because they are changing too. This has been the biggest challenge for me being the dad of two boys who have been with me every weekend in the woods or on the water. It’s hard to let them go do their own thing but I’m learning how to be solo again.

Both offer sound advice.

Learn about and take advantage of compounding interest as much as you can. Fully invest to your company match in your 401k as quickly as possible. If you can, continue to up your contribution by half of any raises you get. Go into debt like you are being dragged to the gallows. Because somebody is definitely trying to hang you for their benefit.

Learn to fix your toys yourself. It eats more time that you might otherwise spend sitting comfortably watching the boob tube getting fat and stupid. Include your children in your hobbies. Include yourself in theirs. Trust nobody around your kids and wife. That’s pretty gloomy, but hey I’m an optimist.

Solid



Not gloomy at all, honest and I appreciate it

You've got about two more years to spend with your son, before you become second fiddle. What ever y'all like doing together, make the most of it now.
The most important thing is, make sure he knows Jesus. Everything else is,,,, well,,,, just stuff.

This right here. 6 more years and I’ll be debt free...Forever. Should’ve been years ago

I’m about to turn 37 and I’m regretting the way I’ve treated my body. Just not being smart about proper form and trying to do things I likely should’ve asked for help doing. I’m rather independent and I’m learning the older I get that maybe I shouldn’t be too proud to ask for assistance when it’s needed. I think I’d be healthier if I had learned that earlier.

1. Eat right and stay in shape. I have pretty much done this and it has made a world of difference. People all the time find out how old I am and none of them can believe I'm 60. Eat good food, strength train, spend time in the outdoors doing physical things.
2. Every time you get a raise, take that money and give yourself that raise. What I mean by that is take that 2% or whatever it is and give your retirement investments a 2% bump. I went from contributing 6% into my 401k to the maximum contribution several years ago and it has made a world of difference. I'm going to retire at 62 and still be healthy and fit enough to have fun in retirement and I only really got serious about our 401k plans about 12 years ago.
3. Spend more time with your wife, your children, and your close friends. No one will remember how much you worked and toiled, but they will remember the good times spent.
4. Don't spend time beating up yourself about mistakes you have made. Learn from your mistakes, focus on self improvement, and move past it all.

PS: That last 20 years of my life have been the best. Mrs. Irish and I call them "The Salad Days."

If your fortunate and still have your parents in your 40's, spend as much quality time with them as you can. I was able to do this and have never regretted it one bit. A lot of good advice by you guys. And finally DEBT, the four letter word. Focus on removing it from your life.

No memories worth having ever came from being comfortable or sleeping in. Stop making excuses and go do it.