The six-figure club.

I enjoy talking and seeing others in our industry who have done well for themselves. I look at myself to this day and shake my head at what has been accomplished in my 40 years of working in this industry. My neighbors are all white collar professionals who are working, just like I did over the years, at keeping their roof over their head. I tell my wife everyday that us, the truck driver and realtor, has done exactly what we set out to do. Even in today’s trucking environment, it can be done, just like you have proven and I have shown. I elected to never once own a truck, I’ve been a company driver my whole career, been on both sides of the union/non union debate, and would not change one aspect of my past. At 68 years old, life is good, health wise, financially and employment wise. I never once regret anything I’ve been through in this industry the last 40+ years. In fact, I read what people post, talk with folks, make informed decisions just so I can learn something new that might help me going forward. And like you, I try and help someone, some way, every day.

 

Many of us are proof positive, you can work your fool head off, and still not get rich. The only way to riches, I figure, is lottery or some rich uncle, but generally for truckers, it's been 1 step forward, 2 steps back.

 

You're right. Middle class is the worst class. Better off to be rich or poor. Trucking is good to me. I guess .worked my arse off. Attained the American dream. I guess. I got the house. I got the wife. I got the retirement set up. But ####! I wish I paid attention in school.

 

Meet the millionaires next door
Meet the millionaires next door

Ordinary people with ordinary jobs who became millionaires just by living within their means. It can be done. Takes a little time but most people won't stick to a plan and make it happen.

 

Well... technically.... my net worth is over mill. House paid off. Account here .. Account there... pension... etc.. blah blah blah... but big f'n deal... I'm not rich... I'm a mule. A mill ain't like it used to be

 

Everyone has different goals, wants and needs. My goal has been to be able to retire when I no longer want to work and fully replace my current income. Since our incomes usually go up the goal amount changes occasionally. I still like working and plan to for many years, but as most of us know Life Events Happen and we have absolutely no control over many of them. I also don’t count on my pensions or social security, but that will be icing on the cake.

 

On my 62 birthday... I'm out... not looking back

 

I will be 58 in a few weeks but I ordered new equipment recently so I plan to work a few more years to get my money out of it. I do have plans to do 4 days weeks soon. I don’t plan to fully retire for a while.

 

I'm 54. Guys like us born to work. I have friends who retired early.. they are going insane. Losing their health. Men are built to work and be beat down. Keeps a man sharp.

 

My birthday is Jan. 9th, and on my 62nd birthday, at 8:01 am, I was on the phone with SS. I enjoyed the 1st half of my trucking career, but when I had to do it, I literally counted the days until retirement. Upon moving to Colorado, I did not renew my CDL( an $8 dollar charge), and would never think of driving any sort of commercial truck again. I tried to do some work for a local excavating contractor, but he wouldn't pay me cash. If I make any income, it has to be reported and I could lose my gov. assistance for rent. Out of necessity, I learned, it's not what you make, it's what you spend. While I won't buy "used" food, most of my purchases are from thrift stores, and I'm fine with that. With SS, I'm just barely keeping my head above water, and I think the gubment knows that.