but I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen...
 
I'd have to win the lottery or something.  and I've heard you have to actually buy tickets before you can win...
 
[shrugs]

What would you actually do? (especially, after being used to working all your life)  

My dad retired at 55, has not worked a day in 23 years.  He Loves it.  Says it really is quite amazing on how little you need to get by if your needs and wants are humble.  
 
I, on the other hand, will likely have to work until I am 87 and then keel over at a desk cursing at a spreadsheet.
 
JR

haha, JR, I empathize!
 
Mesh - I'd try to find a church where I could be their Worship Pastor.

I'm 55 next year, so that's 35 years working with only 6 months unemployed, which was right after leaving college in 1980. Been self-employed for 10 years now, and it would be weird not to have to battle to make my own wage. I could probably manage it if someone dropped a few hundred grand on me though.

I would James, but I don't want to enable you! ;)

I hate to break this to you, but you're already 213 in dog years... 

I'm with you Reece, but it ain't gonna happen.
 
I have an uncle who worked as a national sales rep for a worldwide food corp. He was never home and missed alot of his kids growing up, but the money was really too good to walk away from. He got passed over for a VP position one too many times and got pissed off after the last one. He had always put money from every check away and was receiving company stock as part of his compensation, but didn't really pay attention to it.
 
After getting passed over that last time, he went with my aunt to meet with a financial advisor to see how soon he could realistically retire. He found out that with savings, 401k, and company stock he had close to 3 million. He had no idea. Submitted his resignation the next day. He was 58.
 
About a month later, he and the wife are getting the propane tank refilled for his grill. While waiting, he wandered over the RV dealer next door. Ended up buying a 40+ footer. He and his wife have spent the last 8 years traveling around the country and welcoming grandkids into the world. He also got into fly fishing in a big way and travels to Colorado every 2 months or so. Just a really cool thing to happen to someone I've always thought.
 
Randy

Very cool story Randy!

Very cool story Randy!  that's what it's all about!
 
and the real reason i started this thread was because I'm upset with work.  I'm tired of the politics.  I am an Electrical Engineer and I just want to work on the technical stuff, but I have to deal with politics of the equipment all the time and it's wearisome.
 
I'm traveling again in a few weeks and they want me to start the modifications of the equipment on a FRIDAY, work over the weekend, all the next week, come home for that next weekend, then back again for another 10 days straight and finish no later than the Monday of the 3rd week.
 
why in the world they have to schedule it so effed up is beyond my comprehension - but it's all about politics.  who's getting the upper hand and who's gettin' screwed.