A Serious Post from Me....for Once.....

[Stanley Steamer]

I'm tired of working somewhere where I have more education and experience than my new boss ...after 19.5 years, I was pretty much told that I'm as far as I can go in the Landscape Mngt division that I'm in......unless I want to move to another dept inside of the County......of the the last 2 supervisors they hired, one left after 2 years(was suspended 3 times)...one left after just one year(he sold his house, had another job lined up in South Ga.)...that guy just used Landscape to get his minimum 10 years in to be vested.......of 8 guys in my Buildings Cost center....we are down to 5...soon to be 4....we have had a LOT of folks transfer to other divisions/depts....I'm the only original guy left and the only one who really has a clue and knowledge about what's going on...I'm ready to bail too......SO.....I have a lot of experience running all types of equipment.....tractors, dump trucks,  bucket trucks etc, etc...everything from Pay Loaders to zero turn mowers....

I'm not jumping out right away, but have been thinking about buying a mid sized tractor package and a small dump truck and start doing small jobs on the side.....and if it became profitable, it might allow me to just do it full time and jump on my wife's insurance plan......here's what I have in mind....

https://steenent.com/inventory/kubota-b3350suhsd-package-34/

and maybe a small dually dump truck like this to pull that with....

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/ctd/5234161884.html

I want the tractor to be new(warranty and I know how it's going to be treated).....but the truck can be used as long as it's in good shape....I've asked a few local guys about business license costs and insurance.....seems it's around $50-100 for a license......and around $500/yr for insurance.....that doesn't sound so bad....but I'm sure it could be variable according to the business you go into...

I'm thinking I could do small jobs mainly.....grading driveways/adding gravel, clearing brush, hauling mulch,  stuff like that....seems like most companies around here don't want to fool with the smaller jobs.....I'd be lying if I said it doesn't scare me a little to jump into a payment on some equipment, but for the size package deal I want, the payments are less than what I paid for my Sorento...all my vehicles are paid off now...I have a small ford Ranger, the Kia, and the Valk....I could afford to make the payments on the tractor even if I never used it to make a dime on the side..

My In-laws have about 3-4 acres of land where I could park this stuff since I only have a 1/2 acre lot here.......I'm a very hard worker with a lot of experience and just feel like maybe this is the time to hop to it....I'm 45 and not getting any younger......any of you guys have an knowledge, experience, or tips for me?.....Thanks.....

[Wizzard]

I was in the lawn and garden equip buss for 18 years. That is an excellent tractor. Good choice.
The truck is probably a good one too,, although the description made me smile. 1984 "like new" 

[f6john]

   Keep your current job as long as it make's sense. With a new opportunity to concentrate on, the situation at work may not grind on you as much. Since you enjoy what you do, being self employed will be good for you. Just don't leave anything on the table at your current job and make sure you include a retirement plan in with your new career path.

[Flint]

First thing I can think of is you want to make sure your front loader has enough lift to reach over the top of whatever truck you buy so you can load it. I know my tractor lifts about  8' at the pins and just reaches over a f350 sd 4x4.
I would be looking for a package with a backhoe rather than a rotary cutter and a box scraper, those things can be picked up used cheap and i think the backhoe would be used more.

As far as owning a business , you do a good job at a reasonable price and word will get around, I haven't advertised sense my first year, 1989 and never have been out of work in 26 years.

[Stanley Steamer]

First thing I can think of is you want to make sure your front loader has enough lift to reach over the top of whatever truck you buy so you can load it. I know my tractor lifts about  8' at the pins and just reaches over a f350 sd 4x4.
I would be looking for a package with a backhoe rather than a rotary cutter and a box scraper, those things can be picked up used cheap and i think the backhoe would be used more.

As far as owning a business , you do a good job at a reasonable price and word will get around, I haven't advertised sense my first year, 1989 and never have been out of work in 26 years.

Yeah.....I really would rather have a backhoe than a bush hog..I realize the backhoe is much more expensive....initially I wanted this set up.....but like you said, it'd be hard to use with a larger dump truck...and it only has about 680lbs lift instead of the 1,200lbs with the 30hp tractors....I could see using the backhoe a lot....

https://steenent.com/inventory/kubota-bx25dlbr1-tractor-package28/

This would be NICE..but it's a good bit more expensive

https://www.kubota.com/product/B26/B26.aspx

[Jersey mike]

fuel costs will get you aggravated, logistics is key. tool repair and maintenance is expensive and time consuming.

if you clear bush and haul mulch people will ask about other lawn/yard services. you could find yourself cutting trees, lawn care or even general landscape design, so more equipment. I guess it's all how you market yourself.

you could end up needing to put a midsize shed at the in-laws to store "stuff"

in my area people want all in one services, (for example) they expect a driveway guy to do the whole job start to finish.

so unless there is a big call for grader work you could be limiting yourself but I don't know your area.

good luck, I hope everything works out for the best. working for yourself is great, just don't jump in before you test the water.

mike

[Stanley Steamer]

fuel costs will get you aggravated, logistics is key. tool repair and maintenance is expensive and time consuming.

if you clear bush and haul mulch people will ask about other lawn/yard services. you could find yourself cutting trees, lawn care or even general landscape design, so more equipment. I guess it's all how you market yourself.

you could end up needing to put a midsize shed at the in-laws to store "stuff"

in my area people want all in one services, (for example) they expect a driveway guy to do the whole job start to finish.

so unless there is a big call for grader work you could be limiting yourself but I don't know your area.

good luck, I hope everything works out for the best. working for yourself is great, just don't jump in before you test the water.

mike

I'm already and have been doing landscaping for almost 30 years in total...that's what my BSA degree is in......I'm thinking I'd limit it to more tractor work and just stuff I'd want to do..and maybe refer them to some of my other co-workers for other things...

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

You better look at insurance cost ... I was offered a R I F  last year and wanted to tell them to stick it in their ass until I went to check my future.... If I wanted to keep my current insurance the cost was $ 1,183.00 per month..... If you get bad sick without insurance ... You die.

[Jersey mike]

I'm already and have been doing landscaping for almost 30 years in total...that's what my BSA degree is in......I'm thinking I'd limit it to more tractor work and just stuff I'd want to do..and maybe refer them to some of my other co-workers for other things...
[/quote]

if there is a good market for tractor work, go for it. if that's what makes you happiest and you're good at it, do it.

life is too short to be miserable in one place and doing crap for others when you could be doing it for yourself and getting the satisfaction of happy customers.

knock 'em dead

[Stanley Steamer]

You better look at insurance cost ... I was offered a R I F  last year and wanted to tell them to stick it in their ass until I went to check my future.... If I wanted to keep my current insurance the cost was $ 1,183.00 per month..... If you get bad sick without insurance ... You die.

I could probably be added to the wife's insurance policy...Synovus owns about 20 banks and they have good insurance......we've always had separate insurance...hell, mine was "free" until about 3-4 years ago until the economic crash

[Stanley Steamer]

I'm already and have been doing landscaping for almost 30 years in total...that's what my BSA degree is in......I'm thinking I'd limit it to more tractor work and just stuff I'd want to do..and maybe refer them to some of my other co-workers for other things...

if there is a good market for tractor work, go for it. if that's what makes you happiest and you're good at it, do it.

life is too short to be miserable in one place and doing crap for others when you could be doing it for yourself and getting the satisfaction of happy customers.

knock 'em dead
[/quote]

I have a co-worker who started mowing lawns on his off time....he quickly got so many folks recommending him around, that he's had to turn down a lot of folks...just because he does a good job and does it when he says he will.....and there are a LOT of "mow and go" folks around here.....

[Stanley Steamer]

You better look at insurance cost ... I was offered a R I F  last year and wanted to tell them to stick it in their ass until I went to check my future.... If I wanted to keep my current insurance the cost was $ 1,183.00 per month..... If you get bad sick without insurance ... You die.

not if you have a "southern" sounding last name

[BF]

The first thing I'd do is make sure they're not going to fire you before you get established.  Some places take a dim view of their employees looking outside.

On the other hand, that could be the best thing to happen to you.

[Stanley Steamer]

The first thing I'd do is make sure they're not going to fire you before you get established.  Some places take a dim view of their employees looking outside.

On the other hand, that could be the best thing to happen to you.

Oh no....lots of other guys have small business's on the side.....they WANT me to stay and do the "heavy" lifting....they just don't want me to vocalize any criticism...they NEED me to train the new guys...which are all of them besides me...it's almost 100% turnover...in my section...

[hubcapsc]

Stanley, if you do every job like you did the one at my
place, what could go wrong... I don't know anybody
I could hire who would actually come right over,
do all the right stuff, finish, run the bob cat so
well putting dirt through the door of the horse
stall. Everyone who hires you will think that
if that's how you go at it...

-Mike

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I don't know anything about the landscaping business. I did make a similar move last October. I was a maintenance manager for a medium size plant with a national company. I made very good money, I hated my job more and more every day.

When I got a chance to start a maintenance dept for a terrific smaller company as a 3 day a week maintenance manager I didn't let the door hit me in the ass. This lets me work 3 days a week in my gunsmith shop and take every Friday (FRYEDAY ) off to spend with my youngest Grandson Ryder. I was able to pickup health insurance through my wife's employer for about the same $$ I was paying at my old job.

Here is how it's worked out for me. Number one, I'm no longer angry all the time. I come home from the day job in a good mood. For the first time ever, I'm proud of the company I work for, I'm proud to call the owners friends, my co-workers are all good people. The company is proudly 2nd Amendment friendly.  I'm easier to get along with at home. Both my jobs rock. My wife says I've had a major personality change for the better. I had really grown to hate the old job and company. I didn't realize how much that anger colored my world until I was free of it.

The down side is my day job income has been cut in half annually compared to my old job. I have no paid vacations or paid holidays and very little life insurance now. The gunsmith business is doing well and I enjoy it tremendously but I reinvest everything it makes back into tools, equipment and building improvements so it doesn't add much to my actual disposable income. And, of course, most of the time I work 6 days a week now between the two jobs.

Despite having less money and time for recreational riding this has been the best career decision I've ever made. My goal is to have all major and nearly all minor tools and equipment bought by the time I retire from the day job so I can live off the gunsmith business then.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[cookiedough]

'I'm not jumping out right away, but have been thinking about buying a mid sized tractor package and a small dump truck and start doing small jobs on the side.....and if it became profitable, it might allow me to just do it full time and jump on my wife's insurance plan......here's what I have in mind....'

good idea above!  Take it slow and see how it goes on the side for now.  Being your own boss would be great for sure.  Best of luck!!!!

I'm jumping ships FINALLY.  Long story short, 9+ years in same dead end job (or should I say 2-3 jobs),  no benefits at all besides holiday pay and so-so salary (not really),   people leaving right and left 3 in small office in 3 years,  MORE work, same pay, NO new hires.  I'm starting Oct 12th with a 2+ dollar pay increase at new company/job FINALLY with GREAT benefits.  Going to be odd and a rough go for sure since 9+ years is the longest I have ever worked for any company the past 25 years of working, 2nd longest was 6 years.  Wish me luck,  I surely hope it all works out in the long run.  

I haven't told my mgr. yet but will be on Monday since the mgr. and both my office supervisors above me just so happen to have taken off today as well-NICE!  I hope she doesn't throw a chair at me.  Serves the company right IMO.    If you all saw what I have seen in that office the past 9 years,  harrassment lawsuits would be all over that company and people fired as they should have been years ago.  

[HurstRob]

You will never work harder than when you work for yourself; at least in the beginning. I was forced out in 2010 after giving a family owned business 32 years of my life. I decided that I would never let anyone else have the benefit of my knowledge and skills. We started our own Design / Build construction company and never looked back.
If I could pass on a bit of advice; 1.cash flow is essential and in our case an unemployment check for 18 months made a huge difference. 2. keep fixed expenses as low as possible 3. never assume income is coming in the door until it actually is in your account 4. be the guy who pays his bills on time / every time it will save your butt eventually 5. take a lot of 4 day weekends it keeps you sane and married

Good luck

[hubcapsc]

be the guy who pays his bills on time

He's that guy already 

-Mike

[Stanley Steamer]

be the guy who pays his bills on time

He's that guy already 

-Mike

The last time I checked my credit score, it was a 732....wonder if that's good enough

[Oss]

Frye hit this one out of the park IMHO

Dying every day at work is not living and you deserve better  People cant take advantage of you without your permission and you have been letting them do that

If you can get them to fire you then unemployment will come in for a good while and in many states you can get the U Income while starting a new business plus Small Business loans if needed.

I would not work for any company period, but I now work for a hundred different people at a time (clients) some of whom are assholes but most nice folks.

You will need to write down your practices. procedures and figure the metrics you need for your new business plan. Get a book from the library today.

Write a business plan, (google how to do it online- its easy) then re write it every week for the first six months as you crystallize your vision.  Without a clear business plan you are at a real
disadvantage if you ever need money.

Go forth and live your best life already, you have the guts to post pics of cletus you have the guts to be your own boss

[solo1]

Go forth and live your best life already, you have the guts to post pics of cletus you have the guts to be your own boss  QUOTE by Oss

   Oss is right! 

  I've been out of the job market for a long time so i don't have any suggestions.  You've received a lot of good advice from your VRCC family so go for it!.  Good Luck in whatever you do or decide

[bassman]

I'm assuming you work for a local government agency?  Do they offer some type of retirement package based on a combination of age and / or years of service?  At 45 years old and 19.5 years of service how close would you be to a minimum retirement package - 50 years old with "X" years services or 20 or 25 years service at "X" age?  "IF" they offer something like that, perhaps you could hang in there just a little longer and not throw away what you've already earned and deserve.  In the meantime, start up a little side job working evenings and weekends doing what you propose to test the waters to see if there is a strong market for what you offer and if you would actually enjoy doing it full time.  It would offer a chance to build up a client base and good word of mouth reputation so when you do actually "retire" from the government job you can hit this new one hard and heavy with an established client list.  The financial transition will be less of an adjustment if you are already known in the field and have work waiting for you.  If you keep the current job and only branch out on evenings and weekends and it turns out not to be something you enjoy you haven't lost a lot especially a retirement plan and you could recover from it.  Once you leave the government job you give up all the years and time you invested which appears to be substantial right now.

I understand the pain of going to work each day hating the circumstances you are in (many of us have been there) and only you can decide when it is enough for you and your family.  Just be as certain as you can on what is waiting for you on the other side - the grass isn't always greener for everyone.

Good luck in whatever you decide !

[robin]

Good luck Stan it will all work out if you want it to,great advice here git er done

[Stanley Steamer]

I'm assuming you work for a local government agency?  Do they offer some type of retirement package based on a combination of age and / or years of service?  At 45 years old and 19.5 years of service how close would you be to a minimum retirement package - 50 years old with "X" years services or 20 or 25 years service at "X" age?  "IF" they offer something like that, perhaps you could hang in there just a little longer and not throw away what you've already earned and deserve.  In the meantime, start up a little side job working evenings and weekends doing what you propose to test the waters to see if there is a strong market for what you offer and if you would actually enjoy doing it full time.  It would offer a chance to build up a client base and good word of mouth reputation so when you do actually "retire" from the government job you can hit this new one hard and heavy with an established client list.  The financial transition will be less of an adjustment if you are already known in the field and have work waiting for you.  If you keep the current job and only branch out on evenings and weekends and it turns out not to be something you enjoy you haven't lost a lot especially a retirement plan and you could recover from it.  Once you leave the government job you give up all the years and time you invested which appears to be substantial right now.

I understand the pain of going to work each day hating the circumstances you are in (many of us have been there) and only you can decide when it is enough for you and your family.  Just be as certain as you can on what is waiting for you on the other side - the grass isn't always greener for everyone.

Good luck in whatever you decide !

it takes 10 years to be vested......we can retire early at 55...and 62 for "full" retirement.....a while back, it was like $1,700/month at age 55.....and $2,300/month at 62..I know I don't want to stay that long.....I assume that I'd be eligible for something at 20 yrs of service.....just not able to collect for 10 more years...... .....I do plan to do this on the side for now, but if I could make a go of it, it might be worth doing full time as long as I can get insurance through my wife's job...they actually just promoted her and gave her a $4,000/yr raise...her boss really likes her job performance....and actually REWARDS it......not  that I haven't gotten good raises....I make $7K more a year than my boss.......

[grandpaweaver]

My brother retired from teaching after 30 years still too young to sit around and do nothing so he started a handy-man business doing honey do lists. Everything around the house that you and everyone here now does for them selves. After 2 years he was so busy he had to hire help.

Guess what I'm saying don't limit yourself to just landscaping unless there's a lot of that work in your area.

[Valkjerk]

Stan, no one has even mentioned the obvious 800lb. gorilla in the room. If you do what you plan (and I hope you do) you won't have time to ride your Valk. Oh, you'll tell yourself that ain't gonna happen but your passion for the "new life" and your innate desire to succeed will compel you to ignore your Valk. Your phat gurl will then become sad and hard to start and then will refuse to run because she's been neglected with phlegm in her arteries and carbs. That will then make you sad and then you will realize "what have I done?" and then have to close down your biz and take care of your gurl. Handwriting's on the wall.......go for it buddy. Does this help? LOL LOL 

[The emperor has no clothes]

"I make 7k more than my boss". And therein might lie the problems at work. I think I would have a problem with somebody under my supervision making more than me. May not be right but I'm pretty sure it would get under my skin. But govt. work is different for sure. 

[Stanley Steamer]

"I make 7k more than my boss". And therein might lie the problems at work. I think I would have a problem with somebody under my supervision making more than me. May not be right but I'm pretty sure it would get under my skin. But govt. work is different for sure. 

That's because I've been there almost 20 years....with raises for most of those years....new boss is 3 paygrades above me, but she's only been here a year....I'm way above the midpoint of my paygrade due to really good performance raises....she took a pay cut from her old job but shortened her commute by half....before anyone thinks it's because she's a woman that I have a problem with her...no, my old boss was a woman with a hort degree and almost as many professional certifications as I have....new boss is nice enough, just not knowledgeable in a lot of areas....I think this is her 4th or 5th job....and she's around my age

[F6BANGER]

You have a lot more knowledge than her?.....I know it kinda sounds bad, but from what I have learned from my past.....Dont train your replacement if you still want your job. If you are moving on, its no big deal...just sayin.

[Stanley Steamer]

You have a lot more knowledge than her?.....I know it kinda sounds bad, but from what I have learned from my past.....Dont train your replacement if you still want your job. If you are moving on, its no big deal...just sayin.

She's not MY replacement...they chose her from the outside .........From what I have heard, she quit school to start working somewhere....we did a lot of tree replacement last Fall-winter....a LOT of the wrong trees were ordered...another co-worker was told.."I don't really know my trees all that well"....it was bandied about that maybe some should be returned to the nursery.....naw, ...that would have made them look bad......we heeled them in in mulch on the yard all year long....all but 2-3 have died(the last few are half way gone), the others were cut from the root ball and I ran them through the chipper myself...poof........$$$ gone needlessly..........

[Stanley Steamer]

I was looking at this truck.....it's available for $1,800.....guy said it has power drum brakes...but may need adjusting as it tends to pull to one side if you get on them hard.......it has NO power steering... .......but supposedly has a good strong 390 engine with a 4 speed transmission.....that stays in the gears well.........the hitch up under it may be a little light for what I want to pull......I guess a beefier one could be added....the power steering thing has me concerned... .......I have a couple of buddies close by that want something similar to me....maybe I just need to let them know about it......the truck is almost as old as I am......guy said it dumps with no problems......

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5233711019.html

[Rams]

   Keep your current job as long as it make's sense. With a new opportunity to concentrate on, the situation at work may not grind on you as much. Since you enjoy what you do, being self employed will be good for you. Just don't leave anything on the table at your current job and make sure you include a retirement plan in with your new career path.

This is probably the best advice you've received.   As to what equipment you need, that's your call.   Obviously, there are better brands but, none of us know your market and what equipment you may need.    All I'm going to say is don't burn any bridges.

[3fan4life]

If you can find stuff used and cheap, I don't see what you have to lose by starting your own business on the side.

I'd suggest a truck with a diesel engine if you can swing it. And take a look at Mahindra tractors.

They're good machines and they're much less $$$ than Kubota or John Deere.

[Stanley Steamer]

If you can find stuff used and cheap, I don't see what you have to lose by starting your own business on the side.

I'd suggest a truck with a diesel engine if you can swing it. And take a look at Mahindra tractors.

They're good machines and they're much less $$$ than Kubota or John Deere.

I'm looking at getting a used, small dump truck...like an F350 Dually...but, I want to buy whatever tractor I get new....with a good warranty on it....there's a lawn and garden place 2 miles from me that just started selling Mahindra tractors....my main worry there is if they were to quit selling them...many more Kubota dealers around here......

I looked at some Branson tractors(made in South Korea like my Kia)...same thing...service and parts availability long term?......

[cookiedough]

best of luck Stan.

don't for sure quit your day job unless it becomes totally unbearable which doesn't sound like it is or will be anytime soon.  If your boss pretty much leaves you alone and doesn't harrass you and you get paid decent money, it would be hard for me to quit a job being there that long as well. 

The old saying 'grass is not always greener on the other side'  does hold true in some cases as well as 'dont' burn any bridges' or was that britches? 

It's good that you are at a point in your life to be able to afford some  eqmt. since even if used, will set you back some dough for sure.  I would think used tractors are out there a plenty as well in good shape vs. buying new. 

I've never bought that expensive of eqmt. like you are going to undertake, but will never (unless I win the lotto)  buy a new ATV or new cycle since there are so many good used ones on the market to pick from at 1/2 the price of new.

I told my mgr. boss last night I am leaving for a different job and she was not throwing the kitchen sink at me understanding that finding a full time job with decent benefits vs. what they offer there being 'seasonal' employment yet working full time with no benefits besides holiday pay (over 1/2 workforce is like that which is B.S.) is totally a smart move to do.  That job worked for me working 2nd shift when my kids were younger so as to not pay childcare expenses, but now that they are older now in high school not needing us much,  a few years overdue and  time to get a real paying job with good bennies.  I'll keep in touch with a few co-workers to see if they even re-hire since bare bones now tossing more work onto the few still there is all, but they will have to in the near future pretty sure on that.  If my boss was smart,  she would hire another 'seasonal' ASAP while the few still capable of doing the jobs are still there, in hopes they stick it out since last 2 in that office quit after 5 months being there and so did a few others as well before them.  The boss doesn't really care since she will be retiring in less than 2 years and just putting her time in until retirement looking out for herself is all.  One worthless co-worker got promoted out of our office thank god only 2 weeks ago and another full time seasonal quit this summer, so that leaves only 2 of us left in the office.  With me being gone soon, that leaves only 1 person and you cannot run an office with ONLY 1 person, need 2 bare mininum.  The other lady I work with is a great worker but she is so tempted to just call in sick one night after I leave to NOT have anyone in that office so as to have to send 4-5 other dock workers home early due to lack of work since the office has to do paperwork to keep the dock personnel busy.  They cannot fire her for doing that since no one then.  That should send a clear message to mgmt. and our boss that enough is enough.  What is even worse is the very knowledgeable and the GO TO warehouse supervisor been there 38 years is retiring Nov. 2nd and in my opinion, is irreplaceable the vast amount of knowledge he knows that will be hard to replace with the new guy been there 6 months for his replacement right before SUPER busy season when they run 3 shifts vs. 1 or 2 in Nov. and December. 

[..]

I'm assuming you work for a local government agency?  Do they offer some type of retirement package based on a combination of age and / or years of service?  At 45 years old and 19.5 years of service how close would you be to a minimum retirement package - 50 years old with "X" years services or 20 or 25 years service at "X" age?  "IF" they offer something like that, perhaps you could hang in there just a little longer and not throw away what you've already earned and deserve.  In the meantime, start up a little side job working evenings and weekends doing what you propose to test the waters to see if there is a strong market for what you offer and if you would actually enjoy doing it full time.  It would offer a chance to build up a client base and good word of mouth reputation so when you do actually "retire" from the government job you can hit this new one hard and heavy with an established client list.  The financial transition will be less of an adjustment if you are already known in the field and have work waiting for you.  If you keep the current job and only branch out on evenings and weekends and it turns out not to be something you enjoy you haven't lost a lot especially a retirement plan and you could recover from it.  Once you leave the government job you give up all the years and time you invested which appears to be substantial right now.

I understand the pain of going to work each day hating the circumstances you are in (many of us have been there) and only you can decide when it is enough for you and your family.  Just be as certain as you can on what is waiting for you on the other side - the grass isn't always greener for everyone.

Good luck in whatever you decide !

it takes 10 years to be vested......we can retire early at 55...and 62 for "full" retirement.....a while back, it was like $1,700/month at age 55.....and $2,300/month at 62..I know I don't want to stay that long.....I assume that I'd be eligible for something at 20 yrs of service.....just not able to collect for 10 more years...... .....I do plan to do this on the side for now, but if I could make a go of it, it might be worth doing full time as long as I can get insurance through my wife's job...they actually just promoted her and gave her a $4,000/yr raise...her boss really likes her job performance....and actually REWARDS it......not  that I haven't gotten good raises....I make $7K more a year than my boss.......

You make VERY, VERY sure about the financial implications of leaving.

If you are paying into a funded retirement plan check out taking that money and moving it into a tax free Roth IRA.

So go talk to a CPA for an hour. You'll need one to help with your taxes anyway if you start a part time company.

[Stanley Steamer]

I'm assuming you work for a local government agency?  Do they offer some type of retirement package based on a combination of age and / or years of service?  At 45 years old and 19.5 years of service how close would you be to a minimum retirement package - 50 years old with "X" years services or 20 or 25 years service at "X" age?  "IF" they offer something like that, perhaps you could hang in there just a little longer and not throw away what you've already earned and deserve.  In the meantime, start up a little side job working evenings and weekends doing what you propose to test the waters to see if there is a strong market for what you offer and if you would actually enjoy doing it full time.  It would offer a chance to build up a client base and good word of mouth reputation so when you do actually "retire" from the government job you can hit this new one hard and heavy with an established client list.  The financial transition will be less of an adjustment if you are already known in the field and have work waiting for you.  If you keep the current job and only branch out on evenings and weekends and it turns out not to be something you enjoy you haven't lost a lot especially a retirement plan and you could recover from it.  Once you leave the government job you give up all the years and time you invested which appears to be substantial right now.

I understand the pain of going to work each day hating the circumstances you are in (many of us have been there) and only you can decide when it is enough for you and your family.  Just be as certain as you can on what is waiting for you on the other side - the grass isn't always greener for everyone.

Good luck in whatever you decide !

it takes 10 years to be vested......we can retire early at 55...and 62 for "full" retirement.....a while back, it was like $1,700/month at age 55.....and $2,300/month at 62..I know I don't want to stay that long.....I assume that I'd be eligible for something at 20 yrs of service.....just not able to collect for 10 more years...... .....I do plan to do this on the side for now, but if I could make a go of it, it might be worth doing full time as long as I can get insurance through my wife's job...they actually just promoted her and gave her a $4,000/yr raise...her boss really likes her job performance....and actually REWARDS it......not  that I haven't gotten good raises....I make $7K more a year than my boss.......

You make VERY, VERY sure about the financial implications of leaving.

If you are paying into a funded retirement plan check out taking that money and moving it into a tax free Roth IRA.

So go talk to a CPA for an hour. You'll need one to help with your taxes anyway if you start a part time company.

Don't plan on quitting.......they KNOW who knows their stuff and puts the rubber to the road....I'll just bide my time and be working on Plan B in case something goes South.....I'm investigating things six ways to Sunday.......it was once pointed out that someone thought I "got bogged down in the details"...naw, I just like having my "stuff" together....I've been watching what happens when you don't have your "stuff" together with some of these new guys....it's VERY amusing .....

[Michvalk]

I have no real advice for you, but, working for my self, setting my own hours, and earning good money, was the most satisfying feeling in the world. Mahindra tractors have been around for a LONG time, and aren't going away anytime soon. Good luck with anything you decide

[Jess Tolbirt]

northern tools sells tractors