Hi Shirley,

Life keeps getting in the way of any return to work. First COVID left me homeschooling my kids, now my dad is ill and I need to spend my time managing his care. I haven’t ruled out the idea of returning to work, but life needs to settle down first.

Just revisited this post and I’m wondering how your thoughts on this have evolved? Are you still considering going back to some sort of work?

I totally agree on the 20-somethings willing to work for less, with more up to date skills and eagerness than I might have at this point in my life. I will look into the CFP credentials. It might be fun to do even if it’s just for myself! To be honest I would love to go back to school. Just audit a few classes. There are so many things I’d love to learn even if I didn’t earn money after educating myself. Thanks for the comment!

Oh I love those stories. The ones where a woman says “I want to become a doctor at 35” and then they do it. So inspirational to know what you want and to go out there and do it!

I hear you on the downsides of a job in software. I have to decide if the upsides outweigh the bad stuff. I figure I could always try it out and then quit later if I don’t enjoy it, but you’ve also gotten my mind ticking on working on my own projects. When I have some time this fall, (after the boys go to school for a few hours a day), I’d really like to explore the possibilities of what I can build and how out of date my technology is.

As for the teaching comment don’t sell yourself short. A lot of small schools like the diversity of male teachers. A few parents in our school have been asking for more male teachers at the elementary school level.

I read your email and I’m pondering the ideas as I type this 😉

You have a passion for personal finance. You could follow that into a financial planning career. Teaching is also a good area, but only if you have a similar passion in working with children.

The good thing about it would be solving problems and feeling that I created something useful. The downside is the deadlines, lack of flexibility, etc. I’ve decided that won’t work for me.

I wouldn’t mind working at my own kids’ private school, but I’m not a teacher and they are good with their IT people. I volunteer for stuff, but it’s clear that since I’m the only dad in a sea of yoga moms, I’m not going to fit in.

Maybe there are part-time or entrepreneurial options. (We need a new PFblogs.org as you mentioned.) I have a whole list of 5 others that I’m just too busy to work on. In fact, I’m going to reach out to you about one idea over email, because I think you’d find it interesting.