Update

[jIM_Ohio]

Life teaches you a few lessons along the way...

For example broker dealers are much more stringent on rules than RIA (Registered Investment advisors). My new employer allows me to post, just don't expect me to post advice people would pay for

On a separate note, I am reminded that life is too short and if one person gets a positive from this lesson, it is worth the post.

In the winter of 2010 my older brother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and he died earlier this year about 1 month shy of his 41st birthday. Today I received a phone call that his wife's father was found dead today at age of 65.

Life is way too short to wait for a change, or wait for something to happen. If you need to make a change, today is the day to start.

I wish you all the best of success in life, financially and professionally. I lurk more than I post, I will be around a little more than I was before based on employment change.

[kork13]

JIM!! Glad to hear from you again, so just saying 'hi'. How's everything going for you?


My family has been influenced significantly by cancer over the last 10 years or so... My 7 y/o sister, 17 y/o brother, and 47 y/o uncle all died of assorted cancers, and my mother has been diagnosed and successfully treated for over 5 different kinds over the years... Most recently, she's been out of surgery on another one for 2 weeks tomorrow. Not alot to add, except to agree that time is precious. It may be a loved one, or it may be yourself, but you never know what life has in store. We all need to make the most of it and find happiness in the life we have.

[kv968]

Jim, good to hear from you. Sorry about your losses. Stay strong.

Hope your new career is going well and the family is doing good through the hard times.

[bjl584]

Jim,
My thoughts and prayers are with you for the recent losses in your family.

It's good to hear from you and have you back around on a more frequent basis.

Welcome back.

[disneysteve]

Hi Jim. Great to "see" you. Sorry for the family losses. We've all had our share of similar stories. My wife is a cancer survivor. Her father died of lung cancer. Mine died of a heart attack. The list goes on and on. That's why I always talk about balance and priorities, living for today while still preparing for tomorrow.

[Like2Plan]

Jim,
I'm so sorry for your losses.
I'm glad that career change you made is working out for you. It's good to see you back on the boards.

[SnoopyCool]

Jim,

Glad to hear from you and sorry for your losses. DH and I dealt with his father's passing last year; you're right - life is too short.

Take care and hope to hear more from you in the future.

[EEinNJ]

Yes, life can be short and unfair. Over 10 years ago I lost my first wife to cancer at age 46. It certainly changed my priorities, and I got out of corporate job I wasn't happy in. I've made less money ever since, but I've enjoyed my work life more.

Though most of us here are either financially sensible or learning how to be, when someone dies we don't think "Thank goodness they balanced their checkbook" or "Oh, they had an emergency fund, we can afford a nicer coffin".

In the context of mortality, no, money isn't that important. But most of us are going to live, and for quite a while. Money, like life, is for the living. The better you handle money, the better your life, however long it is, can be.

[woodie96]

Welcome back Jim...we definitely missed your advice and input.

[rj.phila]

what a great and positive note(i say that with 100% sincerity). thanks jim-i just had my 1st child, so have been thinking about this more and more often, and this is a welcome reminder of how crucial it is to savor the now!!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Nice to see you again and sorry for your recent losses. And reading some of these follow up posts really mad me reflect more about life and career choices. It's very easy to forget living for today and only saving for tomorrow.