Am I too old?

[Steinar]

dks: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=erosion+of+the+middle+class+in+the+US&ia=web (OK, I don't live or work in the US, but I do read the news. (And of course, this problem isn't unique to the US, but it's the US we were talking about.))

As for the original request for a sounding board from Def, here's my two centicredits:

• Talk with Megan, make sure you both are brutally honest about what you want from life.
• It's easier to get a job than a good relationship, but a smurfy job can make you bitter and make the relationship go sour. And that goes both ways. (Read: Catch-22.)
• Don't live your life according to other people's idea of what your life should be.

Myself, I'd always prioritize my SO over my job, but a woman can also get you stuck somewhere you don't want to be, doing something you don't want to do. There are no easy answers in life.

[Grant Lamontagne]

After looking into this more, I'm not sure dropping $70k is an option for me right now.  I will probably end up getting another job and keeping my assets, and maybe try for my private pilot's license in my spare time.  Then, if a job comes up that I am interested in I could consider upgrading my license from there.

It's just not worth it right now, Megan's job can't support us and I'd hate to put it all on her anyway.

Def

[WhichDawg]

I hate getting serious, but I've been mulling this over and over a lot lately and I thought maybe some fresh perspective from all 9f you might help.

My situation is that I'm almost 42, I'm unable to continue doing my job due to injury, I have been offered a similar but less intensive job back in Halifax (1000 miles away) with a competing company, and I now live in a place where there is absolutely no market for the industry I've been in for the last decade or so.  The closest market for my industry is roughly 150 miles away.

So, I'm either going to have to move again, which either destroys my relationship, or tears Megan away from the job she has worked the last ten years to get (and a very bright future career-wise), or I need to get a job locally.

I'm no stranger to minimum wage fast food or retail jobs, but I doubt I'm capable of being on my feet that long these days. 

So, I'm thinking about training for a new career.  The training I want is expensive and may require me selling my house and maybe MTO if I can't obtain a student loan or some kind of funding.   It's a big investment for me, and I'm wondering if maybe this is a case of putting up new curtains in a condemned house.

If I make it successfully through the course, the money should be worthwhile, and it is something I have wanted to do my whole life, assuming of course someone is willing to take on a horse whose best days are behind it and who has absolutely zilch for experience.

My other options at this point are getting a truck license (much more affordable course) and hauling cargo or planting myself behind a desk somewhere.

Some days I swear all of you know me better than I know myself, so any insights, observations or advice would be appreciated, especially if you have had a later in life start over.

Def

I've been thinking and waiting to answer this boss, lotta great replies here

first off..."i GOT DIBS ON MEGAN!" I'm j/k of course, she obviously loves you boss and your never going to find/get/win/buy someone better! most of us search our entire life looking for someone as special, but you know this I'm sure.

CHANGE: it happens sir, we lose things and we grow and and we move on, your turn apparently. I think if you can get new training and afford it go for it, if you can't or it's too risky wait for other opportunities they will came, haven't they in the past?!

A lot of people like and respect you Grant, I've seen them in forums and I'm DEFinitely one of them and I'm sure tons more in real life feel the same. You have friends Grant and it makes me think about the movie: It's A Wonderful Life "No man is a failure who has friends" and I think you have tons, now and in your past.

Of course do what you can and find your place again but I always think of this; "Want to make God laugh? then plan your future!" did you plan things when you were a kid? like your future and are you even close to it? most of us would say NO lol that's life.

Go with the flow boss, take the opportunities that will come, be patient and be happy with Megan and do what you love most (holding one finger up in the air ... City Slickers) whatever that is for you