I retired early in my 50s and am reentering the workforce at 60. I set aside $4,500 to get certifications — I need every advantage I can get.
After working for more than 40 years and living in Southern California for nearly 60, my wife and I changed everything.
At age 57, I retired — at least that's what my wife calls it; I like to call it "taking a break from work." We sold our house and everything in it, bought an RV, and hit the road for a 1,000-mile drive to Washington state.
It was a big change, but there was a reason: our new granddaughter, Jena. We now spend summers with the kids in Vancouver and winters on the road, trying to find someplace warm. We're basically traveling the US while we're young enough and healthy enough to do it.
Since I'm not working and we're too young to receive Social Security or draw from our retirement accounts, we've relied on the income from our investment portfolio.
For the past three years, that income has been enough. Then in 2024, I started to sense an economic storm brewing. So, I'm now preparing to head back to work.
At my age, I've lived through a few recessions
The worst was the 2007 to 2009 Great Recession.
I believe Republican policies, relaxing banking regulations and oversight, contributed to the proliferation of "stated income loans" — also known as "liar loans." These bad lending practices ultimately helped to create a blip in the economy that triggered the 2007 banking collapse and mortgage meltdown. Unemployment skyrocketed to 10%.
That was a rough period for me. I was unemployed and nearly lost my house. I spent every waking hour trying to find work and gladly accepted temp work when I could.
I didn't find a full-time job until 2011, eventually working my way back up to management and an executive position. Somehow, I managed to save my house, and I promised myself I'd never be in that position again.
I knew my retirement investment portfolio would take a hit after the recent elections
When President Donald Trump was elected in November, I was experienced enough to know what could come: a recession. I knew my portfolio would take a hit, and it did. During this time, my investments slightly dropped, and even though they quickly recovered, I decided I was going to have to find some kind of work.
I've spent most of my career in management and executive roles. I've also worked in real estate, construction, and other industries, so I've got options.
Remote executive roles are drying up, but I'm planning on reentering the construction industry
Frequently, when I do find a "remote" position, it turns out to be some version of a hybrid position with an in-office requirement. Also, remote executive positions are few and far between.
After a few months of applying to jobs I was overqualified for, I started to become dejected in my search. Then my son suggested I use my experience from the construction industry and work in construction estimating.
Though I've worked with many construction software platforms and even implemented and programmed a few in past jobs, it has been a minute since I've used them. I was hesitant at first, but after a few cajoling texts from my son, I started the process.
I'm investing in my skills to have a better shot at reentering the job market in my 60s
In February, I started studying to renew my certifications. The software license, training, and testing cost about $4,500 and will help to make me more marketable. At age 60, I'm going to need every advantage I can get.
The last time tariffs of this level were tried, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, they deepened the Great Depression. Hopefully, things won't be that bad, but economists now predict that we're not only heading into a recession, but something worse, stagflation — a combination of a recession plus high inflation, and high unemployment.
I feel the economic storm is getting closer. While my portfolio recovered, it could suffer irreparable harm if we have another " Liberation Day."
I'm realizing my retirement may be coming to an end
In April, my wife and I pulled into Lake Havasu State Park in Arizona after being on the road since November.
We stopped there to do some shopping and to meet my wife's brother for dinner. Living on the road gives us the flexibility to go where we want when we want. There are no meetings and no bosses to report to.
It's not a bad life. But it may be coming to an end, or at least to a pause.
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