Seriously - advice needed. Is it too late to start over at 42?

[jackkull]

Don't know if this is the place to vent this but…

I've just lost my job after 7 years.
I didn't graduate college (only got as far as Junior)
I don't think I have any marketable skills (I might, but I don't know for certain yet)
I can't afford to live where I'm living.

I may have to live with my parents for a while.

Sorry for dumping this here.

I just need to know that's it not too late for me (a 42 year old unemployed male) to start over now from scratch and achieve financial security.

Is it?

Thanks in advance for any helpful responses, and/or just for reading this.

 

[DontAskJusTckle]

Brother, we all do what we gotta do. If you need to move in with the parents, do it and screw what anybody says to you about it. But while you're there, you need to formulate a plan. Set a goal and then a strategy to meet that goal. 42 is definitely not too late to start something new.

 

[GEORGIATKLER]

I agree with DAJT. Cut back your expenses however you can. Try getting some training in computers, health care, or ???( who the hell knows anymore). The training needed to be in demand will vary from state to state. Network with everyone/anyone to let them know your situation and that you need a job, any job. Update your resume and run it by the local unemployment office and by any former supervisors you can, for changes, additions, deletions. I have been unemployed for over a year(with 25+ years experience and an MBA) and have had to take a renter to court for back rent and have been threatened with bodily and property harm by one of my contractors working on the house! It is still a brutal job market, almost nonexistent in some areas of the country, and I wish us all lots of luck!

 

[Mitchell]

jackkull, I'm sorry about your situation. My answer to your question is. it is absolutely not too late. I'm in exactly the same boat as you...

I dont know how well you know me.,., but.. I'm 42 as well. I've lived with my mother, both to take care of her, and for financial reasons. I've attempted to do businesses in direct marketing that have failed. I do have my B.A. in history, but have never been able to put it to use. My mother is going to pass away of cancer very soon. I'm going to be moving back to NY near my father, aunts, other family and friends, and have to get a new job/position/business. Exactly what, yet, I dont know.

My suggestion to you is to try to discuss your situation with people you trust., (Parents.. job couneslors.. maybe even a personal couneslor) Try to focus on the positives you have. Attempt to look for a job in an area you think you might be interested in. Some goverment.. or jobs of such nature.. dont require college degrees. Maybe you can take an evening course or two at a time, and try to work toward your degree.

I hope my advice is helpful. Good Luck. I wish you success in what you seek.

Mitch

 

[jackkull]

Thanks for the responses. It helps a bit.

 

[GQguy]

Great advice so far! Things could be worse. Your attitude sounds like one that could put you where you want to be. I'd suggest definitely finishing that degree, but to also look into finishing an advanced professional degree. This puts you in a social/economic class that will hopefully ensure not only financial independance but also give you the chance to provide and meet a wider range of people.

It's never too late. Go for it!!

GQ

 

[vladtickleman22]

You be fucked boy-o

 

[Crazy Wabbit]

You are never too old to better yourself. Granted, it's going to be tougher on you than if you were in your 20's or early 30's. But even if you were, no one said it would ever be easy. If you have the energy and determination, I say go for it.

Here's a story of a guy who is 48 years old and was accepted into medical school:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/13/mid.life.doctors/index.html

 

[vladtickleman22]

Yeah, this works too.

You are never too old to better yourself. Granted, it's going to be tougher on you than if you were in your 20's or early 30's. But even if you were, no one said it would ever be easy. If you have the energy and determination, I say go for it.

Here's a story of a guy who is 48 years old and was accepted into medical school:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/13/mid.life.doctors/index.html

 

[kered]

I did it at 48. You have about 25 years of living experience plus what ever jobs you held and remember that no matter how educated you may be, every new job has some type of training for you to learn. So yes, you can do it.


Um....I'm not the medical student guy tho.....

 

[jackkull]

Here's a story of a guy who is 48 years old and was accepted into medical school:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/13/mid.life.doctors/index.html

Thanks for sharing that. It helps.

 

[GQguy]

You are never too old to better yourself. Granted, it's going to be tougher on you than if you were in your 20's or early 30's. But even if you were, no one said it would ever be easy. If you have the energy and determination, I say go for it.

Here's a story of a guy who is 48 years old and was accepted into medical school:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/13/mid.life.doctors/index.html

Pretty awesome story! He already has decent pay and tons of experience in his current job yet he yearns for something more. He doesn't complain about being old. He just does it. Badass! He's an inspiration for all!

GQ

 

[unit5610]

I lost my job and career at 44 and started over. I got another degree and picked up a job much closer to home with better hours. I miss my old career but in many ways I'm better off. Now my current job is threatened, but I've gotten 6 good years out of this and positioned myself better if I get dumped again. No regrets. Good luck to you!

 

[mabus]

Over half my friends live with their parents....and on another note, the most judgemental, shitty people I know...live with their parents! So if someone tells you something...they're probably telling you...from their parents house! Ha ha!

Don't sweat that, and if you're quiet, help around the house, help support them, don't cause no drama.....they may not let you leave!
(The judgemental shit heads I know who lve with their parents treat them like shit, and lecture them all the time - I saw one case first hand...fucking bitch! ...anyway, I digress.....)

For those who believe in a higher power, this may be all for a reason, maybe your parents need your help, maybe it's a chance for something much better down the road, etc.

Take all the good advice given here, and you may just come out of this better than before.

.....bit of strange advice popped in my head, but maybe you can use this as an opportunity to make everyone's else's lives better. Keep yourself on the right track, but start helping others, start building multiple bridges, and perhaps something may come over one, or several, a great job opportunity, new friends, new experiences, whatever....

 

[jackkull]

Thanks, Mabus. And thanks to everyone else for their two-cents.

 

[SlaverTickler]

It's never to late to start over... unless you are dead.

 

[SlaverTickler]

OK here is a bigger reply. First of all you are in a much better spot then allot of people with your problem because you have family that you can fall back on. There is no shame in that, it happens, and family is supposed to be your support group. While you are living at home take a couple of weeks and think about what you really want to do. Try and check out Employment Work Shops, especially the trades. Being a post 2ndary grad is all well and good, but there are thousands of them and they can't find work in their field. However the Trades (Painting, Carpentry, Electrical ect) are starving for people. This might be your last chance to jump on that wagon, nobody’s Parents will be around forever, so I would consider that. The best way to go about it, after you find out what you want to do, is to head down to that trades Union Local and sign-up, it will probably coast you a few bucks, but I would bet you dad would be willing to loan you the money for it.

I am a licensed painter and I can make close to $30.oo/hour. Unfortunately I had a horrible experience dealing with the journeymen during my apprenticeship and so I work as a security guard right now. That doesn't mean it will be that way for you, and what matters is I have the license so I can always go back to it if I really need to. I am also, still, a member of the I.U.P.A.T. with benefits (though this year I had to pay for my bens out of pocket instead of off my check).

Think about it... it beats joining the army and risking your life for Halliburton profits.
ST

 

[Crazy Wabbit]

Thanks for sharing that. It helps.

You're welcome.

Pretty awesome story! He already has decent pay and tons of experience in his current job yet he yearns for something more. He doesn't complain about being old. He just does it. Badass! He's an inspiration for all!

GQ

Exactly. Obviously being a physician is something that he was meant to be and decided to go for it. Way too often you hear of people that don't pursue what they are interested in because they are concerned that they might not succeed or decide they didn't like it after all. However, what they fail to realize is that it beats ending up in a job later on in life that you hate and constantly wonder "Well, I wonder what really would've happened if I had done that....."? Worse possible scenarios, you go to college, you either find out it's not meant for you or it's too difficult. You can either change your major or drop out. That way, you're not out on or wasted too much money. Or, you succeed but aren't able to use it because you can't find work due to the economy. No one can ever take that knowledge away from you. And I am no bankruptcy attorney, but supposedly they changed the law where you can now file bankruptcy on student loans if you are able to prove that the debt causes unduly hardship. I don't know what all of that would involve or entail, but if you and your attorney could prove it, it is possible to have that debt absolved.

 

[kopfhorer]

...Network with everyone/anyone to let them know your situation and that you need a job, any job. ...

I'd change that to "any job which meshes with your skill set and pays at least a liveable wage". A minimum-wage job might have paid the rent 30 years ago (been there, done that), but not so much now. if you're working at two McJobs, that leaves precious little time to look for a real job.

And we all have skills. It's all a matter of marketing them. (Study computers, health care, etc. only if you are reasonably good at them and can at least tolerate working in those fields. This is just my 2 cents).

 

[Bohemianne]

It's not too late for me (a 42 year old unemployed male) to start over now from scratch and achieve financial security.

I quoted your words because you seem to still have the optimism. Hand write your major goal in a paper, post it where you can see it everyday secretly and make sure to be obsessed to put it into action. It gravitates. This method works for me a lot.

 

[WorkInProgress]

Jack: In my opinion, 42 is a wonderful age to start over. You have the luxury of years of experience and you still have much left of your youth. What you need is to take charge and be determined that nothing will stop you. I have made all my best personal growth in my 40s. (I'm about to turn 50.)

 

[GQguy]

I look forward to seeing your progress! Keep us posted. As long as you're actively trying to move forward you'll recieve plenty of support here and in the real world.

 

[evilwomanhehe]

IMO, it doesn't matter what age you are. You gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[paracarl44]

You're only at the middle of your life, something good if bound to happen if you look hard enough for it. Perhaps you've heard the story of Colonel Sanders who started a new method of cooking chicken and went on to be the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

 

[Angel_2]

Its never too late to start over.