[al_borland]

I think about this a lot, but my thoughts always go to aging. As long as my mind and fingers still work, I can work on a computer until I’m old and gray. The physical requirements are minimal.

Could you shadow your neighbor (or someone else in the trade you be interested in) for a few days to get a better idea of the realities of the job and if you’d enjoy it? Also, pay attention to their frustrations and issues and ask if they have similar feelings, wishing they had a job like yours (the grass is always greener…). I think no matter that the job, if it’s a break from the norm, it will feel nice at first.

Much like Office Space, I spent a few months doing demo work in addition to my normal IT job. I was working 90 hour weeks, was having a great time, and look back on that time fondly. However, I’m not sure I’d have the same view of it after 10 years, if it was my main job. I was a tourist, I didn’t live there, and I could stop whenever I wanted.

[giantg2]

"As long as my mind and fingers still work, I can work on a computer until I’m old and gray."

This is a big assumption. Why would they hire an older guy? They can have cheaper people more willing to put up with BS by hiring under 5 yoe or offshore.

[al_borland]

One good person with experience can beat a several who aren’t so good.

My old boss would give one of the newer/cheaper people a task and they would flounder for months on it. After about 3 months he’d ask me; I’d have it done and back to him in a couple hours. This happened countless times. While I get paid more than them, 2 hours of my time is cheaper than 3 months of their time… not to mention the value of faster turn around.

There are also many problems I can see coming and avoid, because of experience, where a younger person has a good chance of hitting the issue head on.

You’re also talking about hiring. I have a job and can keep it, assuming my mind and fingers still work. I’m not planning on interviewing much. That said, I did have a FAANG reach out to me just last week. I wouldn’t call myself old and gray yet, but I have aged into the protected class.

As a hedge, I save my money and keep my expenses low.

[giantg2]

Sure, but the general consensus is that companies and managers are not as willing to hire the 15+ yoe crowd due to their cost. The new people you describe sound like they are bad, not just new. If you have FAANG coming to you, then it sounds like you're in a different class. If someone is just better than most, like 1 SD above, then it'll still be rough.

[brailsafe]

The cost of everyone has and will continue dropping. Among the people who'll be cheaper, more experienced out of work people who already got into the shit housing market early will outbid younger more desperate people who can't afford to take cheaper salaries.

[giantg2]

I don't think we've ever seen that happen. I'm skeptical that it ever will. Costs go up as one gets older - family cost more , healthcare, etc. The company isn't just paying for your salary, They're paying for your benefits too.

If you're factoring in cost of living to outbid someone, then clearly offshore could outbid onshore and the problem still stands.

[brailsafe]

Personal costs shouldn't necessarily go down but also shouldn't inflate to require absurd salaries though. If you bought a home 10 years ago with a $250k salary, and are suddenly out of work along with everyone else, you have downward pressure on your asking price, but might have a better chance of tolerating it than someone who'll need a downpayment and to secure a long-term extremely high salary to service a brand new mortgage at a higher interest rate

[beepboopboop]

You also starred in a TV show for the trades right?

[al_borland]

Tool Time was an interesting chapter in my life, but not as lucrative as one might think.