Career change at 52?

[John Adams]

Thanks for the replies everyone, as expected lots of great information.

I'll hit a few points - Who said blow the college fund on women and cars? That as a great one! No, not having a mid life crisis. It can more aptly be summarized by what I tell my kids when they consider their future - "I wouldn't worry about it, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up."

Hobbies thing, I have plenty of those, I volunteer with a group and do support visits for those suffering with the same medical condition I have as well as kids that have it and their parents. I run a youth group, also. Spend as much time with my kids as I can and take them out mtb'ing, paddlng, climbing, etc every weekend.

I am not worried about retirement (at this point) I have certain goals and I am on target to reach them.

The wife insists I could make more even though I tell her anything I switch to will require a decent pay cut especially at the start. She still thinks I should go back to school, probably because so many people she knows have gone back for advanced degrees. I just don't see the point in getting a degree in my field at this point. Why, to move up to management? I had been director level management in the past, same field, I hated it, I like to solve problems and all my time was taken up with management stuff. I went back to the engineer role after about three years.

As far as her going back to work, well, she has never really worked. A paying job I mean. A couple of years after she finished college but then she decided to take time off and travel the world. That was how we met. She would never be happy working for someone else so I have helped her identify a business she can start and run that she would enjoy, she is slowly bringing the business up, right now working at it about five hours a week. Next year she will be spending about ten hours a week with it. Eventually she will make enough that I can retire and spend all my time riding my bikes and climbing.

Well, enough rambling, you guys (and gals) have provided plenty to think about and consider. Much appreciated.