Is it ever too late???

[cpr1979]

I've been thinking long and hard the past year and I need the TBH braintrust for some real answers. It seems that I have woken up at 30 yrs old and realize that I am not where I want to be with my life. I have a gorgeous fiance but financially or professionally I am not where I want to be. What I am wondering is it too late, especially with the economy, to take a step back, maybe go to school and change where I am heading. No one likes to struggle and I surely don't want to do it the rest of my life. I feel that maybe I ahve gotten too comfortable in my job but I know in 10 yrs its gonna be worse. Has anyone here ever started over and went to school or just changed careers after being somewhere for awhile? I guess I'm nervous because I have created some debt for myself and scared of not being able to take care of things during the change. If anyone has done this some pointers would definately help. Thanks guys and thanks for letting me vent

[systemnt]

Never to late to start over.

[Bill]

Don't think about it as starting over

Think about it as improving your lot in life.

Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.

Too late?

Degree #1 @ age 25
Degree #2 @ age 29
Degree #3 @ age 38

[41Chevy]

I did it at 45. After the Air Force said I couldn't play any more. Plan on it at 55 too, when I can get a pension from Lockheed.

[innergel]

You don't need a new career to get out of debt. As a matter of fact, I'd suggest you get out of debt before you make a major change. At least get a hold of your budget process. Best thing you can ever doand it will serve you and your fiance for the rest of your life.

https://www.daveramsey.com

[alien77721]

Some true bits of wisdom.

"It's only to late when you're dead."

"When you're done improving, you're done."

[Dale Moser]

It may be too late at some point.......but not at 30!

[Tommyh]

Changed at 26 after an on the job accident (my own stupidity) sent me out of the sweat shop of mechanicing to inside working on PCs. Making a heck of a lot more money, and i didnt go to school to do it either. Drug myself through the mud, bumped up in pay from job to job and am sitting pretty decent for my field now. i'd like more, but i am burned out on studying for certs and all that jazz. considered online classes, but i just can't bring myself to do it. not because i dont want to, but because it doesn't matter what you do, its the same at every job. There I just happen to like the benefits. The travel is wearing on me now, though...

[Artos]

I'm chasing my dream after getting canned from a well paying job.

The wallet is suffering but I hope to change that soon. I'm in my late 30's and don't think you are alone. Heck, even if you are on a path you think will not come to an end and things look great, you can be forced to make decisions you hadn't planned on. Just check out 'lost my job' threads here on TBH.

God can close doors to make others open for our own good....we just can't see them that way at the time.

[Mike D]

Never too late. My wife did not graduate nursing school until she was 31 years old. Now a "few" years later she is going back for her bachelors and then masters.

Best decision we ever made. She loves her job and now we make a good living. Now I'm kinda in the same boat you are. We are getting to where we want to be financially, but I can't see myself doing what I do until retirement. I just don't enjoy it any more. It pays the bills well, but it is a J-O-B, not what I have fun doing.

Do it now before you wake up at 40 or 50 asking yourself the same questions.

[dustoffer]

My son is 39 and is in the process of changing fields. He has a PhD in statistics, and is a data analyst and programmer. He told me he finally figured out what he wants to be when he grows up--so is heading for the IT field.

Short answer--no it's not too late, but it does take work and persistence on your part. Go for it.

Someone who posted above gave you some great advice about debt. If the debt isn't a house, get rid of it. The old excuse "we can charge it and pay for it over time" doesn't hold water. You can do the same thing by saving a payment per month until you have enough to pay cash, and have the interest earned in your account, not paid to MC or VISA, etc.

[quarterback]

Life really just begins around 30. You have just started. Or how bout this: 30 is the new 21. Good luck, sir and give it your all!

[arrowdynamic]

Lots of good advice here from people who have done what you are contemplating. Been in debt. Made a million and blew it. Starting on another. 1st degree (Phys Ed) at 27. 2nd degree (Engineering) at 33. Failed marriage. Started another. If you ain't dead, it ain't too late. I'm thinking of being Batman when I grow up. Just need to pass that MMA course and save up for the kevlar bodysuit and I'm set.

[Pistol]

I had 17 years in managing horse farms. I changed when I was about 34. Now I am in a completely different field that pays a whole lot more. It is interesting work, challenging, and I know I will be able to walk upright when I am finished. You won't regret it. And don't wait for finances to change. If you do, you will never be able to make the change. life happens.

[erikm1981]

We must be having the same day... I've been in the dumps about the same situation for a while now. My problem is I don't know what I want to do. I'm a sales rep now and can't see myself doing this forever, but it somewhat pays the bills. The debt and pay check to pay check living stinks....