I don't generally share many things personal but thought this was noteworthy.
As of today I am officially retired from my job of 40-years working in the appliance business.
Things actually began 49-yrs ago when my father went to work in Huntsville as an appliance salesman (I was 10). In my teen years I would pick up a few hours here & there at the store cleaning, straightening the warehouse, eventually helping to deliver appliances for them. After high school & a short stent in college I went to work full time in the business in the spring of '78. Along with appliance wrangling I was tapped by the owners, who had another business in Birmingham, to deliver & install automotive radios to dealers in the area which lasted about 3-years when they fell onto financial hard times and were forced to close their businesses. At that time in '81 Dad, with a loan from his older brother, purchased the Huntsville location and he proceeded to grow the business at an incredible rate through the '80s. (thanks President Reagan) I served in many roles, from sales to service manager along the way. By the end of the'80's we had a simple computer system capable of tracking our inventory and A/R. G.E. also had an on-line ordering system they were encouraging us to utilize so three of us were sent to Atlanta for two days of training but upon return I was the only one that even knew how to turn on (boot) the durn thing so I now had the responsibility of ordering a good portion of our merchandise(think I was tricked). Over the next decade or so computers & networks became a more integral part of our business's operation so by default I was involved in development, installation and maintenance of networks and systems with the help of folks in that business. My role expanded to include maintaining databases of items and pricing as well as commissions. Other manufactures introduced on-line resources for ordering while I continued to be the go to guy for anything electronic only getting mostly out from under that responsibility in the last few years but continuing in the role of ordering and data base maintenance to the end. I had pushed for my folks to sell the business as early as '03 as they were approaching 65-yrs of age but finding anyone with the money & interest proved fruitless. The economy was not kind to us in the latter part of the '00s so about 8-yrs ago decided that rather than selling out, my uncle & younger cousin who had worked there for several years might just take over the operation. It took a couple of years to complete the transfer of ownership but by Dec.'12 I was officially only an employee. At that time I let them know I would stay on for as long as they wanted me. Their new energy along with improvements in the economy has proved to be very positive for the business even buying/opening two more locations, meanwhile my work load had risen to the point I was having less time than ever to enjoy life outside the workplace. A little over a year ago, with 60-coming at me like a freight train, I decided it was time they found my replacement so for months I frequently reminded them to do so. After discussions with my now 80ish parents in December I told my uncle that the time had come for me to get out & to make a decision ASAP not knowing that within a few weeks my Father would pass away. Within a couple of weeks of his passing I gave my uncle the date... April 13 would be my last day....
That's the short version LOL.
So today I begin what I believe will be a very busy & fruitful retirement :woohoo:
Good for you, and thanks for sharing your story. I am bumping on 60 with-in 2 weeks :thinking: So I need to be thinking in the same way !
Good for you Wade. :bradsthumb: If you get bored I can always use a little help around the shop. You young guys sheeeese.
Interesting story. Congrats and enjoy your free time.
Great story and thanks for sharing. I believe a lot of us here are pushing the age of 60, myself included.
Congratulations Wade! Hope every thing works out for you. :wave:
Curious as to why you didn't buy the company from your Dad in 03 ? or did you already own a part of it ?
Great story by the way :bigthumb:
I'm super excited for you!!! Hope you enjoy this great time in your life. :banana:
Thank you for the great story ... and welcome to what is turning out to be the best part of my life ... RETIREMENT! :banana:
Quote from: anlauto on April 16, 2018, 10:27:14 AM
Curious as to why you didn't buy the company from your Dad in 03 ? or did you already own a part of it ?
Personalty is the way I see it.. I'm am an only child so by by default it was mine but unlike my Dad I'm not a people person.. As you can tell my role was in the background mostly greasing the wheels. I could not see having the responsibility of dealing with all the BS business owners have to put up with.
I think by any measure I've had a good life because of the business yet I can't say I was really happy doing it.. I should have been a mechanic or something where I didn't have to deal with people so much ..
Pretty honest answer...thanks for sharing :drinkingbud:....now get on with RETIREMENT ! :banana:
That was an awesome read, thanks for sharing. Congratulations on a great career and all the best for a super retirement.
I especially loved the part about being "tricked". Where I worked (retired too) if you showed competence in something it was your responsibility for life.
That's great news Wade! Congratulations! :banana:
Quote from: Bullitt- on April 16, 2018, 11:03:12 AM
Quote from: anlauto on April 16, 2018, 10:27:14 AM
Curious as to why you didn't buy the company from your Dad in 03 ? or did you already own a part of it ?
Personalty is the way I see it.. I'm am an only child so by by default it was mine but unlike my Dad I'm not a people person.. As you can tell my role was in the background mostly greasing the wheels. I could not see having the responsibility of dealing with all the BS business owners have to put up with.
I think by any measure I've had a good life because of the business yet I can't say I was really happy doing it.. I should have been a mechanic or something where I didn't have to deal with people so much ..
Wise words here for sure...looks like you had lots of the perks w/o all the headaches. Altho being an owner is good... many times its a real PITA. Trust me on that one
Enjoy your retirement
Congrats! Make sure you have a lot of things to occupy your time, and that they are enjoyable!
Wonderful news. Congratulations! Enjoy it. You deserve it. :bigthumb:
Wow , Great to hear some happy news for a change! Enjoy Wade you have earned it! :woohoo:
Enjoy your retirement...sounds to me like plenty of time to enjoy your E-body!
Quote from: xx88man on April 16, 2018, 02:19:57 PM
Enjoy your retirement...sounds to me like plenty of time to enjoy your E-body!
That's part of The Plan Brother :wrenching:
Congrats! Enjoy your retirement!
Congratulations, it's good you can retire at a relatively young age.
Congrats! and remember retirement is another word for enjoying what you want to do.
:twothumbsup:
I'm thinking of retiring early and it looks possible/probable with each passing day.
:clapping: Good job getting out at a younger age. Most people work till they are to old and can not enjoy their retirement. I still have about 7 years to go but 60 is a good age to do it. ENJOY!!
Enjoy your retirement. I turn 60 in July and hopefully won't be too far behind you.
Great story! :woohoo: Congratulations on your retirement and for doing so young enough to be able to fully engage too! :veryexcited: :drinkingbud:
Also, I think it's fantastic you were able to work with your parents, not many people get to do that and I have to believe there were more good days than bad. Sorry to hear your Dad passed recently, perhaps that makes your time working together even more special now.
Congrats Wade!
Hope you have a long, happy, and rewarding retirement! :cheers:
Quote from: EDL94 on April 16, 2018, 04:15:41 PM
:clapping: Good job getting out at a younger age. Most people work till they are to old and can not enjoy their retirement. I still have about 7 years to go but 60 is a good age to do it. ENJOY!!
You hit one of the nails on the head... I watched my parents as they aged and eventually the business was the only thing in their life as everything else went by the wayside. There was a time they traveled and were very active in the community. Dad had become less involved in day to day operations even before he hit 60 but Mom couldn't let go of the strings till the very end. Even 6 years later she wants to talk shop way to much IMO....
I hope you transition okay. I had 30 years of intensity in the Railroad and ended that at 49. I knew it would take it's toll on my health and was happy to leave. Then I drove truck and ended up running a storage business for 6 years which I thought was pretty mellow. I retired for 2 years but got a bit bored and went back to work 10 months ago but maybe that was because my wife was working still. I think I may quit working in a short while again but maybe I'll volunteer so I can keep myself busy when I feel like it. I've talked to a few people that volunteer though and they say it can be a hassle as well, it all starts out well then you start getting pressured to put more time in than you want. I guess I have a love/hate relationship with people. I get bored when not dealing with people but want to kill some of them when I am dealing with them.
Congratulations on retiring at 60, Wade! I'm just jealous, since I was 64+ before I got to tell them to "take this job and shove it!" I'm sure that between the "honey do" list and the car, that you'll stay out of trouble. ;)
Congratulations Wade! That was a great story, enjoy your retirement to the fullest. By all means keep yourself busy with projects you've been wanting to get to. Worst thing you can do is become sedentary it sneaks up on you when you don't know it. After 4 years in the Navy, I stayed with the Federal Govt. for another 41 years, finally retired in 2015. I turned 70 last Dec and keep the thought of OLD out of the equation. Revel in your retirement. Thanks, Al
Congrats Wade
Keep busy doing what you want to now !!
Congratulations Wade! Time to teach your granddaughter about Mopars.
Judy & Charlie
Congrats! :ohyeah: I hope you enjoy every bit of retirement. My career didn't go as planned with 2 lay offs then I got into Federal employment so I have a bit to go before I can retire.
Congrats!!! Hope you have a long and happy retirement!!!
CONGRATULATIONS WADE!!! May you enjoy a long and healthy retirement! Good for you! :clapping:
Jim
Congrats on your retirement! As I have recently learned, as a retiree you will now have near complete control of your schedule (it's "near complete" because my wife still retains veto power on my plans). It's a great gig - enjoy it.
Quote from: 1ownr on April 17, 2018, 03:56:09 AM
Congratulations Wade! Time to teach your granddaughter about Mopars.
Judy & Charlie
As a matter of fact we'll be working on this just next week. ... Combining beach trip with Battlesship Mopar show & a day at Destin FL where the kids recently relocated. I see many beach trips in my future.. 8)
:congrats: :twothumbsup:
Congratulations Wade. I hope you don't go the same way as some of my car friends around here. They're retired and they're too darn busy to take their cars out! :rofl:
Since you have ALL that time on your hands, you ever had any work done at R&R Speed shop in Huntsville?
Quote from: Timbbuc2 on April 17, 2018, 01:28:41 PM
Since you have ALL that time on your hands, you ever had any work done at R&R Speed shop in Huntsville?
No sir, I know folks down through the years that have, I've been there several times...
They are suppose to be one of the better machine shops around & know Mopar well.
What kind of work are you looking to have done?
Quote from: Bullitt- on April 17, 2018, 04:28:01 PM
Quote from: Timbbuc2 on April 17, 2018, 01:28:41 PM
Since you have ALL that time on your hands, you ever had any work done at R&R Speed shop in Huntsville?
No sir, I know folks down through the years that have, I've been there several times...
They are suppose to be one of the better machine shops around & know Mopar well.
What kind of work are you looking to have done?
The car I bought came with a new 383 built by them never been fired, I was checking to see if you had heard of them and their reputation.
Congratulations!! :banana: And enjoy retirement for me as I have failed to live life in such a way that I should ever be able to retire. :bricks:
Quote from: superdave on April 18, 2018, 02:49:59 PM
Congratulations!! :banana: And enjoy retirement for me as I have failed to live life in such a way that I should ever be able to retire. :bricks:
Or like me lived as if we wouldnt live this long.
Just want to get where I dont have an alarm clock waking me for work.
Enjoy your retirement!
Quote from: superdave on April 18, 2018, 02:49:59 PM
for me as I have failed to live life in such a way that I should ever be able to retire. :bricks:
You and and about everyone else I know.... Think my family is descended from squirrels, not taking on debt and always saving for the future... I don't know your situation but I'd suggest doing everything ya can to get out & stay out of debt.
THE DAY is gonna come where working is not a viable option.
Best of Luck to ya
A little late to your retirement party Wade. :D
Congratulations.
Enjoy doing things you've always wanted to do but never had the time.
Quote from: Topcat on April 18, 2018, 06:42:07 PM
A little late to your retirement party Wade. :D
Congratulations.
Enjoy doing things you've always wanted to do but never had the time.
YEP, YEP, YEP... That's The Plan anyhow....
Lot's to do to get caught up, figure to be busier than ever :woohoo:
Any Big travel plans?
Other countries or far away?
Where would you like to go visit the most?
Quote from: Topcat on April 18, 2018, 07:47:29 PM
Any Big travel plans?
Other countries or far away?
Where would you like to go visit the most?
After I can get my Sweetheart Terri retired I'm thinking we will do some but nothing over the top.
Personally I enjoy historic places, one I'm looking forward to visiting is St. Augustine, Fl. I've been to Charleston S.C. and more recently Gettysburg, PA and was blown away.
I'm not into going overseas but Terri for some reason want's to visit Austria.... Sound of Music fan LOL
She is also a HUGE Country Music Fan so I'm thinking catching acts in interesting places may steer us just about anywhere. And she's never been to Disney....gotta check that off her list :woohoo:
My orange car is in Austria, you can be on the lookout for it.
Congratulations Wade - really happy for you as well as your family and the times you will get to spend with everybody - and a certain JA5 Challenger Rallye :wrenching: :)
Hope to catch up with you at the Battleship Show - looks like perfect weather this coming weekend with no clouds and temps in the mid 70s :yes:
:cheers: