Navigating senior years.

KARNUT · September 26, 2025

5 minutes ago, Donstar said:

We've tried the one vehicle route a couple of times in our 50 years together but will hold off doing this again for as long as possible! Her 2007 has 67k (kms) and a good portion of these were me using her car as a commuter from 07-10. My truck will have similar mileage to yours in five years. I agree with you that we don't need new vehicles like we did when we were younger and putting on the kilometers. However, I still have the want! (Without the need, my CFO wouldn't approve anyway! )

It’s an obsession with me. I look at several dealerships websites. It’s how I got my Avalanche. I’m always looking for a deal. The two best times for new cars are now and December. Lots of cars are coming off leases at those times. Especially VW in December. When it comes to vehicles my wife learned a long time ago it’s better to leave me to it. Trying to steer me away will have the opposite effect.

Donstar · September 27, 2025

My wife doesn't share my interest in vehicles but will seriously consider my arguments for a particular purchase. She feels that a small to mid-sized SUV that we share makes practical and financial sense. Of course she is right and my arguments for a full-sized, over priced pickup for my personal use sound sound silly and selfish. I don't push the issue to upgrade my truck as chances are strong, I'd end up with no truck!

KARNUT · September 27, 2025

I was driving performance cars when my wife married me. She eventually got bit by the bug. My line of work required using p/ups. She drove the toys until the kids were in school. She started working and the toys were weekend warriors. Her choices mirrors my own. The only difference sometimes she leaned more towards sports cars. Her car is a sports sedan and sports car. I the one who’s moved towards minivans and trucks. The only real difference. She keeps them.

garagerog · September 27, 2025

58 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I was driving performance cars when my wife married me. She eventually got bit by the bug. My line of work required using p/ups. She drove the toys until the kids were in school. She started working and the toys were weekend warriors. Her choices mirrors my own. The only difference sometimes she leaned more towards sports cars. Her car is a sports sedan and sports car. I the one who’s moved towards minivans and trucks. The only real difference. She keeps them.

garagerog · September 27, 2025

Then you have a keeper, but you already knew that.

Donstar · September 30, 2025

First grandchild is in University this year. Our neighbors have a son the same age and in a similar program. The former has no monetary obligation while in school and the latter has to work part-time and contribute financially. Neither student has it easier, imo. I use to argue that students who financially invest in their studies will be more motivated to do well. However, I am starting to appreciate that different pressures are created when someone else is paying! It will be interesting to compare how the first year goes for these young men!

KARNUT · September 30, 2025

3 hours ago, Donstar said:

First grandchild is in University this year. Our neighbors have a son the same age and in a similar program. The former has no monetary obligation while in school and the latter has to work part-time and contribute financially. Neither student has it easier, imo. I use to argue that students who financially invest in their studies will be more motivated to do well. However, I am starting to appreciate that different pressures are created when someone else is paying! It will be interesting to compare how the first year goes for these young men!

My three got scholarships so I provided cars. Only one went two years. It wasn’t for them, they decided. My brother in law who recently retired took seven years. Last two a A&M. The first 4 at a community college working full time at a body shop. The owner offered him a partnership to stay. He’ll have no problem restoring his first car after remodeling his house. Our generation was raised if you want it you have to work for it. Usually that translates to a successful transition to the working world.

Donstar · October 2, 2025

On 9/30/2025 at 5:57 AM, KARNUT said:

Our generation was raised if you want it you have to work for it. Usually that translates to a successful transition to the working world.

"Usually" is well said here as we all know stories that contradict what is typical. We all support our kids the best way that we can. Similar efforts can have different results. I like to think I succeeded because I was responsible for funding my post-secondary education. However, I don't know if my results would have been different if my parents paid my bills while I attended University. It may have given me more free time not to keep a part time job, but I doubt I'd work less (or harder) at my studies if my parents were paying!

KARNUT · October 2, 2025

25 minutes ago, Donstar said:

"Usually" is well said here as we all know stories that contradict what is typical. We all support our kids the best way that we can. Similar efforts can have different results. I like to think I succeeded because I was responsible for funding my post-secondary education. However, I don't know if my results would have been different if my parents paid my bills while I attended University. It may have given me more free time not to keep a part time job, but I doubt I'd work less (or harder) at my studies if my parents were paying!

My father having a business when I was in high school wanted me to be a lawyer. I took advanced classes working towards that goal. Being we had half day school I worked for him in the afternoon. Of course he and my uncles who worked for him gave me entry level jobs. I fueled and greased equipment. Ran to get parts in Philly or New York. Two things happened to alter the trajectory. I saw this pretty new girl in high school who was always smiling. And one day I saw an opportunity to hop in a TS-24 earth mover. The operator didn’t show up. I backed it up under a large track hoe to be top loaded. They were digging out a lake. They couldn’t believe I was able to back down the haul road. While fueling at night I would line them up to fuel then back them to where they were. My future wife an army brat and I got married between our junior and senior year. After school I worked operating heavy equipment. A few years later my father decided to move to Texas from NJ. We later joined him. I started a business, sold the business. Invested in the family new start up. Two major events shaped my life. Meeting my wife and marrying her before they get shipped overseas. And following my love for working outdoors. Instead of being some miserable lawyer in an office in New York.

Edited October 2, 2025 by KARNUT

diyer2 · October 2, 2025

Having carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand tomorrow. This will be fun since my left hand and arm are still not functioning properly a year after surgery on my shoulder.

txab · October 2, 2025

Best wishes on that

diyer2 · October 3, 2025

Forgot to mention doing elbow surgery at the same time, pinched nerve.

thanks txab!

Donstar · October 3, 2025

18 hours ago, diyer2 said:

Having carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand tomorrow. This will be fun since my left hand and arm are still not functioning properly a year after surgery on my shoulder.

I also wish you the best! Hopefully your left will rise to the occasion! A couple of years ago my right hand lost a lot of sensitivity and usefulness due to a small stroke. Following my recent left shoulder replacement, I had to use my right hand to do more. I surprised myself as to what it can do when it's my only option! Hopefully your left arm will smarten up, behave and meet the challenge while your right convalesces!! One of the reasons I'm currently looking forward to knee replacement is hopefully it will take my attention away from my recovering shoulder! This phenomenon reminds me of my mother telling the story that at the age of two I wasn't able to walk. The Doctors of the day couldn't find anything physically wrong. My family Doctor who occasionally made house calls, spotted my problem on an unrelated visit. He told my parents to stop allowing my older siblings from helping me. I had no need to walk when I had three siblings running errands or carrying me everywhere I wanted to go! Apparently the results were immediate. Hopefully your left will quit demanding special attention and look after your right!

KARNUT · October 3, 2025

Last night I was at 50th birthday party. I usually see the same faces gathered around the tables at my house. This time the phone was only used to take pictures. Kids, grandkids and their spouses. Everyone was having a blast. All because I noticed a smiling 15 year old girl over 50 years older. She’s still smiling. My biggest goal was to keep her smiling. Mission accomplished.

Edited October 3, 2025 by KARNUT

Donstar · October 5, 2025

Congratulations! It is definitely a proud time for married parents seeing their children enter into their 50's. Our kids are at this stage and our grandkids are reaching adulthood. In order for you and I to reach this stage means we are definitely well into our senior years! I also smile a lot with my wife as we share the experiences of our senior years. We may appear elderly to our kids and their kids but we look and behave the same to each other. I enjoy time with family, friends, and myself but my favorite by far is spending time with my girlfriend (aka wife)!