I'll be the first to admit I didn't take the time to build a good career starting in my 20s, and today at 55 I'm paying the price - a very heavy price. I have a B.A. in Computer Information Systems and could have done that, but I followed my passion and tried to play pro golf. Almost made it - the worst place to be. Fast forward, and my wife had a decent paying job as an airline manager and I was 5 years into being a stay-at-home dad when she got fired almost 5 years ago. At her age, almost 50 with no college degree, she was unable to find any work at all. We attempted twice to buy a Subway restaurant (when we had the money). The first deal simply fell through. The second deal fell through when I failed corporate training in Connecticut. That cost us a boatload of money out of our 401k.
I then looked for full-time work (I had been working at home part-time doing some writing and editing) and it took me almost 2 years to land a job at Joseph A. Bank for $12/hour. I then quit to buy a pool service route in Florida...and that deal also fell through. So I went to truck driving school as a last resort. I did something stupid, got fired and there went the truck driving career. Currently working for a lousy $9/hour at a golf course, and our entire 401k is gone.
I simply can't find anything better. Yes, I'm tired of working for virtually nothing and seeing all you guys here making six figures, but I made my bed and now I have to lie in it. Still, it's frustrating knowing I can do so much better and no one will give me a chance.