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"Part time jobs I had during that period included, but were not limited to driving cars through an auto auction one night a week, shucking oysters at a bar on Friday and Saturday nights, waiting tables, working as a short order cook, driving a cab, moving furniture for a furniture store, doing yard work, often times for people who I'd just moved furniture for, working construction, working as a life guard, working at a car wash, working as a bar back, then later a bar tender and the list goes on and on."

My hat is off to you, Thermal. You are to be commended on your hard work, success, and early retirement! I am the same age as you; I've been employed since I was 15...often with three or more jobs while going to school earning those "worthless" degrees. I've been a cocktail waitress, riveted ballasts into lighting fixtures, cleaned houses, worked at art museums, worked in a green house, soldered circuit boards, worked as a model, instrumented tanks and helicopters, did private and corporate graphic design, worked at a florist, etc. I work as a software engineer now but I wouldn't trade what I've learned from those experiences. There is work to be done if you are willing to do it. It IS all about life choices.

Others want your level of success - but they are not willing to pay the price. They want no part of the sacrifice, the lack of sleep...the sheer grit and determination. They just want to reap the rewards.