Results 1 to 24 of 24

Thread: Close to retirement

  1. #1
    God/dess Paris's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    6,345
    Thanks
    168
    Thanked 801 Times in 419 Posts

    Default Close to retirement

    I really enjoy being a dancer, and my income is just fine. I am just starting to think about the future.

    I am usually the oldest dancer in the clubs I work at (not always), and am starting to get bored as I have pretty much done everything I want to do with this career. I have been offered a teaching position for dancers and women who want to learn how to dance like a stripper. This sounds like fun, and I think I will go ahead and take the job for something different to do (but the pay isn't great).

    Here is my problem. I wish to move on to something different, but I have gotten used to the money and freedom that dancing has to offer. I haven't even applied for a job yet because I don't know what to put on my resume. If I put that I've been a dancer for almost 7 years, I know that I will get round filed before I can even get an interview. If I don't put on my application that I've been a dancer, and the company does a background check, it will come up and I still won't have a chance at a job.

    The other issue is lack of income. I figure if I'm going to take a corporate job, I would have to earn about $60K a year to cover my living expenses. I also have a real problem thinking about working overtime, but maybe I'm just used to dancing and overtime as a dancer can be very exhausting. I also earn $60K a year working part time as a dancer, so learning to work 40 hour weeks will be a bit of an adjustment.


    Realistly, I will probably find something at $30K a year for 40 hour work weeks. I would need to continue to dance to supplement my income so that all of my bills are covered. So I'm in something of a catch 22. I really am too tired to dance more then 12-14 days a month as my only source of income. I can't imagine adding 40 hours a week day-job to that, and aside from winning the lottery or getting a big inheritance, I'm not going to be able to get out of debt realistly for another 10 years or so (bought a big house).

    I was wondering if there were any other career dancers out there who overcame this problem and are now working at satifying "mainstream" jobs? Did you just quit dancing all at once or did you slowly remove yourself from your dancing career? Any advice would be appreciated.

    thanks, Paris Love

  2. #2
    Featured Member Crow's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Down South
    Posts
    1,145
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts
    My Mood
    Happy

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Yes! Bless your heart, I too am a career gal - have been for a long time. ( We wont talk about that ) I use to enjoy my job at 'the club'. Even the jerks use to slide off my back like rainwater. La la.

    But now, well. Sometimes it gets to me a little more, I'm a little more intolerant. Here's my plan. I've set a cut off area, a general date that I'm going to so called 'quit'. No big deal, no fan-fare - just cut myself off from it. It's like quitting smoking. You linger, it will suck you back in. Yes, yes I know it sounds stupid, but hey.

    Finding a job to suit will be a bit of a stretch - I personally was thinking of bar tending. They make serious kick butt cash and chicks like us that already know how to talk to folks and are cute, well hey!
    Besides older women rock, all the young hot guys are after us!

    Rhiannon
    Southern gal' and sister in the thong brigade.

  3. #3
    God/dess
    Joined
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    8,031
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 143 Times in 42 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Paris, on my resume I put that I was a small business owner, which technically I am. I provide entertainment and help coordinate events (like bachelor parties). I figure anyone who's interested in digging that deeply (they probably won't have to; I'll probably tell them) will at least be entertained by my creativity. Thankfully I also have some other work on there, too.

    Have you thought about what you really want to do? I didn't get a sense of that at all in your post and I think you should spend some time figuring out what will give you satisfaction that might make up for some of the lost income. Think about what you really want to do. Hell, go take one of those aptitude tests or something; at the least it will give you something to think about.

    Good luck; we all deal with this sooner or later, especially those of us lucky enough to enjoy our jobs for so long.

  4. #4
    242_fair
    Guest

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Quote Originally Posted by Paris
    ...I have gotten used to the money and freedom that dancing has to offer.

    ...The other issue is lack of income. I figure if I'm going to take a corporate job, I would have to earn about $60K a year to cover my living expenses.

    ...Realistly, I will probably find something at $30K a year for 40 hour work weeks.
    Hi there Paris,

    On my first night at a sc I was in the dressingroom talking about how hard it was to start dancing. This older dancer chimed in 'no hunney it's not hard to start, it's hard to QUIT this job!'

    You are right in recognising that you will not get a 'corporate' job for 60k. I assume that by 'corporate' you mean either 'entry level' or 'reception' or 'secretary', since you said that you don't have any experience. These jobs max out aroud 30k, not start there.

    Maybe you should think about delaying quitting dancing for a year, and try to get some training or certification (x-ray technologist, dental assistant, vetrenary assistant, police exam prep, esthetics school, bookeeping, court reporter/ typist), anything that you can picture yourself doing is worth considering.

    It's not easy to walk away from this job, and you want to be able to quit for good, not have a big 'goodbye' (though you say you aren't planning one), only to return two months later too broke to pay the house fee (seen that before).

    Good luck!!

  5. #5
    God/dess Paris's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    6,345
    Thanks
    168
    Thanked 801 Times in 419 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Actually I was thinking of going into some kind of sales. Athletic club memberships crossed my mind. Maybe real estate. That way I would have the added income of commissions on top of a salary.

    I think what I really need to do is to draw up an exit plan from dancing. Figure out what kind of education and training I would need, and how much I need to have saved to leave dancing and support myself for 6 months while I'm building a clientele in my new job.

    I guess I have a lot more thinking to do, so I won't be hanging up the high heels just yet.

    Thanks for the responses, Ladies

  6. #6
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    13,855
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Paris,

    You can get your real estate and loan processing licenses just by taking the classes. You will have to pay, unless you get hired on by a company already, then they will pay for the courses.

    My business partner has gotten her real estate license and loan officer certifications. Its a self-starter type of career, and you build your own business. You would be great at it since strippers make money when we go out and get it, not wait for it to come to us. The company you will work for will help you get leads, but its more of a cross-marketing jobs. Check out ReMax or any of the other big real estate companies.

    Good luck in your endeavours!

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

  7. #7
    God/dess Gynger's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    3,103
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Paris:

    I danced and did a 40 hour work week for six months and it about killed me.. I understand what you are saying in your posts.

    I got out of dancing in the early 90's and had a corporate job and then went back after I lost my job due to a downsize. I loved the part time hours and the money but I grew bored too as well... as you know, last November I finally decided to leave for good.. but then tried to go back again and just couldn't really get into it again. I miss dancing, but then again, I don't.

    If you are skilled you should have no problems landing some sort of job.. and I agree with Susan with putting on your resume that you owned your business if you don't have something to put on it. You don't have to tell anyone what your business is, you could be vague and say you had an online business.

    I got my paralegal certificate, and am kicking around law school- but real estate licensing is very easy to obtain. The great thing about us girls who have danced we have a business mind.. so doing something in real estate or sales is a shoe in. I hate to even bring this up, but what about car sales? I know a former dancer here in Boise who makes over 100K a year just selling 12 cars a month.

    Pm me if you need to chat...

    Gynger


    [/URL]
    [/URL]



  8. #8
    God/dess
    Joined
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Puerto Rico
    Posts
    3,474
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    If that's you in that avatar you should think twice about retiring



  9. #9
    Member cincyguy's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    57
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Paris, I have been in the corporate world for years (we won't say how many), and I have conducted a lot of job interviews. Here's another option for explaining your seven year gap: say that you took time off to raise your child. No one is going to check up to see if you really have a child. This is a perfect reason for not working and many interviewers would see it as a sign of personal responsibility. If they find out later that you lied, they probably won't do anything if you're performing well. Even if they do, at least you'll have some experience on your resume.

    Just my .02
    Cincyguy

  10. #10
    God/dess Paris's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    6,345
    Thanks
    168
    Thanked 801 Times in 419 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Quote Originally Posted by cincyguy
    Paris, I have been in the corporate world for years (we won't say how many), and I have conducted a lot of job interviews. Here's another option for explaining your seven year gap: say that you took time off to raise your child. No one is going to check up to see if you really have a child. This is a perfect reason for not working and many interviewers would see it as a sign of personal responsibility. If they find out later that you lied, they probably won't do anything if you're performing well. Even if they do, at least you'll have some experience on your resume.

    Just my .02
    This will work fine if you are a plain looking woman, and people would probably not take issue with lieing durring an interview if it was a harmless lie. I have no kids. Now since I am an attractive woman, even if I am doing a good job, other female co-workers can be difficult to deal with. I have had it happen in the past, and have attractive friends who have a hard time at work because they are attractive. Just like dancers sabbotage each other, so do other women in the work place. I once made an error on an application at another job I worked at (had hire dates incorrect making it look like I worked for a company longer then I actually did). In the end I got fired, in no small part due to another female worker who's brother was a regional manager.

    Anyhow, I am thinking that I will just suck it up and keep dancing for a while until I get a little more savings and in the fall look again into moving forward with a career change. I was really looking for feedback like Gynger's, from ladies who have done it and how it is for them now.

    Yes, the avatar is me


  11. #11
    God/dess
    Joined
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Phoenix is home, work in Upper Midwest Boonies
    Posts
    3,274
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 107 Times in 61 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    I can understand where you are coming from Paris as we are about the same age and many clubs especially in the major cities have a large percentage of college aged dancers and those in their mid-twenties. Of course when you work the clubs I work in the Upper Midwest and Montana, it is more common to work with a lot more dancers in their 30's and early 40's.

    I feel it is a problem unless you are a person who likes the work world, leaving this business and working a full time paycheck job. Working 40 hours plus a week for a paycheck of $500-$600 or so is a slap in the face when a bad 6 night work week for you dancing is $1200-$1300.

    Since we have worked some of the same clubs I know it gets kind of tiring having to be gone from home for weeks on end to earn $1500 to $2000 or so a week, and to have to commute 90 miles from your home to work at the nearest close by club with earnings potential.

    Have you considered looking at passive income such as buying a unattended laudromat or something along those lines that will still allow you to be an entrepreneur versus an employee, and maybe saving some dancing revenue, continuing to work and gradually building up a source of income that won't require you physically having to go to work everyday, before you quit?

    I'm working in that direction right now with my fiancee' as I spend considerably more time away from home than you do, but want to make sure our cash flow is secure before I quit. And then I plan on just getting hired in a big city club and working 3 nights/days a week for whatever iffy money it is worth, since big city club income is shaky at best, with all the dancers you have to compete with, until the business income is steady enough that I can quit totally.

  12. #12
    God/dess Paris's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    6,345
    Thanks
    168
    Thanked 801 Times in 419 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Yes, Tina. I actually thought about buying a salon and leasing stations to beauticians. I would have a couple of cashiers/receptionists to take care of making appointments for the stylists, and sell products for added income. It would require me to check in on a weekly basis, but not too labor intensive.

    That would require me to continue dancing for a while, and I would need a decent amount of starting capital as well. I'm really trying to be creative about what I'm going to do for work, and still be able to live comfortably away from dancing.

    I have a very weird fear about quiting dancing-I'm afraid that I'll get fat . I expend so much energy at work that a "regular" job might cause me to become out of shape and flabby. That is another reason why I am considering selling althetic club memberships, so I can work out where I work, and have no excuses!

  13. #13
    God/dess
    Joined
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Phoenix is home, work in Upper Midwest Boonies
    Posts
    3,274
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 107 Times in 61 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Get a professional cross training machine, and put it in your bedroom LOL. I thought about that myself. Then I can get out of bed and get my cardio in, since us Sag's are said to have the potential to put on pounds in our "old age". Ha Ha.

  14. #14
    Featured Member Wwanderer's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    Most of the time in N. America, Asia, Europe or Australia
    Posts
    1,337
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    The "graceful exit" problem is a serious one not only for dancers but also other types of sex workers as well as many entertainment and athletic professions. The hard reality of it is that you are very unlikely to find another job with a similar combination of income, working hours, schedule flexibility, physical exercise, engaging activities etc. There just aren't all that many jobs with the same combination of qualities. And, of course, it is a tougher problem still for dancers and others whose work is stigmatized...thus creating a "hole" in your work history or a liability in the eyes of some potential employers.

    The best advice I have heard on the topic included:
    - Decide which aspects of your current profession are most important to you and try to replicate those in your new career. (In other words, accept that you probably can't find a job that reproduces all of them.)
    - Plan ahead #1: Try to develop skills and experience that will be useful to you in your next profession while you are still dancing (or whatever).
    - Plan ahead #2: Save money that will allow you to make the transition without too much financial hardship and pressure. Ideally, have enough saved to support yourself for a couple of years or more while you start a new line of work or go back to school or whatever.

    -Ww
    "At this moment what more need we seek?
    As the Truth eternally reveals itself,
    This very place is the Lotus Land of Purity,
    This very body is the Body of the Buddha."
    - Zazen Wasan

  15. #15
    God/dess GoldCoastGirl's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2002
    Location
    ...hehehe... email me to ask me where i am ! (i dare you!)
    Posts
    11,486
    Thanks
    42
    Thanked 127 Times in 51 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    You stated you have your own home therefore a mortgage. Yes it is a debt, a liability however it can be used (the equity if there is any) to help you get ahead. You can use the equity as a way to start another business or invest.

    My personal exit stategy is to create enough passive income via investments and other businesses so that I can quite dancing totally in about 9-10 years time. I plan to go "part time" (work 10 nights every month for instance) when I'm 30.

    Having your own home is a liability, a bad debt... however you can use the equity to create assets and "good debt"... debt that will give you money in your pocket.

    Make the money work for you not you for your money basically.


    enter: E3167322D9 for your 10% discount

  16. #16
    God/dess Gynger's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    3,103
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Quote Originally Posted by Paris
    This will work fine if you are a plain looking woman, and people would probably not take issue with lieing durring an interview if it was a harmless lie. I have no kids. Now since I am an attractive woman, even if I am doing a good job, other female co-workers can be difficult to deal with. I have had it happen in the past, and have attractive friends who have a hard time at work because they are attractive. Just like dancers sabbotage each other, so do other women in the work place. I once made an error on an application at another job I worked at (had hire dates incorrect making it look like I worked for a company longer then I actually did). In the end I got fired, in no small part due to another female worker who's brother was a regional manager.



    Paris:

    This has happened to me. I've worked in work environments where women are just insecure and will do anything to get rid of you.. start rumors, make your life hell etc.. and it sucks. I've been talked to about how I carry myself, how I walk, talk, and believe it or not, how I eat... I think that when you do apply for a position, you shouldn't lie and say you have kids when you don't- that's just asking for trouble. And, You shouldn't volunteer any information. I read a very old post of yours a few weeks back and you had mentioned in this post that (at the time, I believe you were still married)that your ex had his own business.. perhaps explain your seven year gap as being married to someone who allowed you to stay home or help him with the minor details of his business would be a much better explanation. I definately would not reveal your past life (dancing).. I did that once and I learned very quickly that I was immediately judged, immediately viewed differently and I was fired for something very stupid- I was told that I just didn't fit in.. my work was good, I was always on time, and it was almost a month after someone had recognized me and I was asked about it (and didn't lie.. I dont' lie when I am directly asked.. well, I used to not lie about dancing.. until this happened) and then I was let go.

    I hate the corporate world sometimes. No one really gets people in general- many are very judgmental.. and you add a woman who is smart, has a nice physical appearance and you get a whole bunch of shit that you don't deserve.

    I work for an attorney where it is just me, his wife and him. If I can, I will stay with him as long as possible simply because the thought of going back into an office environment where there are many women and personalities, just, well, it frightens me. I'm not frightened of working in that enviornment, I'm frightened because I know how mean women can be when they don't understand someone.

    We are not typical women. We are women who are survivors. Any woman who is in this business (dancing) has something that most women don't. You hear about women who joke about being "strippers" or what not, but to actually go through and do what we do takes a special person.

    Those of you who read this who do not know me, or are men.. if you work in an office environment where there is a woman who is attractive, takes care of herself etc.. take the time to notice how they are treated in conjunction with those who aren't. They are excluded.

    Paris.. as always, I wish you much success and happiness and if I can help you with anything, please PM me... remember, I have a background in HR, so if you need help with resume tips etc.. I'd be happy to help you!

    On another note, I had the same fear you did in regards to getting fat... I invested in a bow flex.. and I swear by them.. I'd even do a commerical if asked! LOL.....


    [/URL]
    [/URL]



  17. #17
    Senior Member EXDancer J.D.'s Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Houston
    Posts
    78
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Paris,

    You have gotten some great advice here. I, too, suggest putting down on paper what your passions and strengths are.

    There are so many dancers who have gained the skills necessary to be a small business owner, work in sales, or real estate.

    I think it is very hard to make a move into a "9 to 5" from dancing, especially one making less money.

    Try looking into work you can do on the side first, then make a gradual transition.

    I totally agree about lying about having a child, etc. - not worth the risk - I have always just stated that I was self-employed - that is the truth after all. As you find other independent work, you will have more varied experience to include on your resume.

    My gut tells me the jobs that you will gravitate toward and really escel at ar the ones that gaps in employment will not play a huge issue (e.g., real estates, outside sales, consulting, etc.).

    Also, I don't know what your education interests are, but making the transition from dancing to school was much easier for me than the transition from dancing to working. FYI, I had about 5 ex-dancers in my law school class!

    Good Luck - the fact that you are thinking about your plan is a huge step on the path to success.

  18. #18
    Featured Member Corey's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Location
    LA,CA,USA
    Posts
    1,610
    Thanks
    127
    Thanked 66 Times in 53 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    This is a suggestion for you to learn about other areas in the work world, not so much to earn money. Have you ever thought about an internship opportunity? It would mean putting in a few hours per week w/ no pay, but then you could experience what the work would be like at a minimal sacrifice.

    I just started in a program myself and I only spend eight hours per week. It is for a position in the enterainment industry.

    Anyway, you might want to give it some thought.

    Cheers,

    Corey

  19. #19
    Curious Guest
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    2
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    I know I am REALLY new to the forum but this has a lot to do with why I was looking around.

    I quit dancing a year ago (the second time I started again because I lost my job, but I learned a few things about quitting the first time so I kinda new what to expect.

    So here are my experiences and opinions and so that is all it is. Not like I know anything

    Sales jobs are a good match because, yes, dancing is like sales. But, in the sense that sales is like dancing, there eventually becomes an appearance issue. Do you see any older women selling cars on a high moving dealership? The choices are limited and if you don't make any money or have a bad month, then you are definitely going to start thinking about dancing again (screw this, I worked 80 hours this week for nada, I can at least make 10 dollars on a stage!). My opinion is to use the time and flexibility and money to get a degree. You can always sell cars or houses if you want later, but getting a degree helps so much. Even a 2 year degree. Even in business. But get something. A degree doesn't say you know how to do something, it says you can learn. I have an engineering degree and after 5 years of school, in your first job, they know you know nothing, nada. And you spend years learning. But the degree says you can learn that type of material. Even better if you can get a degree in something you can do; massage therapy or medical assistant, nursing, paralegal, engineering, psychology (you can do a lot with that one).

    The other thing you have to do is learn to live off an income the "normal" people live off of. And put the rest into savings. And that is hardest damn thing to do in the world. And getting a paycheck is hard too because the instant gratification is not there. You have to learn to change your attitude towards money and spending. But it is better to do it before you quit than afterwards.

    In my case however, it is one year, and I am missing the club. I moved across country because I knew I needed a fresh start and I needed to be in a town where I had not been in a club. I know that sounds silly but I knew I would always get drawn back in. But I miss dancing terribly and am having a hard time right now sorting out how to get over this hump. I don't regret my decision. But I knew this would happen and my strategy to counteract this didn't work as planned

    Anyone else have that problem?

  20. #20
    God/dess Bunny's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2003
    Posts
    2,495
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 36 Times in 30 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    if you work in an office environment where there is a woman who is attractive, takes care of herself etc.. take the time to notice how they are treated in conjunction with those who aren't. They are excluded.
    This can be SO true. I used to work for one company where me and another older lady were the two "outcasts" and they seemed to all think we were freaks. I actually had one little bitch go to the CEO of the company and try to get me fired for playing one game of Solitare during a slow time at my desk. I went to another company and at first felt kind of out of place because all of the other women in my department were black and didn't know if they'd accept me, but they did and it was the most awesome work environment! You just never know what a place will be like until you get there. Now I work as an independent contractor where I work with people but only on a limited basis and it's better than anything I've done before. Office works can SUCK unless you end up in an office that is really suited for you.

  21. #21
    Featured Member bambiblue's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2003
    Location
    la la land
    Posts
    1,143
    Thanks
    71
    Thanked 114 Times in 68 Posts
    My Mood
    Cool

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Paris,
    I don't know if this will help, but here's my story....

    I have been wanting to quit for a long time now. I fell in love with a guy who I want to marry someday. I also got bored with the lieing bullshitting I have to do everyday and the way it has affected my opinions on things and alienated me from from alot of people and opportunities. I know I shouldn't be ashamed of my job, but I am. Anyway, I have been in school for 3 years now pursueing my psychology degree. I am over 35,000 in debt with student loans, and still have a long way to go to get to a good paying job. I have no job references, no nothing. So I decided to start a 1 1/2 year plan to get out of this industry. I dropped out of the university I was at, enrolled in a technical school, and am working on getting a nursing degree. While this may not be for you, be sure that no matter what you decide to do, you leave room for advancement. I can always go back and further my education and therefore advance my salary. Real Estate is a good thing, but it takes a few years to start making the good money. Dancing is always there as a last resort. Or try bartending. I did that for 6 years and made awesome money. You could open your own entertainment agency, go to cosmotology school, home interiors... all kinds 1 - 2 year degrees that will give you that normal life back. To be honest, you would probably make more money selling cars than you would real estate. I will be 30 this year, and I feel panicked. I just want to be out of this buisness and doing something benificial. I hope everything works out for you. Good luck.

  22. #22
    God/dess Paris's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    6,345
    Thanks
    168
    Thanked 801 Times in 419 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Wow, there has been some really great advice here! I think any newbie needs to read this thread, so that she can understand just how difficult it is to move back into "civilian" life after being a dancer.

    I have been taking classes online, just little easy ones to get used to studying again, and have not done so well (I took some computer classes to learn web design). Okay, maybe writing code isn't exactly easy, but I figured that if I learned that I would be able to learn other topics as well. I have to take the class over as I didn't really get it, and needed to constantly refer to the course materiel to get the assignmnets and tests completed.

    I think I am going to keep dancing for a while. I earn a median income for my area, so it is not like I'm really raking in the bucks, but I'm not hurting either.

    Thanks so much for all the advice. I am starting to hammer out my exit plan now, but still have a lot of details to deal with.

    XOXOXXX Paris Love

  23. #23
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    way south of the border
    Posts
    25,932
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked 10,563 Times in 4,646 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    My personal exit stategy is to create enough passive income via investments and other businesses so that I can quite dancing totally in about 9-10 years time. I plan to go "part time" (work 10 nights every month for instance) when I'm 30.
    This is exactly what I did. With sufficient investment income sources, you are free to work in any capacity you choose. Perhaps more importantly, with sufficient investment income sources you can exercise the 'f#&k you' clause at any time in the future if the work you're doing doesn't suit you. But the key to establishing that sort of investment income nest egg is to save-save-save while you are dancing full time.

    It basically requires that you put aside about $100 a night every night for about 10 years. This should result in an investment nest egg which can produce at least $20-25,000 per year in passive income. With a $20-$25,000 annual income 'supplement', after retiring from dancing you can afford to work at any job you choose even if it doesn't pay enough by itself to support your desired liftstyle.

  24. #24
    Senior Member barbee's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2005
    Location
    dirty south
    Posts
    144
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Close to retirement

    Hey paris, i'm a real estate agent, and its not that easy as it may sound, and i'm a good agent too. When dealing with commission sales, your never garenteed money...Example that happened to me, I was working with this couple for about 4 months and the next day is closing on the house, well i get a phone can from the attorney saying were not closing, Why not, Name, just got fired from his job...Who is out of a paycheck for all there hard work and time wasted.ME! LIke every job it has it's good point and bad points, Since you like your flexability, this would be great for yeah, I'll sell you my marking book and things.j/k LOL

Similar Threads

  1. How close to home is too close?
    By Nuclear Martini in forum Newbie Board
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 07-30-2008, 10:35 AM
  2. Out Of Retirement!
    By Guenevere in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 03-25-2007, 12:54 PM
  3. Retirement, retirement
    By cherry_sin in forum Dollar Den
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 07-20-2006, 09:47 AM
  4. retirement
    By sxybrat07 in forum Dollar Den
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 04-22-2006, 08:30 PM
  5. Out of retirement
    By suze in forum Newbie Board
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-20-2005, 10:43 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •