A few years ago I was thinking about retirement even though I'm nowhere close to the age of when most people retire, I got to thinking if I paid the house off and one of my vehicles paid for I could probably swing it since the wife makes good money and holds the health insurance and the kids don't need a babysitter anymore. So I got the house paid for and will have only one vehicle payment after the end of this month. I have a couple rotten discs in my lower spine and don't want to keep doing steel work forever cuz I'm wearing out fast bodywise. I always wanted to spend a season just hunting and trapping before I tip over dead or are too crippled up to do it. I plan to keep expenses to a minimum by biking and walking my traplines and no one in the family is scared to eat wild meat that I shoot or trap. The wife is ok with it but a little worried about money and thinks I'm having a midlife crisis lol. I plan to get a part time job if things go south but I'm not real worried about it. I'd like your opinions on it please. Kinda off topic but does anyone know what the measurement of the bridger #4 dbl is across the jaws? My old victor 4s are 6" from jaw end to jaw end but a little over 5 across. Thanks!

I'd say go for it.

I am in a little different situation with no wife or kids but I retired in October at 50 and haven't regretted it yet.

Do the retirement. You wont regret it.

I have no idea on the dbl ls4's jawspread....

Go for it, you can always go back to work when you're too old to hunt and trap.

The main issue I see, is that if your wife does not get to retire at the same time too, there is good chance she will will start resenting you.

Keith

Help a lot more around the house...cleaning, dishes, clothes washing/drying, cooking, etc. She will NOT resent you.

Go for it
Get a hobby that pays minnow money

Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. Go for it

I see all kinds of guys that are supported by their wives. Most of them are hobby farmers.

Nightcrawler money, not shiners!

Thanks guys! I planned on doing it but just wanted to see if everyone here thinks I'm going off the deep end like the others I've mentioned it to lol. It's mostly guys at work that know but then again, they think they're gonna get rich working all the time. I ain't scared of working hard but time is worth more than money. I'll be 40 next year and like you said, I can always go back to work.

I hung it up at 54. Had a really high paying great job…. folks thought I was kidding when I told them I was leaving. Best decision I ever made, no regrets.

Old BUCKNE always said all us trapperman types were all wife moochers & drunks !!!!

w

I agree, why put the whole burden on your wife. Change careers that is easier on your body. Im 46 days from retirement at the age of 65. I carry the health insurance, so I feel I have to work till May of 2024 and my wife will be 65. Then there will be no hard feeling when its time for me to retire.

With back issues and your age - who is going to hire you 4 years from now if retirement doesn’t work out.

Plenty of 20 year olds out there with good backs and up to date skills.

Just saying…………

Wait. You are 39? Ok, I change my answer and yes, I think you are nuts.

Meh….. go for it. There’s nothing but fear and common sense holding you back.

Osky

Going to be 40 yrs old next yr!! I broke my back once, caved in my skull once and haven't missed a days work in 30 yrs. I got banged up pretty good when I was young. At 40 yrs old you sound like a butter cup. Maybe get the kids to work to have more money coming in. And you wont need a part time job.

Sorry just being honest.

Your not even 40 years old yet?I assume you have no pension at that age?How long have to even been working?Quitting work now,,you wont have much Social Security to look forward to when you become of age.Its your decision.Do as you will.

X2.

I would stop and consider a couple of things. 1. If you are counting on Social Security in 25 years..........do you really want to count on that ? and......2. Are you really willing to give up 20-25 years of earnings that could go straight into investments to provide a less constrained retirement when you are 65 or older ?

Even if you worked some desk job part time you could very likely put away a paltry 1000 bucks a month. Heck that's less than minimum wage.

A thousand a month for 20 years even at a simple 5% compounded quarterly will give you an additional 415 thousand dollars over twenty years. That isn't a lot but it's better than a stick in the eye. Probably still have a lot of free time in between.

I would consider getting some training in something that will allow you to change careers and still save money and your back.

My dad.....a truck driver, always told me to make a living with my head, not my back. I wish I had listened.

Good luck