We will have to mail him the occasional sample of burnt trans fluid, and gear oil, to remind him of the good decision he has made . Maybe he can occasionally smash his fingers with a ball peen hammer, and burn his forearm on the stove if he needs some more reminders .

Fantastic, I'm thoroughly impressed by your drive. I've read about folks that radically changed professions over the course of the years including folks that were >40 and >50 and have always thought that was pretty amazing. I can't imagine trying to start over.

Lot of truth to this and that was my thought process when we closed our business. I went into Police/Fire dispatch.

Job security...yep I got that and disgustingly good bennies.... but beware, the attitude in gubmint employ can be quite soul sucking. It's a totally different universe from private industry.

This gig's pay starting out is low - but better rate than most private / retail business in the metro area. Benefits however are on another planet! I think we even get groundhog day and boxing day off w/ pay. I still have all of my "projects" to work on. I have a decent garage at the house with most everything a small pro repair shop would have. It's still in my blood

The car business is very tough - most fail or get eaten alive before becoming successful. The only other business that equals is the bar/restaurant industry. The majority of people I've worked for and with have either cheated or stolen money from me. Trust me, if you can survive either industry and all the @ssholes in it - you can make it anywhere

There was a recent article in the local paper about people on the sales side in dealerships and how they have been affected by the downturn in the economy. One sales guy was near my age and had worked for this dealership since the late '80's. He had four kids, put 1 through college and lived in a modest house. By all accounts middle class.

However since the downturn his earnings have decreased significanty and now his wife has to work full time. He said he did not know what he was going to do next because he did not know how to compose a resume OR how to search the Internet for job other job opportunites.

To me people like that deserve to drown in this economic climate. If you are that lazy and unmotivated enough with the world beneath your keyboard. Step aside

Congratulations! After dropping out of college and working construction for 5 years I decided that I didn't want to swing hammers for my entire life, nor was it providing the lifestyle that I desired for my family. I went back to school with a wife and kids, working along with being a full time student. It was a LOT of hard work, but absolutely worth it.

Evolve or become extinct. You made the right choice.

This will be the second time I have started over. The first time I was able to make the transition in @2 years. This time, @11 years. It will be worth it.