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"Older developers of HN, what are your experiences?" I'm 43. When I was younger and first started out 20+ years ago I put in easily 50-60+ hour work weeks ,b

"Older developers of HN, what are your experiences?" I'm 43. When I was younger and first started out 20+ years ago I put in easily 50-60+ hour work weeks ,but only billed the client for 40. I was young , hungry to learn, and loved the feeling I got when I accomplished a project or tackled something new and complicated. It was self rewarding. It was not a job or even a career , it was a feeling that wow somebody is actually paying me to do something I fully enjoy. At 43 the only thing that has Changed is my ability to put in that extra time. I was married young and in college as well, but with no Child. At 35 we had our first child and my father had a stroke not too far after that. My responsibilities at home raising my Son and taking care of my older parents has consumed most of my free time. While it has not impacted my area of expertise, It has impacted my ability to stay up to date with all the latest and greatest technologies. Even when I was younger I always had a "learn as a needed" mentality and was able to quickly adapt. That hasn't changed nor my desire to learn new things. However, what has changed is that I have become selective on which technology "I need to learn". I also can't afford the risk to take a pay cut to jump on a new cool technology when I'm making good money , in my current industry. Having said that now I fantasize about retirement , but not to retire. I fantasize about that extra time and financial freedom to work and learn on the FUN projects I want. I have always wanted to get into the robotics industry to improve the quality of life for elderly people and children. I love the software and hardware intermingling and actually seeing the physical result, versus just software virtual results on the screen. Its something I fantasize enough about , that now I'm looking to purchase a new home with the space to build my lab (mwahahaha). In regards to ageism, Yes , I have seen it and would say its far more prevalent then the other 'ism' in the tech world. Luckily for me I don't really look like my age and can still pass for my 30's and have worked with the same clients for 20+ years, even after switching companies. However on paper its another thing, and something I definitely worry about if I have to change jobs or clients.

pdimitar 9y ago
Don't make my eyes wet, man. I am 37, no kids (happily! I don't want them!), burned out, tired, with several health problems due to continued neglect, in a relationship with the most awesome and beautiful woman in the world, and as much as I love programming, my soul SCREAMS for a break. As it is though, I've been extremely stupid and short-sighted most of my life and career and now that I make more money, I am compensating for a lot of mistakes in the past -- f.ex. I already must have spend at least 2500 euro on a dentist. Other medical bills will be rolling in shortly. Also upgrading tech, saving for good washing machine / refrigerator / oven. Started buying new clothes and shoes. Etc, etc. to infinity. Maybe in a few years I'll actually have savings and will be able to take 1-2 years of break but I quite frankly doubt it. This "mini retirement" is a beautiful dream but our system is constructed so as to keep you busy 100% of the time and doesn't care about your human needs. Still, not only the system is at fault -- we as people have to be smarter about our future, which I wasn't. Lastly, my woman can't support both of us -- for now, even though she really wants to. Maybe that will happen one day, who knows. For now though, most of the burden is on me and it's heavy.
- redblacktree 9y ago
  You remind me of me several years ago. I had a life coach at the time and he introduced me to financial discipline, in the particular form of Dave Ramsey and his debt snowball. We paid $47k of debt off in two years, and things have only improved since. We're saving to do a $30k kitchen renovation, something that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Two years seems like a long time, but the time will pass anyway. How would you feel to be debt free at the end of it? Something to think about.
  - pdimitar 9y ago
    Thank you. :) After buying the iPhone X for me and my wife, debts are the next target. Let this not sound dismissive but we don't need books and coaches to apply common sense to money; we always knew how to manage money but the income simply wasn't there up until several months ago. I firmly do NOT believe in the philosophy of "don't make more, spend less". To us this is BS. We only have one life -- as far as we know -- and spending it trying to achieve a monk level of discipline with money is a waste of happiness of the soul. The harsh truth is -- money does make a difference. It's absolutely not the center of happiness but it's a solid side contributor. Many people fail to account for that. In truth, being more happy with my woman (not because of the money -- but because of the relationship gradually developing and improving with time) also made me more financially-aware so at certain point you have to wonder if this isn't the chicken and the egg problem. :)
    - redblacktree 9y ago
      > I firmly do NOT believe in the philosophy of "don't make more, spend less". To us this is BS. We only have one life You really remind me of me. I had this exact conversation with my life coach. And you're right, this isn't rocket surgery -- it's grandpa's wisdom. The difference is in intentionality. Now I decide how I'll spend my money before I spend it (i.e. budgeting). That doesn't mean leading an ascetic lifestyle; we go out to eat, and I buy beer, video games, magic cards, etc. It's all summed up by one of my favorite Dave Ramsey lines: "A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went." Edit to add: We also bought a brand new vehicle because it was something important to us. $33,000. Cash. (well, almost -- we ended up paying ~$200 in interest, but that's a longer story)

pdimitar 9y ago

Don't make my eyes wet, man. I am 37, no kids (happily! I don't want them!), burned out, tired, with several health problems due to continued neglect, in a relationship with the most awesome and beautiful woman in the world, and as much as I love programming, my soul SCREAMS for a break. As it is though, I've been extremely stupid and short-sighted most of my life and career and now that I make more money, I am compensating for a lot of mistakes in the past -- f.ex. I already must have spend at least 2500 euro on a dentist. Other medical bills will be rolling in shortly. Also upgrading tech, saving for good washing machine / refrigerator / oven. Started buying new clothes and shoes. Etc, etc. to infinity. Maybe in a few years I'll actually have savings and will be able to take 1-2 years of break but I quite frankly doubt it. This "mini retirement" is a beautiful dream but our system is constructed so as to keep you busy 100% of the time and doesn't care about your human needs. Still, not only the system is at fault -- we as people have to be smarter about our future, which I wasn't. Lastly, my woman can't support both of us -- for now, even though she really wants to. Maybe that will happen one day, who knows. For now though, most of the burden is on me and it's heavy.

redblacktree 9y ago
You remind me of me several years ago. I had a life coach at the time and he introduced me to financial discipline, in the particular form of Dave Ramsey and his debt snowball. We paid $47k of debt off in two years, and things have only improved since. We're saving to do a $30k kitchen renovation, something that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Two years seems like a long time, but the time will pass anyway. How would you feel to be debt free at the end of it? Something to think about.
- pdimitar 9y ago
  Thank you. :) After buying the iPhone X for me and my wife, debts are the next target. Let this not sound dismissive but we don't need books and coaches to apply common sense to money; we always knew how to manage money but the income simply wasn't there up until several months ago. I firmly do NOT believe in the philosophy of "don't make more, spend less". To us this is BS. We only have one life -- as far as we know -- and spending it trying to achieve a monk level of discipline with money is a waste of happiness of the soul. The harsh truth is -- money does make a difference. It's absolutely not the center of happiness but it's a solid side contributor. Many people fail to account for that. In truth, being more happy with my woman (not because of the money -- but because of the relationship gradually developing and improving with time) also made me more financially-aware so at certain point you have to wonder if this isn't the chicken and the egg problem. :)
  - redblacktree 9y ago
    > I firmly do NOT believe in the philosophy of "don't make more, spend less". To us this is BS. We only have one life You really remind me of me. I had this exact conversation with my life coach. And you're right, this isn't rocket surgery -- it's grandpa's wisdom. The difference is in intentionality. Now I decide how I'll spend my money before I spend it (i.e. budgeting). That doesn't mean leading an ascetic lifestyle; we go out to eat, and I buy beer, video games, magic cards, etc. It's all summed up by one of my favorite Dave Ramsey lines: "A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went." Edit to add: We also bought a brand new vehicle because it was something important to us. $33,000. Cash. (well, almost -- we ended up paying ~$200 in interest, but that's a longer story)