Shit I have no control over in my life amazes me. I wonder how I made it through those times.
I think of the title of this thread being more about a tragedy, or an event in your life that changed things forever for you. Not things I regret doing, how I am financially etc... That's why I said life changing things that have happened that I can't believe I/wife and kids were lucky to get through.
Good topic, I go through cycles every couple of years where I get frustrated with where I'm at in life. Personally, I'm quite content.
Financially, paying bills just to live is aggravating to me and I have no desire to work until I'm 65. I wish I had that entrepreneurial spirit! I've got friends who start their own businesses, change industries, and I'm impressed. I've started to focus hard on my financial future recently and I'm excited with the investment opportunity over the upcoming years with the Internet of Things and the flood of states legalizing cannabis. I never paid attention to trends previously and now read through my 401k and IRA statements in quite a bit of detail.
Still, I wish I went into a higher paying career so I'd have a better chance of retiring early. No guarantees though as a health issue is all it takes to wipe out everything.
I don't think there is anything wrong being unhappy with your life as long as you are taking steps to better your situation. Realizing something needs to change is the first step.
Our auto insurance premium notice arrived and up another $260 from last year, I guess it is because we replaced a windshield ( with $250 deductible ).
Time for shopping, again.
I mean, we pay more than $1500 annually plus $400 for the umbrella for 3 vehicles ( older model ). Obviously they are not happy of what they makes. Never a claim until the windshield had a crack ( hit by a fallen leaf with wind gust to 50+ MPH )
I'll start calling around to see if anyone out there would have better pricing for the same coverage.
Where do I start? 
Try eSurance. I can't believe how inexpensive it was when I switched to them last year, and it dropped another $80 this year. I work in insurance, so I am not buying a crap policy.
Every company has a different "sweet spot" for pricing, but you can get an eSurance quote online in about 5 minutes. Worth a shot.
eSurance basically is a site where all the insurance company competes for your business.
An auction house if you would.
I got my current insurance policy through the eSurance, the rate was good for a few year until we made a claim to replace the windshield. Then the 18% hike came immediately.
I want to compare apple to apple instead of being flooded with emails and phone calls . So this time I will select a few carrier and let them have my current coverage to compare their rate.
Like many, I have been through some difficult times, but I try not to look back. I feel like the most blessed man on the planet, never dreaming that my life would turn out like this. I used to look at those who were "ahead" of me with some jealousy/regret, but I just kept my head down and focused on what I could achieve. We are all fortunate in some way or another - I focus on my blessings and not what I didn't get or don't have. All of our parents are gone and I was glad SWMBO and I had time to enjoy them in their senior years. Our kids and grandkids are treasures and we spend a LOT of time with them. Life is truly good when you appreciate what you have and don't regret what you don't have or didn't do.
I can definitely relate to this. I was laid off last year after 15 years with a huge tech company. It was really frustrating to me to see the people who were absolutely awful at their jobs (but good at "looking important") keep their jobs or get promoted and many who were doing our best and being effective get kicked to the curb. Luckily for me there was a generous severance package and my wife, who had been homeschooling our kids, was able to get a job (ironically with that same tech company). So now I do the homeschooling and do guitar amp repair on the side. I'm pretty happy (and lucky) how things have turned out. I am proud of how i conducted myself on the job and would not trade places with the suck-ups for anything.
I know.
So many seated at the top management level had no business being there. They don't have the technical know-how, and they could not manage their own family if they try, but copy those procedures from a book or lecture to blindly implement the " new and better way " of doing things. Even when there is no need to change anything, they'd look "busy" by interrupting other's life and work.
Sigh !
I know someone once said, don't need to know everything about any product or service to sell it. B.S. and that's what it really is. The root of all problem.
Wish I'd have stayed active with the drums. Went through a period of almost 50 years away from it, and now I have to be content with occasional sit-ins with friends. This is me last night.
