I went from being a senior copywriter and copy editor at an investment research firm (as you know) to working 3 days a week at a bookstore in the airport, making approximately one-fifth of what I made before. And you know what, I'm happy. Not the delirious big-shot type happiness, but an everyday contentment that comes from low pressure, low stress, and the comforting knowledge that at the end of the day, I can drop everything and don't have to think about my job anymore. It's also done wonders for keeping my ego in check. :) So I'm off 4 days a week and work on my blog, my book, and on my little Catholic radio side gig. That's it. I've never been more content in my life. Yes, money is tight, but the peace of mind is priceless. I should add: I also feel closer to God again. If you want a real relationship with God, you have to make room in your life for Him.
Are you actually making a reference to Firesign theater’s “I think We’re All Bozos on this Bus?” You have to be pretty long in the tooth to remember that. Just to help keep you humble, you talk a lot about your high profile DJ gigs and the places and people you perform with. I’ve never heard of a single one of these people. I clicked on the link to a playlist you posted in one of your essays. I’ve never heard of one of those songs either. Doesn’t make you, or me, a good or bad person. There’s a lot of big fish in small ponds out there. Read “The Terror of Tim Boo Ba.” from Amazing Adult Fantasy, number 9. I just looked it up. You can find it online. I remember this lesson in humility from a comic book from the 60’s. We all have a lot to be humble about.
I wondered if it was a Firesign Theater reference too. My favorite is Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him. I practically memorized it as a child. I was a very weird kid.
Dude I went to the Ruth’s Chris in Myrtle Beach!!! And you’re right it is the biggest ripoff going… sure the steak was good but not much better than I can make at home. It’s ridiculous. $100 at per person without any side or drinks. That’s over 10 years ago. Great stories. Thanks 🙏
When I lived in West LA, the lawyer and surgeon I went to church with were arrogant and patronizing. The men who made their money in infomercials and garbage treated everyone as equals and were great people. The infomercial guy was worth hundreds of millions, garbage guy a bit less. Some careers are just more conducive to acting arrogant than others. We moved there in 2006 and I am a CF who ran the numbers so we did not buy a house. The status folks assumed we were not doing well financially and behaved accordingly. We could have bought, but we would have lost more money than I could handle as we were only there 5 years.
I once had a big nasty pimple on my ass in college that was painful to sit on and eventually popped and oozed some nasty stuff... and you're telling me I'm like that pimple?
"Your ego is not your amigo."
So well typed ...
I will steal that line with permission.
I went from being a senior copywriter and copy editor at an investment research firm (as you know) to working 3 days a week at a bookstore in the airport, making approximately one-fifth of what I made before. And you know what, I'm happy. Not the delirious big-shot type happiness, but an everyday contentment that comes from low pressure, low stress, and the comforting knowledge that at the end of the day, I can drop everything and don't have to think about my job anymore. It's also done wonders for keeping my ego in check. :) So I'm off 4 days a week and work on my blog, my book, and on my little Catholic radio side gig. That's it. I've never been more content in my life. Yes, money is tight, but the peace of mind is priceless. I should add: I also feel closer to God again. If you want a real relationship with God, you have to make room in your life for Him.
Thanks Jared.
I recently retired, and you’re right…
We Ain’t Shit.
Good stuff!!
All the pain in my life comes from when I am resisting.
Now that is Truth.
Are you actually making a reference to Firesign theater’s “I think We’re All Bozos on this Bus?” You have to be pretty long in the tooth to remember that. Just to help keep you humble, you talk a lot about your high profile DJ gigs and the places and people you perform with. I’ve never heard of a single one of these people. I clicked on the link to a playlist you posted in one of your essays. I’ve never heard of one of those songs either. Doesn’t make you, or me, a good or bad person. There’s a lot of big fish in small ponds out there. Read “The Terror of Tim Boo Ba.” from Amazing Adult Fantasy, number 9. I just looked it up. You can find it online. I remember this lesson in humility from a comic book from the 60’s. We all have a lot to be humble about.
Keep up the good work!
I wondered if it was a Firesign Theater reference too. My favorite is Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him. I practically memorized it as a child. I was a very weird kid.
“Everything you know is wrong” seems appropriate these days.
Important message…thanks for sharing perspective to keep humility part of your financial journey
Dude I went to the Ruth’s Chris in Myrtle Beach!!! And you’re right it is the biggest ripoff going… sure the steak was good but not much better than I can make at home. It’s ridiculous. $100 at per person without any side or drinks. That’s over 10 years ago. Great stories. Thanks 🙏
Well done, as always. Becoming a Mauldin Economics subscriber was some of the best money I've ever spent.
I've flipped burgers and the great thing is that the vast majority of customers are not assholes.
So true Jared. Reminds me of Covey's story in this book about the New York Subway and 3 kids coming on it from so many years ago.
https://growwithsparkz.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/13-may-story-the-subway-paradigm-shift-book-7-habits-of-highly-effective-people/. (Not my blog - just referencing)
Hoping the Vegas gig goes off awesome.
When I lived in West LA, the lawyer and surgeon I went to church with were arrogant and patronizing. The men who made their money in infomercials and garbage treated everyone as equals and were great people. The infomercial guy was worth hundreds of millions, garbage guy a bit less. Some careers are just more conducive to acting arrogant than others. We moved there in 2006 and I am a CF who ran the numbers so we did not buy a house. The status folks assumed we were not doing well financially and behaved accordingly. We could have bought, but we would have lost more money than I could handle as we were only there 5 years.
I once had a big nasty pimple on my ass in college that was painful to sit on and eventually popped and oozed some nasty stuff... and you're telling me I'm like that pimple?
Goes for athletes, actors, and others! So true!
Would you extrapolate further on the "they" that would have you dial the energy up or down?