Do We Ever Get To Go HOME?

Do we ever get to go HOME?

Home is more a time, rather than a place, I think.

We cannot repeat the past.

You can never step into a river the same place you did before, simply because the water in the river keeps flowing.

Time indeed keeps marching on.

Where do we go; ‘home’?

The clock keeps ticking.

Minutes and seconds are irreplaceable.

The years in our past are past.

As much as we try to rewrite history, the truth in history remains permanently etched in place.

Our past can haunt us or it can spur us to change.

We never become unhinged from the moments of our past. It is the fabric that makes up our history, who we were.

How we allow it to handle us, is what matters.

It has been said that a person’s history gives a good indication of a person’s future direction. Is this true? I think but not always!

Going “home again”

Chases up the memories of both the good times and not so good times in our past.

Brings to mind some moments that should remain buried. So are their regrets?

Regrets,

Yes, I have many.

What do we do with regrets?

Do we let them hang around our necks pulling us down into depression?

Can we “flip” them off as insignificant?

What is the purpose of regrets?

Maybe it is a sign of a healthy mental attitude to harbor regrets.

Harboring regrets

Brings to mind a flotilla of boats sitting quietly in the water waiting for someone to start their engines.

Every now and then I “start the engine ” on one of my regrets.

Not good!

The moments I regret are in my past and I do not have it in my power to change my past.

So, I have to let go of my regrets. Learn from them, never repeat doing what I have regretted.

Regrets have become part of the fabric of my past,

unfortunately, sown into my history, with the purpose of influencing me to make better choices going forward.

Do we ever get to go home again?

Yes!

Memories build the home we visit.

Home is a moment or moments in time, captured in pictures, etched in our memories but unavailable in the present.

So I make the most of this present time since this time will fill my memories in the future.

“…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” Phil. 3:13b

What are your fondest memories?

Do you ‘harbor’ regrets? Why?

Please leave a comment, let’s have a discussion.

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Wheels Around Town

Richard

06/12/201706/13/2017

Decisions in Retirement, are you making wise decisions?

Decisions In Retirement, are you making wise decisions?

It’s not about the money!

Detailing the three S’ of living happily in retirement.

Decisions, let’s talk about it. The preponderance of information on retirement living is about the money.

Do we have enough? Will it last our lifetime?

While having money in a retirement savings account is important, it is by far, not the most significant for living happily in retirement.

There are other decisions in retirement which should be considered.

I’ve been to many nations of the world, sat and talked with people who have little of this world’s goods but are living happily, nonetheless.

My 3 S’ of living a happy retired life. Not the only requirements but these 3 top my list.

Decision one: Schedule

Keep it. I worked with a man who brought his alarm clock to work on his last day. He gathered us all around him as he placed his alarm clock in a huge press machine, hit the button, smashing it to pieces. With a grin on his face, he announced, “I’m outta here!” Not a good choice. I will admit that the first few weeks of being ‘schedule less’, sleeping in late is kinda neat. Regaining a personal schedule is important as the old adage says; ‘early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise’ is not only a good rhyme, it packs, wisdom. Retirees are in charge of their schedule, make one and keep it.

Decision two: Security

Provide it. Again, I’m not talking about the money. It’s about not making impulsive decisions. No longer restrained by a 8 to 5 schedule we erroneously think we can do ‘whatever we like’. The need to continue doing the routine duties to maintain basic essentials must continue. Family members and friends respond favorably when they sense you as a secure, stable person. Not one who bends to every whim and latest fad.

Decision three: Selection

Knowing what’s important. Being content with the person you have become and with what you have makes for true happiness in your golden years. An interesting article was written this week, although mostly about money, mentions the importance of maintaining family and relationships in retirement. Read it here.

Now with more free time take the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, build strong connections with distant relatives. This will support the happiness we all desire in our retirement years. My extended family has been meeting for breakfast one Saturday a month for over 28 years. See picture on right.

Keep connecting by signing up to receive my blog posts. Please leave a comment.

Richard

wheelsaroundtown.com

05/30/201706/02/2017

Change, Yes! – Retirement Allows It

Change is necessary for a fulfilled life.

For us, retirees, the opportunity to make changes to improve our lives is ours alone.

I want to tell you how starting your own business can bring about the good change needed in your life.

But first, just a few words about the impact that neglecting to change will changes everything,

Change! People who willingly neglect to make the necessary changes in jobs, marriages, and lifestyle confound me.

Here is one example of a man who neglected to make the necessary change needed to improve his marriage and the tragic results.

He sat across the table from me: “I’m not changing!” he boasted. His marriage was in shambles. “She can do want she wants to do, but, me, I’m not changing!” Later that year he sat alone, divorced and alienated from his 4 children. His neglecting to change, changed everything for him.

Many are the reasons we claim to be “changeless”. Guess what, change continues its downward spiral if left to itself.

We have all seen the abandoned rusted out cars left sitting in the weeds. Those cars were new at one time, taken care of by their owners. Now no longer taken care of, they rust away. The beauty, the thrill they once brought to their owners, now gone! The number one reason for this is; neglect. Cars and trucks that are neglected, rust.

Ideas, dreams and career change not acted on, die!

Do not let the weeds of neglect obscure the golden opportunities held in your future.

There are many opportunities to begin your own business. I want to tell you about one, which made a good change for me.

The first 2 years of my retirement I caught up on my ‘to do’ list.

Change, yes I needed a change. Then I researched jobs for retirees, nothing caught my attention.

Change!, yes I was willing, but I had requirements for post-retirement work which included 4 parameters.

1. No scheduled ‘work times’.

2. No off-site office to work from.

3. No ‘buy-in’ to start

4. No monthly ‘auto-ship’ requirement to keep getting paid.

My friend, Bill, had signed up to drive for Uber.
He suggested I should do the same.
This was a good choice for me.
It met all my parameters for a retirement occupation.

1. Yes, I could work whenever I wanted.

2. Yes, I could start my day from my home.

3. Yes. I started with no ‘buy-in’.

4. Yes, all I needed to start was my car and smartphone, which I already owned.

Change! Yes, you can have your own business. I did it and thousands of others have a ride share business of their own.

It is possible.

This is one of the options you have of charting a new course in retirement.

I will agree, its not for everyone.

But it just might be the one for you.

“Begin somewhere. You cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do.” Liz Smith

Thanks for reading, Wheels Around Town.

Please write a comment, question or some insight you have on retirement income.

Richard

I receive compensation when people sign up for offers on my post. Thank you for doing so.

(Header image by, jiafeng-wang; Unsplash)

05/22/2017

My Top 5 Points about driving for Uber or Lyft

If you are considering ridesharing there are great rewards and some pain associated with the experience.

When you install the driver app on your smartphone for Uber, Lyft or some other TNC, (Transportation Network Company) you are in for quite a ride.

There are many things that are true about ridesharing. It could be a long list.

After 2 years and over 2,200 rides, in a small market, I’ve come up with my 5 top points that are true about driving for Uber and Lyft.

Read my list of my top 5 points about driving for Uber and Lyft:

1. Flexibility with your time. Good job for the retired person. Number one, it gets you out of the house and two, you’re moving instead of sitting still!

2. Extra income. Sure you will make the dollars, but the need to keep good records of expenses is required.

3. Meet interesting people. You will discover that the people in your area are more diverse than you had imagined.

4. Miles on your car. The odometer will spin! Make sure you have good tires and all your lights are working.

5. Learn more about your city/county then you thought possible. The metro area I drive in is Lancaster County Pennsylvania, anchored by Lancaster city with a population of 60,000. The surrounding suburbs and towns add up to a population of 508,000 souls. This makes it the 101st largest metro areas in the USA. I’m a life-long resident but there are streets and roads I never knew existed till now.

Something else to consider. As a driver for a TNC, you are an independent contractor. That has its pluses and has some minuses. You are responsible for all the expenses of keeping your car clean and in excellent running shape. The latest up-to-date smartphone is almost a necessity. The more detailed mileage records you keep, the better for you at tax time. In an upcoming post, I will enumerate on some other items that will make your ride share business prosper.

The bottom line is this; if you like meeting strangers and driving your car, there is a place for you and it’s right in the seat of your car!

You can sign up to drive for Uber or Lyft in the boxes on the sidebar. I will receive an incentive and you will have an exciting new business of your own!

I always like to leave you with a favorite quote and words from the book of wisdom ~

It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement. – Mabel Newcomer

He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 10:4

There are more things true about ride sharing, I’d like to share some with you in the future.

Take some time to share a question or comment, I appreciate your comments, questions and suggestions.

I’d appreciate you sharing this post on your social media page. Thanks for doing so.

Wheeling around town

Thanks,

Richard Armstrong

05/16/2017

Ever run into a ‘brick wall’ when asked this question; “What will this ride cost me”?

What will this ride cost me?

Have you ever had a rider get in your car after requesting a ride on Uber or Lyft and then ask; “What will this ride cost me?”.

Occasionally I have been asked this question. Maybe you have also. Or sometimes when in a conversation someone will ask about a future ride to an airport, they pose the question; “what will this ride cost me?”. I usually hesitate to answer since I’m not quite sure of the cost. I could “pluck from the air” an answer that I assumed would be within the ballpark of the cost.

But now, there is an answer for the question, “What will this ride cost me?”.

The answer is right on your smartphone on the internet.

This will provide not only estimated cost for Uber, Lyft, and Taxi and other rideshare companies. It gets even better since it also shows not only the cost for the rider but the amount that the ride share driver will be paid! Better, better still, it is FREE!

It is; www.rideguru.com

Here is a screenshot from rideguru.com of a trip from Lancaster, PA to the BWI Airport.

www.rideguru will give you a very good idea of what you can answer someone when they ask; “What will this ride cost me?”.

You also have a good idea of what money you can expect to earn on this trip. I think this will be a great help in our ridesharing business. When we know what we know it gives us a greater satisfaction in our driving for Uber, Lyft or some other rideshare company. To me, this is can be a real help in my business. I’m sure it will be in your business as well.

Tell me what you think.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe

I’d like you to sign up to keep my post coming your way. Leave a comment, question or advice. I will read and appreciate what you contribute.

See you; Wheels Around Town.

Richard

03/29/201705/11/2017

Wheels Around Town

Stories and insights on Ride Sharing

I like meeting people and like driving. In my wheels around town I meet the most interesting people.

They are nice people just wanting to go to work, go home or going out for dinner.

Whatever the reason, they need a ride and I’m there for them.

On these blog post I’ll share my “wheels around town” stories and give some Ride Sharing insights on driving for Uber and Lyft.

Are you a Ride Share driver?

Are you a Ride Share rider?

Do you drive for Uber or Lyft?

When you click for a ride is it, Uber or is it, Lyft?

I’ve driven for Uber for almost 2 years. That’s over 2,200 rides. Lyft just came to our town recently so my totals are much lower for Lyft.

I drive in South Central Pennsylvania. Small market, but has become increasingly busy.

I’m Richard Armstrong and so glad to have you on my site.

I have 3 questions for you. I’m really interested in what you have to say.

1. As a driver, what troubles you the most about driving for Uber or Lyft?

2. As a rider, what did you appreciate the most about your ride?

3. Driver and or rider; what prompted you to use either Uber or Lyft?

Please, write your input on any of the questions I’ve asked in the comment section below.

Let’s get the conversation going.

I promise I will read the comments and have some answers in upcoming blog post.

Parting thoughts:

Diligence pays big
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5 NKJV)
“It’s simple… go the extra mile and you will stand out from the crowd.” Robin Crow

Thank you,

Richard