I knew it had been a “minute” since my last post but was surprised when I saw it was June 14. I had thought about it-even starting several short drafts-but they were never finished. Obviously. I got busy. My current situation has evolved into having four part-time gigs. Funny, for the longest time when I heard the reference to “Gig-economy” I thought of gig being a reference to a computer, like memory maybe, and couldn’t figure out what it meant. When I finally did figure it out I was knee deep in them.” Four gigs to be exact. In my previous life (before retirement) I had one proper job-or career-and various hobbies. I am finding the difference between a hobby and a gig is pretty simple. Hobbies cost money and gigs generally make some. In all fairness one of my gigs feeds another gig. I work estate sales ( gig 2) with my wife Lisa. It is quite enjoyable but does encourage a certain amount of spending when you find things (or stuff, items, shit…you get the point) that you feel you cannot live without. Fortunately, we have been able to evolve beyond this, to a point anyway, and be more discerning in our purchases. I digress. Estate sales allow me to feed my passion for vinyl & related equipment but realized I had to be able to generate enough income to make up for any of my purchases. So to generate more income than I spend, say hello gig # 3, eBay. Sometimes estate sales are hard because you are faced with so many interesting and compelling options that we cannot say no to. Other sales have an abundance of stuff that provide zero interest. It balances out pretty well fortunately and we win more than we lose. Gig number 1 continues to be Real Estate. It is challenging for sure and climbing interest rates don’t make it any easier but we continue to push forward. Gigs 2 & 3 actually came out of a real necessity to create a secondary income between real estate sales. Gig #4 showed up unexpectedly and sadly generates zero income. Lisa had been on our HOA Board a year after we moved here and stayed for 5 years. She had done great things but was exhausted. I took over for the last several months of her term and was elected as secretary on my own in January. I was happily serving under our friend and HOA President, that is until he resigned in June. His wife had been offered a phenomenal opportunity that also allowed them to move home to Colorado. So in June I was elected HOA President. In addition, because no one else on the board has felt compelled to ease my burden, I also continue serving as Secretary. It is not full-time but occasionally seems to come close. So, technically I am retired and draw social security, but find myself with four different vocations. I had other plans for my time of course but understood my social security income didn’t match my wishlist and therefore was not realistic or achievable without some help. Hence my version of the gig economy. You get out of life what you are willing to invest. I appreciate having the health to pursue these varied opportunities and find myself happier than possibly any other time in my life.

Next post, 50 year High School Reunion