Hello everyone,

I wanted to share my experience because it has helped me alot in balancing my life. I am currently 36 years, I graduated from University 13 years ago in computer science. I immediately started a job where I was overworked, I used to work over 80 hours per week, weekends, on programming assignements, network admin, travalling overseas. I liked my work but the problem was that I had no personal time, in the meantime my relationships suffered, never had a girlfriend, because had no time to go out, yes was still a virgin... then one day my grandma passed away, whom I was really close to, then my aunt a year later. I realized that life is too short to spend overworking yourself. I was making alot of money working for a private computer company but 10 years ago, I decided to change all that, I decided to apply to the Canadian Federal Government, took me over a year to get in, and I ended up passing all the exams. So they hired me as a computer professional. All I can say is that I am extremely happy yes I get paid $59000.00/year, alot less than what I was previously paid but I only get to work 4 days out of the week, and Friday I have off, I LOVE IT.  AND GET A WHOLE MONTH VACATION EVERY YEAR, PLUS HERE IN CANADA, WE DO NOT PAY MEDICAL EXPENSES LIKE IN THE U.S.

The other thing is that I also bought 2 investement properties and I am making $40000.00 in rental income. YES I LOVE IT. REAL ESTATE Plus a government job has allowed me financial independence.

Well all I wanted to say is that its not worth being unhappy, life is too short, if you are being overworked try to find another way to resolve this. I never used credit cards and always invested my money. This is the key to financial independeance and yes I also drive a mercedes benz and I am no longer a virgin... LIFE IS GREAT here in Canada.