Hello, my name is Daniel. I’m a 58 year old U.S. Navy Veteran and have spent most of my adult life working in the electronic manufacturing industry. Like a lot of people my age, I expected that steady work would lead to a modest retirement.

Major shifts in my industry over the years—driven by trade policies and broader economic changes—steadily eroded the career path I had built. Opportunities narrowed, wages didn’t keep up, and I ended up carrying debt while trying to stay afloat. I’m now about nine years from traditional retirement age, but my current job barely covers living expenses and doesn’t make a real dent in what I owe. At this pace, I’ll still be paying off debt long after I’m past retirement age.

I’m currently about $40,000 in debt. On top of that, I’m looking at getting hiatal hernia surgery to have some peace from digestive issues I have dealt with for about 7 years. The exact out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance and the procedure details, but these surgeries commonly run several thousand dollars (or more) after deductibles and co-pays, plus recovery time that could affect work.

Living in Denver has also become unsustainable for me personally—I want to stay in Colorado but relocate to a quieter, lower-cost area preferably in the southwest part of the state where I can live more simply. Lacking the current ability for retirement, this would also necessitate a change in employment.

My goal is straightforward: clear the debt, cover the medical bill for the surgery, handle moving costs, and create enough of a bridge so I can stop full-time work and retire now rather than years from now. I’m not looking for luxury—just the chance to stop the cycle of barely getting by and live modestly in a place that feels right.

It's a lofty goal, I know, since the last time I did the calculations for what I'd need to retire is about $1,500,000 by today's economic outlook. I'm not expecting that, I'm only hoping for enough to get myself out of the current rut and heading back in the right direction!

Hopefully I can rebuild a retirement income after decades in an industry that never allowed me to do so.

How the funds will be used:

- Pay off approximately $40,000 in existing debt

- Cover potential out-of-pocket costs for hiatal hernia surgery and short-term recovery

- Moving and relocation expenses (deposits, transportation, initial setup)

- A modest living-expense bridge while I transition out of full-time work and settle into a more stable financial situation.

Any amount helps, and sharing this page is just as valuable as a donation. I’ll post updates as things progress. Thank you for taking the time to read this—your support would mean a great deal.