My rule is when in doubt hire a professional. You could do it just this year and then you have direction to resume doing it yourself after the consultation. What you don't want is to do it wrong and be hit by a huge tax bill. Remember the old saying, "Don't be pennywise and pound foolish."

Having kids doesn't mean they would have taken care o you.

I've decided to keep working until my last kid is thu college.

We all fall - even me.

My kids have to maintain good grades. They have to be involved in activities. They have to report to me how thing are going. I watch for any activity that would steer them wrong - drinking, drugs, etc. So their skin in the game is knowing the money won't be there if they don't do their part.

I think you can save and spend to live for however long you live. You just have to be flexible if things don't go as plan.

My first piece of career advice is find your gifting. Find the thing that you are skilled at and figure out if you can make a living doing it.