Sorry to hear that, glad you reached out to someone, you have a friend to call or want to talk to us? After I lost my mother I had to seek a therapist, started drinking too much and needed help. I hear you brother.
Growing up we had 6 kids and my parents living in a two family they owned with my aunt and uncle, only my father worked at the post office and we were fine. Went on vacation once a year, York Beach was popular. I think the mortgage was $74 and they split that with my aunt and uncle. We didn't have a lot but ate well and had fun, those days are gone.
Restaurants are paying more too, they had to to get the worker back. When I was in Maine last month our waitress at one of the places were had dinner said she quit her corporate job because she makes $500 a night waitressing. She makes more money and works less hours.
We have GDXJ in my wife's retirement account and has had a great return even with the ups and downs. I've made good money in gold stocks but they are volatile and it's probably best to take profits along the way.
This is time of year I find them dead on my porch, my cat gets busy. I'd prefer he concentrate on the mice who have been shitting in my basement but I guess I'll have to do my part.
They make a ton of money opening and closing the systems. One guy I met said he didn't have to put another system in and he could live off the ones he services.