How do you guys do it
01-10-2008, 07:03 AM
#101
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word of advice.. you're young don't waste any time or money with this stuff until after you've achieved a successful career.
I did. I went to jr college, then transferred, earned my four-year degree (BFA), paid no attention to costly hobbies, just focused on getting out of school and starting my career. Now I'm 37, I have 11 years of experience in the software biz and earn a cozy six figure salary. Save and invest your savings, make more money and re-invest. That 30k car over 5 years would cost you so much more than you realize. I have enough assets to retire comfortably right now. I plan to retire in 2 years when my options vest...
The amazing thing is that I don't think I am an extraordinary person in any way.. I am not particularly smart (c average in high school, b average in college), nor do come from a rich upbringing (I still live in middle class suburbs here in southern california since I was 5 years old). All I did was start a career in IT, and invested most what I made, rather than blow it on toys, cars and chicks... (Not that I'm a loner, I am getting married this year). Just find things to do that are fun and cheap or free. And try to save wherever you can. America is a free market, so use your freedom to find cheaper alternatives to things you need. Most of all, moderation is key. I could have bought a Ford GT with one of my stock sales, but instead I reinvested it and that same money could now buy me three of them.
I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I tend to because I smile when I think how simple it is, yet so many people squander their opportunities to enjoy 'now' rather than later. If Steve Jobs decided to get himself that hotrod over buying supplies for his computer biz, he probably wouldn't be where he is today.
I did. I went to jr college, then transferred, earned my four-year degree (BFA), paid no attention to costly hobbies, just focused on getting out of school and starting my career. Now I'm 37, I have 11 years of experience in the software biz and earn a cozy six figure salary. Save and invest your savings, make more money and re-invest. That 30k car over 5 years would cost you so much more than you realize. I have enough assets to retire comfortably right now. I plan to retire in 2 years when my options vest...
The amazing thing is that I don't think I am an extraordinary person in any way.. I am not particularly smart (c average in high school, b average in college), nor do come from a rich upbringing (I still live in middle class suburbs here in southern california since I was 5 years old). All I did was start a career in IT, and invested most what I made, rather than blow it on toys, cars and chicks... (Not that I'm a loner, I am getting married this year). Just find things to do that are fun and cheap or free. And try to save wherever you can. America is a free market, so use your freedom to find cheaper alternatives to things you need. Most of all, moderation is key. I could have bought a Ford GT with one of my stock sales, but instead I reinvested it and that same money could now buy me three of them.
I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I tend to because I smile when I think how simple it is, yet so many people squander their opportunities to enjoy 'now' rather than later. If Steve Jobs decided to get himself that hotrod over buying supplies for his computer biz, he probably wouldn't be where he is today.
so basically what you are saying, is dont have fun when your young cause you can have fun later. well, excuse me for being rood, but **** that. we are supposed to have fun when we are young, because you will never be able to do 90 % of the things you do when you are young, than when you are old and retired. Everyone says save for retirement, yada yada yada. i put 10% of every check into my 401K, if i need more i have plenty of time for it being only 18. my point is, why bore yourself when your young, just so you have half as much fun when your older. you only have 1 life, live it up
01-10-2008, 07:06 AM
#102
Chet - I agree in some respects - I say have all the fun you can afford when your young; without SCREWING yourself over when your old.
But my midlife crisis came at 24 - LOL; so I admit I am weird.
I also don't have money worries; so I can afford to play in the mud and muck for a living.
But my midlife crisis came at 24 - LOL; so I admit I am weird.
I also don't have money worries; so I can afford to play in the mud and muck for a living.
01-10-2008, 07:22 AM
#103
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Chet - I agree in some respects - I say have all the fun you can afford when your young; without SCREWING yourself over when your old.
But my midlife crisis came at 24 - LOL; so I admit I am weird.
I also don't have money worries; so I can afford to play in the mud and muck for a living.
But my midlife crisis came at 24 - LOL; so I admit I am weird.
I also don't have money worries; so I can afford to play in the mud and muck for a living.
2. Mine came at 25
3. I have one teenage girl and one 20 y.o daughter...and boy do I have money and deadbeat boyfriend worries....!
01-10-2008, 08:58 AM
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thats what im doing. i am doing pretty good as long as i dont give myself a credit card. if that would happen, i would have to knock myself out before i go 10 grand into debt
01-10-2008, 09:02 AM
#106
You both got some valid points ...
I start working when I was like 12, so I know how does it feel to have *fun*.
Now, Im 27 (28 in a few months), I **** around for a long while, work, **** around, work ... now I went back to school trying to finish up my degree. not that I really need it. but Im just trying to do something that *I should've done years ago*.
I consider myself kinda old already. Time flows like a river. By the time you realized that you're getting old it probably too late.
So, just have fun while you can ! As long as it will not affect your future ~~~
I start working when I was like 12, so I know how does it feel to have *fun*.
Now, Im 27 (28 in a few months), I **** around for a long while, work, **** around, work ... now I went back to school trying to finish up my degree. not that I really need it. but Im just trying to do something that *I should've done years ago*.
I consider myself kinda old already. Time flows like a river. By the time you realized that you're getting old it probably too late.
So, just have fun while you can ! As long as it will not affect your future ~~~
01-10-2008, 09:14 AM
#107
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well i have one credit card, i use it for gas and food only (i set my restrictions on that card) and that adds up to 2-300 a month. so i just pay that off every month, and as i do that, it builds my credit up in a good way.
01-10-2008, 09:42 AM
#108
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word of advice.. you're young don't waste any time or money with this stuff until after you've achieved a successful career.
I did. I went to jr college, then transferred, earned my four-year degree (BFA), paid no attention to costly hobbies, just focused on getting out of school and starting my career. Now I'm 37, I have 11 years of experience in the software biz and earn a cozy six figure salary. Save and invest your savings, make more money and re-invest. That 30k car over 5 years would cost you so much more than you realize. I have enough assets to retire comfortably right now. I plan to retire in 2 years when my options vest...
The amazing thing is that I don't think I am an extraordinary person in any way.. I am not particularly smart (c average in high school, b average in college), nor do come from a rich upbringing (I still live in middle class suburbs here in southern california since I was 5 years old). All I did was start a career in IT, and invested most what I made, rather than blow it on toys, cars and chicks... (Not that I'm a loner, I am getting married this year). Just find things to do that are fun and cheap or free. And try to save wherever you can. America is a free market, so use your freedom to find cheaper alternatives to things you need. Most of all, moderation is key. I could have bought a Ford GT with one of my stock sales, but instead I reinvested it and that same money could now buy me three of them.
I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I tend to because I smile when I think how simple it is, yet so many people squander their opportunities to enjoy 'now' rather than later. If Steve Jobs decided to get himself that hotrod over buying supplies for his computer biz, he probably wouldn't be where he is today.
I did. I went to jr college, then transferred, earned my four-year degree (BFA), paid no attention to costly hobbies, just focused on getting out of school and starting my career. Now I'm 37, I have 11 years of experience in the software biz and earn a cozy six figure salary. Save and invest your savings, make more money and re-invest. That 30k car over 5 years would cost you so much more than you realize. I have enough assets to retire comfortably right now. I plan to retire in 2 years when my options vest...
The amazing thing is that I don't think I am an extraordinary person in any way.. I am not particularly smart (c average in high school, b average in college), nor do come from a rich upbringing (I still live in middle class suburbs here in southern california since I was 5 years old). All I did was start a career in IT, and invested most what I made, rather than blow it on toys, cars and chicks... (Not that I'm a loner, I am getting married this year). Just find things to do that are fun and cheap or free. And try to save wherever you can. America is a free market, so use your freedom to find cheaper alternatives to things you need. Most of all, moderation is key. I could have bought a Ford GT with one of my stock sales, but instead I reinvested it and that same money could now buy me three of them.
I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I tend to because I smile when I think how simple it is, yet so many people squander their opportunities to enjoy 'now' rather than later. If Steve Jobs decided to get himself that hotrod over buying supplies for his computer biz, he probably wouldn't be where he is today.
You don't have to spend money just to have fun (I have plenty of hobbies that don't cost a dime), but you also don't have to give up on a hobby just because it is perceived to cost lots of money. If I love driving and working on my car, I'm not gonna tell myself "this $10k I plan to spend on a turbo now is going to be worth 100k in 30 years when I retire ". Set some targets, make a budget, don't screw yourself by racking up debt you can't pay off, and have fun. You don't really need food anyway
And for the kids still in college: if you can con your parents into giving you money for mods, by all means feel free
It's true that in the States most people live too much off debt (I have a friend that graduated from college and went on to grad school with $10k worth of credit card debt... Grad school, as in no real income), but I believe that you might be too far on the other end of the spectrum. At the end of the day, money is only just that. You can always make more money. You can never get back the years that you spent saving up and waiting for your life to start
01-10-2008, 09:45 AM
#109
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On another note, sometimes not paying off a balance in full can be a good thing too. If you spend years paying off your card then suddenly make only the minimum payment, I'd bet you the first thing the cc company does is increase your limit.
01-10-2008, 09:58 AM
#110
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01-10-2008, 10:00 AM
#111
Starti says>>even at 50, as long as your wife is 26.
I ask>>Anyone of you have a 24/26 sister or daughter for me to marry? Must not be too fat. Send pic of car!!!
wud like to be like starti says.old over 50 but with a young chick, children should be no problem.
I am like what squid says. I come from a very poor souther family. Worked my way thru college, so did not marry till in my 30s..Did not work..I was too set in my ways..so was she. so need a young one I can train.lololo
I waited to late to get married, but did save monies so now I dont have to work. paid cash for my shinka.
conclusion. Have fun while u can, enjoy life but don't forget to plan for tomorrow. Don't be like those..who say..I will do it tomorrow..and tomorrow never comes.
I ask>>Anyone of you have a 24/26 sister or daughter for me to marry? Must not be too fat. Send pic of car!!!
wud like to be like starti says.old over 50 but with a young chick, children should be no problem.
I am like what squid says. I come from a very poor souther family. Worked my way thru college, so did not marry till in my 30s..Did not work..I was too set in my ways..so was she. so need a young one I can train.lololo
I waited to late to get married, but did save monies so now I dont have to work. paid cash for my shinka.
conclusion. Have fun while u can, enjoy life but don't forget to plan for tomorrow. Don't be like those..who say..I will do it tomorrow..and tomorrow never comes.
01-10-2008, 11:46 AM
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01-10-2008, 03:02 PM
#124
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Hey Chet, you got it together man! Even if you don't, who cares, you will. I totally agree that you gotta have fun when you're young. By the time reality sets in, you will have to finish school and work until you're old. I have a real hard time in my teaching job (high school science) because it's my job to get the students to work hard, be responsible, and all those things we rebel against as teenagers and yet I know THIS is the time for fun because very soon they will be on the treadmill and it's all downhill (meaning bills, job, long hours, pressure). I feel like a hypocrite trying to teach them how important it is to do their schoolwork all the while knowing the "good ole' days"will soon be behind them. Still, I do it.
My situation (without getting too personal) is that I was a complete fuckup at school. Kicked out at age 16 when I was in grade 10 (ie. behind my peers). I hated school and this was back in the 70's so it was all a big PaRtY. I went back to high school when I was 23, on to university in science, and started teaching at 30. I just turned 46 so have been teaching for 16 years. I've got a great salary (all things considered) and have learnt many lessons. But I only started saving for retirement 4 years ago. But man, did I have a blast when I was young.
I'm not physically fit as I was, losing lots of hair, etc. If I had to do it all again, I'd do exactly what I did. Not everyone finishes school right off. It took me a number of years before I realized how important education was ... and THEN I went back and did my duty. I tell kids this all the time. They don't all pass, they don't all care. No big deal, it takes time for some of us. If you (Chet) go back to school anytime soon, I say, right on! Definitely do it. But for god's sake, life is too short and too friggin' stressful to freak out about getting such a great education when you're a teenager. What does it get you? You wanna be a doctor with all that stress? Is money really what will make you happy? My brother's wife is a radiologist making $700,000 a year (way too much imo, not at all fair to the rest of us) but she is so stressed out and misearable. I am thankful I didn't get accepted to med school because it would have destroyed me.
Finally, I hate to admit this, but I went bankrupt a number of years ago. Really poor financial skills, credit cards. The big "B" taught me how to live off my earnings and only pay cash. It took many years to get back into the loop but now I have lots of credit and am pretty careful. Mind you, I feel myself slipping into the black hole of mods to some extent.
Good luck man and hang in there!
My situation (without getting too personal) is that I was a complete fuckup at school. Kicked out at age 16 when I was in grade 10 (ie. behind my peers). I hated school and this was back in the 70's so it was all a big PaRtY. I went back to high school when I was 23, on to university in science, and started teaching at 30. I just turned 46 so have been teaching for 16 years. I've got a great salary (all things considered) and have learnt many lessons. But I only started saving for retirement 4 years ago. But man, did I have a blast when I was young.
I'm not physically fit as I was, losing lots of hair, etc. If I had to do it all again, I'd do exactly what I did. Not everyone finishes school right off. It took me a number of years before I realized how important education was ... and THEN I went back and did my duty. I tell kids this all the time. They don't all pass, they don't all care. No big deal, it takes time for some of us. If you (Chet) go back to school anytime soon, I say, right on! Definitely do it. But for god's sake, life is too short and too friggin' stressful to freak out about getting such a great education when you're a teenager. What does it get you? You wanna be a doctor with all that stress? Is money really what will make you happy? My brother's wife is a radiologist making $700,000 a year (way too much imo, not at all fair to the rest of us) but she is so stressed out and misearable. I am thankful I didn't get accepted to med school because it would have destroyed me.
Finally, I hate to admit this, but I went bankrupt a number of years ago. Really poor financial skills, credit cards. The big "B" taught me how to live off my earnings and only pay cash. It took many years to get back into the loop but now I have lots of credit and am pretty careful. Mind you, I feel myself slipping into the black hole of mods to some extent.
Good luck man and hang in there!
01-10-2008, 03:31 PM
#125
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Thanks alot Zerobio. everyone says i should go back to school, because its free (harley-davidson pays for tuition). but i dont know what i want to do. i know its something auto related, whether its engineering, or design, or w/e. but i make really good money for only being 18 (18 an hour) and for the most part, i enjoy what i do. i just hate the repetiveness of working everyday. but im not going to let anyone pressure me to go to school, because i have time. as soon as i figure out what i want to do, i will do it whatever it is.
but what i really dream of is to become a professional driver for autocross or F1 or something like that. i have talked with the VP of the SCCA about how to get my professional drivers license, but it will take quite a bit of $$. so maybe in summer i will go ahead and do it. but otherwise, i live my life one day at a time.
but what i really dream of is to become a professional driver for autocross or F1 or something like that. i have talked with the VP of the SCCA about how to get my professional drivers license, but it will take quite a bit of $$. so maybe in summer i will go ahead and do it. but otherwise, i live my life one day at a time.