Who has money for other stuff

[deadheadskier]

i consider myself pretty lucky. i make more money than i could have ever imagined. the problem that i have is getting time to spend the money i make.

no offense (and this is based only off recall of what you write here, so it's entirely possibly my recall isn't accurate).....but if you live in NYC, spend upwards of 30 days skiing in Stowe, Vermont, get 50 odd nights in at Mountain Creek AND manage a trip or two out west.......your concept of reality in 'having enough time to spend all your money' is completely whacked. not trying to be abrasive, but your comment comes off like the famous Latrell Sprewell line when asked why he turned down a 27 million dollar contract and he said because it wasn't enough to feed his family. I'm sure you work extremely hard, but it seems to me you also get plenty of time to party like a rock star. again man, truly no offense

 

[hardline]

no offense (and this is based only off recall of what you write here, so it's entirely possibly my recall isn't accurate).....but if you live in NYC, spend upwards of 30 days skiing in Stowe, Vermont, get 50 odd nights in at Mountain Creek AND manage a trip or two out west.......your concept of reality in 'having enough time to spend all your money' is completely whacked. not trying to be abrasive, but your comment comes off like the famous Latrell Sprewell line when asked why he turned down a 27 million dollar contract and he said because it wasn't enough to feed his family. I'm sure you work extremely hard, but it seems to me you also get plenty of time to party like a rock star. again man, truly no offense

none taken. dont think for min that i dont know things could south with the quickness but this last year and half has been crazy it one project after another. my job is making the parties happen so i am always at one kind of a party or another. when i was a freelance graphic designer i had way more time for travel and as our company grows i seem to have very little time for myself. what other consider partying is work for me so it gets old fast. sometimes its fun but like tonight we are doing a lame engagement party. you also have to remeber i start work at 9am and finish mon tru wen at 9pm and thurs thru sun i work 10 am to 5 am. now i know i chose this line of work but after this past year its starting wear me down. i am also very lucky that buildouts slow in the winter months so i get spend a lot of time on the snow. its just hard sometimes to see the light at the end of the tunnel and i am very affraid that this winter may just be as nuts as the summer. again man i take no offense at all. its just my reality for better ot worse

 

[hardline]

Then how about donating it to a worthy cause? Like the Buy Mondeo a House Fund?

I'm in pretty good shape, being an engineer with no kids and no college loans. Extra money spent is more of a long term thing to me, delaying a house purchase (therefore more being thrown down the drain in terms of rent) and not being saved for retirement.

I also cut corners where I can, waiting for stuff to go on sale, eating a lot of pasta, etc.

i am always more than generous with everybody i am around i pay for food, drinks, and what every else comes along. hangout with me one night and you will see. i just see it as silly problem to have. this is only in the last year really that this has happened and i dont have kids or a wife so it keeps the expenses down.

 

[deadheadskier]

none taken. dont think for min that i dont know things could south with the quickness but this last year and half has been crazy it one project after another. my job is making the parties happen so i am always at one kind of a party or another. when i was a freelance graphic designer i had way more time for travel and as our company grows i seem to have very little time for myself. what other consider partying is work for me so it gets old fast. sometimes its fun but like tonight we are doing a lame engagement party. you also have to remeber i start work at 9am and finish mon tru wen at 9pm and thurs thru sun i work 10 am to 5 am. now i know i chose this line of work but after this past year its starting wear me down. i am also very lucky that buildouts slow in the winter months so i get spend a lot of time on the snow. its just hard sometimes to see the light at the end of the tunnel and i am very affraid that this winter may just be as nuts as the summer. again man i take no offense at all. its just my reality for better ot worse

understood....I could easily see how that life style could beat you down.....part of the reason why I got out of the operations side of the restaurant biz and into the supply side. Glad you didn't take offense, wasn't my intention at all. It just had seemed to me that you board and awful lot, an amount I am indeed jealous of, so to read you don't have time for it seemed odd to read. hopefully we both find time this winter and can meet up on the hill

 

[hardline]

understood....I could easily see how that life style could beat you down.....part of the reason why I got out of the operations side of the restaurant biz and into the supply side. Glad you didn't take offense, wasn't my intention at all. It just had seemed to me that you board and awful lot, an amount I am indeed jealous of, so to read you don't have time for it seemed odd to read. hopefully we both find time this winter and can meet up on the hill

absolutly. looking back on the comment i can see how someone would think what you did. i am looking for ways to get out but thats basically my retirement plan which i will be ready for asap. stowe AZ day baby.

 

[Warp Daddy]

Yes the high energy/food and healthcare costs are a real concern for many .

I often worry about folks in our area who are on very modest incomes or layoffs or closings or senior citizens who may have a hard time with choosing between food , medicine or heat. Things are being done to TRY to bridge the gap BUT WAY more effort is needed to turn this economic hardship around.

I've seen alot in 65 years but this is by far the WORST i've ever seen -- things need to change and FAST

WE are fortunate personally but many of our townspeople will be hurting -------------

What is really sad is many hold 2 jobs to make ends meet and what not too long ago were known as"fixed costs" ( utilities) are now driving folks to the brink

Just got my natural gas budget estimate for the season the projection is a 20% increase 9 we get our nat gas from Canada -- eh :>)) now there is a GOOD neighbor

 

[Terry]

By the end of the year the house will be paid for so that will free up some money to put towards college debt for my daughter.The plan is to be totally debt free in 3 years if our jobs are still there. The economy doesn't look great around here right now but we will make it through. Regardless of what else happens, we will find a way to go skiing often!

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

The bartender at the local bar said that it's been much emptier since the beginning of the summer mainly due to the economy..people still drink when money is tight but more likely at home where it's cheaper and they don't have to give tips...yet I just read an article in the NY Times that said bar business was brisk this week..mainly people who work in the financial markets..trying to drink the pain of the market away..I figure that if I stop going to the bar for the next 2 weeks between now and ski season..I can save over $500...and a ton of calories..

 

[RootDKJ]

We just celebrated the first anniversary of our mortgage. 29 years to go! We also realize we are very fortunate. I never forget, not so long ago, I had rouble paying the phone bill. I was getting my phone service cut off like every other month,

 

[gmcunni]

it is about balance at our house. my wife doesn't ski so we always try to find alternate activities we can do as an entire family.

 

[njskier]

I will more than likely cut back on my sking this year, not because of increases in gas, utilities etc. My daughter started her first year of college and her tuition will cut into my spare funds. College costs are crazy. I dont know how the avaerage working family can afford to send there kids to school. My daughter was accepted to several schools were tuition topped out at over 48,000 a year. Even with the scholarships she would have received tuition would have been 30-35 thou a year. I don't know what me and my wife will do in 2 years when we have 2 kids attending.

 

[2knees]

its kind of a weird time for me right now. With my company being sold, we were paid out a couple of long term management bonus plans by our previous parent company. that and the need to sell off our stock options actually has given me alot of extra money right now. however, with my company being in a rather precarious position, long term, its not like i'm going to go wild. I need to reinvest most of this but christ all mighty if i have a clue what to do given all thats going on right now. its nuts.

 

[hardline]

The bartender at the local bar said that it's been much emptier since the beginning of the summer mainly due to the economy..people still drink when money is tight but more likely at home where it's cheaper and they don't have to give tips...yet I just read an article in the NY Times that said bar business was brisk this week..mainly people who work in the financial markets..trying to drink the pain of the market away..I figure that if I stop going to the bar for the next 2 weeks between now and ski season..I can save over $500...and a ton of calories..

the bars an clubs i work at have been packed the last few weeks but nyc sorta operates in a bubble.

 

[snoseek]

I definately have less disposable income due to the fact that I've always lived with the idea of working and spending as little as possible. It is nearly impossible for me to cut back on groceries, gas, clothes ect.... because I'm a pretty cheap basterd to begin with.

I'm also really trying to bank as much $$$ as possible and get squared with the bills as the economic forecast looks scarier and scarier every day. My means of income is directly linked to my peoples disposable income. I will not be taking this winter off......

 

[Vortex]

Still have not sold my campton Condo, so I have limited pretty much what we do. Kids, I have not stopped their stuff, but personal spending is limited. Very few concerts or long weekends with the guys. Alot of eating in this year in the winter.

 

[andyzee]

I was out hiking yesterday and as I hiked I actually thought about this thread. Skiing is the most expensive activity I have. Other then that, it's hiking, biking, if I have a chance roller blading. With the initial investment for equipment, all these activities come in at a minimal cost.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I will more than likely cut back on my sking this year, not because of increases in gas, utilities etc. My daughter started her first year of college and her tuition will cut into my spare funds. College costs are crazy. I dont know how the avaerage working family can afford to send there kids to school. My daughter was accepted to several schools were tuition topped out at over 48,000 a year. Even with the scholarships she would have received tuition would have been 30-35 thou a year. I don't know what me and my wife will do in 2 years when we have 2 kids attending.

Dang college is expensive..if I ever have kids..maybe they'll skip college and just work at Arbys..then I'll get the hook up on Beef and Cheddars...I doubt that will happen because they'll get my smart genes..lol

Only 10 more days until I get paid again...I seem to spend more money the first weekend after I get paid than the next week and a half..:blink:

 

[tree_skier]

Money? What's that. I don't even have enough to satisfy my skiing needs. I probably won't be getting a pass this year. The six months without a paycheck is taking it's toll.

10 oclock, you can get a job either teaching or coaching and get yourself a pass to boot. But that 10oclock thing would need to change

 

[Geoff]

Seeing the Blue Man thread reminded me of our situation... Wondering if anyone else is where we are.. Wife (Ty) has been out of work for almost a year, and I'm not making what I used to.. So we find ourselves having to curtail almost every other form of entertainment except for skiing. Anyone else in that boat?

I'm unemployed. The job prosects around where I'm living are dismal. I anticipated this day and have been renting my flatland house so I could have the flexibility when my circumstances changed. I'm moving to my Killington place next week to trim the cash burn. I've always been very financially conservative so I have no debt and enough savings to ride it out. I'm likely on a tight budget for the winter as I line up my next thing. The jobs out there are either a 40% pay cut or require relocation. Either way, I had to exit from my current living situation before moving on. Worst case, I ski 100+ days this winter and keep a tight leash on my spending.

 

[hammer]

My wife and I are quite fortunate...we both work full-time jobs in high-tech/IT so we are doing, by most standards, quite well.

What amazes me, however, is that we seem to be doing a good job of spending the money, even though we don't have an outrageously expensive house, we haven't had to make car payments for several years, and except for going on larger vacations we don't make many "extravagant" purchases. In addition, I really try to keep the skiing expenses down...