Since this conversation has evolved into financial philosophy, here is a short interview with Gene Simmons.

http://radio.com/2015/02/09/gene-sim...t-of-all-evil/

 

Hahaha! Mine pays my mortgage and truck payment.

 

How?
2 jobs plus a lot of good luck.

 

My across the street neighbor back in 2010 had everything. 3 kids, two new vehicles, 2 bikes, 4 wheelers, jet skis and a nice camper. I just could not imagine what I was doing wrong. They did not make that much more than I did if at all. In 2010 it all blew up. Bankruptcy, divorce and they had to move, they sold off or gave back everything. Be happy for what you have, especially when it is actually yours, don't worry about the other guy.

 

The key to owning a new home, a new bike and having all the toys that life offers is having a really high paying job. The other alternative is to be on good terms with a banker and have a good credit score. Then life gets in the way and we are back to somewhere in the middle.

 

It is all about hard work and not losing focus. When I was in the Army, I was making $30K while getting shot at with a wife and three kids back home. There was no way I could afford a nice motorcycle. When I got back to the states and out of the Army I got a good job in the telecommunications field, bought a house and a car. Found out six months later that my wife had stopped paying the bills and buried me in debt and I was going to lose the house and car. No way I was getting a motorcycle then either.

Then all of a sudden I was divorced, sole custody of three young daughters, renting a house because my credit was destroyed and couldn't get approved to buy anything. That seemed like the low point in my life, but I decided not to give up. I committed to going to school. I slowly repaired my credit. I got a Bachelors in Information Technology. Then an MBA. I moved up in the ranks to a Director position at work. I busted my ***. Along the way I got an 07 Wide Glide. Then an 09 Street Bob.

Now I am in a position where I can have a new Touring bike at 2.19% interest. I have a 13 Ford Expedition EL at 0% interest. My new wife has a Nissan Rogue at 0% interest. I have an awesome five bedroom house that I own, not rent.

There really is no substitute for hard work. If you are a fire fighter with low income, but your credit is good, you are way ahead of where I was. Set a goal of where you want to be in 5 years, then 10 years. Make sure that you get there. I could have used being a single father with sole custody of three kids as an excuse, but I refused to stay down on the mat. My daughters are my inspiration that got me where I am today.

If I was still enlisted in the Army, I don't think I would have the money I do today. Providing for my kids and giving them more than I had was my reason for changing careers. If you love being a fire fighter, there is no more noble career. If it isn't what you love, chase your dreams. That is what is great about America. The only barrier to what you can achieve is the work you have to put in.

 

I wouldn't say good luck in many cases. A lot has to do with good decisions in life mixed in with hard work. I hear a lot of people throwing the wallet biker comment around here and the way I see it I've worked hard my whole life and I'm reaping the rewards of that effort. As others have said, I'll not apologize for making a good wage and living a very good life. I started working at 13, did a stint in the military, worked my way through college and have been working for the same company for 21 years now while going up the ranks. Now I get to reap the rewards of what I've earned.

 

Different people have different tastes. A buddy of mine says he can't afford a bike but he goes on very expensive vacations. Another spends more on golf than I do on my bike. Then there are bass boats, hunting trips, etc, etc. I can't indludge in everyhing I want, but having a bike is one thing I do and enjoy.

. . . and by the way, as cheap is interest is right now there is no way I am paying cash for a bike.

 

Well said.

 

The above is great advice, I'll only add:

Bad choices can cost you dearly... most can be overcome with time and patience.


Everybody has a different situation, different needs, and different wants..... But if you live within your means, follow the above advice, and avoid bad choices; most will be able to live comfortably and afford an occasional extravagance ....


As for me, been working a minimum of 32 hrs a week since I was 15 years old (to include through high school & college). I was never married, have no kids, invested wisely (a little luck involved too) and retired a couple years ago at 54 years old.

I met the love of my life a year after I retired. Luckily, her past is very similar to mine.... so we should be able to spend our time remaining comfortably.