Help me out!

[polaris dude]

I never liked school and didn't go to college at all. I have $0 in school debt. I knew school wasn't for me. I found a place I knew wanted to work at and spent 2 years of my life as a temporary employee on and off trying to get a full time job. It paid off. I make decent money enough to keep me happy and still get to play, have great benefits and the only debt I have is very low interest loans on my toys and a mortgage. But I bought my house when I was 19 only making and my then gf now wife and I were only making $11-12 an hour. I'm 24 now and life is good. If you know what you want and can find something to do that doesn't require college I am a firm believer if you want it bad enough you can make it happen. I am thinking about going to classes for something someday once I have more time to do it because my company also pays for pretty much all school costs if I get decent grades.

Not to pry, but how did you manage a down payment when you are working an 11-12 dollar an hour temporary job? Not to mention that you said you have toys and I'd assume a truck and trailer to tow.

Not saying it isn't possible since you obviously have stated you do it, just curious since I would like to do that

 

[LeviD]

Not to pry, but how did you manage a down payment when you are working an 11-12 dollar an hour temporary job? Not to mention that you said you have toys and I'd assume a truck and trailer to tow.

Not saying it isn't possible since you obviously have stated you do it, just curious since I would like to do that

I never ate out much. never spent money on unnecessary items. I've never had a car payment cause I buy my vehicles. never brand new ones though. When I purchased my house I had a 79 bronco and a 07 cbr600 so I rode that in summer and bronco in winter then saved and waited for my first time homebuyer check and bought my 01 powerstroke. Saved for my first boat which was only 2,500. Got my good job a couple years ago so I wound up selling the old boat, buying a newerish bass boat for 11,000. Sold the bike last fall cause I got tired of riding a crotch rocket. Sold the bronco cause I never drove it. Snowchecked my sled . I do not have a trailer yet. Next year I'm thinking I may do a flatbed sled deck since a normal sled deck would be really tall on my truck since I lifted that a little bit. Couple things that have helped a lot. No car payments, good credit, no blowing money on randomness. I hate spending money and not having something physical I can use infront of me. Besides my sled everything I own is used including almost all my riding gear I bought throughout the spring when people were getting ride of stuff. Also insurance. Not many people shop around much on insurance. I get a quote from a different company at least once or twice a year. have had 3 companies in the past 4 years. each switch has saved me $40-75 a month. I justify that to put toward my toys =)

 

[Donm]

I don't know about any specific towns, but if I was doing what you are about to do I'd look for places close to great riding with bigger cities. If you can find a decent job out in the middle of small mountain town USA that would be sweet, but you will probably have better luck someplace near a larger town/city were it's easy to quickly get to good sledding areas.

 

[doorider]

Never take anyones advise

When someone tells you what you should do... question and consider do they have the life I wish to create for myself. Assuming they don't have the life you aspire to create then assume they can offer you nothing with their bitter old persons view of life. I think you should choose something you would do for free, you love it that much, then figure out how to get some one to pay you for it. Maybe you'd make a good snowmobile guide? Go for it.... and never listen to nay sayers!

 

[tdblakes]

Just be willing to accept the consequences in whatever you chose, you'll be the one living it. You need to hear both sides so you can make an informed decision. If you ignore the "nay-sayers" then you're just shorting yourself of more information to help you make the decision...

Take it all in, weigh the pros and cons... make an informed, well thought out decision.

 

[Donm]

When someone tells you what you should do... question and consider do they have the life I wish to create for myself. Assuming they don't have the life you aspire to create then assume they can offer you nothing with their bitter old persons view of life. I think you should choose something you would do for free, you love it that much, then figure out how to get some one to pay you for it. Maybe you'd make a good snowmobile guide? Go for it.... and never listen to nay sayers!

That sounds great, unfortunately I've been trying for 20+ years to get hot 20 something women to pay me to sleep with them...I haven't quit my day job yet!

In fact I'm married....which is like the opposite of getting paid lol

 

[Mort2112]

I appreciate all of the helpful opinions, but I have gotten the "go to school right away, you'll regret it" speech before, believe me. I have decided to go with my gut and follow my dream. If anyone has any suggestions of any towns or riding areas that would be a good place to set up camp for a while that would be awesome. Thanks again for all the advice!

If this is the case, look into eastern Idaho. Proximity to Alpine and Island Park, Bone, Driggs, etc. and there is work, both seasonal and full time. Jackson and pinedale are within a solid drive, and it is pretty landscape in the summer too. Just be ready to live in a windy area.


Salt Lake City is also good place (I'm from there). Tons of employment, and you are 45 mins to an hour from some truly spectacular short term riding (Wasatch Mountain, Guardsman, etc.) plus a bunch of good dealers for whichever brand you ride. Branching out a little further puts you in the Uintas, and you're an hour and a half from Fairview, which is some gnarly high elevation riding. I'm going to school now and wishing I had done it earlier, BUT, you can also glean a ton knowledge working in a field you like. Either way, happy sledding.

 

[TURBOXP09]

Thought you guys would like this since this is the topic at hand

 

[MillerMtn]

I second what TURBOXP09 said about Bozeman...I've been living here for 4+ years now and it never gets old. Super fun place to live, tons of riding, tons of other stuff to do. You can go to MSU part time like so many other people who move here for the mountains do. If school isn't your thing right away, Bozeman probably has about as good of a job market as you will find anywhere (except ND of course, but no riding there ha ha).

 

[tuneman]

x3 for Bozeman. Follow you dreams. In the process, become a resident of Montana and then go to school there when you're ready. I was a rock star for 10 years before I went to engineering school. Had the time of my life and still having it. If you don't have a laser focus on what you want out of college, you'll be wasting your time and a lot of money.

 

[Goinboardin]

I was trying to think of something to say, then I remembered this: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...the-worst-advice-in-the-history-of-the-world/

School is great for those that are interested in the employable type of degrees, and you certainly get to "grow" as a person and have lot's of fun regardless of what you study, but it is by no means needed for "success" and in fact inhibits fiscal success if you incur thousands in debt with a fairly useless degree.

Do what sounds good to you and work hard at it. Everything else will fall in place. Have fun man!

 

[FriscoProx]

Look into Colorado Mountain College and their campus locations (Steamboat, Glenwood, Leadville, Summit County all have good riding nearby). You can knock out your first two years and tuition there is really reasonable at $50 or so a credit.

 

[Solarguy]

Lots of time for school, ride deep pow and ride some more! Places that would be a great fit, Bozeman Montana, McCall Idaho, Jackson Hole Wyoming, Missoula Montana, Whitefish Montana, Sandpoint Idaho.
Just work hard at what ever you are doing and you will have a great life. You don't have to go to school, lots of success stories with out college, you do have to study, work and make things happen no matter what you choose.
Take it from an old guy that followed the same path you are contemplating, I did not go back to college full time and have lived an incredibly fun and productive life. Now retired at 55, I sled and BC ski all winter, golf, fly fish, hike, ride moto trials and do as many fun hobbies as my time allows. I was able to build my financial life while enjoying all of the above more than most of my friends BECAUSE I did not burn 5 years in university, hard work and a big motor will get you far in life!!! Good luck my friend....................

 

[macus2284]

Good for you. If college isnt for you dont waste your time and money. Find something that you enjoy and try to find a job in that field(for me it was cars.) With good work ethic you can make plenty and will be able to afford lots of toys and a home with no school debt. I live in Lewiston Idaho and it has some great reasons to consider moving here. Cost of living is very reasonable with lots of job opportunities in a variety of fields. I am sure there is something here that you would enjoy that would pay the bills. As for riding there is great riding close and even better riding with a little bit longer drive (nothing that you cant do in a day). This community is full of sledders that are always willing to have a new comer join them. if you make it to the area pm me and i will take you around and show you the area. good luck in your adventure.

 

[snowgood]

life

i will say if you have any interest in the medical/ sciences or engineering,probably should get started soon. if not then most other degrees will put you in debt and a dead end job for a company that does not care about you and will fire you as soon as its advantages to them. most likely after you have given them your prime of life. if you are smart and a hard worker start networking, creating friends and acquaintances be kind to people and help out where ever you can. life will reciprocate. as far as where to go,go to them all. you will meet great people and create great relationships, stay in the moment and enjoy life where ever you are at. you will not regret it sg