How do these guys afford sledding?!?

[jerrydecoy]

haha my my this thread hasn't gone the direction I was expecting at all but oh well its still plenty amusing

I was more looking for real life examples of occupations and jobs that people here have that allow them to live a lifestyle like this! Cuz while I am pretty locked in on what I want to do when I'm older I'm always on the lookout for other options and learning new things!

Well chit, why didnt you say that earlier. Could have saved me alot of typing. Been shoein' horses for a lil' over twenty years. Have a college degree but its been supplying me a six figure income for a long time now. Glad i got the degree in case i need something to fall back on but i love being self-employed

 

[hivoltagesledhead]

Totally....then I wouldnt have made any stupid posts !!!

PLT for almost 20 yrs now. Awesome job and in great demand !!

 

[aebsledder]

There is a group of dudes around here that fit into the description in the OP. I know a few of them and it seems like they all have jobs, and seem to work pretty dang hard. I was able to afford my 11 Pro because I got a hell of a good check from State Farm when my 09 ended up with some "structural issues" due to a tree. I drive an 08 Chevy Truck because my company decided to not provide us with company vehicles any more and I felt it would get better mileage than my 3/4 ton. I feel lucky to have what I have. The downturn in the economy has massively affected my work situation, so I make about half as much as I did ten years ago...That is pretty discouraging. Kind of funny though, when you put it in perspective. We are typing away on our computers most likely from our homes with indoor plumbing, and there is probably some poor barefoot bastage wandering around the rainforest right now looking for his next meal with a spear in his hand.

 

[mold]

There is a group of dudes around here that fit into the description in the OP. I know a few of them and it seems like they all have jobs, and seem to work pretty dang hard. I was able to afford my 11 Pro because I got a hell of a good check from State Farm when my 09 ended up with some "structural issues" due to a tree. I drive an 08 Chevy Truck because my company decided to not provide us with company vehicles any more and I felt it would get better mileage than my 3/4 ton. I feel lucky to have what I have. The downturn in the economy has massively affected my work situation, so I make about half as much as I did ten years ago...That is pretty discouraging. Kind of funny though, when you put it in perspective. We are typing away on our computers most likely from our homes with indoor plumbing, and there is probably some poor barefoot bastage wandering around the rainforest right now looking for his next meal with a spear in his hand.

and that barefoot dude is happier than 75% of the folks in the "civilized" world

 

[duke1n]

And you know this how?

 

[mold]

And you know this how?

just an educated guess based on 40 years of studying what makes the human animal happy

 

[bearpaw1977]

Just my two cents, but when I was in my early 20's I had way more cash working as a construction project manager than I do now as a mid 30's general manager with a WIFE AND KIDS. not sayin, just sayin.

 

[polaris dude]

Well that's true I guess. But I think today its more difficult to manage things in any field at such a young age. Nowadays you need experience and a degree. Its all such a drag really. I wish things were like the way they were back in the good ol' days when college was a bunch of nonsense for doctors and lawyers and if you worked hard and demonstrated common sense you could go anywhere and do anything and make a good living.

 

[aebsledder]

Just my two cents, but when I was in my early 20's I had way more cash working as a construction project manager than I do now as a mid 30's general manager with a WIFE AND KIDS. not sayin, just sayin.

About to be the exact same boat I am in...EXACT.

 

[Jeff C]

I don't know what banks you are talking about, but CD rates these days are a joke. 1-2%. And we know the stock market is up. So, um, yeah. Banks burn the average guy. ..............QUOTE]


I have been around the banking business for most of my adult life. Not a banker myself, but know hundreds of community bank presidents. In my line of work, we sell equipment to banks and credit unions....

I talk to these guys every day about their businesses.

Banking is not very profitable anymore. There are incredible expenses that community banks have had to pay for. The list is long and ever growing. I could write a 50 page post on all the things that financial institutions have to deal with in terms of regulations and expenses.

Banks work on a spread system. The reason you are not being paid much at all on CD's is that interest rates are low on the borrowing side. You cannot pay out 4-5% on CD's, and charge 4-7% on loans. The math just does not work..........

These small banks and credit unions make very small margins (If they are profitable at all).

It just chaps me when I see people bashing banks all the time. There are some very good honest people in this business and they are just trying to get a decent return on their investment.

 

[Jeff C]

I don't know what banks you are talking about, but CD rates these days are a joke. 1-2%. And we know the stock market is up...............

If you have so much faith in the stock market, put your money there and roll the dice. those 1-2% CD rates have ZERO risk. That money you are about to put in the stock market has ALOT of risk associated with it. You get paid for taking risk. You can make 10,20, 30% return, yep sure can..... But other years you might see your investment taken down by half by market sell offs.......

Banks dont like risk, and will charge more for a loan that they see as risky. That is the proper thing to do. Insurance companies operate on the same principal. A guy who has had a DUI or two will pay more to be insured. WHY? He is a riskier investment...........He is more likely to repeat that behavior putting the company at more risk for payouts for accidents etc.....

 

[judger101]

thank you Jeff. yes i work for a small community bank and above and beyond what you said, with the economy being so superb where im at, many folks dont need loans to buy things. there are alot of high paying jobs and cash going around.

you get double hit this way as you arent getting the loan volume, and you are taking on all their cash.

 

[ruffryder]

It just chaps me when I see people bashing banks all the time. There are some very good honest people in this business and they are just trying to get a decent return on their investment.

I think it is important to remember that when people say "bank" they generally mean the large ones that have turned into investment banks and the like... Not your local community banks. Though, why people still use these banks is beyond me..

I guess that is the same as complaining about outsourcing while shopping at walmart.

Just my two cents, but when I was in my early 20's I had way more cash working as a construction project manager than I do now as a mid 30's general manager with a WIFE AND KIDS. not sayin, just sayin.

Excellent point! 401k, 529, groceries, health care.... families run on money...

 

[hivoltagesledhead]

There are honest people doing honest jobs in banks....for sure. And I for one am not talking about the little banks that are supporting their community or trying to " get by". But when I go to my bank, been there a looooooong time, and I ask for the best exchange rate on US$ and get told "this is the best we can do" and I ask them to check with the manager and get told the same thing, but when I ask to talk to the manager face to face and I get a better rate....WTF !!!

Tired of the games and bullchit and that is just one example. You might be able to fool or play with the young kids that dont know any better, I was one at one time, but now I am in the driver seat and if you want my money then you will have to damn well earn it...just like I did !!!!! I remember being told once that I should feel privileged for getting a loan......well now the tables have turned and you should feel privileged that I am willing to do business with you.

Nothing against the people that work in the banks....just dont like the system.

 

[polaris dude]

Just an fyi not everyone that works for a big bank is a crook or any of that garbage. My dad works at Citibank and he's one of the hardest working people I know, but he doesn't get paid chit for the work he does. Kinda sad really.

 

[hivoltagesledhead]

Just an fyi not everyone that works for a big bank is a crook or any of that garbage. My dad works at Citibank and he's one of the hardest working people I know, but he doesn't get paid chit for the work he does. Kinda sad really.

Well there ya go......banks keeping the profits and not sharing with the employees or not paying them enough.... it is a crime. Again, the system sucks.

 

[togwotee9]

Well there ya go......banks keeping the profits and not sharing with the employees or not paying them enough.... it is a crime. Again, the system sucks.

Let me guess your in a union

 

[Scott]

Wow. I didn't not see this thread going in this direction.

LOL

 

[hivoltagesledhead]

Let me guess your in a union

I am now and have been since I got my JP certification many years ago, but I did my apprenticeship non-union and then came to the dark side. Pros and cons to both, just like everything else.

I know where this is going........lol

Let the battle begin !!

 

[togwotee9]

I am now and have been since I got my JP certification many years ago, but I did my apprenticeship non-union and then came to the dark side. Pros and cons to both, just like everything else.

I know where this is going........lol

Let the battle begin !!

Nope no battle, just a business owner that has had both union and non union employees. In our trade (caulking, waterproofing and coatings) the union is as useful as SRM.