How do people afford this stuff??

Gotta agree with you on that one. Most of what I do in IT on a daily basis was self taught. I got my job without a degree. Now that I've got a degree I have not received any pay increase. A degree is a piece of paper. CRITICAL THINKING is everything, and it cost me nothing to learn.

 

Haha. Thats what I tell myself everyday. A SxS doesn't get me to work, let me pick up lumber from Home Depot, or tow shit.

 

Had a job in the field of my major prior to college, and used my degree as a way to be promoted in to the office after graduation.

 

The Pro?

Maybe I have it backwards?

 

Listen for everyone that says degrees aren’t necessarily needed in life, that’s fine. But let’s look at it this way, you may not need it right now, but let’s say 10 years from now, do you know you’ll need on? How about 20 years from now?

 

If you need a degree to get a job after 20 years of job experience your screwed because McDonalds doesn't like hiring people with degrees.

Whats way more important is if people like you, because no one wants to work with someone who thinks they are better than everyone else.

 

To answer the threads original question...

Money.
Saving it, prioritizing it or $hitting it.

Having a Tacoma doesn’t put one in a poverty class, someone who can afford a more expensive car but wants a truck as a hobby can be the same person “affording it”. Heck they may even have both. I have a taco and infiniti coupe. My wife only likes Porsche’s, has had them, and currently has a Maserati Levante, so if you have to ask, then you need a sugar mama is all I’m gonna say lol...(no my wife does not buy me my vehicles but considering I bought our house and pay for everything, her money is our “fun” money and so she has a bigger budget than myself, so I get to enjoy her stuff too, and she picks up the tab for the jet setting she drags me in to...

 

Yes, invest in yourself. Even if it is a technical certificate. The job market in 5 years will be very different, let alone ten or twenty years from now. I don't put money into my taco because I believe there is a recession coming and I would rather be insulated from the next downturn vs having a built as eff truck.

As for education: I am wrapping up my MBA this fall and then immediately studying for my cpa. No more school or acronyms after that though. The goal is to have some armor, so to speak, as the economy ebbs and flows over the next many years.

And decent wage is all relative - but if you aren't making 100k+, you shouldn't be throwing $15k at a $35k truck. In my opinion, but to each their own.

 

It’s. It always a bad thing. Some guys this runs deep in their blood. I mean if you’re young and still off-roading hardcore or whatever in your later years, then perhaps you’ve got your money’s worth. But perhaps a few guys here are spending thousands on parts and crap that could be saving it for their kids or something. Just simply saying after a few years a lot of people look back and say damn it wasn’t worth it, and I wish I had that extra cash for something else. When I splurged like that I was going through a lot of personal stuff in my life. I was working 60-70 hours a week and spending the time and money on my car was what occupied my mind and allowed me not to stress about all the shit that was going on. Probably not the way of dealing with it, but at least I wasn’t turning to drugs or doing some hardcore drinking or partying. Like you said, to each his own. As long as it’s bringing you happiness when doing it, and your not putting yourself or your family in financial jeopardy while doing so, then No big problem in my eyes

 

It’s done in steps, make what you can yourself, you save a lot more money.

 

I sold a lot of things that had some monetary value that meant nothing to me anymore. I used to be a sports memorabilia collector used that money to fund my build. Always looking for a good deal ie Sales during holiday season, tax sale, or 2nd hand. Had to put in some work painting an mounting but it’s fun to me.
Some people put themselves in a position in life where they live hand to mouth, regardless of income.
I enjoy the hell outta my truck if it was still stock I’d still enjoy it but be a little bit more careful on the trails.

 

In 20 years you'll be better off having a blue collar, tradesman job. People don't want these jobs but they are necessary - this will only drive pay up in these fields.

 

Yes. Some of my other colleagues, no. They had those job fairs. Genentect, Borch lab, State/Federal laboratories... all the clinical bench work. They salivate for you if you had an internship or did research/had research experience.

Pretty much spot on.

You can use your education to better position yourself for the "ever changing world." Welders and painters in the auto industry were replaced by many machines. I guess they figured if they spent $XXX,XXX,XXX dollars on a machine they can use to replace workers while providing consistent detailed work then why not? Those expensive machines are business tax deductible. So, it was an incentive to buy those machines because long term they save you money.

I dont think people in this conversation with a degree/education think they are better than everyone else. I am sure there are those who think like that, but in this case, people were stating the importance of an education to further your career/development/future stability. Interprofessional communication is important.

 

Carpenter's union is always hiring

 

I wasn’t planning to get my degree at all, but now that I am almost done I am glad I just went for it even thought the career of my choice doesn’t require it.

 

Also machines don’t ask for raises, don’t call in sick, don’t require health insurance, don’t get hurt or take workers comp, don’t no call no show, can’t sue, don’t take PTO, no holiday bonuses, no 401k, can’t strike, don’t do drugs or drink too much, don’t get paid overtime. The list goes on and on.

 

As a high school math teacher, I find this post very amusing. Though I do not have a math degree, I am a strong supporter of the idea, the more education you have the better off you'll be. I do understand that four year colleges are definitely not the only path anymore for a degree or even a certificate. For my freshman that have difficulty with finding the area of a rectangle, they are going to need all the help they can get to make it in this world after high school. If I can keep them motivated and in school long enough to realize their opportunities and financial situations are far greater and more beneficial the more they learn, I will feel like I've done my job.

On another note, my girlfriend's sister recently lost her job that she had been at for over 10 years. At the time it was the best opportunity to be able to work from home, transcribing doctor's notes and instructions for clients. Her job is now obsolete. We have been trying to help her find a new position, customer service or something similar. With only a high school diploma, it has been difficult secure a new job with a decent wage for a family of four. I don't think McDonald's is going to work for a family or Tacoma upgrades.

Also, don't have an English degree but... "Whats way more important is if people like you,"

Sorry, had to vent. Had to deal with a bunch of assholes today. Ready for summer break!

 

This thread is a good read, with some great perspectives. From 98 to 2011 I didn’t need a degree, I got myself a different type of edumacation while still paying the bills. From 11 on, been doing specialized work that pays great for a guy without a degree, and it’ll see me through into retirement. Got myself a modest home and two trucks, a dog, and a tarded gf. Some people can swing it, some people can’t.


I’d say I got lucky too. Millenials generally are too fragile to do what I’ve done/do and the older gen wrench turners wont learn the software that manages engines and diesel emissions. So the “Oregon trail” generation is in high demand.

 

Pro - Starbucks DD

2018 SR - illegal immigrant transport vehicle

01- retired and garaged

 

Also this.