$1,000 or less per month

[Firehawk]

Just to go along with what Luke said, carbs are dirt cheap anyways per gram compared to protein, and the average person doesn't eat much protein.

[Rufiedodg]

I really don’t understand all complaining going on here.

I have a saying—I’ll work hard to make a buck, but I wont work hard to save one. I drink Starbucks every morning and never really thought much of it until I read this thread. I have two fairly new vehicles that are paid for (one is a 2006 /dodge with a Cummins). Other than a mortgage and tractor payment (0% at 36 months) —no bills. I’m working toward paying off our house.

My wife doesn’t have to work so she doesn’t. (hasn’t since she was in her early 30’s, I think she is 41 now). She has two horses that she works with every day. She even pays for lessons every week.

We have taken all 5 of our nieces and nephews on exotic vacations over that past 8 years.

I eat out for lunch every day. I just purchased another annual golf membership yesterday.

Just last week my wife paid 5,500 cash for new flooring for the house

There was a 3 year period (about 8 years ago) when I worked very hard. I remember coming home and sleeping most of the weekend. Now I probably spend more time not working than working if the truth be known. That was my turning point.

I finally graduated from high school one year after I should have so ’m not that smart.

We live in the land of opportunity. If you’re not happy with your income why not do something else?—otherwise quit whining!

You have a choice!

Life is about tradeoffs.

Dan

[westside24]

no one is whinning about there income homie.

the topic is living like a spartan... you seem more like an athenian.

[luke.w]

[quote=Rufiedodg;401845]I really don’t understand all complaining going on here.

[font=Arial][font=Arial]I have a saying—I’ll work hard to make a buck, but I wont work hard to save one. I finally graduated from high school one year after I should have so ’m not that smart.

We live in the land of opportunity.




this is an inspiring thread, and I love your saying, even though I like to work to save a buck, meaning challenge myself (I look at it as challenge) to spend as little as possible, but not be a cheapskate, but not be 100% comfy and have all my needs every single day (thats the freedom I have, opportunity).

What I gather from this thread is no matter what your monthly payment is (I don't care if it's 3,000) the point of this thread is PAY IT OFF, once one is debt free one can live on 1,000 a month.

using Dan's saying I work average 50-55hours mon.-fri. I love it, I've been working (not a job) every weekend from 7isham-4-6pm, I pay exactly what I owe on my house and not a dallor more each month, I talked to my lender about extra payments (and was going about it, until something happened in my life) but I now can work back on it, I COULD work a job on weekends, or a few hours on weekdays, will I? probilly not,(I really don't need to) but I COULD, and still smoke my $8 cigar if I do or don't!!!!

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by luke.w

sorry max but thats B.S., and I'm not saying one needs to live on oodles of noodles eithier!!!!

(not saying this guy eats healthy, but you don't need to eat like a bodybuilder for health, just need to eat healthy foods, and not much meat is neccessary) took me a long time to realize this one.

even if one weight trains they don't really need that eating.

as for weight training that has really enhanced my ability to work more, I've been working labor since I was 8-10years old, started full-time at 14
never worked an 8hour day, always 9-10hours.

I gotta say at first it did damage me, but through weight training I've built myself up, I've been doing lots of side jobs (not for pay, but so I can not pay someone else), compared to when I was 20 it's so much better, I out lasted some guys (my inlaws) bigger (more leverage) on moving jobs and one was younger than me, I don't need food breaks eithier, as long as I keep busy.
my 80 year old grandfather still works labor, eats a small lunch, with fruit, eats an apple on the drive home, thats it, all day until dinner, he's 200#, only differance with him is he never believed in exersiceing (for himself).

I eat fruit to ensure my health, amazing what just ONE apple can do for hours (3hours)!!!

Everyone is different. I enjoy only good food and make sure everthing I buy is good quality.

I need to eat 3500 cals a day.

So I dont think your suggestion of an apple to last 3 hours is practical or relevant to me.

[luke.w]

[quote=Maxgain;401937]Everyone is different.

while thats true, it sure is the exuse of the new century!



I enjoy only good food and make sure everthing I buy is good quality.



good for you, like I said I don't agree with living off oddles or noodles!



I need to eat 3500 cals a day.

B.S.


So I dont think your suggestion of an apple to last 3 hours is practical or relevant to me.



try a nice sized orange!!!



"everyone tells a story" -Kim Wood

[Maxgain]

[quote=luke.w;401938]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

Everyone is different.

while thats true, it sure is the exuse of the new century!



I enjoy only good food and make sure everthing I buy is good quality.



good for you, like I said I don't agree with living off oddles or noodles!



I need to eat 3500 cals a day.

B.S.


So I dont think your suggestion of an apple to last 3 hours is practical or relevant to me.



try a nice sized orange!!!



"everyone tells a story" -Kim Wood

Enough said really.
Ill think Ill stick top my own knowledge of my body's metabolic rate and its nutrient needs.

Thanks

I really like the diversity of thoughts that have been expressed here.

Going back to my original post, the only point I tried to make is that you'll achieve financial security when you learn to live below your means. I wasn't suggesting that someone is inferior if they can't live on $1,000 per month.

The way I look at it, if you can learn to live below your means and enjoy it, then you'll really enjoy living at your means. And while many really enjoy living beyond their means, that comes at an eventual price unless you inherit the family farm.

I have learned to have a relationship with money that recognizes it is nothing more than a medium to transact in modern society. I feel just as good when I have 2 pennies to rub in my pocket as I do when it is loaded with a couple $100 bills. I've seen clients who get high as a kite when they have lots of money and are despondent and depressed when they don't.

Whenever we empower money to be our false God, we set ourselves up to be disappointed with our God.

Keep the great discussion going.

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by pierini

I really like the diversity of thoughts that have been expressed here.

Going back to my original post, the only point I tried to make is that you'll achieve financial security when you learn to live below your means. I wasn't suggesting that someone is inferior if they can't live on $1,000 per month.

The way I look at it, if you can learn to live below your means and enjoy it, then you'll really enjoy living at your means. And while many really enjoy living beyond their means, that comes at an eventual price unless you inherit the family farm.

I have learned to have a relationship with money that recognizes it is nothing more than a medium to transact in modern society. I feel just as good when I have 2 pennies to rub in my pocket as I do when it is loaded with a couple $100 bills. I've seen clients who get high as a kite when they have lots of money and are despondent and depressed when they don't.

Whenever we empower money to be our false God, we set ourselves up to be disappointed with our God.

Keep the great discussion going.

I think most (sensible) people agree that if they could live below their means and enjoy it they would.
Th point I think being made is that anyone who is not secure (mortgage paid) on the housing market can not actually have a good quality of life with todays cost of living.

Personally I dont think about money. Its probably a flaw that will prevent me being a good entrepreneur.
I dont know how much is in my bank, whats on my credit card. As long as its just my normal expenditure I know it will all be ok. As long as I have enough so I dont have to worry and can comfortably live I do not have desires to be striving or stressing for more.

Oh yeah I used to be happy with pennies in my pocket till they wore a hole in them and I had to buy a new pair of trousers

[arbit]

Originally Posted by pierini

I really like the diversity of thoughts that have been expressed here.

Going back to my original post, the only point I tried to make is that you'll achieve financial security when you learn to live below your means.

I disagree. Strongly. Living below means is a necessary, but not sufficient for financial security.
Financial security entails having funds to satisfy future needs.

What is Firehawk has an accident tomorrow and is laid off work ? Perhaps permanently ? How is he going to support his family ? How is he going to pay his medical expenses after they hit the insurance cap ?

My definition of financial security: if you have enough resources to ensure that if you are laid off tomorrow, and still be ale to maintain health insurance with a really high cap inspite of major health procedures (ie. insurance wont kick you out because you are expensive to maintain) for the rest of your life, THEN you can call yourself financially secure.

Until then, save like crazy. And put the money wisely where it is less likely to be confiscated through inflation.

Unless of course, your plan for future adversity is to

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by arbit

What is Firehawk has an accident tomorrow and is laid off work ? Perhaps permanently ? How is he going to support his family ? How is he going to pay his medical expenses after they hit the insurance cap ?]

and in this day in age you ask this? so many people who have no use of arms and legs work and make money.



I also look at living below your means by working over 40hours a week, because the american standard is a 40hour work week, and the goal and dream of majority of americans is to work less.

Once someone gets rid of their debts they could even live beyond their needs and still only pay 1,000 a month.

again an inspiring thread and with typical american responses and exuses as to why it's just not possible.

[MAURER]

if we can state that within your means is necessary for individual financial security, then can't we apply the same rules for our government? for example, our current foreign policy is putting us trillions of dollars in debt. isn't this a financially crazy move that will end up burying us? in essence, we don't even need terrorists to try to destroy our society, we are doing it to ourselves as we speak.

[minime]

ooh I had to skip several pages of this as I am in a rush, but I have just to make the point that it is MOST DEFINITELY more expensive to live in Ireland than it is in the states. That is really not debatable.

In Ireland, salary is lower (i made 23,000euro then came over here and make 50,000 us dollars in a comparable job - junior IT)

In Ireland EVERYTHING is more expensive, except property which is about the same I think as here (and I mean the same as Boston! very expensive)

Food is more expensive, cars are almost twice the price due to Value Added Tax and Vehicle Registration Tax which double the price. Clothes are ridiculously priced in comparison to here (here is much cheaper) Eating out? Try getting a steak for less than 20 euro, impossible, usually closer to 25euro which if you convert it right now is about $35

Going for a beer? 4euro, non negotiable. There are no $2 beer in a bar. If you go to the liqor store, expect to pay 10euro for a six pack of beer. Over here, you can get it for 5-6 dollars.

Gym membership? We have no Gold's gyms for $29 a month in Ireland. Unless you are a student, expect to pay upwards of 600euros per year.

Gas? don't get me started, it is more than 1euro a LITER now. (I don't know exact price)

So yes, here in the states, even in baw-ston where we are being royally ripped off, it does not compare to how expensive it is to live in Ireland.

Even if we wanted to move back any time soon, financially it makes absolutely no sense. Even with ridiculous 1500 a month rent for a 1 bed apt, we are saving a good chunk of money. Salaries are good here, cost of living less.. we can do well here. If we moved back to Ireland we would struggle greatly.

[minime]

oh and not to mention, in Ireland once you get into the higher income bracket (which isn't even HIGH!) you will start to pay half of your money in taxes. Really, half.

[Firehawk]

Originally Posted by arbit

I disagree. Strongly. Living below means is a necessary, but not sufficient for financial security.
Financial security entails having funds to satisfy future needs.

What is Firehawk has an accident tomorrow and is laid off work ? Perhaps permanently ? How is he going to support his family ? How is he going to pay his medical expenses after they hit the insurance cap ?

My definition of financial security: if you have enough resources to ensure that if you are laid off tomorrow, and still be ale to maintain health insurance with a really high cap inspite of major health procedures (ie. insurance wont kick you out because you are expensive to maintain) for the rest of your life, THEN you can call yourself financially secure.

Until then, save like crazy. And put the money wisely where it is less likely to be confiscated through inflation.

Unless of course, your plan for future adversity is to

Why do I gotta be the one that has an accident?