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Thread: The real world pales in comparison...

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    Veteran Member RachelleD's Avatar
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    Default The real world pales in comparison...

    I danced for 5 & 1/2 years. Towards the end I was burnt out, so two months ago I decided to "retire" and get a so-called real job. Now I'm beginning to remember why dancing was such a fabulous idea in the first place.

    I can't tell you how shocked I was to learn that on average (working full time) I might be able to earn $1600/month. Granted, I don't graduate until next year so employers don't consider me "educated," but still, $1600/month?!? And from what I understand (from friends who don't dance,) that isn't so bad. The complete lack of real income shocks me- I had no idea how spoiled I was dancing. In my last year or so, I completely lost sight of the opportunity the job provided me. Instead, I bitched about perverted guys and having to get naked for strangers who didn't deserve to see my body. I complained about the smokey environment and the pimp-like management, and rarely focused on my job. When I did, it paid off (literally,) but for the most part I slacked throughout my last year.

    My point is, don't be me!!! When I sit here trying to calculate all the hours I sat in the dressing room sulking, and all the times I rolled my eyes at customers and didn't work like I should have, a huge wave of regret washes over me. It almost pisses me off. Make the most of your time, consider it to be a job, play it like it's a game, and focus on your goals. I'm sure everyone already knows this, but I wish someone had pounded it into my head! I walked away with 3/4ths of my education, exotic vacations, fun experiences, etc, but I KNOW that if I had treated it like a regular job I would be halfway to a real retirement by now. Please learn from my mistake, because it sucks when you're sitting around later going "Damn, I wish I would have..."
    "She believed she could, so she did." -unknown

    **Rachelle**

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    Featured Member paintgoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    AMEN, sister!! I am THROUGH with working 60 hours a week (three jobs) to clear $1400 a month! GIMMEE THAT POLE! I am gonna wear that thing out! You have just underscored my prime reasons for dancing. woo hoo!!
    Quote Originally Posted by Lysondra View Post
    Strippers are like ninjas. You never know how many there are or if the person next to you is one.
    Quote Originally Posted by Emily View Post
    ...I assume you probably don't want to deal with pervs, and the guys that just don't give a fuck about money are like unicorns...
    Quote Originally Posted by Sinder View Post
    I know I have said it before, and I'll say it again.... THE VAGINA IS NOT A CLOWN CAR!


  3. #3
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Yeah, tell me about it....hindsight is 20/20. I am glad I have a second chance at making serious money, instead of clowning around like before. But, I have some great memories.

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    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Why not dance one day a week to supplement the income until you finish school? Or perhaps dance full time, now that you've seen the light to save some cash and put off school for when you've reached the savings goal?

    There's no way I could transition to working full time for $1600/month without having some money in the bank, or something.

    I'll be buying a home soon for cash (YAY no more rent!!!), and then I'll be fine with working a regular job for regular pay, and dancing once a week for savings while I transition. I won't need all that extra income from dancing full time anymore. Just a little bit longer....

    But I too wish I'd gotten my damn head in gear and saved in those first few years when the money was easier to come by. I have to refrain from thinking about it too much or I'll kick my own ass for a solid week over the money I COULD have saved in the 90s. UGH!

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    Senior Member Lexy9804's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    I retired from dancing when I was 21, got married, had kids, and worked a normal job. I just recently went back to dancing a couple months ago when I got divorced, and let me tell you I'm doing things differently now. Education and Savings are huge priorities!!!

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    Senior Member quaid's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    I've been dancing for a few months and haven't really saved anything yet. I'm working on getting into the mindset of SAVING. This thread definitely helps.

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    I can't tell you how shocked I was to learn that on average (working full time) I might be able to earn $1600/month
    Welcome to the real world. $1600 a month after taxes = $2400 a month before taxes ~~ $15/hour is a pretty typical pay rate for many 'straight jobs' requiring college degrees in fields typically pursued by girls i.e. teaching, accounting, IT, nursing etc. Granted that there are lots of professions that pay more than this, or specific jobs within the professions I mentioned that pay more than this, but all involve additional personal sacrifice in one form or another.

    This is exactly the reason that I have begun responding to younger girls, when asked about school versus full time dancing, that they might seriously want to consider dancing full time. If they dance full time during their 'prime earning years', watch their spending habits, become diligent savers etc., at the point where they choose to retire from dancing they should have more than enough money saved to pursue a college degree full time. The risk of course is that if the individual girl does not have the discipline to control her spending and become a diligent saver, that the day will come when she retires from dancing with little or no money saved, with no chance to pursue a college degree, and is thus stuck seeking 'unskilled' straight jobs that pay $10 an hour or less for the rest of her life.

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    Member feistykitty's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Go to school. Even if it's just one class at a time. Dancing is great, but it's a pipe dream to think that you can do it forever. Save your money, invest, open a business if you can...if you can't...then get a degree so you can get yourself a professional career when you can't or don't want to dance anymore. Dancing is great income...but what happens when you break an ankle?
    Kitty

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    God/dess GoldCoastGirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    When I was fired from my club locally earlier this year and then decided to be 'done' with the clubs locally .... I now travel for work 2 weeks (at least) every month... it was like starting from square one for me. This is proving to be to my advantage even tho' I havn't been able to save alot initially. I feel like I'm starting from square one (a fresh start again after 3 years of dancing), it is going to take another year (at the very least) for me to figure out three different places I can go to in re: lucratuve work.

    I have two places already (Melbourne, Kalgoorlie). I just need one or two more than I will work my year around these three places so that I can keep the income coming in steady and strong (avoid slumps, keep it interesting for me).

    Once I have this worked out I can re-start my financial plan in re: investing in businesses (ie cafe, pet grooming, pet store, etc)... then be on my way to retirement.

    I had a little bit of a set back however I'm at a point where I will be better off for it.

    Whenever the biz starts to 'get' to me, I remind myself of my plan and that I know I won't be able to really achieve my plan without the type of income this biz gives me the opportunity of acquiring.



    In the end, I hear your message loud and clear!

    It might take me awhile to get to where I want to be however I will get there....


    enter: E3167322D9 for your 10% discount

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    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Quote Originally Posted by GoldCoastGirl
    ...Once I have this worked out I can re-start my financial plan in re: investing in businesses (ie cafe, pet grooming, pet store, etc)... then be on my way to retirement....
    I like this enterprising thing. A lot! Don't forget real estate once you get good credit.


    Quote Originally Posted by Melonie
    ...If they dance full time during their 'prime earning years', watch their spending habits, become diligent savers etc., at the point where they choose to retire from dancing they should have more than enough money saved to pursue a college degree full time. The risk of course is that if the individual girl does not have the discipline to control her spending and become a diligent saver, that the day will come when she retires from dancing with little or no money saved, with no chance to pursue a college degree, and is thus stuck seeking 'unskilled' straight jobs that pay $10 an hour or less for the rest of her life.
    This is unfortunately exactly the issue that predominates many (but not all) workers in this business. Partying, buying glamorous things, drugging, getting caught up in harmful activities (dependent boyfriends, unintended pregnancies, arrests), put serious roadblocks in front of these naive but pretty girls.
    Take the good and omit the bad. Buy low and sell high. Take the money and run. Eat your vegetables. Wear your raincoat. Just don't get caught up in those stupid, irresponsible youthful games.


    Quote Originally Posted by Bridgette
    Why not dance one day a week to supplement the income until you finish school? Or perhaps dance full time, now that you've seen the light to save some cash and put off school for when you've reached the savings goal?
    I like the recommendation of working part-time. Just think of JOB as "just over broke." The management may not be as sleazy, but they're every bit as slick, self-concerned, and often unfair.


    Quote Originally Posted by Bridgette
    I'll be buying a home soon for cash (YAY no more rent!!!), and then I'll be fine with working a regular job for regular pay, and dancing once a week for savings while I transition. I won't need all that extra income from dancing full time anymore. Just a little bit longer....
    Getting into ownership and out of rent is not all it's cracked up to be. It's just do it yourself renting with financial complications. Now you'll pay mortgage, property taxes, do your own maintenance inside and out, collect tools and supplies, negotiate with neighbors, and buy-read how-to books, iunstead of paying someone else to do it. Or you'll hire someone to do it and help support their family. Just think of it as a new full-time, expensive hobby. Oh, it's also is an investment with risks too.


    Quote Originally Posted by Bridgette
    But I too wish I'd gotten my damn head in gear and saved in those first few years when the money was easier to come by. I have to refrain from thinking about it too much or I'll kick my own ass for a solid week over the money I COULD have saved in the 90s. UGH!
    Hey, you were just a kid then and maybe, like most, knew 'everything'.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    I won't be paying a mortgage.

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    So you're going to take, say, $100,000 cash and plunk it down on a single real estate investment in an area that you will have little influence on except as another taxpayer. Not pay a mortgage at 5.75% with interest fully tax-deductible, maybe amounting to some 3%. And not talking that same cash and plunking it down onto a diverse selection of equities and debts, and paying maybe a taxable 7.5 - 10%, managed by a professional. I hope that chunk of change is not your life savings.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    I won't be spending my life savings first of all. Second of all, I don't see having a free and clear home as any kind of bad investment. Especially considering my looooooowww risk tolerance.

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    In a way it is like putting your investment portfolio on one stock that you know pretty well. Just leave enough for your real estate taxes so they don't take it all away someday. Oh, and stay within your local community's codes. And watch out for the 100 year flood. And termites...etc. Still many people do well at this. Good luck. Black and Decker have a pretty good series of books about how to fix/improve your home.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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    God/dess dlabtot's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Your analysis just discounts the fact that she won't be paying a mortgage every month as if it's of no importance.

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    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Sounds like somebody's gotten burned on some real estate. I'm not getting into real estate as an investment, I'm buying a HOME, which I can live in for years with no mortgage or rent. What's with all the gloom and doom tone of your posts anyway? Maybe you have an extremely overpriced porperty that you can't unload, but that's hardly the same as someone living in a home that's paid off at age 32 and still having money left. And, at 32 with an education and a free and clear home, I'm thinking I'll still have plenty of time to expand my portfolio in a manner of which therelayer would approve

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    God/dess dlabtot's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Exactly,I'd love to have my house paid off, my expenses would be almost nothing without my mortgage

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    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Precisely. My living expenses will be almost nothing. I can work a regular job making $1600 a month, for example, if I choose and be quite comfy. But the plan is to keep dancing part time a little longer to save a little more while I transition from the income of a full time stripper to that of a regular job. I doubt any financial analyst giving me honest advice (not trying to sell me a portfolio he'll make commissions on) would tell me I'm making a bad investment, given my situation and risk tolerance.

    I have to wonder if dear relayer is jealous...

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Oh, I'm not trying to do a present worth analysis of the alternatives. I'm just pointing out that home ownership also has some specific risks. I own, fully or partly, 3 houses.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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    Senior Member pet_rock's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Sorry for getting more OT here--maybe this can be split into the Financial section...

    Quote Originally Posted by Bridgette
    ... I'm buying a HOME, which I can live in for years with no mortgage or rent.
    Well, you WILL be paying property taxes and home owners insurance. For where I am and what I need that comes out to about as much as the monthly rent on my apartment! The advantages of the apartment is that when something goes wrong I call management and they come in and fix it. They will also replace a broken refrigerator/air conditioner/oven etc. and I get free bug-spraying every month and don't have to do yard work...

    When you own a home YOU have to save up the money to take care of all the 'little' things that go wrong or which occur over a 20 year span like replace the roof, repair the sewer line leading from your house to the street that gets broken by tree roots, pay for the bug-man, pay for a yard-boy (if you're not willing to do it yourself, of course), replace the water heater, paint it, get the AC serviced, etc., etc. And since a house is usually a lot bigger than an apartment you have bigger heating and cooling bills in either electricity or gas or oil...it's an eye-opener when you calculate all that down to an average monthly cost!

    The advantage of owning a home is that it's YOURS! You make it your nest and decorate it how you want. You can play music as loud as you want and it's obviously more private than an apartment. (Hmmm, you may pay for a security service on your home.) You own it and it usually DOES go up in value--but that value is only useful when you sell. Before then having it appreciate just means you pay more each year in property taxes!

    Congress made the interest on a home loan tax deductible simply because you spend quite a lot of money owning a home--they KNOW you're going to be buying a lot of durable goods/services helping out the economy! (When you figure out that if you didn't own a home that you would still get to take the standard deduction you realize that you have to have a LARGE mortgage to be getting a big tax break which is alway touted as another reason to buy a home.)


    Anyway, back on topic, most people get by on 'standard' wages. Strippers are like pro athletes in that they make their money at the beginning of their career and have to save it THEN--but unfortunately you're young and you want to spend and party and don't realize it's going to dry up...so all you newbies starting out, read the financial section and SAVE, damn it!

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    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    OMG. I'm not some 18yo kid with no clue of what is involved with home ownership. I know I'll have to pay for maintenance, insurance, repairs and taxes myself. DUH. It will still be cheaper than paying rent in my area. Even the cheapass rent I'm paying now to live in a crappyass place and keep expenses low will be more than I'll have to shell out per month to own my home sans mortgage. I'll still be dancing part time for a while after purchase to continue saving money. And once again, it will be my HOME, not a 2nd home or extra property bought as investment. I am 32 years old, been dancing for 10 years and saving for a long time. Surely you guys don't think I'm going into this blind. geeeeeeeez!

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Bridgette, I happen to agree with you in regard to having a 'bunker' mentality which lets me sleep better at night knowing that I own my home free and clear. However, I don't confuse the issue of a fully paid-for home and the absence of a mortgage as being a 'good investment'.

    For a fact, in many real estate markets right now, it's damn near a break even situation when you compare the cost of renting with the cost of owning. If you average out annual property taxes, insurance costs, major home repairs, utility bills etc. the cost per square foot is actually pretty comparable to renting. You then have the capital gain/loss equation affecting your initial home purchase investment and the resale value of the property over time, versus the capital gain/loss equation of investing that same amount of money in stocks, bonds, CD's or other investments.

    The major plus in regard to home ownership is the (for the moment at least) deductibility of home mortgage interest. This is especially the case if you live in a state with a high income tax rate. I'm sure that you already know all of this.

    However, even if owning my home free and clear 'costs me money' versus renting and investing those funds elsewhere, the value of knowing that there is essentially no way that anybody could ever take my house away from me is priceless. Of course my confidence was shaken by the recent Supreme Court decision which gave states and cities the right to take my property via eminent domain proceedings for commercial development as well as public use !!!

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    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Yeah, exactly mel. I don't look at buying a primary home as an investment, but as buying a life necessity. I figure if I'm gonna spend the money on a place to live, might as well be MY place to live. I'm well aware I could probably "make more" by investing the money elsewhere, but frankly that doesn't interest me as much as owning a home. I am finally getting to a point where I wanna put down some roots and owning a home is the first step. I've been pretty transient all my life. I have done the cost analysis on ownership of a home in my price range in my area - it's cheaper than what I'm paying for rent. For me, just that is worth more than *possibly* making more if I were to continue renting or pay a mortgage and invest elsewhere. And like you, I value highly the piece of mind that comes with owning my home in the clear.

    I haven't bought a car on credit in YEARS. My financial habits are that of a person who values having little or no debt (particularly for basic living expenses) versus alot of credit and investments. I'm of the opinion that too many people value credit and "paper" too much. My parents taught me that with their own mistakes. They've worked their asses off all their lives and have nothing REAL to show for it. They're nearly retirement age and still owe money on their primary house - have alot of "assets" but no money saved. They've got alot of stuff but if one of them suddenly becomes unable to bring in a paycheck they'll be in deep crap.

    I don't buy it if I can't pay for it in cash.

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    Featured Member The_Oceans's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    I'm wondering if this thread is encroaching on Dollar Den territory...but anyways!

    I think someone in another thread made the analogy that stripping is a lot like being a major league athlete, in that the best money tends to be in the first half of your career. Even if we work out and eat right every day, eventually time and gravity will take its toll, and we can't trade on our bodies forever (in my case, I'm fortunate that I don't trade on my body!). So in that respect, the early part of your career is the best time to save up, a) when you're making the most; and b) so you get into good habits.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bridgette
    I don't look at buying a primary home as an investment, but as buying a life necessity. I figure if I'm gonna spend the money on a place to live, might as well be MY place to live. I'm well aware I could probably "make more" by investing the money elsewhere, but frankly that doesn't interest me as much as owning a home. I am finally getting to a point where I wanna put down some roots and owning a home is the first step. I've been pretty transient all my life. I have done the cost analysis on ownership of a home in my price range in my area - it's cheaper than what I'm paying for rent. For me, just that is worth more than *possibly* making more if I were to continue renting or pay a mortgage and invest elsewhere. And like you, I value highly the piece of mind that comes with owning my home in the clear.

    I haven't bought a car on credit in YEARS. My financial habits are that of a person who values having little or no debt (particularly for basic living expenses) versus alot of credit and investments. I'm of the opinion that too many people value credit and "paper" too much. My parents taught me that with their own mistakes. They've worked their asses off all their lives and have nothing REAL to show for it. They're nearly retirement age and still owe money on their primary house - have alot of "assets" but no money saved. They've got alot of stuff but if one of them suddenly becomes unable to bring in a paycheck they'll be in deep crap.

    I don't buy it if I can't pay for it in cash.
    Personally, I'm with B. My parents are both retired now, and I found out they still owe over $300K on their mortgage, thanks to constant re-financing. Granted, they have no other debts, but now that they're retired, they also have no other income except their retirement funds.

    I'd like to get to the point where I can afford a mortgage *and* have a few luxuries in life (mainly to travel)...the starting point is getting all my debts paid, which will take me about another 12-16 months. Plastic has been the debbil of my adult life - I've got six credit cards, and at one point I owed almost $50K on them (which until the last three years was virtually a YEAR'S salary). It's to the point where I am incredibly anal about the money I spend and carry...practically planned to the penny, for the next 12-16 months.

    But, whatever it takes!
    "Women, not girls, rule my world" - Prince

    "No parking on the dance floor" - Midnight Star

  25. #25
    Featured Member showgirlschloe's Avatar
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    Default Re: The real world pales in comparison...

    Good for you Bridgette! That would be great to own a house free and clear. My money I've saved has gone to my business, and I owe it all the shaking my booty. Next month I'm going back to dance just to keep my bills paid while I wait for business to pick up. Out here "the season" is when all the businesses make their money. Unfortunately, I opened my business during the summer, and 120 degree weather certainly does not bring in tourists.

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