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Thread: help! I have stripperitis!

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    Senior Member forevernaked's Avatar
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    Default help! I have stripperitis!

    I have been dancing for over 2 years now. I average about $400-$700 any given night, and I work about 3-5 nights a week. I am a full-time student at a 4-year university in Southern California. In 2005 I bought a much-needed new car (a Scion tC, nice but nothing fancy) and then had my boobs done. Other than those I have not really had any huge indulgences, at least not for myself (I spoil my parents, but they deserve it!). I mean I'm not a big shopper, not really into labels, don't take a lot of time off, etc.

    *sigh* but lately I have found myself getting totally "caught up." For example, I had my boobs redone in May (bigger). I have become increasingly obsessed with designer purses (bought 3 in the past 2 months), and then today for no apparent reason I went and test-drove a [USED] Lexus. Now that I've had a taste of course I want one(!). My mom lives with me, and although she inherited a bit of money when her father died she has always lived pretty frugally, and she is against it, although she understands the appeal and knows I can afford it.

    I guess I feel that I do work hard, in the club and in school, and for maybe a few hundred dollars more (one night's work) I could be driving a way better car. I want feedback from you guys because I am sure I'm not the only one who has gone through this. I don't want to be a label-whore, but as someone who has avoided the typical pitfalls of being a young woman with a lot of money (drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, etc), do I deserve it? Would trading in my reliable car be irresponsible? And for those of you who have succumb to temptation: was it worth it?

    As always, thanks in advance for any & all feedback.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    well, you know what they say....the more you make, the more you spend!

    I remember when I traded in my VW for a used Lexus. I justified it. Now I drive an Infiniti that I bought new. And now I want a Mercedes. It doesn't stop!

    Don't get me started on how my vacations have gone insane.

    I used to do trips that were less than $1000. Now I'm planning trips 10x that cost.

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    Featured Member xbloodydewdropx's Avatar
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    Only you can answer that for yourself. Do you have savings? If not, consider putting that money towards savings...but if you really want the car, then it's a free country. In the end, if you can afford it, and avoid buyer's remorse, then why not? I've never purchased anything other than a used car, but, then again, my money had to go elsewhere. I did end up paying for a trip to England and Scotland though, so I guess that qualifies as a splurge. And yes, it was worth it. Whatever you do, be happy with your decision

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    God/dess sxybrat07's Avatar
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    There's always the option of saving up a bunch of money for a down payment, so that your actual car payment won't go up. That way, you don't have to have a higher car payment, AND it gives you the time to save up and decide if you actually want it.
    I believe you Dottie and you have my support

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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    I know i've been there, with extra spending on stuff i ddin't need.
    it is a bad idea! 'cause even your income seems to be reliable it is not. something always can happened in the clubs "a CHANGE" a slow night a slow week, or whatever. the more you spend the more you get deep in this business. the beauty of this business is when you don't have to totaly dpened on it.
    just me 2 ....
    mm

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    God/dess Paris's Avatar
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    I've got the opposite problem. I REFUSE to buy anything designer or overpriced because of the *snob* factor.

    No matter what anyone tells you, owning anything designer and expensive is usually a waste of money. Does a Lexus or a Mercedes or a Cadilac run better than a Volkswagen or Toyota? Nope. I can own one of the best running, best gas mileage car on the market today for roughly half the cost of what the "designer" car costs brand new. Oh, and any insurance or replacement parts or even regular maintence is easy and cheap.

    And think about this...what if you break your leg? You will likely be out of work for at least three months, if you are a fast healer. Do you have enough savings if you should have some kind of accident or injury? If you answered no, then maybe spending on those luxury items is a bad idea.

    Read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. This is a great guide to basic money management, and how to decide if you are on the right track financially. Things that look like assests may actually be a liability. Designer items are deceptive that way.


    Promote yourself and earn more money! This is a business that is owned by strippers for strippers. Let's make that money!


  7. #7
    Glamazon
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    I am all about self-indulgence. Just do it.

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    God/dess GoldCoastGirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    I'm all about self-indulgence IN MODERATION! For example, if I have a monetary goal for the week and I reach it.... and/or exceed it... yes I will indulge myself. Yet my indulgences are always food related (lol) and cost less than $20 usually! still it is an indulgence.

    So yes, indulge yourself IN MODERATION! Always make sure you have enough money set-aside each and every week to pay your taxes, living expenses as well as 10% put in a "pay myself first" (investment/savings) fund. Then use the rest however you please!

    I'm having a good run at the moment with private party work however this past year has taught me a hellava lot about money management... people not paying me, not gaining enough work, etc etc... those $400 nights are not going to last forever unfortunately.

    One sure thing in life besides death and taxes is CHANGE. Prepare for change by having a decent chunk of cash in savings so if you do break a leg and can't work for an extended amount of time... and then your boobs go wrong or something... you can afford it.


    enter: E3167322D9 for your 10% discount

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    Veteran Member Cristalla's Avatar
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    have the customers buying you gifts,,, as signature handbags,shoes, clothes ...if you have good regulars that are nice and you trust they will buy you presents and bring them at the club- no need to go out with them.

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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    I would say save it... but, then I would probably spend it if I had it. So, buy yourself the Lexus.. What the hell!

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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    I'm no stripper, but I am a trial lawyer (we make by contingency, we win we get paid, $10K here, $1M there, no lie) so I know what's it like to be young and all of a sudden in the money.

    I'm about to turn 30. I spent the early part of my career being "careful." my first car was a sentra. New, but sensible. Low end designers. Clothes built to last, not to impress. Dinners at Applebees, not steakhouses.

    Please bear with me. I swear to God the next paragraph here is true.

    Then, I woke up in a shower, no idea where I was. Turned out I was in Venice Italy. I had lost three days of my memory. This was last April. Those days are still gone. I, and the doctors, were convinced I had had a stroke or brain cancer. For 60 hours I was convinced I was going to die. I had 6.7 million dollars in various banks around the world that I was convinced I was never going to spend.

    Turns out the docs were wrong. I have epilepsy. I will live. But here's what I learned in those 60 hours. That lightning really CAN strike at any time. Sure, you know you can die whenever. But until you face it.........

    Now my clothes are designer. When I can drive again, it's a Merc. I ate at the trendiest restaurant in town last night. Life's short. Buy the fucking bag. By the Lexus. If you can afford it, buy two.

    Siber
    "Maybe you'll ask me to come back again and
    Maybe I'll say.... Maybe"

  12. #12
    PhillyDancer1982
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    I agree with GoldCoastGirl, that indulgence is good in moderation. However, my life experiences have done anything BUT go along with moderation.

    When I first started dancing, I was very VERY poor and in very much debt. Because I was obsessed with keeping my credit in good standing and paying back people who I owed(I'm NOT the type to stiff someone), I didn't spend ANYTHING on myself, except maybe for little food items like a peach smoothie at the mall food court on the way to work via THE BUS AND SUBWAY. I didn't even get my car fixed, and I was waiting for busses in a bad neighborhood at like 3am each night after work as a result. That is an example of an EXTREME saver/nonspender. My friends and coworkers would lecture me about how I needed to treat myself a little better. I realize now that if I had spent more of my money on things like a better apartment(at one point, I was renting an efficiency in The Worst section of Philly!), nicer clothes and dancer outfits, going to the movies with friends, etc I wouldn't have hated my life so much back then. However, I had a lot of debt and although putting all my money towards debt sucked, I paid back a lot of shit in record timing, so maybe it WAS ok that I put up with my "cheap lifestyle" for a few months, because it got me back on track. But then again, maybe if I'd indulged more, I woulda liked myself better and it woulda showed and earned me better tips/more dances at work? Being cheap coulda gone either way.

    After I paid off most of my debt, I was still living a cheap lifestyle equivalent to someone who makes 1/8 the money that I made. This resulted in me overcompensating to make up for the literal torture that I put myself through to pay back debt in speedy timing(taking the bus to bad neighborhoods, as opposed to putting money into my car, is just a start). I overcompensated this in several ways: 1) boob job(well actually, this was well-needed in order to make more money) 2) bought a brand-new Mustang GT 3) bought a vintage VW camper "just for fun" 4) moved to a bigger & more expensive apartment 5) spent $1,000s on '60s retro-style furniture(before I did this, I was sleeping on an air mattress and the sparse few furniture pieces I had, were dilapidated "left-overs" from my at-time boyfriend's relatives) 6) new clothes & lingerie. I believe that the reason I overcompensated so much, was because I'd deprived myself of things in the past. For example, if I'd put extra money into fixing my first car initially insteada taking the bus, maybe then I wouldn't have felt the need to overcompensate with a car that, when brand-new, cost as much as a year of full-priced college tuition. Ditto for the air mattress. But looking back, I don't think I went nearly as spend-crazer as I could have, so I don't feel too bad.

    I think that it is good that you are buying a few "want" items such as designer purses, as long as it stays a short phase and it doesn't become a habit/addiction. I think that indulging in a FEW nice items is ok, as long as you have savings, continue to work just as much, and don't go overboard. I've been there.

  13. #13
    PhillyDancer1982
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    Quote Originally Posted by Paris
    I've got the opposite problem. I REFUSE to buy anything designer or overpriced because of the *snob* factor.

    No matter what anyone tells you, owning anything designer and expensive is usually a waste of money. Does a Lexus or a Mercedes or a Cadilac run better than a Volkswagen or Toyota? Nope. I can own one of the best running, best gas mileage car on the market today for roughly half the cost of what the "designer" car costs brand new. Oh, and any insurance or replacement parts or even regular maintence is easy and cheap.
    Yeah that's the thing about my personal situation...we're not talking about me going from a VW/Toyota to a Lexus/Cadillac...we're talking about initially me going from taking the bus through bad neighborhoods late at night, to buying a 1989 VW Jetta for $1000 that didn't run the best. In that instance, the Jetta DID run better than an infamously unreliable bus schedule and got me home from work in much better timing(and that's really saying something, considering the dilapidated shape the Jetta was in! my city's mass transit system sucks really bad) If anything, I shoulda initially overcompensated MORE.

    But then right around the time that the Jetta's exhaust pipe fell off and the clutch started to break, I bought a new Mustang. In that case, it WAS worth it to buy a brand-new car, as opposed to spending $1000s to get the 1989 Jetta fixed. OK maybe I coulda saved money by going for a brand-new Honda Accord instead of a brand-new Mustang, or by going for the V6 engine Mustang insteada the V8 engine Mustang. Where I went wrong, was not by buying a brand-new car, but the KIND of brand-new car I got. So Paris is right about that. Another thing to look at with brand-new cars and assets, is how much the value depreciates. For example, Mustang values tend to depreciate quickly(but I'm not planning to ever sell my Mustang, so for me it doesn't matter). Again, it goes back to moderation being best...and sometimes if you don't indulge enough, it makes you more prone to overindulge later...at least that's what happened to me.

  14. #14
    Senior Member forevernaked's Avatar
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    Default Re: help! I have stripperitis!

    Lots of good advice...thanks! I love hearing a variety of perspectives.

    I talked about the whole luxury car thing with my dad (who, even though he is the co-signer, trusts me and lets me do pretty much whatever I want money wise). He pointed out that since I'm planning on moving to Europe in a year, a new expensive car loan is probably not the wisest move. I'm also moving cities/clubs in a couple weeks (for school), so I've decided that until I get comfortable in my new area and make sure my finances are stable, any new bills are going to have to wait. Anyway, my scion is really cute, especially when I occasionally wash it.

    But who knows...I won't be surprising myself if I run down to the dealership in another month or two and pick out something shiny...

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