Odd question about career choice

[Gentle-Savage]

so I've been noticing a lot of you gentleman have multiple, if not 5+ bows, and these are upwards of $800 bows..

being 24, still haven't chosen a career path - what do all of you do for a living to be able to afford such a hobby??

 

[Sean B]

Many of us have bought these bows used.  If you cruise the classifieds, you can get one at almost 1/2 the cost.  I also pay for my hunting gear by selling the replica 18th c powder horns that I make.  I have more bows than what I have listed, only the PCH was bought new in 2010.

[Slickhead]

By day retail executive
By night ,male escort    

all kidding aside
Most of us have shoes older than you.
Your day will come ,when we are all just "dust in the wind"
Enjoy your youth and check yard sales and good will stores.

[Bowwild]

When I was your age I had just graduated college (Purdue) and was an assistant manager of a state forest. Most of my career was spent as a wildlife biologist.

My goal in those days was to have at least $20 by the time my next paycheck arrived. Sometimes I didn't. I moved 14 times over 4 states before I concluded my wildlife career after 28 years as Deputy Commissioner of KY's wildlife agency.

Determine what you like to do and try to do that for a living. Then determine to be the best there has ever been in that job. If you can do that the money will be secondary (as long as you can survive).

Oh, I've been blessed with one wife over 35 years, from what I can tell from the world, that has saved me a lot of money!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Ive only had one custom bow made for me.  It cost $500 shipped to me.  the rest I bought used.  Most of my bows are Bear recurves.

I have not bought a bow in 2 years.  I prefer to spend my money on hunting adventures.  I used to make extra money by mowing some lawns at 10 bucks an hour.  Usually I had an extra 500 or so by the end of the year.  This didn't cut into my normal budget so I didn't feel the pinch.

I also pick up every penny I walk past and put it in a jar.  I return as many cans as I can pick up for the 5 cent deposit.  It all adds up if you don't spend it.

As far as a career?  I never even imagined I would be doing what I am doing now.  I say do whatever you want and be as good as possible at it.

[bartcanoe]

29 years in the Army which is not a particularly lucrative career (not a complaint, I loved my time in the Army).  However, remember that having money is as much about how you spend your money as it is about how much money you make.

Additionally, while it may seem that this is an expensive hobby where you're sitting, it really isn't. There are a lot of more expensive hobbies out there.

[katman]

Bowwild writes

"Determine what you like to do and try to do that for a living. Then determine to be the best there has ever been in that job. If you can do that the money will be secondary (as long as you can survive)."
 
x2, do what you love and it is not 'work'

Agree it takes time to accumulate a plump bow rack and yes I have boots older than you.    

[Jon Stewart]

He is how it went:

Grad from high school, raised hell and had a choice, Marines or jail.  Went into the Marines, got out at 20 went to college, got married become a Police Officer, /Detective and retired at 51 with a pension and insurance.  My wife still works and has 41 years in as  a nurse.

I have owned only two new bows in my lifetime.  My dad saved me a new Bear Kodiak Hunter (68) for me when I got out of the service(he owned an archery shop) and my wife bought me a new Northern Mist Baraga for one of my anniversary gifts.  All other bows that I have are used from yard sales.

[BigJim]

Best way to have money is get the kids out of the house... Really, if  you settle down, over time bills get paid and when the family grow up, there is a little more money left over.

Or as I do/did, throw all ideas of retirement out the window and work about 100 hours a week. Helps to have a "somewhat" understanding wife.
BigJIm

[centaur]

Let me think: at age 24, I had done 4 years in the military, and was a cop, working on my college degree while off duty, and spending time in the active Reserves. Married to a wonderful woman who understood my passion for the outdoors. I had a Bear bow that probably cost about $40 or $50 new.
Now, 40 plus years later, I have retired from 2 different careers, the kid is long gone, along with the expenses entailed with raising a child, and we are far from rich, but have budgeted well over the years.
Get educated, get into a career path that is stable, budget wisely, and good things will happen.

[KenH]

I'm a retired Technical Writer and spent most of my career working for start-ups and small companies without 401(k)s and retirement funds.

These days I live on Social Insecurity aboard a sailboat that I bought outright 12th-hand, for $500.. Even so, I pay $300 a month rent for the hole in the water at the marina where I'm docked. Still not much left at the end of the month.

When I've bought bows it has been a matter of intense research both on brand/type and price. That and saving a bit each month towards my "prize".   I have one Hungarian-made Scythian bow, and two PVC recurves each of which cost me under $100 each and perform perfectly for me.  

I'm not sure that $800 worth of bow shoots any better than $200 or $300 worth of bow.  Might be prettier; but "pretty" never put dinner in the pot, IMHO.

[Manitoba Stickflinger]

Firefighter/ Outfitter. You see…the FF job has a pension and benefits with lots of time off. It also allows me to be an outfitter and accumulate hunting toys.

Whatever you choose, do so with your passions in mind. Whatever you are passionate about your career should allow you to do. At the same time, be careful not to turn a passion into work and lose focus on how much you love it!

Just the fact you're asking makes me think you'll do fine!

[wapiti792]

Great advice from these guys! I grew up dirt floor poor but worked hard in school. Got a basketball scholarship and went to college, then grad school. Decided to follow Bowwild's advice and become the best I could at my profession. Made some good business decisions and at 43 am able to do a few things.

At 24 I was working in ICU as a RN. I lived in a small house on the edge of 3000 public acres with a John boat and a 25hp motor to take me up and down the river to access a lot of public ground. I owned one bow and killed a dump truck full of critters with it. I met my wife, went to grad school and now we own a business that does well. I own 4 bows, 2 old bears and 2 customs. It isn't about what you got, it's about how happy you are. Find something you love and a way to make a living. We all get buried in the same dirt.

[MacRae]

I teach HS English, but there is a story....

I originally went to college to teach, but by the time I had finished my undergrad in English, I was ready to make money...or so I thought.

So, after 10 years of hating corporate America, having my job eliminated and getting bored.....I decided that God had been pushing me back to my calling, teaching.

Hey, I'm slow.....but better late than never!

So, 5 years ago, I went back to get my Master's in Teaching....took a 20K a year pay cut....and have NEVER been happier IN MY LIFE!

My wife works and I only hunt with mine own homemade eq.

Do want you want, save your pennies and don't expect to have 3-4 $500 plus bows in the next 10 years!

I love those bows, but now a days my HBI bows (total coast $40) that I make with mine own hands does it for me...and kills 'em just as dead as my Damon Howats....

[Gentle-Savage]

wow guys  :D  thanks for the quick and fantastic replies ^_^

got a good laugh about the wife comment and such haha.

Been giving it a lot of thought tonight at work, and what I'd really love is to be an outfitter, taking people hunting (after learning it first myself ^_^) , with a log cabin in the woods, family, friends, and food on the table. Growing up in Idaho I've always loved being outdoors. Love the idea of disappearing into the mountains for a few weeks, living off the land - warrior mindset, not depending on any government or 'big brother' to take care of me.

Much love and respect, thank you again  

-Nalder

[Roadkill]

HS, U of WISC, Marines.  Retired , as bartcanoe says, service is fun, but not lucrative.  Now in airport management.  Yard sales fill the stable and helps your. Knowledge of history of the sport.
Education or job skill is key tobuilding in some flexibilty into your life.  I have never worked as a geologist, but it taught me different ways of looking at things, and map reading!

In life, Hope is not strategy, build in some credentials so you have flexibility.

[J. Holden]

Live debt free!  No matter what you wind up doing for a job/career if you can't buy it with cash, don't buy it!  You'll never have money in your pocket if you owe someone else.

-Jeremy  

[Mr. fingers]

Find something you love to do then find someone to pay you for it . And you'll never work a day of your life.
 And you only  need one bow. You can only shoot one at a time and hunt with one at a time. That and you won't have to sit and waffle which bow to you should hunt with tomorrow.

[-snypershot317-]

Thank you for the advice guys...its all really good. Im 23 living with my wife, coming up on our second aniversary, with a kid on the way (first one) and i am currently working two jobs...one is my pay the bills job, the other is my fill in the gaps job while we pow down some medical bills. I have only one bow that my wife bought me when she was able to work and am totally happy/ content with where im at currently in life. sure some weeks there are more downs than ups, but other weeks there are more ups than down. Where i am is were God has placed me, and its my responsibility to do the best i can with what i have. Its not about money as it will come and go, its about being yourself, and being around friends and family and doing what you love to do so long as you can survive. Hope this helps and thanks again guys for all the great advice.

[Mike Vines]

When I need a new bow, I ask my wife to get a 2nd job so I can have it.  I'm still waiting for that to happen.

All kidding aside, if I want something bad enough, I look at my expendatures and find where I can make cuts to afford it.  Back on January 1st, 2012 I quit drinking (except for victory toasts).  Allowed me to save $100 a month.  13 years ago I quit smoking. $5 a pack and 3 packs a day adds up REALLY quick.  Being a Carpenter by trade, if I want extra money, I contact friends in the business and see who needs help.  I don't care what the job is and my employers know this.  I usually get the worst jobs possible (Mike Rowe has nothing on me).  They know I'm dependable and a good worker.  It takes years to develope those qualities and have people notice them, but when they do, you will be in demand.

  All you gotta do is think a little.  If you look at yourself and not at what others have, you will be a MUCH happier individual.