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Author Topic: Odd question about career choice  (Read 1005 times)

Offline Slickhead

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #20 on: January 27, 2014, 10:00:00 AM »
Oh , I forgot to mention that I would have been  a millionaire by now if I would have bought land at 1970 prices
Slickhead

Offline long time archer

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #21 on: January 27, 2014, 10:36:00 AM »
38 years in various roles as a commercial banker, and I still buy used bows.  ;-)
long time archer

Online Horsey

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #22 on: January 27, 2014, 11:23:00 AM »
You have received some great advice so far.  As for me, I worked my way through engineering school with no student loans or family assistance. My career was spent in the engineering consulting business where I started out at the bottom and retired as president of the company.  Hard work, good luck and a loving and understanding wife were the keys for me.  I saved money beginning very early by using restraint in my spending habits.  Through regular and consistent saving and investing, I was able to retire early and afford those things that bring me pleasure.  My Daddy always said "Good things come to those who waiteth, as long as they worketh like hell while they waiteth."

--Mike

Online mjh

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #23 on: January 27, 2014, 11:55:00 AM »
Worked extra, saved money, Paid school loans off ASAP lean times now and then with that,, while my wife is not an archery or bowhunting person, she knows that I am and its all part of the give and live of married life.  Have enjoyed the bows I do have, paid anywhere from $3 to over $1000, have sold 4 bows through the years own 4 right now, while I like to look a lot I don't buy a lot, tend to find what I like and stick with it.  Work started in fisheries, did a little park ranger work, gravitated towards kids, education outdoors and now in classroom, with time off along the way to stay home with kids, when I have the money I do spend when I don't I don't,  wait till yea have to get kids geared up for archery/hunting....

Offline tradarcher816

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #24 on: January 27, 2014, 12:04:00 PM »
Spend less than you make, take care of the important stuff first, pay with cash. And over time you'll scrounge up enough cash to buy yourself a goodie or two. Acquiring "stuff" like those that's been in the game for a long time isn't a sprint. A very good friend of mine once said that old guys have all the stuff because they're the only ones that can afford it. And that's because they've been working/saving longer. If you keep yourself out of debt it'll come faster than you think no matter what you do.
Love God, Love your neighbor.

Offline Kris

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #25 on: January 27, 2014, 12:30:00 PM »
Good post, refreshing topic.  Good that you are asking.  It's something most of us ponder throughout our working life.

To answer your question, I work in Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering and have a BS from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  Currently I am home with our children 5 and 2 years of age.  My wife has a MA in Business also from Wisconsin and works for herself from home as a Business Development Professional and is an excellent bread winner.  None of which entitles me to, or is necessary to own an appealing bow.  Heck...make a selfbow, that's the greatest journey of all.

You will obtain the things you want in life, it is just a matter of time; you have that on your side.  It's often better to want than to have anyway...I know that might be hard to understand now but in short, stay hungry.  You don't need a $1000 plus bow to enjoy Trad archery...that's the beauty of it.  I've gotten rid of my $1000 bows for various reasons.  Buy used and work up to what you want.  It'll always be changing anyway.  

Be diligent, do the right thing and you'll come out shining.  Just the fact that you are asking this question tells me you're on the right track.

All the best to you!

Kind regards -

Kris

Offline Jake Scott

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #26 on: January 27, 2014, 12:32:00 PM »
I am a little ahead of you, at 29.  Let me echo what other guys have said and hopefully save you some heartache.  Do what you like.  I put myself through college, and upon graduation immediately got myself into the high pressure golf industry as a superintendent.  Money is great, hours are awful.  In five years I was so burned out that I hated dragging myself out of bed.  I am out of that business now and a property manager at a large Indian casino.  The pay is less, but I spend nearly two whole months in the deer woods every year.  I have never regretted the career change for a minute.  If you want a $1000 custom bow, save your money and buy one.  When you do get it it will mean that much more.  Two cents from another young-ish guy that would have done it differently, looking back.
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Online BAK

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #27 on: January 27, 2014, 12:38:00 PM »
I'm independantly wealthy.  I don't depend on spending any more than I earn.
"May your blood trails be short and your drags all down hill."

Offline Fletcher

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #28 on: January 27, 2014, 12:43:00 PM »
Do what you love, love what you do.  Myself, I'm a certificated aircraft mechanic.  These days I teach aviation maintenance for the local community college.  I'm training my replacements.
Good judgement comes from experience.  Experience comes from bad judgement.

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Offline Nathan Killen

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #29 on: January 27, 2014, 12:43:00 PM »
Power plant industry. Really good money and excellent benefits !
Genesis 21:20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. ->>>---------------->

Jesus is my lord and savior, Who is he to you ?

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Offline Altiman94

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #30 on: January 27, 2014, 12:49:00 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by fdlz58:
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   :coffee:  
Probably some of the best advice you can get to live your life.  As long as you are debt free, it opens up a lot of opportunities not otherwise avaialable to you.
>>>--------->

Online Stumpkiller

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #31 on: January 27, 2014, 01:18:00 PM »
City Comptroller.  (Accounting/Finance/Economics)

And I too buy used bows.

It's all about priorities.  My wife and I bought a new 34 foot sailboat that would have funded a LOT of bows.  Tooled around for 10 years and then sold it to help finance a rural house on 20 wooded acres - so now I have a place to rove and hunt that's all my own.  THAT is a treasure.

House is paid for, two cars are paid for, no credit card debt.  So now I can play more than I used to be able to.  Socking away a nest-egg so, hopefully, I can retire while I can still get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Early on I noticed my $60 and $100 used bows shot as well as my $600 semi-custom (back in the 80'/90's), were every bit as fun, so now I look for used bows.  Save enough to burn through five or six dozen wood arrows out stumping and roving.  Luxury is shrugging off and walking away from a lost arrow after a minute or two of searching.  This time of year I enjoy making wood arrows - and happily those go very well with vintage recurves.

I shoot every day and could justify some nice bows but I enjoy keeping the old bows in play.
Charlie P. }}===]> A.B.C.C.

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Online McDave

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #32 on: January 27, 2014, 01:38:00 PM »
Marines, then college, then 40+ years as a CPA.  Generally, if you find a career you like and stick with it and don't go head over heels in debt, you will find that as time goes on things become easier financially (which is a good thing, because things don't generally become easier physically).  Houses have a way of getting paid off, you eventually have enough money to pay cash for your new car, and when you don't have those monthly payments hanging over your head, there is extra money for things like bows that you want but don't really need.  Granted, some disaster could come along and wipe you out, but if it doesn't, then financial independence is something to look forward to in your old age.

As far as work is concerned, there are two ways of looking at it:  you can either do something you love, like be an outfitter, and not get paid very much for doing it, or do something that you may not love, but at least hopefully don't hate, and make enough money to hire your own outfitters.  Generally, in life, the best paying jobs are either the jobs that few people are qualified to do, like brain surgeons, or jobs that few people want to do, like being a CPA.  If you can find a job that pays well because few people want to do it, but you happen to be the kind of oddball that enjoys it, then you've got yourself a win/win situation.
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Offline njloco

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #33 on: January 27, 2014, 01:40:00 PM »
Just remember, it's not how much you make, but how much you keep, find something you really enjoy doing, and as stated above, try to be the best at it and if your successful along the, all the better.

Good luck !
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Offline Mike Vines

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #34 on: January 27, 2014, 01:44:00 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by njloco:
Just remember, it's not how much you make, but how much you keep
My theory on that statement...I have never seen a Hearse with a luggage rack.  (In other words, you can't take it with you).
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Offline Bear Heart

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #35 on: January 27, 2014, 02:38:00 PM »
U.S. Army Infantry for 9 years then law enforcement for the last 5 years.  32 with wife, two kids, and a giant dog. Still live in the "starter home" we bought ten years ago. 8 years till it is paid off.  Owe nothing except for the house.

Do not borrow money! Get a 15 year mortgage.  Do not buy new or expensive cars. Don't borrow for the cars.

Marry a good woman. Don't get divorced.

Sold things to buy other things. I buy quality over quantity.

If you like to go hunting be aware that guiding may not be for you.  Hard to hunt while you are taking care of clients.
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Offline Cyclic-Rivers

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #36 on: January 27, 2014, 05:33:00 PM »
The best way to have money to play with is to not be in debt.  Some things may be inevitable like a home loan and school loans but don't get wrapped up in debt, don't spend more than you have and you will always have a little play money.

I see you want to be an outfitter.  My guess is there are a few in your state.  I recommend working for one for a year or more,  you will see exactly what its entails.  

You will work long, hard hours and not always for the most appreciative people.  

On the flip side you will make great connections and be in Gods country!  Try it, it just may be what you are looking for,  If not you can move on with no real investment other than time.
Relax,

You'll live longer!

Charlie Janssen

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Wisconsin Traditional Archers


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Offline hvyhitter

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #37 on: January 27, 2014, 05:53:00 PM »
Retired Marine, 10 yrs as plumber/steamfitter, semi-retired now (still do sidework for family and friends). Have a 14 yr old truck, a 20$ go phone, no tv- have library card, no debts, buy used bows,shafts,arrows,guns,wool gear, grow a garden and can every year, live simple, etc..........its pretty amazing how much cash you can stash this way........
Bowhunting is "KILL and EAT" not "Catch and Release".....Semper Fi!

Offline Bjorn

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #38 on: January 27, 2014, 07:02:00 PM »
Self employed long time. Get a really good education or trade. Work hard and try to be the best at something lucrative. Health care will be hot for years to come. Us old guys are nor dying.
When I need a new truck I make my wife take the street car to her second job.   :goldtooth:

Offline Todd Alexander

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Re: Odd question about career choice
« Reply #39 on: January 27, 2014, 07:08:00 PM »
We all love the idea of being an outfitter.  Still, I wonder if that would ever take the love of the game out of the outdoor experience.  Wouldn't we all love to conduct that experiment and find out though?  I also wonder how often you'd be spending mandatory time in the woods with some jackass (hopefully that would be seldom).  Don't give up that dream if it's your calling.  I'm a financial advisor and what I can tell you for sure is that money isn't important.  Having enough does however make the important things easier to concentrate on.  Love the simple things: used bows, good dogs, May mornings in the turkey woods, October sunrises in a deer stand, and in moderation a good sippin' whiskey in front of a roaring fire to give you some down time to remember it all and look forward to the next.
"If ya gotta be stupid, ya gotta be tough"

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