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How do you guys do it?

#21
well, i do the used thing...i've been through a truckload of high end warwick basses, curbows, zons, eden, and whatnot...i've got two kids and a wife who doesn't work...how do i do it? patience, bassgear.com, ebay and the talkbass classifieds...i don't have a high paying job...i'm a first class missile technician (submarines) in the navy, so i'm a military guy, paygrade e-6...you can look that up on any paychart on the internet...it's not a lot, but the navy hooks me up with pay allowances, benefits (for my wife to have both kids was less than 50 bucks in really sweet bang up hospitals), the works...having good gear isn't necessarily a money thing, it's a 'what the other guys said' thing :D
 
#22
Here's my formula:

1) I have a job that pays quite well.

2) No wife + no kids = more money I get to keep in my pocket.

3) I don't spend my money on pot, coke or heroin.

4) I've invested wisely.

5) I reciprocate my gig money. Gig money goes into a special envelope and when the envelope gets full---I spend it on something bass or guitar related.

6) I rob trains. ;)
 
#23
Used is a good way to go. 6 out of 12 basses I own I got used. I also quit smoking. I smoked 2 packs a day and in NYC were i'm from they are $8 bucks a pack! at 16 dollars a day x's 30 day's a month x's 12 months a year thats a lot of bucks! Don't do drugs, as long as you do you will never get ahead (I myself have been clean and sober for 10 years!) Remain gainfully employed (DUH). Manage your finances, don't let your finances manage you! I'm also in the dink catagory. If you are young I would say go to trade school and invest in education ( very, very important!)

Don't do drugs
no weed - makes you too sedate and lazy
no coke - coke makes you broke!
no crack - you will only sell the stuff you buy!
Don't drink - clouds judgement
 
#24
I'm married with two daughters. The wife stays @ home. Money's always tight. I sell cars for a living and in my business, if you sell a certain car at a certain time, the manufacturer pays you spiff money. Sometimes a lot of spiff money.(I'm currently waiting on a $1500.00 check). Taxes aren't taken out. They 1099 you @ the end of the year.
So.................
The little woman doesn't find out about the spiff checks. I know, There's a special level of hell awaiting me, but I gotta do what I gotta do. You see, my wife hasn't kept pace with the escalating costs of the basses I desire. The sticker shock would be more than she could bear. ;)
So what I do is when its time to add to the family I'll show her what I want and she'll say, " How much?" I'll say,"$300.00" She says," OK "
I pay the rest out of my slush fund. This way I don't have to come up with some lame story about where the bass came from.
See, who got hurt there!!!? Nobody, that's who. I tell my wife," Look, I come home every day as soon as I get off. Father of the year. Tend to all of your needs. No running with the boys. No late nights(gigs don't count). I have this one thing. Let me have my one thing.
It works OK, I guess.
Fo'
 
#29
Howard K said:
I dont earn great money, I earn good money, but not great.
Click to expand...

It's funny, I probably bought more gear when I had practically no money coming in (between jobs for an extended period) than at any other time in my life.

'Course I was able to do that because I'm an anti-social teatotaller with cheapskate tendencies;)
 
#30
Woodchuck said:
It also helps if you have only one hobby that you're passionate about, and not 3, like someone I know. He's into basses, cars, and motorcycles. It's killing me...er...I mean him! It's killing him. :D
Click to expand...

I use the same model with my other hobbies, electronics and cars.

My neighbor stopped by last weekend and commented that my wife and I must really like cars (three car garage, four cars). He particularly liked the 1977 Fiat 124 Spider convertible in the driveway, it's in very nice condition. Then I told him what we paid for it and he couldn't believe it.

Then we have the other convertible (99 Miata LS), the hauler (Honda Element)and the rock solid 92 Civic Si that we've had since new. All together these cost less than a used mid level Beemer and are way more fun.

Bargains everywhere. Just be paient:D
 
#35
Eric Cioe said:
You know, a counter to Munji's plan would be this-

1. Go to college.
2. Dual major in polisci and philosophy.
3. Go to law school.
4. Make $100,000 a year your first year out of school.
5. Buy at will.
Click to expand...
Tried that...the thing you are missing is that the $100k a year jobs for lawyers leave you no time to eat or sleep let alone spend your money on basses :D

You are always at work whenever the bass stores are open!
 
#37
tplyons said:
Seriously guys, you all have quite some cool gear, and I'm just wondering, do you have amazingly high paying jobs or do you just squeeze pennies elsewhere to buy your sweet gear. Looks like some people around here never stop buying new stuff, but how do you afford it?! I just hope I can swing what you guys are, have decent collections of vintage gear like some of you...
Click to expand...

Don't forget that a lot of people live way outside of their means...you don't know that everyone can really 'afford' all the gear they've bought. I'm sure there are at least a few people with a ton of debt...there are a lot of folks that just charge everything, get loans, second mortgages, etc. etc. and never crawl out of debt. You should never be jealous of other people, you never know the whole story...
 
#40
Mark Latimour said:
You are always at work whenever the bass stores are open!
Click to expand...

That's why I run the music store ;). I'm always in a position for a $20 head or cab or bass :D. It's amazing what you come across, like that '77 P-Bass I landed for under $300 with OHSC.

It's all about the right place at the right time. Mine just happens to be at work :smug:
 

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