so.. i was robbed last night

[rtslinger]

Damn I hate hearing these stories I hope they find the POS that robbed you! Man I have a mean temper an if I got that SOB I would cut off his thumbs in a court full of people! lower than primates once your thumbs are gone! I am still hot over my BC RICH NJ BEAST getting ripped off in the 1980's yeah counseling hasn't helped.

 

[sonic assassin]

I don't know what it's like in your area, but where I am, paying a little bit more a month can get you in a much nicer place. When I moved to where I am now, £400 a month would get you a pretty scuzzy place, £475 was almost a night and day difference.

Can you pick up more work? 35 hours weeks at the fed. min. wage would surely give you enough to pay a little more in rent?

Maybe once you have mourned the loss or if you manage to get the stuff back, accept that it's stuff, you will be able to move forward a bit.

This is going to sound like a dick move after what happened. But maybe it's time to re-evaluate things in your life, if everything is so miserable. Rather be in a hospital bed than have lost some bits of wood and metal? It just strikes me as odd that someone would accept the minimum standard of a necessity (roof over your head) in order to keep a fair amount of luxuries? And if you were, why not take that extra bit of cover?

Is there nothing that takes your interest that you could persue further?

im working 40 and hour and earn above minimum wage. also get paid a dollar night premium for every hour after 10pm. so.. an extra 10 dollars a week. there is absolutely no overtime because my boss works it all. i make about 1000 a month. 500 of which goes immediately to rent and bills. the rest seems to go to gas, food, and the occasional trip to the pool hall or monthly bowling night. i dont waste money on cigarettes and alcohol like everyone else. the little bit of money i do seem to save normally goes toward the next catastrophic event. if i have any money left, my car will break down or ill get a ticket or something else on earth will cost me money.

you're right. an extra hundred dollars a month would put me in a much nicer place. and i wish i had it. fact of the matter is that i barely scrape by living here. my place is a steal for how nice the building is. ive seen significantly worse in better parts of town that cost a lot more.

i can see how people would take a very different perspective on this.. but that stuff is my life. its been my life since i was 14. i got a job when i was 14 to pay for strings and save up for driving school and buy a car. worked 20 something hour work weeks on top of high school so i could afford these things. i gave up video games and nice clothes and a well functioning vehicle to pay for my hobby. losing any piece of what i have worked for, what i use to make money, what keeps me from going postal at my pathetic excuse for a job... thats a huge detriment.

i can deal with a week in the hospital. if it came to being cut up trying to protect myself, someone would step in and help pay for it. harder to ask grandma for money for stuff than to help pay off a medical bill. the cuts and bruises would hurt significantly less, i promise.

there always seems to be practical solutions to these issues, but they never seem to apply to my case. when you're low enough on the poverty line, the next rung on the ladder is normally out of reach.

 

[sonic assassin]

OK - dog is out (understandable) - still don't agree with the reasons offered for adding a gun to the mix. IMO too much emotion, not enough rational consideration for the facts - but OK, we disagree. Just please don't shoot some kid playing hide and seek.

As for moving and cost - I solved that by finding a friend to be my roommate. For the bulk of my early, apartment dwelling years I shared a place with at least one band mate which made life easier in a lot of ways.

Be careful and I hope your situation gets better soon.

the majority of the building is senior citizens. not a lot of kids playing in any bushes. when i see someone forcibly enter my dwelling, thats when i get the gun. warn, then maim. same thing with my various knives that i keep for the same purpose.

i like the room mate idea. i tried it once with a female room mate. catastrophic results. never doing that again. the majority of my friends are still in college and still live at home. i have an aversion to strangers and my standards for people that i will allow be near me for extended periods of time are incredibly high. if my friends werent bums and i werent a jerk, that could work.

another issue there being a location. if im more than 10 minutes from work, i run the risk of my car not getting there one day. it is on its last legs and if i had the money to fix it, i sure as hell wouldnt be living here. so to find a person i can tolerate and get them to live in the areas i want to, very slim chances.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

If you are 10 minutes from work, can't you scrap your car and use public transport?

+1 on the roommate or shared accom for cutting costs if you can.

(as someone who has half of their monthly income go on rent alone, then there are all the other bills on top of that, who can't afford to fill a car, let alone maintain, insure and tax it, who also doesn't drink or smoke)

You say it's the way you've been since you were 14. If everything is so miserable, maybe it's time to see what you can do about making changes in your life?

 

[rr5025]

If you have just enough for food, gas and rent how are you going to pay for a gun?

 

[tZer]

I was fortunate to have a lot of really good friends who were all in the same boat as I was back then. We were all in bands together and even worked at the some jobs and living together usually meant sharing more that just rent, food and utility bills - rides to work, rehearsals, gigs, parties - hell, the parties were usually at our place because the fact that we shared rent meant we could usually get a pretty cool place - in a nice area.

This was on pizza delivery pay - so we weren't hauling down the big bucks. At one point we got really smart and three of us rented a small house with a basement for less than $600/mo. - so now we had the band room downstairs - the party house - and we lived less then 15 minutes from our primary gigging zone downtown.

It can be done and for people like us (band guys) there are ways to do it that can really maximize your potential - and minimize your need to potentially kill intruders.

 

[David Jayne]

I am sorry for your loss. Major bummer. Id like to point out that anyone can read these forums. Anyone. For that reason you might want to delete your posts that detail the other stuff you have.

 

[Skeletomania]

I think you need a surveillance cam more than a gun. As another poster suggested, the chance of you being robbed again seems great.

 

[MatticusMania]

i dont waste money on cigarettes and alcohol like everyone else.

I know youre straight edge, and I respect that, but it doesnt give you the right to assume everyone else wastes their money the the things you choose to abstain from.
I may spend some money on beer, but it certainly is not wasted.

Anyways, good luck with getting your stuff back. I believe I read that you dont have renters insurance, which is too bad, because then you could at least have been compensated for the stolen goods.

 

[sonic assassin]

If you are 10 minutes from work, can't you scrap your car and use public transport?

+1 on the roommate or shared accom for cutting costs if you can.

(as someone who has half of their monthly income go on rent alone, then there are all the other bills on top of that, who can't afford to fill a car, let alone maintain, insure and tax it, who also doesn't drink or smoke)

You say it's the way you've been since you were 14. If everything is so miserable, maybe it's time to see what you can do about making changes in your life?

public transportation around here isnt so great. and the inconvenience that would be to my life is just far too much. maybe its different across the pond.

the changes are being made. the only thing i cant do myself is magically have more money. working on a better job. a better car. a better place to live. its all money.

 

[sonic assassin]

If you have just enough for food, gas and rent how are you going to pay for a gun?

dont plan to pay for it. rednecks stick together.

 

[sonic assassin]

I know youre straight edge, and I respect that, but it doesnt give you the right to assume everyone else wastes their money the the things you choose to abstain from.
I may spend some money on beer, but it certainly is not wasted.

Anyways, good luck with getting your stuff back. I believe I read that you dont have renters insurance, which is too bad, because then you could at least have been compensated for the stolen goods.

trust me im already pissed enough about the renters insurance. plan to get that taken care of for the future.

and if its not essential, its a waste. thats why i rarely go out and spend money on anything but food. people my age have to factor in bar hopping and chain smoking and keep enough money in the bank to be able to get their stomach pumped everyone once in a while. ive bypassed those costs entirely.

when i say i work full time and still dont have any money, people assume its because i waste it on dumb **** like everyone else my age. just stated the fact outright that i dont.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

public transportation around here isnt so great. and the inconvenience that would be to my life is just far too much. maybe its different across the pond.

the changes are being made. the only thing i cant do myself is magically have more money. working on a better job. a better car. a better place to live. its all money.

I'm lucky that there is a good public transport system here. But I know that the places I've visited in the US, where I had local people tell me the public transport was rubbish, had pretty good public transport!

You can't magically have more money, no, but you can probably manage it better. Public transport not an option? What about a bike? If it's only 10 minutes to work, I presume it's less than 7 miles to your job? I have a friend that runs that distance (to and from) work each day. There are ways that would be cheaper than owning a car.

What are night classes like in the US, in terms of expense? No way you could save some money to the side and try to work on your education?

and if its not essential, its a waste. thats why i rarely go out and spend money on anything but food. people my age have to factor in bar hopping and chain smoking and keep enough money in the bank to be able to get their stomach pumped everyone once in a while. ive bypassed those costs entirely.

when i say i work full time and still dont have any money, people assume its because i waste it on dumb **** like everyone else my age. just stated the fact outright that i dont.

One could wonder if having a fairly expensive pile of musical equipment is essential . . .

If other people your age are spending so much money of their lifestyles, how can they afford to live? And either way, why should you care what other people spend their money on, if they can afford to, why not.

 

[MatticusMania]

and if its not essential, its a waste. thats why i rarely go out and spend money on anything but food. people my age have to factor in bar hopping and chain smoking and keep enough money in the bank to be able to get their stomach pumped everyone once in a while. ive bypassed those costs entirely.

when i say i work full time and still dont have any money, people assume its because i waste it on dumb **** like everyone else my age. just stated the fact outright that i dont.

I dont agree with the line of thinking that "if its not essential, its a waste". There are very few things in life that are essential, so everyone is just wasting away all their means?

What happens when one has enough to cover all the essentials yet still has plenty of money left over? Is anything else they spend their money on a waste? You might perceive it that way because youre coming from a place where you dont have those extra means, but to the person that does, what or how they choose to spend their money wouldnt be considered wasting anything.

I get that things are rough for you. Ive been there. Ive risen above living check to check, to a place where I can put some money away and have a couple extra bucks should I feel like picking up a 6pack. I dont waste my money, because Im not that well off, but I can afford myself a few luxuries. Its just a matter of perspective I guess.

 

[rr5025]

dont plan to pay for it. rednecks stick together.

Well its been a very long time since I've transferred ownership of a gun and I'm sure money is involved. I'd wager you'll be in a world of hurt if you take down a burglar John Wayne style and that gun isn't registered to you.

 

[MatticusMania]

I'm lucky that there is a good public transport system here. But I know that the places I've visited in the US, where I had local people tell me the public transport was rubbish, had pretty good public transport!

People often complain about the Public Transportation in Los Angeles.
I dont use it often, but I dont think its really all that bad.
The fact of the matter is that you can get on a bus and get just about anywhere in the Greater LA area by way of transfer.
One Halloween we boarded a bus to Hollywood so we could all get wasted. We had a blast, and didnt have to worry about a DD. Took about 40 minutes, which is maybe 10 minutes more than driving there yourself.

 

[tZer]

All due respect - you should get off the gun idea - and the sooner the better. Fantasize for anther five minutes or so about laying in wait and capping an intruder and be done with it. It's a waste of time and energy and is much more an exercise in mental masturbation than a practical way of dealing with your situation.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

People often complain about the Public Transportation in Los Angeles.
I dont use it often, but I dont think its really all that bad.
The fact of the matter is that you can get on a bus and get just about anywhere in the Greater LA area by way of transfer.
One Halloween we boarded a bus to Hollywood so we could all get wasted. We had a blast, and didnt have to worry about a DD. Took about 40 minutes, which is maybe 10 minutes more than driving there yourself.

Not been to LA, but San Diego and the surrounding area had excellent public transport, buses, trams and trains! (and I had a friend from SD telling me the public transport was "mediocre at best").

 

[sonic assassin]

I'm lucky that there is a good public transport system here. But I know that the places I've visited in the US, where I had local people tell me the public transport was rubbish, had pretty good public transport!

You can't magically have more money, no, but you can probably manage it better. Public transport not an option? What about a bike? If it's only 10 minutes to work, I presume it's less than 7 miles to your job? I have a friend that runs that distance (to and from) work each day. There are ways that would be cheaper than owning a car.

What are night classes like in the US, in terms of expense? No way you could save some money to the side and try to work on your education?

One could wonder if having a fairly expensive pile of musical equipment is essential . . .

If other people your age are spending so much money of their lifestyles, how can they afford to live? And either way, why should you care what other people spend their money on, if they can afford to, why not.

i cant imagine theres a bus that goes from here to my work often enough to make that worth while. sitting around waiting for a bus and/or being a half hour early for everything is not on my agenda. google maps says it will take an hour and 35 minutes minimum to get to work. no thanks.. ill drive.

ive found a pretty good system in only taking my car to work and getting my friends or girlfriend drive wherever we are going. they dont seem to mind.

a bike? maybe. it would take about a half hour and by the time i got there, i wouldnt want to work anymore. factoring in inclement cincinnati weather. thats pretty miserable. and i sold all my bikes when i was 17 to buy more guitars. used to have a BMX arsenal.

i dont make payments on the car. the insurance is dirt cheap. its just the gas and hoping it doesnt blow up.

ive already got a college degree and im not going back.

the musical equipment occasionally makes me money. i only pay for upkeep anymore. the instruments were paid for when i was a kid. the studio gear is my second source of income. the guitar collection gets used for the same purpose. my fees include the use of my stuff.

and im not entirely sure how kids my age manage to bar hop nightly and still make rent. likely with their student loans or mooching off their parents. ive already got student loans to pay and i would never ask my dad for a dime.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

i cant imagine theres a bus that goes from here to my work often enough to make that worth while. sitting around waiting for a bus and/or being a half hour early for everything is not on my agenda. google maps says it will take an hour and 35 minutes minimum to get to work. no thanks.. ill drive.

ive found a pretty good system in only taking my car to work and getting my friends or girlfriend drive wherever we are going. they dont seem to mind.

a bike? maybe. it would take about a half hour and by the time i got there, i wouldnt want to work anymore. factoring in inclement cincinnati weather. thats pretty miserable. and i sold all my bikes when i was 17 to buy more guitars. used to have a BMX arsenal.

I never said the options I was suggesting were easier, or more convenient, just that they could save you money.

i dont make payments on the car. the insurance is dirt cheap. its just the gas and hoping it doesnt blow up.

Again, just pointing out the perspective where I'm coming from and why I don't have a car, not to mention fuel is easily 4x more over here

ive already got a college degree and im not going back.

Fair enough, just trying to see if there is anything you could do to improve your situation.

the musical equipment occasionally makes me money. i only pay for upkeep anymore. the instruments were paid for when i was a kid. the studio gear is my second source of income. the guitar collection gets used for the same purpose. my fees include the use of my stuff.

Pot-kettle-black, but I'm sure you could make the same occasional money with a single guitar and bass . . .

and im not entirely sure how kids my age manage to bar hop nightly and still make rent. likely with their student loans or mooching off their parents. ive already got student loans to pay and i would never ask my dad for a dime.

Or it could be that they just lead completely different life styles from yourself and are more motivated to move upwards and onwards?

Seems you are happy sitting in your rut and feeling sorry for yourself, to be honest.