What do you do to afford your cars...? If it's not too rude.
Discussion
Driving instructor, I took a risk in doing it by leaving a job I had for 14 years without knowing if i'd pass the tests. I'm not loaded by any stretch as I am the only money maker in the house and I don't even have a particularly nice work car for my troubles, but I do manage to keep my family financially stable and I don't have to worry about money, but I'm putting in 60+ hour weeks every week.
In the future i'd like to buy a V8 cruiser of some sort but it'll unlikely be a racer of any sort, maybe an old Lexus or something, I never liked spending a lot of money on anything though.
Edit: In general, if you have money to start with it's easier to make money.
In the future i'd like to buy a V8 cruiser of some sort but it'll unlikely be a racer of any sort, maybe an old Lexus or something, I never liked spending a lot of money on anything though.
Edit: In general, if you have money to start with it's easier to make money.
I agree with earlier posts regarding the "just work harder" comments.
Im personally intrigued to hear if anyone has "made it" by starting as a one man band in a trade such as a sparks THEN through their own finances built it up to the point they can buy the lavish motors. Every place I've worked has either been handed down or had a cash injection to get going.
I earn mid 30's and we live ok I guess,my toy is a 2006 mk5 gti.
For me to "make it" in my eyes these days is non existent with the sheer volume of other trades out there driving the prices down ruthlessly.
Im personally intrigued to hear if anyone has "made it" by starting as a one man band in a trade such as a sparks THEN through their own finances built it up to the point they can buy the lavish motors. Every place I've worked has either been handed down or had a cash injection to get going.
I earn mid 30's and we live ok I guess,my toy is a 2006 mk5 gti.
For me to "make it" in my eyes these days is non existent with the sheer volume of other trades out there driving the prices down ruthlessly.
Royce44 said:
I agree with earlier posts regarding the "just work harder" comments.
Im personally intrigued to hear if anyone has "made it" by starting as a one man band in a trade such as a sparks THEN through their own finances built it up to the point they can buy the lavish motors. Every place I've worked has either been handed down or had a cash injection to get going.
I earn mid 30's and we live ok I guess,my toy is a 2006 mk5 gti.
For me to "make it" in my eyes these days is non existent with the sheer volume of other trades out there driving the prices down ruthlessly.
I think the problem is - and i face it too as an IT contractor - as a one man band, you ARE the business, therefore you can only work a certain amount of hours and get paid a certain amount, depending on demand.Im personally intrigued to hear if anyone has "made it" by starting as a one man band in a trade such as a sparks THEN through their own finances built it up to the point they can buy the lavish motors. Every place I've worked has either been handed down or had a cash injection to get going.
I earn mid 30's and we live ok I guess,my toy is a 2006 mk5 gti.
For me to "make it" in my eyes these days is non existent with the sheer volume of other trades out there driving the prices down ruthlessly.
Electricians who do well end up employing X amount of other people to do a lot of the work for them, thus they OWN the business.
Trading derivatives for an investment bank. Even if I have the resources to buy something totally stupid, I really struggle to justify spending £40k on a fancy car (despite the fact I own a flat), hence I have a Lotus Elise 111R.
There always seems to be a use for large amounts of money about 3-4 years away that stop me buying something daft...Sigh.
There always seems to be a use for large amounts of money about 3-4 years away that stop me buying something daft...Sigh.
Hard work. Patronising? Possibly, but what else if no money??
When I moved to Aus I was 30. Me and MrsPB had settled careers in the UK, and had just bought our second house. That was all through working hard, however its defined. Once over here, my experience in the UK counted for nought - my first job was as a truck driver doing office removals, my second as a college trainer. It took about 3 years to get back to where I was.
So, at 33, I had a decent paying job and so too did MrsPB, and having sold the house in the UK, we'd just bought a 2-bed flat. Our car at the time was a 10-y-o Peugeot 405. Over the next 10 or so years, we had three kids, moved to a bigger house, and went through a few different cars, none of which you'd call very exciting. Other than the Forester which we bought new and kept for 10 years, the newest car was about 7-8 years old.
Anyway, after about 22 years, post-grad hard work, including starting a career all over again, we've finally got a few decent cars. That wasn't the aim, its just a happy coincidence.
So, however patronising it might sound, hard work which includes networking, looking for opportunities and being prepared to be put out for a bit, is exactly what got me here. No silver spoon, no money from parents.
When I moved to Aus I was 30. Me and MrsPB had settled careers in the UK, and had just bought our second house. That was all through working hard, however its defined. Once over here, my experience in the UK counted for nought - my first job was as a truck driver doing office removals, my second as a college trainer. It took about 3 years to get back to where I was.
So, at 33, I had a decent paying job and so too did MrsPB, and having sold the house in the UK, we'd just bought a 2-bed flat. Our car at the time was a 10-y-o Peugeot 405. Over the next 10 or so years, we had three kids, moved to a bigger house, and went through a few different cars, none of which you'd call very exciting. Other than the Forester which we bought new and kept for 10 years, the newest car was about 7-8 years old.
Anyway, after about 22 years, post-grad hard work, including starting a career all over again, we've finally got a few decent cars. That wasn't the aim, its just a happy coincidence.
So, however patronising it might sound, hard work which includes networking, looking for opportunities and being prepared to be put out for a bit, is exactly what got me here. No silver spoon, no money from parents.
The concept is "work harder" is in my view a very simplistic one.
In business at all levels you are measured on output, not input.
At a very junior level the measurement may be very granular..how many units of a product did you produce to spec. ?
At a CEO level it might be: did you reach the key targets for revenue growth and profitability ?..
No diference...it is just a measurement of doing what you are expected to do.
If you and I both have the same job and you can do it in 10% less time than I can, but achieve the same output , we are both rewarded equally. If you use the 10% savings to achieve a higher output, then you win.
In business at all levels you are measured on output, not input.
At a very junior level the measurement may be very granular..how many units of a product did you produce to spec. ?
At a CEO level it might be: did you reach the key targets for revenue growth and profitability ?..
No diference...it is just a measurement of doing what you are expected to do.
If you and I both have the same job and you can do it in 10% less time than I can, but achieve the same output , we are both rewarded equally. If you use the 10% savings to achieve a higher output, then you win.
Spent 33 years working in the insurance industry with Defined Benefits Pension Schemes (as opposed to current Defined Contribution Schemes).
Took early "retirement" from all of them, the last being in 2015.
25% was available as a tax-free lump sum so cleared the mortgage and bought a Z4 Coupe!
Now I enjoy getting up to watch Homes Under the Hammer.
Well, unless I want a lie-in.
Took early "retirement" from all of them, the last being in 2015.
25% was available as a tax-free lump sum so cleared the mortgage and bought a Z4 Coupe!
Now I enjoy getting up to watch Homes Under the Hammer.
Well, unless I want a lie-in.
Jaguar steve said:
Indeedy.
Choosing to drive a battered old Shed rather than whatever shiny new Cockwagon is in fashion this week is confirmation you have absolutely nothing to prove and absolutely nothing to loose.
Incredibly liberating.
Not sure I agree.. For people who aren't bothered about motoring I'm sure that's true or for people who feel they have to not make a statement to make a statement.. But I took the same ethos on when I bought a hyundai accent complete with hail damage. I didn't sell it because it looked like crud and didn't show off that I earned a adecent salry, I sold it because I just hated driving it. I have nothing to prove to anyone, but I enjoy driving a sports car or riding a sports bike. thats where the justification stops. I don't have them to be flashy, I have them because I can and because I enjoy them.. Choosing to drive a battered old Shed rather than whatever shiny new Cockwagon is in fashion this week is confirmation you have absolutely nothing to prove and absolutely nothing to loose.
Incredibly liberating.
Marketing slave (digital mostly) recently changed from IT sector to the recruitment specialising in the property sector.
As for the cars my MX5 is precious as that was purchased after my late grandfather passed away (and sadly my gran suffered with dementia).
My 640 was funded with help from my parents TBH.
House wise I have an inheritance coming my way of a nice sum so could buy outright up to X or a small mortgage to go a little higher.
As for the cars my MX5 is precious as that was purchased after my late grandfather passed away (and sadly my gran suffered with dementia).
My 640 was funded with help from my parents TBH.
House wise I have an inheritance coming my way of a nice sum so could buy outright up to X or a small mortgage to go a little higher.
It's about lifestyle choices and priorities.
I've never spent much money on cars (I'm more interested in the technical aspects tbh).
However, I'd echo the comments about self-employment: I started a successful business when I left school, although I put the money into property rather than cars.
As a result, I'm fortunate to have spent my entire life mortgage-free and the freedom that provides has given more pleasure than any number of cars would have done.
That said, the amount that I've spent on holidays in the last decade would've been sufficient to put some serious exotica on my drive. If that were my bag.
Like I say, it's about priorities.
I've never spent much money on cars (I'm more interested in the technical aspects tbh).
However, I'd echo the comments about self-employment: I started a successful business when I left school, although I put the money into property rather than cars.
As a result, I'm fortunate to have spent my entire life mortgage-free and the freedom that provides has given more pleasure than any number of cars would have done.
That said, the amount that I've spent on holidays in the last decade would've been sufficient to put some serious exotica on my drive. If that were my bag.
Like I say, it's about priorities.
MitchT said:
The caveat where working hard is concerned is to be self employed. Working hard for someone else simply guarantees you a lifelong tenure in the boiler room shoveling coal. The only people I've seen appear to do well as employees are those who brownnose their way up the ladder and do very little actual work, predictably gravitating towards leased aspirational brand faux off-road vehicles.
+1 Listen to this person, if only I'd known this at 21.I flogged my guts out for years and only started to get promotions when I relaxed and started schmoozing the managers.
If someone assigns you to shovel an improbable amount coal in a short timescale there are two options.
1) Take the opportunity to prove yourself by working your butt off to get the job done and hope somebody notices. the conclusion is you are obviously well suited to coal shovelling but of course this doesn't mean you'd be any good at anything else. And if they did promote you who would they find to shovel coal?
2) Say 'no I'm far too busy to do it myself I need additional resources'. The additional resource works his/her butt off while you interfere with silly 'advice' to imply to anyone overhearing that you are the brains of the operation. The conclusion is that you have proven your management skills by managing the project so can be given a well paid management position.
Edited by Dr Jekyll on Monday 20th February 08:45
Dr Jekyll said:
MitchT said:
The caveat where working hard is concerned is to be self employed. Working hard for someone else simply guarantees you a lifelong tenure in the boiler room shoveling coal. The only people I've seen appear to do well as employees are those who brownnose their way up the ladder and do very little actual work, predictably gravitating towards leased aspirational brand faux off-road vehicles.
+1 Listen to this person, if only I'd known this at 21.I flogged my guts out for years and only started to get promotions when I relaxed and started schmoozing the managers.
Did they too 'brownnose' their way up the ladder, and that's why they appreciate being 'brownnosed' themselves?
This just serves to highlight how broken the system is.
I'm surprised no-one has appeared from the woodwork to showboat their YouTube fame and stardom and then go on to start flogging crap clothing and accessories to boost their already considerate wealth
The whole "silver spoon" thing i don't really see the problem with. Surely you want to ensure your children and then their children, generation after generation, a bright future, so long as you set an example to work hard to improve/expand/grow said business to be able to provide a happy life for them and their families.
Reference the whole "owning your own business" argument, i do agree that it's probably the main way to potentially earn yourself a decent amount of money and satisfaction. Always bear in mind, however, that it also carries a huge risk factor with it and being your own boss isn't for everyone out there.
At current, i have been employed within the car hire business for around 4 years and 5 months now. It pays okay for what we do i suppose and we do manage ourselves here. I just want new challenge and a fair bit more money for doing so. I really want to get on the property ladder soon aswell. I'm not sure what direction i want to go but i'm happy to explore new options.
The whole "silver spoon" thing i don't really see the problem with. Surely you want to ensure your children and then their children, generation after generation, a bright future, so long as you set an example to work hard to improve/expand/grow said business to be able to provide a happy life for them and their families.
Reference the whole "owning your own business" argument, i do agree that it's probably the main way to potentially earn yourself a decent amount of money and satisfaction. Always bear in mind, however, that it also carries a huge risk factor with it and being your own boss isn't for everyone out there.
At current, i have been employed within the car hire business for around 4 years and 5 months now. It pays okay for what we do i suppose and we do manage ourselves here. I just want new challenge and a fair bit more money for doing so. I really want to get on the property ladder soon aswell. I'm not sure what direction i want to go but i'm happy to explore new options.
For me it was changing the location and sector that I worked in.
I have worked in IT since I was 19, I'm now 34. At 23 I went from doing IT support for a firm based in Surrey which paid pretty well for my age but by default London wage are better. So I opted to move jobs to the city and the commute was a similar length just by train/on foot rather than by car. I also moved into the legal sector which pays pretty well although is fairly specific.
I ended up moving from IT support (1st/2nd/3rd line) and training and now into a consultancy role still with the legal sector.
It's all very subjective though as different industries are so different so how you apply yourself in roles can be different.
I think for me it's been a case of always look for the next opportunity and where the money is. No harm staying in a well paid role if it's enjoyable but at the same time be aware of where you want to be in X years time.
I have worked in IT since I was 19, I'm now 34. At 23 I went from doing IT support for a firm based in Surrey which paid pretty well for my age but by default London wage are better. So I opted to move jobs to the city and the commute was a similar length just by train/on foot rather than by car. I also moved into the legal sector which pays pretty well although is fairly specific.
I ended up moving from IT support (1st/2nd/3rd line) and training and now into a consultancy role still with the legal sector.
It's all very subjective though as different industries are so different so how you apply yourself in roles can be different.
I think for me it's been a case of always look for the next opportunity and where the money is. No harm staying in a well paid role if it's enjoyable but at the same time be aware of where you want to be in X years time.
my motto is - if you're working too hard, you're in the wrong job!
I do ok. don't want for anything really. I suppose you could throw all your money at fast cars etc, but are they really worth 100k plus? scrap man says 100 quid in bits if it goes tits up. I'd sooner have a nice house, nice holiday and money to fall back on. you never know what's round the corner.
I do ok. don't want for anything really. I suppose you could throw all your money at fast cars etc, but are they really worth 100k plus? scrap man says 100 quid in bits if it goes tits up. I'd sooner have a nice house, nice holiday and money to fall back on. you never know what's round the corner.
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