No insult intended,it just seems like alot of folks have some big bucks,custom,whizzbang deathrays(yes that is jealousy you smell) and all kinds of neat stuff.

I haven't bought a rifle since 93 and I havent bought a handgun or a shotgun since 99,not that I don't NEED some new stuff or want some new stuff,but I ain't got the stuff I need to buy the stuff I want.
I've been trying to save up to buy a slug barrel for my LT 20 and that money keeps going to pay for something the kids need.

No wife, no kids, grants me the latitude for many toys.

Methinks spending money on kids is a far greater endeavor though.

No wife and no kids. My friends who buy a new vehicle every other year and spend a couple grand a year on downloaded music, buy everything at 21% interest on a credit card including a big mac, and who spend more money in a month on alcohol than I do on groceries always ask me how I can afford to pay cash for a $500 gun.....

But if you have kids they gotta come first. Priorities.

If you have kids, you'll be poor, but they're well worth it. Trouble is they get more expensive as they get older, so brace yourself. Don't know how old your kids are, but wait till you have to pay for college. Paying for tuition for Boston College alone keeps me in the poorhouse.

Besides, you don't live in a state, and if you live in the Socialist Republic of New Jersey, you have to pay ALL kinds of taxes to King Corslime, that too keeps one poor here.

Nope; yer not alone, but I have my own special kind of wealth in wife and kiddo. Drain in the gun budget, but always a barrel of laughs.

Yep, if it can't fit on my DEBIT card I can't buy it.

have sold many a toy to pay for somethin' more important... and the kid is always more important.

Been there done that more than once. I am now in my late 60's and still have to trade to get new stuff. But the house and trucks are paid for and no CC debt.

Lets see. I'm not cold. I'm not hungry. My roof don't leak. NOPE,I ain't poor!

I don't see paying for college as the responsibility of the parents. It's expensive yes, and getting more so. But state colleges are affordable and there are some great ones to choose from. It's a matter of sacrifice though. How disciplined are your kids and how bad do they want it? If they can get a full scholarship great. But if they have to work, save and be frugal, it can be done. College is not for everyone either and not the only path to success. I've met some very smart and capable folks who never went to college.

I can remember when money was tight indeed. Hope your financial position improves ADK4Rick.

2 kids in college, one dog...
We don't eat out much, don't drink in bars...
I save what I can for guns and components, but would rather
have the kids, wife and dog. Most of the time.
Like mtnman1 I have sold a lot of "stuff" to fund new
projects, and have farmed out work to fund my hobbies.
I think many people on this site are in the same boat, with
family responsibilites and other things (like having a roof
over your head or food on the table) to pay for before the
latest whiz bang gun-o-the-month. Heck, my stuff is so old
that my shotguns were patented around 1897...

That's my situation as well, except my kids are grown. That plus a good paying job prior to retirement.
Now I fit in the "poor" category.

Nope, ya aint the only po folks round the 'Fire...there's more of us, at least poor monetarily...very rich in family and friends all that good stuff in life

Tis why I always chuckle at the 'this is the one gun I would never sell' comments.

If the day ever comes that I don't know a single person more important than stuff put a bullet in me.

Ya think?

example:

today my 9 yo son tells me he lost his Lacrosse helmet that I bought him a month ago for $110.00.

got a game in 2 days and I need a prop for my motor,which one do you think I'm gonna buy?

every day I admire my own fathers restraint.

love is great but it ain't cheap

Same here. Sometimes it a week to week thing. But we have a very small debt and that is what we work on and setting the example for our boys to follow on how not to ever have debt. We still have fun. I was able to gather up a few toys before kids cause we were later parents. The best part of the week day for me is coming home and hearing "Daddy!" and gettin those hugs. As a matter of fact, I think, no, I KNOW I'm pretty dadgum rich! Just not in the green stuff. I aint takin it with me any ways.

Not wealthy by most peoples' standards but consider myself rich as I get to live in a hunting/fishing relatively unpopulated paradise (to me anyway). Bills are paid, good food to eat, enough toys to play with, kids are grown and paid for (could have been rich if I would have invested in gas with Neil McMurry and starved the little rats back then ). Back when they were young, every time I tried to save for me they would need it. It was worth it though. You have your priorities in order! That is what counts!

My wife and kids learned early that if I arrived home with a new toy, they needed to tighten their belts another notch because I had spent the grocery money on another gun. My daughter used to inform the wife when the brown box man had stopped by the house, couldn't sneak a thing in.

Always believed the best thing to spend on kids is time.

I was fortunate to grow up quite poor but dad ALWAYS had time for his favorite son. I never realized what I was lacking as a kid by not having money, guess that's because I never suffered for the important thing, DAD's time.

+1 on this one as I've often found myself thinking the same thing. If the chips were down and somebody I care for needed help, nothing would be sacred!

I often wish my Dad was still alive so I could thank him for all the things I never understood.

Stay in love then, because despite the fact it ain't cheap, it's much cheaper than divorce, trust me on this. Especially when you're kids want to be with you instead of mom, and you wind up playing Mr. Mom, along with all the other things a man has to do. Don't ask me how I know all this, LMAO.

Didn't know ya had a brother...

I think your kids are lucky to have such a generous pop. I hope they have or will learn the proper appreciation for that.

That's why I didn't have a problem being a gigolo for a few years.

Kids are expensive and should come first. Mine are grown with kids of their own and good jobs. Until that happened I had one centerfire rifle with a Bushnell 4x Banner scope, a 12 gauge shotgun and a 22 rifle and pistol. That was it and all I needed. Probably still all I need but...

Scott you are just all right in my book!

Funny bastard, I'd say more but I need to make a Cabelas order.....

Laffin ...

I have a son in college and daughter in diapers. After my duaghter was born I left a high paying job with at least 2 weeks travel a month to work 5 minutes from home. The income adjustment has been tough, I can't buy whatever I want when I want it but I will never be able to put a dollar value on the payback! Time with your kids is priceless.

Steelhead has it right about never selling a gun, but I know what would go last!

Never married, one child, expensive attorneys........luckily the the latter two didn't come along until my early 40's...By then I had tried out most of the toys known to us boys, got to hunt on two continents, and discarded the toys that weren't worth it.......


Besides, you don't NEED $1000 bino's and custom barreled rifles to consistently kill big critters......indeed, those high dollar toys sometimes get in the way........


Casey

Back in 1994 my wife lost her job and almost died. We had major medical bills well in excess of $100 large. I sold every gun, knife, scope, bullet it took to pay the bills. Before all that happened she used to give me grief about buying guns even though I always said they were just an investment and they were. Now if I see a good deal, she asks me why don't you buy it. They are nothing but wood and steel.....

Yeah, I've learned that financial strategy too......



Casey

Using credit to buy something you can't afford is only acceptable if what you're buying it a true necessity ... I can't recall the last time I bought on credit, something I couldn't pay for at the end of the month. IOW, I use my CC the same as a debit card, simply because it's easier than carrying around the cash, and helps keep my credit rating high for when I do need/want to buy a new vehicle, home, etc...

anyway, regarding the super whizzbang customs, I only have two real "customs", and it's taken me almost 4 years to get those two together ... it's not like I just forked over $2000 at once, in exchange for a rifle ready to hunt ...

it's amazing what you can do, if you just save a few dollars here and there over the course of a year ... those small amounts that don't seem to matter at the moment add up big over time, and more quickly than you'd imagine ...

It's the best strategy by far!

this whole thread brings tears to my eyes.

not because of the things i lost, but because of the things i never had, and because of the things your children now have, and will always have...

while on his deathbed my father said to me, through all the alzheimer's and dementia, "...I gave you a cattle ranch, and look what you've done for me!!!"

he was suffering from a heart attack, and being tended to by the folks at Scott & White up in Temple.

the things in life are not important as the people in life. i was always a "burden" to my dad. he frequently spoke to others in the coffee shops and bars, and one of his favorite sayings to his friends was, "...i hope i'm as much trouble to him when i'm old as he is to me now...".

dad was not joking. he never joked. his idea of a joke was, "...what did the little dog say when he sat down on sandpaper... RUFF!..."

he was a man that thought music, of any kind, was "bullschite". ergo, we never listened to much. no caruso, no pete seegar, no willie nelson, johnny cash, no nothing... we had books, however. books, and books, and books...

what kinda gun you want? lemme know. maybe we can work something out...

-tom

Those who HAVE the toys, post about them. Those without generally don't say much about those particular toys, but do talk about what they DO!

Where are you going fishing???

Seriously, been there and done that. I have 3 kids and a couple about to go to college. I'm proud that I can help with the tuition but it's going to be a tight 4 or 7 years coming up at el rancho. Fortunately the gun and ammo supply was put in well in advance. I don't have alot of toys but I have enough to tide me over. I'll try to make a couple hunts on the cheap in the next several years but nothing expensive for sure.

My advice to anyone is to never use credit....unless for a mortgage. Build up a cash reserve so that the inevitable emergencies can be paid as you go instead of using plastic. Live by the simple rule of don't have the cash, don't buy it.

I have never bought a new rifle (for myself). I did buy a new Shotgun (Rem 870 on sale and with a rebate total cost $160). I have been the fortunate recipient of three new firearms, as gifts (Stevens 311D 20ga., Ithica SKB 12ga., and a Uberti 1873 Cattlemand 45 Colt). These were all from my father. All the new firearms that I have bought except the 870 were for my sons. The rest of my guns were bought in pawn shops, gun shows, from individuals, or were customized by me. There are some that I inherited from my grandfather and others. I have only sold or traded away four guns (Falcon 25 auto, a 32 Auto, a Chinese SKS, and a sporterized Jap 7.7). There are several of these guns that are not worth any money. I have told my boys as much also. The value they hold as heirlooms is greater than than the money they are worth. If it ever comes down to needing the money that selling them would generate I expect that my boys will have the wherewithall to get that money from somewhere else if that is all they need. These are guns that belonged to my Great Grandfather and have been kept through thick and thin by those who certainly could have sold them at any point. I have told them that the guns belong to them but they are not theirs to sell. At the point that they could be sold they should give them to their children.

Yes, they are things, but they are things of heritage, of family. They are not worth money.

There is poor and there is poverty. There is rich and there is wealth.

Alan

ADK4Rick,

What would you use a slug barrel for? I might find one around here somewhere. I found a stock in the barn a guy at the 'fire could use, but couldn't afford. I didn't want it layin' around, so sent it to him.

Do your kids have enough to eat? How many boys and girls do you have? What are their ages? How long has it been since they recieved something new?

Don't mean to pry. I just like kids.

Good answers in this thread ! Only good answers indeed !

You have put everything in perspective and set the priorities right.

Nothing to add really.

The man is a genius.

Semi-retired (still need to substitute teach to pay the health insurance). Don't have a lot, but don't owe anybody anything other than the garage materials that the money is set aside for (no interest if paid in full by June 20). As has been said, in the realm of kids, time and attention are more important than money. View the money spent on our son as an investment that has already paid for itself many times over and the time spent together with him was a greater gift to me than to him. Contented here.

Never realized you where stationed near Frisco.

Main Entry:
gig�o�lo Listen to the pronunciation of gigolo
Pronunciation:
\ˈji-gə-ˌlō, ˈzhi-\
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural gig�o�los
Etymology:
French
Date:
1922

1 : a man supported by a woman usually in return for his attentions

I simply take the money I save by not buying beer, cigarettes, or Lotto tickets, and spend it on toys.

Very scholarly defense.

I think I saw this listed on Monster.com

I've been blessed to have both family and a decent amount of money to spend upon them.

I try to be grateful for such, but it's really difficult to be thankful enough. truly have been a lucky guy


didn't get a lot of dad time growing up, and it's human nature to try and give your kids what you didn't have whether material or emotional.


soooo I'm outa here, the boys and I are doing the inaugral bike ride for the season. later dudes

After reading the comments I have to add that this is one of the reasons this site is my favorite. Folks here know what is important, and it isn't the blue chip stocks (nice to have)or
the latest reincarnation of the 219 Zipper, but it is friends and family. Recently in the middle of a rifle build my Mother had her second stroke, there was no interest in building the rifle, just seeing her get better. I think all on this site would agree that friends, family and loved ones are worth more than all the primo (fill in the blank) in the world. If you had all the toys but no friends, who would you shoot with, who would you ask about the seating depth, who would you tell about how cold it was stalking that Elk, or how hot it was hunting dove.
The toys come and go, our friends and family are what are really important, and form our legacy. Would you rather be rememebered
as that cheap bastard who was never home, or the one who took his
kids out hunting for the first time, introduced them to the outdoors, and taught them the ethics of good sportsmanship.

Heck, I know I am preaching to the choir, but I just wanted to
tell you all what a neat bunch of folks hang around the fire.

It ain't fun to be cash poor, but better to be loved by family
and surrounded by friends. They can bring the beer and fried
chicken... next time.

CaliRN

I'm not extremely wealthy but I'm also not exactly poor either.

I, like many others, ask God for all things that I might enjoy life. Instead, He gave me life that I might enjoy all things.

Amen

I used to complain I had no shoes...til I met a man with no feet.
Gratitude baby.

The very best hunter I ever knew rarely had enough money to buy a box of ammo to target practice with. Seriously. He'd save quarters and hunt up pocket change all year to get to the hunting camp. I mean that literally, the man saved pocket change all year to have enough money for gas, baloney sammiches, and a couple gallons of the cheapest wine they make.

And the man had the time of his life each and every year. Old Gene was one of a kind.

I know this is going to sound crazy, but I draw a hard line between my hunting equipment and my finances. I found that all the gadgetry robbed me of the fun. Hunting was something that I did as a young hillbilly and have just kept doing. It wasn't a rich mans game in those parts. My grandaddy had one gun, a model 12. Everything got hunted with a model 12. I buy good stuff, but I use it up before it gets replaced. I went old school and I have not once regretted it.

In honor of old Gene, God rest his soul, I decided that the new all weather rifle I lusted after would be bought when not one red cent had to be taken from the budget or the banking account. It took almost 3 years but I counted up the money and I have enough now. Hell I have $400 just in quarters in the coffee cans on the top of the fridge. All told there is over $600 in change up there. Hobbled the rest of it together in all manner of ways, but not one penny came out of the budget or the savings account.

My beautiful walnut/blued 30-06 is named Betsy, the new gun will be christened Gene. I think the old man would laugh his ass off if he were still around to hear about it. Now if I could just make up my mind about caliber... Gene would say get a 308 but my loyalties only go so far. I'm undecided. :p

Point is that for me hunting and high dollar spending on a regular basis don't mix. I'm not knocking it, it just ain't for me.

Will

That works Will.

Nice post.

last gun i bought was 18 months ago and it was a Savage 99.......i picked up a Kimber Montana in 260 in trade about 2 and a half years ago and quit looking for a regular hunting rifle as its everything i was looking for in one.....this year im scrimping to replace some fishing poles cause the ones ive got now have been used and abused for 15 years......after that im going to start saving to get me a jon boat for the river....

I knew an old fella very much like that in East Texas. Fishing and hunting were his passion, in that order, and he was not a man of means. Miss that old guy.

Sam has no idea how poor he's about to become--he just got married.....



So how's Henry taking it anyway?.....





Casey

Pass it on. That's the best way to thank him.

I'm a cop. My wife is a teacher. The only thing I really own, besides my house (which is some bricks and boards, thanks to hurricane Ike) is some cookware, some fishing tackle and a few guns. But I'm far from poor.

Yep, that was a super post Will!

My dad elk hunted with the same three guys for about 15 years.

One of the huntin' buddy's was a farm boy turned carpenter. He used a beat-up late 40's M721 in 30-06--with a 22 rimfire scope...I think it was like a 2.5x.

He also handloaded, and used whatever mixed brass he could scrounge--RP, WW, Fed. He would be carrying different brands of bullets--just as long as it was 180 grainers. And he would scrape the bottom of the powder can, and then open a new can of different powder to finish his loads.

He ended up with the dang-dest mish-mash of loaded rounds imaginable--and he was the top elk killer of the group during those 15 years.......



Casey

I can relate. the first FIFTEEN YEARS of law practice I was poor.

Student loans, low pay, house, car, kid#1, Kid #2, Kid#3, Kid#4, another car, braces, etc.

Ate me alive for years.

I saved and saved for a 308 Battle Rifle, seven times I raided the savings to pay for kid stuff.

I am now just getting to the point where I can afford to go to ThunderRanch, buy a custom rifle (just one) and do some fun stuff.

But is Still drive a 1996 minivan.

Would not trade the Kids, the wife, or the fun for a few McSwirly's.

BMT

one thing thats helped me a bit in saving for stuff i want......my vehicle is a 1995 Jeep Cherokee........granted ill prolly be getting rid of it this year cause ive got to put about as much into it to fix some stuff as its worth....it will likely be replaced with a used Jeep Wrangler of some sort unless i stumble across a CJ7......i dont need a new vehicle to keep me happy

Ha! I don't know if I can top that one Casey. That's hard core buddy. :p

The one thing I am sure of is that there is not a link between how much money is spent and how much fun is had. It just isn't there. And if a man ain't careful too much money can take away something important from hunting. At least for me.

Will

Been there done that sometimes worked two, three jobs at a time to feed the wife and kids and have done many a types of things to earn a living.

Shoveled Shyt in a feedlot to being a financial analyst and program computers. Several times have been on the verge of bankruptcy but managed to work my way out of it. Sure I've got a few toys, probably more than most, most of them are paid for in cash or where inherited.

It's hard bringing up three kids, all you can do is provide them with what you can and teach them good moral values and hope that they turn out right. I was lucky they did.

Ain't poor - not with the first grandchild - but we don't have much money.

ADK

Not at all rich here... I accumulated my guns over 50 years' time and have owned a great many, as I am always trading and upgrading. It would seem like I have money to play with, but it is the same money put in...taken out...put back in...over and over.

Money can't buy happiness... but it can lease it.

Hats off to you, would have been easy to declare bankruptcy.

Started working side jobs, roofing & remodeling, 20 yrs ago to support my gun habit, then my wife showed me how it could get us out of debt. Still doing it, sure don't need the money, it's just my exercise routine that puts money in the pocket and speeds up my retirement date.

Rick: I was the youngest in a family of twelve. Never had many things/stuff growing up. If you wanted to eat, you hunted, fished or grew it. Learned to work and save very early in life. Only "things" parents provided were discipline, love, morals , interity, pride and a strong work ethic. Didn't know the word credit, all purchases were cash. Always liked and collected firearms, but never at the expense of the family budget. Family always came first, still does. Things that I enjoy and have the best memories about are those that I waited the longest and worked the hardest for.

Best memories from growing up were those provided by a parent, older sibling or an adult who had time to give to a kid. STEELHEAD hit the nail on the head on that one. Most of the things/stuff come with age. I would gladly trade my stuff for youth and time missed with family and friends. GW

Happiest times I ever had was when I had less, and less to lose. Getting ready to park that truck again<grin>....

Rick your not poor your just taken care of your priorities(family). I don't consider none of us here poor I consider us all blessed in one way or another. I sure wished I had a slug barrel for your LT 20 cause I'll sure give it to you that rascal would be in the mail tomorrow..................... ya know why I say that? I say it because I love to see people have what their heart desire. That stuff that you want it'll come around .

I'm broke and depressed....
Will you send me some nudie pics so I can sell them to other Campfire members and I'll guarantee I'll cheer up...

No....lol...but I'll bake you a nice 'nana bread and send it your way<grin>.....

Please?

As soon as the democrats start to raise taxes to pay for all the spending their doing there are going to be a lot of people joining you.

Good thing I love you, booooooooger<grin>....

I'll send you a 'nana bread. Want walnuts or chocolate chips in it this time?

Yep...
I'll call later this week...
What time is Norman available to talk?

Sounds like a plan, man!

PS..Norman is molting and cranky. Chances are he'll be screaming when we fold the call. Can't WAIT until he is done......cranky little fuggah!

I am far from being poor. It's just that I don't spend money on things I don't need. I will be buying my varmint rifle someday as soon as I get out and find one that fits me. I just don't feel the need to buy a gun just for the hell of it. Not my style. I spend my money on more important things such as my son and his college fund.

Who in the world is Norman?

HG's parrot....

Norman is my African Grey parrot that some of the boyz have met. He talks....and is a pretty cool dude<grin>....hard not to love him.

You can afford to send your dog to college????

Mr. ADK4Rick;
I would like to commend you for having your priorities straight with regards to where you spend your hard earned money. Being a father should indeed take top billing in my opinion.

As Scott noted, time is a precious commodity that we can spend with our children and it seems fatherhood will be a much faster trip than I�d hoped for.

As so many others have noted riches such as money and other �stuff� can be transient at times for sure and it can be a matter of perspective.

As I�ve said in a previous post, when I was a teen I was in a fairly significant wreck that came very close to being my day to go. It was close enough the doctors called in my folks to watch me die, but it wasn�t my day after all. After the better part of 2 months in the hospital and another few months of recovery, I looked at life with a somewhat modified view to what it had been previous to that learning experience.

Now that was a good thing, as not seven years later, after my wife and I had been married only 2 years we were uprooted when the farming venture we were in went sideways financially.

We didn�t walk away with much at that point, but it was a blessing in disguise as it caused us to drift west to these beautiful mountains we�ve called home since.

I share this with you to say that many of us have either been there or maybe still are. I will also say that life has shown me my signature line is true.

Hopefully this is some encouragement to you sir, I hope the best for you and yours.

Regards,
Dwayne

No wife, no kids, no golf or boat expenses = longer lasting paycheck.

Oh yeah, I forgot no car payment.

You aren't poor. Just monetarily challenged. There's worse things.

I grew up poor. Just didn't realize it until someone told me along about the time I went to college and had to pay for it myself... But I had me a SS JCHiggins .22, and my old Man's Damascus Steel double 12 (I just shudder when I think back on those Baby Mags I often used!!!), and 1927 manufactured '94 Winchester (still carrying around that one!)

Of the dozen or so guns I own, none can be classified as anything other than "common". Two were purchased new - over 20 years ago, BC (before children). The only other gun I purchased new, I sold in a moment of insanity- nicest one I ever owned - didn't even really need the money, but a .25-06 just didn't seem like "moose-medicine" at the time..... changed my mind since, with more experience... Sold it to buy the .338. Big regret. Haven't sold a gun since. I've been given several tho... Take that back- I bought a new Blackhawk .44 Mag to trade my nephew out of the '94...

The nice thing about this site is we are a cross-section of America. We have professionals in all fields, including lawyers and high-end pilots, university professors and dock workers, teenagers and old pharts, professional writers, guides, city dwellers and bush rats.

We have people who have the bucks (or profession) to go on multiple safaris to Africa, Europe, Asia or Alaska, and those who live in these places, and people like Maser who are paddling as hard as they can to keep their nose above water and can only hunt squirrels and rabbits- and maybe that's all they want to hunt..

If you are posting or reading here - you just aren't all that "poor" except perhaps in dollars and toys..

And we are all gonna feel the strain in that respect over the next few years....

I'm 60, still working (why not?), and its only been the last couple years the economic strain has not been a primary concern (Paying off the house was a biggy!)

I'd like to buy some nice toys, but the wife thinks she needs to replace this 20-year old dog-scarred/pissed furniture and carpet, and I've a garage/work shop to build....

Resign yourself to being "poor".....

no boat expenses? man, my only regret is that I didn't start B.reakin O.ut A.nother T.housand sooner



sides the boys enjoy it, granted it's a jalopy for what's available these days but still we manage to smile a bit whilst aboard

i'm the poorest bastard around. i have some nice guns, a nice truck, a nice house, a good job or 3, nice clothes, a little $$$ in the bank, and a hot wife.

what i don't have is a son to pass my name onto, a daughter to play dress up with, no kids football games, no dad can i borrow the car, no family vacations, no teaching my son how to ride colts in the spring, or gutting a deer. all because i was a selfish bastard when i was younger.

i hope my sister will let me spoil my niece.

rick you are a far richer man than i will ever be.

Randy!!!!?????

SEE THUMB....need pick up<grin>......where ya headed? I'll kid-sit....no promises...lol.

And you are still on the Chena..... Wait 'til you get those two on the Tanana, or better yet, the Yukon. C'mon Dad- give' em some space to operate in!

Not to mention opaque water, deadheads, and sandbars.....

I'm just poor working white trash, and the dumbest guy with a dollar bill you ever met; either that or just plain unlucky! LOL

But I won the game of life coming and going cuz I married a gem of a woman.

"Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime,

But old dogs and children and watermelon wine."

i just made breakfast for 4. talked over the 4 year olds coming birthday party with her and put lotion on my wifes freshly shaved legs while she sat topless on the bathroom counter.
i think this morning ill go do a little reloading and lay out some rainbow trout from Saturdays catch for dinner. then ill pick the kids up after school take em to music lessons and help w/ homework when we get home. then i'll start dinner, wait for the Doc to get home and then watch LOST and smoke my pipe till bedtime.
Sound Poor?

I'm just whining about not being able to get more toy's,I am rich in other ways,gorgeous wife that lets me see her nekkid semi annually,2 great kids and a few friends that are near and dear.

I'm generally of the "happy with what I have" mindset but I'm still a little boy at heart,I want toys and time to play with em.

Seems to be a common string going here even amongst the like of the unmarried, unkidded crowd. Family is the berries! Cherish them! They too soon get old enough to leave the nest. Then all the guns in the world seem to fill the nest no better.

I guess I should have phrased it differently,

"Am I the only Broke Person Here?"

because I don't think anyone that replied to this P&M thread is poor.

I'm lucky to have my Mrs,son and daughter(although she can be as mean as a rattlesnake,I call her 42 inches of pure evil)lol
now if football season would only start I wouldn't have time to think about toy's,I've got a 9 yo Ronnie Lott and his teammates to coach.

thanks for getting my head straight folks

Been married for 16+ years with no children to show for it but many a nice toys. Hearing you fellas talk makes me realize what little I really have.


Great thread and I'm proud to hang out with such fine folk who understand the important things in life.

Rick-poor by one man's standards is rich by another's. We put our resources into our two kids, and while I'd like to have more toys, I manage just fine with what I have. The kids come first, my wife comes second, I get what's left, which isn't much. My daughter plays fastpitch, and has become a very good pitcher. All those lessons, which took the place of many a hunting trip have paid off. I wouldn't even want to guess what we've spent on her pitching and hitting trainers in the last couple years, but it's a rush to see her control a game from the mound, or drive a ball to the opposite field and clear the fence by 20 feet. My son's interest in music have lead to some expensive guitars, but when he's on stage, and every kid in the house is on their feet screaming, I couldn't be prouder. Am I living vicariously through my kids? Absolutely, and I make no apologies for it. Their happiness makes me happy. I don't have a huge collection of guns, and most of what I do have were my fathers, but I'm satisifed with that. I'm sure the day will come when I will splurge on that nice old 20 guage Sterlingworth that caught my eye, but for now, if the kids are happy, that's what's most important to me.

No

Wasn't anyone here. You were straight in the first place. Just needed to see you weren't alone.

Wife that loves me, Kids that adore me, Mom and Dad put up with me, have a roof over our heads and able to hunt and fish, i couldn't be richer!

Make him earn it.When my older Boy was in Little League he lost a new Baseball Glove I had just bought him.I got him another and made him work it off.It was the last thing he lost!!!

Spot on...for me at least. Since the kids came, I spend far less on toys for me, and more on our 3 kids. And when I do have some "toy" money, I tend to buy "toys" for our kids. I get far more satisfaction watching my kids shoot, fish, hike, canoe, etc. than having more "stuff".

Poor, broke and old....11 children, 23 grand children, 3 great-grand children. 3 birthdays a month, Christmas seems to come every month. Always something coming up where money has to go out of account...But, the up side? Never a dull moment and lots of love....IMHO

11 Children................holey smokes, I now what your were doing on cold, winter nights.

One more guy with one more thing to say but we are all very similar.
By virtue of the fact we are all sitting here rapping this out on computer keyboards, over the internet....things can't be too bad.
I'm driving a '92 pickup, and living in a very basic middle class house. Everything paid for. Got a few guns,etc. After last years stock market dive, savings are at an alarming 25 year low.
But I have been fortunate enough to travel half the world and see the meaning of "poor" along the way.
By American standards I was also poor those first few years after college, spent many a night spotlighting rabbits to eat, and a whole lot fewer fish were "caught and released" back then.
But now I have these basic things and a chest freezer I can go to anytime, that is FULL of food. ( A novelty that STILL hasn't worn off since the "lean" years)
Family and warm fuzzy stuff notwithstanding, I, and most of us here are wildly wealthy by world standards.
Ingwe

ADK4Rick - Your not poor by any means you've got a wife and kids! Some here including me would say your a very rich man!

And after the kids comes the most fun-Grandkids! I have a 2 1/2 yo grandson that thinks the sun rises and sets on his PawPaw and that is all that matters now.
I had 12 years between getting my son out the door to getting my first and only grandchild. During that 12 years is when I was able to buy my toys but now the grandson gets every extra nickle I have. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Like the old saying-"if I had known grandkids were this much fun, I would of had them first".

Nope yer not

Jane you'd be welcome aboard anytime, bet my boys would think you are a hoot!

though the captain in that pic sure is looking different these days, he's now 6'3" or so and his face has lost that innocent look of youth and taking on the countenance of a man. Soooooo I can't make any promises either.

sent the little vermin downstairs the other day to put away clean laundry in their rooms. They were takin forever, hollered down "what're you eggheads doin?" Before big brother could clamp a hand over his mouth the 10 year old hollers back "we're lookin at Victoria Secrets dad" Boyz sheesh


las, the Chena was doing just fine for them back then, still trying to get the oldest to run the Chatanika, I try and stay outa the Tanana as that silt is hades on impeller linings, give me clear water anyday! I've yet to run the Yukon myself, not enough hours in the day or days in the year it seems. gotta get my auxillary fuel tank fixed up with a hose and filled up before gas goes back up. Time for a new boat battery, some trailer repair and a little handwork to dig the snow out in front of the stable where the boat is parked.

when school is out, we're headed for the cabin, gonna take some extra gas and plan on burning some.


guess there's no doubt about it, I need to make more $$$ but those boys sure do make my life rich.

btw we went for the bike ride last night bout 6 mile rd. trip with a break for ice cream for the boys and water for dad.

hayzeuss everyone and their brother wears them bike helmets these days it seems, cept me and the boys, I'm sure I keep this up and Child Services will be paying me a visit.

I can't complain. I have a healthy family and much of the investment/work of the last 10 years is starting to pay off.

Just got back from a 4 day road trip with said family. We hit Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome, Grand Staircase, Calf-Creek Falls, Capitol Reef, and the petrified forest. Cost a few pennies but the kids had a ball! (I haven't purchased a new gun in years)

I've always heard them referred to as 'Johns', not gigolos.

I can think of about 600 people I would like to see become poor for a few years.

Let's elect poor working people to government positions, they already know how to do more with less.

Although I did not know it back in the day, we were not very well off. My folks had five hungry boys to feed and clothe. But we did have a "rich" upbringing.

Financially I am doing much better than my Dad ever did...but I am still trying to provide the that "rich" life for our kids.

I don't think you know how "rich" or "poor" you really are until you've weathered a situation that no amount of money will fix or remedy.

great post ML, very well said



and MC cuts loose on the Steelhead........bada bing! good one Mickey!

Extremely well put!Thanks for the reality check.
BTDT
Ingwe

I was poor as a college student in the late 90's. My dinner table was a cardboard box, and my shoes had holes in them. I would budget $1 a day at work to buy one Coke in the morning and one in the afternoon. My only luxury was cigarettes. I ate a lot of baloney sandwiches. I never had more than $100 in the bank after rent day.

Now, my degree is finished and I am an officer in the military. No wife, no kids, no worries. But, I still live cheap! :-) Which allows to buy the things I want, when I want.

I can say that money doesn't buy happiness, but it does take the edge off of the bad times.

44henry

Mr. MurphysLaw;
Another tip of the hat to you sir for that perspective.

If I might be allowed, I'd only add an "Amen"

Thanks again,
Dwayne

Having our house and land paid for since 2001 or so, has been great. I highly recommend no mortgage <g>.

My wife didn't work for over 10 years so that we'd have a parent in the house 24/7. I worked two jobs at that time; it was flat out brutal sometimes.

Real estate is an odd business, I can say that 3 years into it. Sometimes I'm RICH!! Other times... not so much <g>.

In the end, toys are just toys. The love of your family is something that counts.

Working all the overtime I do, I don't have time to notice that we're poor...lol.

But the wife is able to stay home with the kids and they still get excited when I get there, so I sure can't complain.

That Sir makes you a rich man.

Cool deal, HG. I was thinking you maybe had a snake, but the talking part didn't make sense. Birds are cool. I've got two parakeets that mimic turkey sounds, though they aren't as cool as an African Grey.

In my eyes, you sir have your priorities correct. It upsets me when I see people spending money on themselves and let the kids do without. As a former LEO I have been in houses and seen kids who were doing without toys and decent clothes. You'd be amazed though when you would see beer cans and cigarette packs all over the house and a bass boat in the driveway. Anyone who properly takes care of their kids has my respect.

That sir speaks volumes. Good for you.

Acquisitions have come a bit easier since I became debt free and old (62). That being, I've been working on the collection since about 1962.

I'm not rich by a long shot, but I am frugal, and search out bargains.
Staying out of debt helps, as does careful handling of my cash, investments and toyhs.

Lol I have often wondered the same thing here at times. I can only justify having one rifle for my situation. Wife, kid, having only my income to live on... and I only hunt deer and elk in one state.

There are some nice toys on here. Swaro binoculars, Schmidt & Bender scopes, full customs, top dollar rangefinders, multiple states hunted each year and guided even. I think it is great some have the opportunity for all that and I hope to one day have half that. So for now just going with one rifle, but want it to be my rifle and not just a rifle. 700 XCR, McM EDGE Classic, Talley LW, Kampfeld Ti fluted & cedrekoted bolt (later down the road), not sure on scope yet...

Still need good glass, good RF. Outside of that I'm set.

Is more fun getting the girl golf clubs or a family trip to Sea World. My wants for hunting keep getting pushed back for other things, but I certainly have no complaints.

My dad always said that regardless of whether you were poor or a millionaire, rich was double whatever you have.

As others have said, no wife, no kids. I got divorced 20-ish years ago. Finished paying child support a year ago. Oddly enough sometimes I miss it, I used to matter.

Sometimes, our burdens are our blessings. You may not be so poor in the things that truly matter.

Tom

I agree. I went back as a nontraditional student and saw way to many that were there just because their dad would keep paying the bills if they didn't let their grades get too bad.
A couple of years ago I worked with a "student" that took out a $6000.00 student loan to buy another computer. That's right another he already had 5 OF THEM, the oldest was only 5 months old. Of course he didn't "think" that he would have to pay back the student loan. Hope he has to join the Army to get that one. Just imagining him only seeing a computer once a week as well as haveing to put up with a DI screaming in his spoiled brat face just makes me laugh.

Material things are fun but the true measure of wealth is in the heart.

g

Never said I made much money doing it, that's why I have you building my rifles.............grin

I grew up never having any of the things my friends had and I always wanted.

During my senior year of HS I worked at the local Piggly Wiggly up the street with some other kids I went to school with. Once my mom paid for groceries with cash because she knew the check out girl knew me and didn't want to embarrass/make me ashamed by paying with food stamps.

I am now married to one of those checkout girls and have two beautiful daughters and we get the bills paid every month and even save a little here and there. I got an account with the credit union at work that I save "play money" into. It takes a while to get it built up but it's better than nothing. We are not poor, we just make less money than many others make...grin


Nail

Seems I always have to sell something to buy something. I've been out of work since July (got fired just before my birthday). Anyway, have or have not. Happiness shouldn't be circumstance dependent.