Our generation's lack of work ethic and money skills.

[brianmanahan]

That said today I have reserves.

but an m3 will likely only depreciate in value over time

 

[alkemyst]

but an m3 will likely only depreciate in value over time

lolz...I know my M3 will. I will still enjoy the fuck out of it.

 

[shortylickens]

but an m3 will likely only depreciate in value over time

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!





:awe:

 

[alkemyst]

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!





:awe:

uMAD.

BAHAHAHAHA.

 

[HeXen]

They don't take EVERYTHING, she was lucky to have it so she was taken care of when your parent's didn't step up for her.

yup, took her house, pension, liquidated all assets..yup, everything. All benefits go to their care.

didn't "step up" for my great grandma? you mean her only daughter, my grandma who had it rough as it was, husband passed away...etc, etc was supposed to magically beable to care for an elderly who had Alzheimers disease? hard to step up when your elderly yourself....way to make assumptions man.

anyway, planning is fine n all, but i wouldn't put too much faith in how your plan works out. Ask some old people how well their youthful plans of their future worked out for them. live responsibly, but just freakin live it. saving and investing can cause just as much headaches and heartaches as anything else.

 

[EliteRetard]

First, what expenses do you have each month...are you living with your parents when in the US? My wife goes to Japan each year (she was born there and her entire family lives in Shinzouka and the surrounding areas (middle Japan). A couple weeks is about $2000 and she's not spending money on lodging. $1200 of that is airfare. The exchange rate is terrible now fortunately now it is at least hovering around 80YEN per dollar...it had dropped to around 70 for a while.

To put this in perspective, even 4 years ago it was around 120YEN per Dollar. 10 years ago a bit more. Oddly the 'historic' sites don't show that picture accurately.

I'm well aware of the exchange rate and history, and I also got a similar airfare rate. But divide that out in a longer period and its much more reasonable. I don't live with my parents when in the US. I already listed my expenses in an earlier post. Currently my only expenses in the US are for a cell phone...it should only be costing me a few dollars so I might as well keep my plan phone and number. I paid to store my vehicles in a secure location, cost me $150 for 3 months.

Most low income people couldn't come up with $5,000 of disposible income, that is about $400 per month. What kind of lodging are you doing in Japan? You are doing Hostels. You don't have a private bath, you share a room...most people wouldn't even qualify to lodge there and if they did most wouldn't want to do that.

I have a private room with my own lock and key (and a private balcony). Anybody can come, there are no qualifiers...at least none that I had to meet. Yes the bathrooms (2) and kitchen are shared between 5-6 rooms, but the toilets are separate from the shower and there have been no conflicts to date. There's a real washer and drier as well. Its costing me 64000 yen a month. It shouldn't be impossible to save $200/month even at $25K/yr. Even if you only went every 4 years that's not bad. Most people never leave the country, thinking its to much. They'll spend a couple grand on Disney World or something instead.

It's interesting that you are claiming you can do all this cheap and are still eating out at the 'expensive' places.

Uh...I spent $20 once on an alcohol and dinner experience, Hooters cost me about 13$. Their drinks are expensive but I don't normally drink. Just water (free). Otherwise it costs me under 1000 yen a day to eat well. There's a nice pastry shop in the station here (1min walk), they charge 100-280 yen an item depending on what you want. A big ol' melon bread thing costs 100 yen and there are several varieties and even some with some kind of custard/cream goo. A bread thing with a hotdog thingy in it is like 200yen and a big shrimp patty sandwich thing is 280. I can do a melon bread or two for breakfast and a hotdog thing for lunch. About 400 yen total. There's a ramen shop here where you can get a big bowl of fried rice or ramen, onion&seaweed soup, and 5 gyoza for 550-570yen. That usually what Ill do for dinner. And if I'm wandering around, I have no problem finding cheap places to eat. The last one was some kind of vertical rotisserie meat thing that they cut and stuck in a pita like thing with veggies and sauce for like 400yen. I dont even need to eat 3 times a day...several times I have only eaten once. So even at $400 month in food, $1100 ticket, and what $800 in rent, that's the $5K for the 3 months I'm here. And I'm eating well trying new foods and having fun. There's maybe another $100/month transportation (average 250 yen a day) so far. My $5k figure is not exaggerated or unreasonable.

again a very rare situation. It's common to bath around each other and see tits and the like, especially at the hot springs...but most aren't walking around half naked outside of that. Most hostels are VERY STRICT in Japan about separating the males and females. Also your stuff is sort of free for the taking.

There don't seem to be strict rules here, there's at least 5 females sharing a room...possibly two rooms. They don't seem to be bothered walking to the shower naked and usually they go 2-3 at a time. There's really only room to hang up one set of clothes to keep them dry, otherwise they go on the floor or something and may get wet. Probably why they just go naked. I've seen it a few times now (and once a naked chick in the kitchen) and they have even stopped to say hello.

Nomihodai is very limited. You are getting the small selections of beer, wine and some cocktails that restaurant bought, these are all the 'well drink' types. You aren't getting Patron, Moet, etc. They usually have a white and red wine, only a few beers, some regular spirits. You also only have 1 or 2 meal selections for those places.

I had a big multi-page menu for food and a double sided menu for all the drinks available. I don't normally drink and don't know anything about alcohol, that's why I went...just to give it a try since the price was right. I had a large variety of drinks, don't know what all they were but I was satisfied. I've since found an even cheaper place than I originally went to.

If you are in North Japan then things will be better as the tourism took a big dive. I know guys that clean up reactors that recommend staying away from 20 miles minimum from that disaster site pretty much for our life times. They also did not sign on to decontaminate even though it was tied to up to half million dollar bonuses. Many died and have had issues that did.

You can do Japan for $5k over 3 months...you aren't going to really enjoy places like Tokyo on that. Mt. Fuji area, the country, etc sure. If one likes just getting out in nature, it can be cheap...but you still are faced with the terrible YEN exchange. There are many islands that over a better experience and much much cheaper.

Well yeah, you don't want to waltz into the reactor...but its pretty safe most everywhere else in Japan. There just seems to be a ton of people freaking out saying the entirety of Japan is deadly and that huge self propelled radioactive fuel rods are heading for America and even the entire west coast is doomed. I just saw a youtube video that someone sent me pretty much to that effect. I really did LOL.

You can't say I'm not enjoying Tokyo, I'm here your not. I know what I'm spending, you do not. I don't know if you've ever actually been here, but if you have you clearly aren't even attempting to be frugal. I can't even speak the language, only ran into 1 who could speak english, and I am doing very well for myself. Just wander around look at all the stuff and keep an eye out for good deals. You must be the type of person with your nose stuck so high that you cant see the good deals right in front of your face.

 

[EliteRetard]

Beer is expensive in Tokyo. What you're talking about is the way to go but I've never found one cheaper than 5000 yen.

If you ever make your way into Yokohama let me know. It's a cool bay city, pretty much a suburb of Tokyo, and there are some good restaurants there. If you end up wanting some English conversation just find a TGI Friday's or any of the local English bars. Yokohama has one called Benny's that is pretty cool.

As for the country, make sure you check out some of the nearby shrine areas first (Kamakura for example) and then head into the outer areas. Hakone is cool. Fuji should be open all the way to the top right now (or maybe in August, can't remember for sure) if you're interested in hiking at all.

Ill try to figure out the ones I found. I'm pretty sure I found another one even cheaper than the one I went to. From what I've seen you can you get a big arse 500ml beer for like 3$ at the store? The one I recall (stood out the most) was in a silver can I think it said Asahi. There were several varieties/types. When I saw all the alcohol I thought they all looked larger and cheaper than anything I saw in America. They even had some huge 2-4L things of alcohol for no more than $20-30 (vodka/sake?).

I've seen a few shrines already...and I've seen some of the park at Ueno but it was raining pretty good so Ill go again later. I've just kinda wandered around and it seems like I've found many of the famous places already. I did have plans to go climb Fuji and see another place, maybe it was Hakone...don't recall. I have a nifty website I was using for information. But I figure Ill attack Tokyo for the first month or something and then venture out. I dunno, nothings set in stone...maybe Ill go check out Yokohama.

 

[JS80]

yup, took her house, pension, liquidated all assets..yup, everything. All benefits go to their care.

didn't "step up" for my great grandma? you mean her only daughter, my grandma who had it rough as it was, husband passed away...etc, etc was supposed to magically beable to care for an elderly who had Alzheimers disease? hard to step up when your elderly yourself....way to make assumptions man.

anyway, planning is fine n all, but i wouldn't put too much faith in how your plan works out. Ask some old people how well their youthful plans of their future worked out for them. live responsibly, but just freakin live it. saving and investing can cause just as much headaches and heartaches as anything else.

What's the point of your post? Am I supposed to pay for your grandmas retirement?

 

[linuxboy]

You can't say I'm not enjoying Tokyo, I'm here your not.

When one holds prerequisite that enjoyment requires great expense, or that spending money creates a fundamentally enhanced elevation of pleasure, then no evidence to the contrary is likely sway that belief. Alkemyst supposes that in the interplay of the material world and the sensual, it is the material that wins, and not one's ability to create meaning and define for oneself the true extent of what joys we may experience. In this divide, I fear no bridge is able to exist.

 

[Cookie]

When one holds prerequisite that enjoyment requires great expense, or that spending money creates a fundamentally enhanced elevation of pleasure, then no evidence to the contrary is likely sway that belief. Alkemyst supposes that in the interplay of the material world and the sensual, it is the material that wins, and not one's ability to create meaning and define for oneself the true extent of what joys we may experience. In this divide, I fear no bridge is able to exist.

Yup.

I've done trips like that when I was younger. 5k can last a LONG time if you want it to. I'd much prefer to stay in shared places like hostels, where you can meet new people with advice on things to do and see, or meet travel partners for the next leg of your journey. That's easily one of the best things I enjoyed about traveling. You don't get that staying in expensive hotels. But I may not appreciate that as much now, since I'm old and grumpy and enjoy my sleep.

 

[EliteRetard]

That sounds like some pretty wise stuff. Ill have to remember that, make me sound smarter

I honestly cant comprehend the vanity, materialism, and arrogance, so I guess there really is no bridge. It seems to me this is like the new form of racism, these people are so massively obsessed with being superior that they have created their own little imaginary world and label everyone else as pathetic trash to be avoided at all costs. They simply can't accept equality at any cost. Many will lie, cheat, steal, murder, rape, sell their soul, or kill their children to be part of this "exclusive" club. And they honestly believe its the only way to get a positive opinion about them. Its not who you are, but what you wear and how much you waste.

I simply can't agree.

 

[hans007]

Last time I worked 100 hour weeks we sold the company I got paid a $50k bonus and cashed my options for a couple hundred grand.

Last place I worked some of the guys had been there long enough to get a lot of options and did just that. But I'd say it was rare to work more than 60 there. I got there late but I got maybe 50k and well the experience helped me get a higher paying next job. Hell in the tech field if you are smart you can find a job that pays well and not work too much once you have a skill set worth paying for.

 

[yh125d]

Edit

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I wish my boss was as loyal as yours

He just finished working the whole company to death for over a year. Not 100hr weeks mind you, but 50+ for that long of a time starts to feel like it

Not to mention he hasn't given anyone a raise in about 3 years with the economy excuse, even though we've been lush with business and he goes around bragging to us about how the company is now debt free because of our hard work. He already considerably underpaid everyone since we were willing to take it because otherwise it's a great place to work. Then he sells the company for a huge payday for him, and noone gets a raise or bonus at all. Now we're at the company in a much more strict work situation, everyone getting paid between $3-10 less an hour than they should, with worse work conditions. It's all ok though, we save $30/month on our health insurance!

/rant

Did you read my posts earlier in the thread about "suckers" and "doormats"? No offense, but you fit the description. Time to move on.

 

[BD2003]

I actually feel a little sorry for the OP. Working crazy hours to support a family is admirable. To buy nicer stuff? That road is a dead end.

 

[Dumac]

Never went to college, massive waste of money. Started working at 16 and worked for 12 years, 6 at one and 6 at another. Never made more than $25K a year, and I've lived on my own since 16.

Uh...

 

[alkemyst]

Uh...

He also can afford to go to Japan for 3 months at a time at $5k a pop and feels everyone could do it. Getting your job back being one of the biggest problems as well as a your place sitting vacant for three months.

I believe this is the same poster that mentioned he has a disability as some point. I wouldn't be surprised if he is getting assistance he doesn't count as income.

 

[yh125d]

Edit

 

[brianmanahan]

this. wranglers and levis and lees last me like 5-7 years.

when i originally read this thread, i created a calendar reminder to see if i kept my 20$ jeans for as long as i thought

and here i sit in my comfy chair, wearing a well-worn pair of said jeans! granted i don't wear them out in public, just around the house. but i think my point still stands.

they're soft, supple, fit me like a glove and wrap my bodice like a goddess

 

[IronWing]

Thank you for the update.

 

[brianmanahan]

You sound like a very vain person.

Ya think?

OP will end up regretting his decisions in life later.

if trident thinks you sound like a vain person then the case is closed

 

[TheVrolok]

Very reasonable necro.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What's wrong is that it's an unsustainable life style that exists only due to the xenophobia and sloth of the American middle class, foolishly believing that China is incapable of out-competing them in non-menial tasks.

Trump will fix that. Didn't you hear? He's making America great again!

 

[cbrunny]

what was the point of this thread?

i'm pretty sure there have been people that have worked harder than others for no less than 200,000 years.

 

[brianmanahan]

what was the point of this thread?

primary premise: diesel jeans are the secret to happiness

secondary premise: millenials are lazy (but this thread was started before the word millenial had been invented)