Fat-G Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 I'm 17, and only have to pay for gas at the moment. I got my grandfather's 2000 Honda Accord when he passed away. I'll be a senior in high school next year, then off to college. I have (had ) a summer job and was making pretty good money at for a while. It was my first steady flow of my own money, so obviously the first couple paychecks were dedicated to stocking up my tackle bag, etc. I also payed for gas, so I was keeping up with my end of the driving deal. My parents want me tto save 50-90% of each paycheck for college spending money. I want to get three more high-end setups with the money I am earning. My justification for this is that I still have a whole school year and next summer to work! I'll make plenty of money in that time to be set for my first year at college. I also think that if I go into my 20's and 30's with an arsenal of really nice rods and reels that will be one less expense for me when I'm just starting out of college paying for insurance, living, etc. Obviously my parents are more experienced with this kind of stuff than me, and I usually listen to them and their advice, but I feel like there is some merit to my side of the arguement as well. But, I also understand that I'm only 17...and that my understanding of things in life are far inferior to my parents'. I also understand that I totally lucked out with a free car, and that just paying for gas will not last forever. Am I just oblivious or is there something behind what I'm thinking? Long car ride + Adderall = random thoughts turning into posts. Quote
Super User Bassn Blvd Posted July 23, 2011 Super User Posted July 23, 2011 LMAO! You can try and come up with a hundred justifications that YOU think are reasonable. You can't spend money that you haven't earned, so don't expect to have money throughout the school year if you haven't saved. My advice, save 75% of your cash for school, and 25% for your fishing needs. Actually, 85/15% would be better. College is for studying and having fun, not working. Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted July 23, 2011 Super User Posted July 23, 2011 I'm with your parents on this one. Right now gas is pretty darn expensive along with food and nobody can predict where those prices are going. It's never a good idea to spend more on entertainment (fishing) than on living expenses. Those 3 high end set-ups you want will be replaced with better high end set-ups next year and the year after that. It sounds like you have a pretty good deal with just paying gas, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, b/c when you find yourself in college with no $$$, it will be hard to go to the well (your parents) for more $$$ without a "I told you so" arguement which never seem to go over to well... Quote
Super User SoFlaBassAddict Posted July 23, 2011 Super User Posted July 23, 2011 My justification for this is that I still have a whole school year and next summer to work! I'll make plenty of money in that time to be set for my first year at college. Lots of people thought that before they got laid off when the economy tanked. Save your cash. Go to school and enjoy it. You've got your entire life to go fishing. Quote
dave Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 I am pleasantly surprised that a high school kid is on here asking for advice. (and hopefully following it) Usually they think they have all the answers and like to spout off. Kudos to you Fat-G, a boy growing into a man. Remember, a wise man seeks counsel. 1 Quote
Super User K_Mac Posted July 23, 2011 Super User Posted July 23, 2011 I am pleasantly surprised that a high school kid is on here asking for advice. (and hopefully following it) Usually they think they have all the answers and like to spout off. Kudos to you Fat-G, a boy growing into a man. Remember, a wise man seeks counsel. Well said. I agree with the others that saving is more important than MORE high end tackle. High end tackle is a fine thing if you have the means. It is a luxury and not a necessity. Do things right at this stage and your chances of being able to have a life-style that allows you time and money for the finer things goes way up. Preach4bass put it succinctly: delayed gratification. Self discipline will put you head and shoulders above your competition. Good luck. Quote
Super User grimlin Posted July 23, 2011 Super User Posted July 23, 2011 Well said. I agree with the others that saving is more important than MORE high end tackle. High end tackle is a fine thing if you have the means. It is a luxury and not a necessity. Do things right at this stage and your chances of being able to have a life-style that allows you time and money for the finer things goes way up. Preach4bass put it succinctly: delayed gratification. Self discipline will put you head and shoulders above your competition. Good luck. I highlighted that part for a good reason from K-mac. I'm in agreement with everybody here too. Do you really need high end tackle? I don't think you do. besides after college you probably won't have any problems affording all the high end tackle you want. Quote
MAD Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 SAVE your MONEY!!!!! Seriously high-end set-ups don't catch fish. Unless you are on the FLW Tour or BASS Elite, there are plenty of budget outfits that will catch just as many fish. Believe me, save your money. Mike Quote
hookingem Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 Yeah just go get a lighting rod and a black max man! no need for 7 cumara's 1 crucial 6 curado's and 2 stradic's In all seriousness I have some money saved up for college but often wish I would have saved a tad more. The deals I could get while working at the tackle shop were just too good to pass up! 120 for a Cumara makes them even harder to resist. I'd say put away at least 50% of your checks when you become employed again though bud. Have fun on your vacation there will be some serious smallmouth slaying when you return. Quote
Fat-G Posted July 24, 2011 Author Posted July 24, 2011 I am pleasantly surprised that a high school kid is on here asking for advice. (and hopefully following it) Usually they think they have all the answers and like to spout off. Kudos to you Fat-G, a boy growing into a man. Remember, a wise man seeks counsel. Thank you sir. I (thankfully) realized a while ago that the advice my elders give me isn't to make me have less fun, it's because they know what they're talking about! As much as it sucks not to buy the T3 Ballistic/DX744, Zillion/DX745 and spinning combo that I really am trying to convince myself I need, it would probably be for the better to save that money for later. Actually having a pretty good conversation about this with both my parents right now. Quote
Super User clayton86 Posted July 24, 2011 Super User Posted July 24, 2011 Save save save your money put it into a savings account without a debit card tied to it so if u do want it u gotta over come the laziness that comes with driving to the bank to take it out at least it works for me. I'm only 24 and am broke as all hell I made more money in HS and college then I do now as a teacher and never put it away like I should of. Buy some budget combos and save I'm guessing ur bank fishing or out of a canoe and u can only carry so many set ups with u so half the time u will probably leave them home or in the car and not even use said high end rod. Listen to your parents and save I wouldent put a percentage on it rather then say 50 bucks per check depending what u make that's more theb enough to replace lost baits or set aside for a new set up. Quote
Fat-G Posted July 24, 2011 Author Posted July 24, 2011 I have been thinking about this for a while now. One of the combos I was thinking about getting was a spinning setup, but I've come to realize that I wouldn't fish it enough to warrant it. So now I'm down to two. I want two Dobyns Champion Extremes, specifically the DX744 for plastics and the DX745 for jigs. I can get them new for ~$200-$250, then pair them up with either used Zillion's or T3 Ballistics. I think I could get both those setups and still save a pretty good amount for college. Then when you factor in gas, expenses, tackle, etc., I think I should be good. I talked with my parents about this and they agreed, as long as I either buy it all at one time soon and save until college, or put a little away every paycheck for it. Thanks for the input gentleman, I greatly appreciate your advice. Quote
OHIO Posted July 24, 2011 Posted July 24, 2011 I'm not much older, but I will try to offer some advice. I was going through the same thing you are a little while ago. My advice is the same as everyone else, SAVE. Just buy what you really need and try to save money in any way possible. I've saved by not buying fast food, not driving when I don't need to, and buy things that are on sale. Probably sounds like it's the obvious thing to do, but it can be hard at times. I've saved a lot by having a two-seater until today (just bought a new truck, finally). No room for my friends to sit, so they have to drive. Didn't intend it to be a way of saving money, but it has saved me a lot. Quote
Fat-G Posted July 24, 2011 Author Posted July 24, 2011 I could definitely cut back with buying food, driving too much (I take long drives when I am stressed), and getting Longhorn. I really like making my own money though. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted July 24, 2011 Super User Posted July 24, 2011 The more money you save now, the easier getting thru college will be. Working cuts into homework time which may affect your grades. Put away the same amount every paycheck into a separate account, and live within your means on the rest. If you work extra hours here and there, put that in your "spending" fund. It will add up, and you can reward yourself with the new gear. Quote
GLADES Posted July 24, 2011 Posted July 24, 2011 You have a great situation to save your money living at home. Save your money and focus on your education. The next 5-8 of your life are extremely important. Rods, reels and stuff can wait. Quote
Super User Root beer Posted July 24, 2011 Super User Posted July 24, 2011 You're going have to learn to make sacrifices in college. I don't think you should buy any high end combos. Surely you can get by with what you have? The only thing you should buy fishing wise is terminal tackles and baits to keep you fishing. I don't know how much it cost to go to school where you go, nor do I know if you have any scholarship(s), but it's a lot more expensive then you think. I've had expenses to blindside while barely squeaking by and I have a scholarship! I have a tuition paid scholarship, and sometimes my truck will crap out on me, or financial aid will screw something up and make me pay back some money, and bunch of random, miscellaneous craps I don't think about will come up. I tried working and going school with 15 credit hours a semester and it was too much for me..Some people have done well doing this, but I couldn't do it. My GPA has gone up and improved when I'm not working. The only thing you really need in college is money for ramen noodles and natural light, the rest is just a want. But seriously, if you don't get a meal plan on campus, my roommate has pretty much mastered buying food at a grocery store on a tiny budget if you want know about it let me know. I'm copy his plan this semester. I'm 9 classes short of graduation with an accounting degree. I gave up a lot of things and have no regret. I'm applying to graduate school with no plans on how to pay for it. I don't know if I'm get any scholarships or financial aids yet.. Quote
VolFan Posted July 24, 2011 Posted July 24, 2011 I've got a double positive for you: Figure out how much money you spend on dip per week or month. Stop dipping, and put that amount into a savings account/cookie jar/pillowcase/hole in your backyard. When you save enough in that, you get whatever high-end stuff you want. You quit the deadly and disgusting habit, chicks will like you more, and you'll have a great combo to show off. If you slip and dip, the money goes into your savings and you start over. Patience and self control are two of the big lessons of life as you grow older. Just throwing it out there as an idea for you. 4 Quote
Red Posted July 24, 2011 Posted July 24, 2011 Just think of all the sweet rods and reels that will be on the market 4-6 years from now when you finish college. Save now my man, sure wish I would have done so when I was your age. Good luck! Cliff 1 Quote
Blue Streak Posted July 24, 2011 Posted July 24, 2011 Save your money, get a good education and that will lead to a good job and then you can buy the very best. Anyhow by the time your are thirty the high end stuff you buy now will be out dated and you will be spening money on new gear anyhow. Sacrifice a little now and live easy later. Quote
Fat-G Posted July 25, 2011 Author Posted July 25, 2011 Ok. No high end combos. All into an untouchable savings account! 1 Quote
McBee Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 If i were in your position at your age, i would save the $ and convince the parents to get the tackle u want for christmas and birthdays. Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted July 25, 2011 Super User Posted July 25, 2011 Fat-G you have made the correct and most logical decision. No one mentioned the Honeys that you may want to entertain, and the potential cost of doing so Throw that item into your data base as well. Quote
Fat-G Posted July 25, 2011 Author Posted July 25, 2011 Fat-G you have made the correct and most logical decision. No one mentioned the Honeys that you may want to entertain, and the potential cost of doing so Throw that item into your data base as well. My ex was so expensive! I was so glad when I dumped her...haha more fishing money! Quote
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