Onward Allusion
Member
Not run-flats. M3 "need" hi perf that sticks to pavement like glue but as soft as jello. To each their own...
Anyone Ever Think "What A Waste"?
- Thread starter Mr.Blue
- Start date
- Status
Not run-flats. M3 "need" hi perf that sticks to pavement like glue but as soft as jello. To each their own...
You are absolutely on the road to wisdom, I too had the Ferrari’s Porsches and countless other things that I thought I was supposed to have when my business took off. Bullxxxx, it brings you no joy other than possibly one or two things that you "really love", Not talking family here just material stuff.It also makes you a target, You know that Ferrari was the biggest pain in the ass I ever owned, you couldn't leave it any ware, it bottomed out in NY every time you drove it. And it made such a racket with the six or eight Webber carbs, that I actually kicked it one day after a long drive out to the Hamptons in traffic, you couldn't hear the 5 thousand dollar radio from inside the car. I never took the cover off it and finally sold it back to the dealer. And I love cars, I went to Porsches and was content for a decade. But this happens with everything if you let it.
When I was 16-17 I was in an apartment talking to a guy called "Big Tom" back in the mid 60's” sounded like the base singer in the Oak Ridge Boys”. He was a mountain of a man. He was 15-20 or so , years older than I. We were talking about life, "hippie days", and he showed me his Rolex Watch, "a President". He went on to tell me that when he was a kid, he always wanted one, he had a Timex, “came from a middle class family, like all of us", that watch kept perfect time, but the Roli, well that was it for him. Finally he got one, "let's say he wasn't a priest. He said listen kid, this Rolex is the biggest piece of crap I ever had, it was sent back to the factory 5 times and still never runs on time. "he was very anal" My Timex still works great, but I love the way this watch looks ,feels, and how I feel when I wear it. He then showed me he was heavily armed under his leather coat. We had been talking for over an hour, all that time he had a gun pointed at me. He said what I do requires that I am very careful about my safety, now I know you and you’re ok so I'll let you see what you were facing if something bad were to happen.
He then went on to say "and obviously it made an impression on me at the time never having been in a situation like this. I just happened to be at a friend’s house when this deal went down in another room, no one felt the urgency to tell me about it, I guess for fear I might say or do the wrong thing, which I probably would have got out of there in a hurry, which could have gotten me possibly killed. He left me with these words, money buys you headaches. It's great to not have to worry about where your next buck is coming from and have a few nice homes and cars boats etc., but people go way overboard and find themselves a slave to all the crap they bought. They have to hire people to maintain their boats their homes lawns etc., plus something is always breaking and it's disappointing when your Vega breaks down, but when your top of the line Mercedes breaks down it makes you crazy. He then said the last few years he had got rid of all the stuff that he bought because he thought he needed it. But he kept the Roli.His advice was keep the stuff that really makes you happy, if you are a car guy it's fine to have a bunch of great cars if you can afford them, and really drive them because you love to, but if you don't like boats then don't buy one because everyone else you know has one. It’s just stupid and a headache, life is complicated enough without making it worse worrying about more crap.I got it about ten years later, when my business took of and found myself doing the same things he had spoken about. Now I am a minimalist, I don't want much, I am happy with fewer things , good quality, but less, don't buy many clothes, I don't wear fancy duds, like I once did, tee shirts and gym pants, guns I haven't figured out, but I still enjoy them more than anything else .If that gun brings you joy, keep it, just learn to reload, plenty of guys here to help you.
When I was 16-17 I was in an apartment talking to a guy called "Big Tom" back in the mid 60's” sounded like the base singer in the Oak Ridge Boys”. He was a mountain of a man. He was 15-20 or so , years older than I. We were talking about life, "hippie days", and he showed me his Rolex Watch, "a President". He went on to tell me that when he was a kid, he always wanted one, he had a Timex, “came from a middle class family, like all of us", that watch kept perfect time, but the Roli, well that was it for him. Finally he got one, "let's say he wasn't a priest. He said listen kid, this Rolex is the biggest piece of crap I ever had, it was sent back to the factory 5 times and still never runs on time. "he was very anal" My Timex still works great, but I love the way this watch looks ,feels, and how I feel when I wear it. He then showed me he was heavily armed under his leather coat. We had been talking for over an hour, all that time he had a gun pointed at me. He said what I do requires that I am very careful about my safety, now I know you and you’re ok so I'll let you see what you were facing if something bad were to happen.
He then went on to say "and obviously it made an impression on me at the time never having been in a situation like this. I just happened to be at a friend’s house when this deal went down in another room, no one felt the urgency to tell me about it, I guess for fear I might say or do the wrong thing, which I probably would have got out of there in a hurry, which could have gotten me possibly killed. He left me with these words, money buys you headaches. It's great to not have to worry about where your next buck is coming from and have a few nice homes and cars boats etc., but people go way overboard and find themselves a slave to all the crap they bought. They have to hire people to maintain their boats their homes lawns etc., plus something is always breaking and it's disappointing when your Vega breaks down, but when your top of the line Mercedes breaks down it makes you crazy. He then said the last few years he had got rid of all the stuff that he bought because he thought he needed it. But he kept the Roli.His advice was keep the stuff that really makes you happy, if you are a car guy it's fine to have a bunch of great cars if you can afford them, and really drive them because you love to, but if you don't like boats then don't buy one because everyone else you know has one. It’s just stupid and a headache, life is complicated enough without making it worse worrying about more crap.I got it about ten years later, when my business took of and found myself doing the same things he had spoken about. Now I am a minimalist, I don't want much, I am happy with fewer things , good quality, but less, don't buy many clothes, I don't wear fancy duds, like I once did, tee shirts and gym pants, guns I haven't figured out, but I still enjoy them more than anything else .If that gun brings you joy, keep it, just learn to reload, plenty of guys here to help you.
Last edited:
Onward Allusion
Member
I think you hit it dead on. Don't worry, it will be the first of many.
To keep it in the gun track - I too have been questioning the whole gun collecting process myself. Like you'd kinda said - probably just need a couple. The rest of 'em are kind of a waste, especially when my boys aren't into the collecting part like their old man. Oh well, gotta do something...
SleazyRider
Member
I did some volunteer work at a hospice many, many years ago. An elderly, crusty ol' wheelchair-bound codger motioned to me one afternoon to come over to him. He grabbed my arm and, pulling me closer, croaked in my ear, "Sonny ... spend your money!"
I've been doing so ever since.
Now go buy some guns.
I've been doing so ever since.
Now go buy some guns.
To clarify my $20k/yr. hobby - I've only been shooting about 3 years after moving from NY to Wisconsin. In NY I only had one shotgun for sporting clays and a pump for home defense. When I moved to WI I was like a kid in a candy store, buying every gun that caught my eye.
For the person who wrote that I might be looking for sympathy, that is absurd. I am just gauging whether my feelings have haunted other gun owners. I used guns and cars as an example, but you could substitute other expensive hobbies.
For the person who wrote that I might be looking for sympathy, that is absurd. I am just gauging whether my feelings have haunted other gun owners. I used guns and cars as an example, but you could substitute other expensive hobbies.
JohnBiltz
Member
You get older, you grow up and your interests change. When I was in my 20s I went through a lot of guns, young, single and with disposable income. In my thirties I was satisfied with what I had, married and responsible, more income but not so disposable. In my 40s I hardly shot at all, had other responsibilities. In my 50s I shoot a lot again. I downsized and simplified my life with shooting my main hobby. Part of that is I dumped most of my income for freedom and retired. It was worth it.
Red Cent
Member
Blue, I need to get you into cowboy shooting. After about $3-5k on guns, you need to drop another thousand or so into reloading equipment. Clothes, leather, hats, boots, spurs, sshould run another couple thousand.
To do it right, you need a decent ride with towing capability and a nice travel trailer or just a nice enclosed trailer.
If you go to Florida to the state championship in Orlando (stopped this year) you will stay at the host hotel, The Air Port Orlando Marriott. Since you arrive Wednesday, you can imagine how much you are going to eat, drink, and party for the rest of the stay. I usually left on Monday morning.
A bunch of us would drop around a couple thousand for the trip.
A bunch of us used to travel like that to every annual state match from Maryland to Florida including PA, WV, Ohio, KY, and others.
'Course there is the nationals in Arizona once a year and then the World Championships in Moriarity, NM once a year.
Oh, and I left out shooting every Saturday and Sunday all over the state of North Carolina. If the trip was close to two hours one way we stayed overnight.
Lets see, you would shoot approximately 15-20k rounds a year in matches and practice.
That'll come pretty close to your gun "budget". The memories, the comradreship, the friends made, the excitement of the match, the "after the awards celebration" was something else.
I shoot locally now. I promised Deb when I retired from work, I would semi-retire from cowboy.
I still shoot Ruger Rimfire twice a month(semi pistol and a semi rifle). PCCA (Pocket Carry Competition Association witha 3" custom Dan Wesson 38) twice a month. And I still shoot Cowboy at least once a month.
Yes, the safe over-runneth but I have two sons that their eyes glaze over when they come to visit.
Gotta go clean some guns.
To do it right, you need a decent ride with towing capability and a nice travel trailer or just a nice enclosed trailer.
If you go to Florida to the state championship in Orlando (stopped this year) you will stay at the host hotel, The Air Port Orlando Marriott. Since you arrive Wednesday, you can imagine how much you are going to eat, drink, and party for the rest of the stay. I usually left on Monday morning.
A bunch of us would drop around a couple thousand for the trip.
A bunch of us used to travel like that to every annual state match from Maryland to Florida including PA, WV, Ohio, KY, and others.
'Course there is the nationals in Arizona once a year and then the World Championships in Moriarity, NM once a year.
Oh, and I left out shooting every Saturday and Sunday all over the state of North Carolina. If the trip was close to two hours one way we stayed overnight.
Lets see, you would shoot approximately 15-20k rounds a year in matches and practice.
That'll come pretty close to your gun "budget". The memories, the comradreship, the friends made, the excitement of the match, the "after the awards celebration" was something else.
I shoot locally now. I promised Deb when I retired from work, I would semi-retire from cowboy.
I still shoot Ruger Rimfire twice a month(semi pistol and a semi rifle). PCCA (Pocket Carry Competition Association witha 3" custom Dan Wesson 38) twice a month. And I still shoot Cowboy at least once a month.
Yes, the safe over-runneth but I have two sons that their eyes glaze over when they come to visit.
Gotta go clean some guns.
230RN
2A was "political" when it was first adopted.
I'll let you know my FFL's number for transfers if you want me to assuage your guilt.
And when you hit 404 posts, if you want, I'll send them back to you at then-current prices.
Oh, mid-life crisis, eh? That mixes up your feelings a bit. I've had two or three of them already, so I know.
Not to sound like either of the Doctors Crane, but what else is going on in your life? Moving household? Moving to a new job? Medications? Death in the family? Divorce? Lousy weather for a week? Not that I really want to know, but these are things to consider when you start feeling like Eeyore.
Dr. Terry, 230RN
And when you hit 404 posts, if you want, I'll send them back to you at then-current prices.
Oh, mid-life crisis, eh? That mixes up your feelings a bit. I've had two or three of them already, so I know.
Not to sound like either of the Doctors Crane, but what else is going on in your life? Moving household? Moving to a new job? Medications? Death in the family? Divorce? Lousy weather for a week? Not that I really want to know, but these are things to consider when you start feeling like Eeyore.
Dr. Terry, 230RN
ccsniper
member
I love how people keep commenting that he needs to get into reloading, when that is a huge investment (at the beginning) dies, powders, primers, lead, the press, reloading books, powder measures etc etc. when the OP is saying he has already spent too much on guns, half the comments are saying to go spend more? That type of argument is like telling a coke addict that investing in needles will sooth the problem.
Red Cent
Member
I guess I will have to define my analogy.
No, I don't consider it a waste. Kids are grown and independent. Food on the table. Wood cut, chopped, and stacked.
The guns may not appreciate but I consider them liquid assets. Push comes to shove, they are cash in hand.
I work/tinker/kill time with my guns. Whether building a time consuming and challenging 10-22 to setting up a revolver for competition.
Most would consider a waste all the prime rib, filet mignon, jumbo shrimp, escargot (preferably baked), sirloin, lobster, and all the trimmin's.
BTW, we stopped in at the Kansa Czity Steakhouse rarin' to get a 2" filet and they ain't got 'em. Strip, ribeye, and sirloin. And I was disappointed in my sirloin.
You could float a battleship in the Jack Black, George Dickle, Makers Mark, Crown Royal, and all the others we consumed.
Watermelons, White Russians (not shaken), and I forget the name of the Crown Royal, Cranberry juice, and Peach Schnapps (equal quantity) potion.
Guilty? Not really. I felt I have endured the board rooms, the idiotic rantings of board members, stockholders speeches, employees, city governments, FDIC, OCC, and the list goes on.
Tonight, I will probably walk down to the firepit, through some branches in, light 'er up, take a sip of Dickle (or five) and think about Rachel's in Orlando
.
Besides he needs to do something rather than run around buying all those guns.
No, I don't consider it a waste. Kids are grown and independent. Food on the table. Wood cut, chopped, and stacked
.The guns may not appreciate but I consider them liquid assets. Push comes to shove, they are cash in hand.
I work/tinker/kill time with my guns. Whether building a time consuming and challenging 10-22 to setting up a revolver for competition.
Most would consider a waste all the prime rib, filet mignon, jumbo shrimp, escargot (preferably baked), sirloin, lobster, and all the trimmin's.
BTW, we stopped in at the Kansa Czity Steakhouse rarin' to get a 2" filet and they ain't got 'em. Strip, ribeye, and sirloin. And I was disappointed in my sirloin.
You could float a battleship in the Jack Black, George Dickle, Makers Mark, Crown Royal, and all the others we consumed.
Watermelons, White Russians (not shaken), and I forget the name of the Crown Royal, Cranberry juice, and Peach Schnapps (equal quantity) potion.
Guilty? Not really. I felt I have endured the board rooms, the idiotic rantings of board members, stockholders speeches, employees, city governments, FDIC, OCC, and the list goes on.
Tonight, I will probably walk down to the firepit, through some branches in, light 'er up, take a sip of Dickle (or five) and think about Rachel's in Orlando
.Besides he needs to do something rather than run around buying all those guns.
I have fifty grand, give or take, in guns and ammo and bayos and swords and what-have-you, if I dumped it all at market.
About every two years I cull because I get the oh-god-I'm-a-hoarder guilt. I dump the bundle-purchases and oddballs that I bought just to make myself feel good by making other people jealous, make some space, and happily resume hunting up treasures.
I'm twenty-seven, work six or seven days a week, generally ten hour days. I live frugally, have no other hobbies besides cooking, am single for the time being, and really can't feel guilty about indulging in something like a stahlhelm for a couple hundred bucks at an auction, since even at auction I can count on one hand the number of times I've paid more than fair market- and I had good reasons each time.
If I shot more, ammo would be the consideration, since as everyone says, a buck a pop or more adds up in a hurry. Reloading might cut it down, but I'm not the most meticulous person, and I rarely shoot anyway. Plus .22 trainers and conversions are fun without the cost, and I've found they're an engaging collection in and of themselves.
So no self-flagellating for me. Yes, there are starving orphans on the other side of the world, and the stock market has greater long term potential, but as a bachelor with a decent job and narrow interests, I guess it's just what I'm doing until the right girl comes along and I can't afford to after.
About every two years I cull because I get the oh-god-I'm-a-hoarder guilt. I dump the bundle-purchases and oddballs that I bought just to make myself feel good by making other people jealous, make some space, and happily resume hunting up treasures.
I'm twenty-seven, work six or seven days a week, generally ten hour days. I live frugally, have no other hobbies besides cooking, am single for the time being, and really can't feel guilty about indulging in something like a stahlhelm for a couple hundred bucks at an auction, since even at auction I can count on one hand the number of times I've paid more than fair market- and I had good reasons each time.
If I shot more, ammo would be the consideration, since as everyone says, a buck a pop or more adds up in a hurry. Reloading might cut it down, but I'm not the most meticulous person, and I rarely shoot anyway. Plus .22 trainers and conversions are fun without the cost, and I've found they're an engaging collection in and of themselves.
So no self-flagellating for me. Yes, there are starving orphans on the other side of the world, and the stock market has greater long term potential, but as a bachelor with a decent job and narrow interests, I guess it's just what I'm doing until the right girl comes along and I can't afford to after.
hitbackfirst
Member
Nothing wrong with spending money that you earned. Buying guns encourages the production of more guns -- and that is a good thing. The world would be a much better place if more people spent their money on guns and ammo.
exavid
Member
All the money I ever got was from honest work. My family and I lived well enough and were never in debt except for a house mortgage. What I've spent on guns, sailboats and airplanes over the years didn't cause any loss to any of us. Most of those things were eventually sold for pretty much what I had in them or a bit more because I tend to buy old stuff and rebuild it so not much money was wasted at all. In fact often I made enough profit on selling things that it covered the costs of operating whatever it was while I had it. My family and I never had the need for expensive 'status' type stuff. My wife has always tithed to her church and I give to several different charities. I probably could have given more it I hadn't spent money on my 'toys' but there's also the fact that you only get to go around once so you may as well have some enjoyment at it. Darn, just remembered I need to go to the Sportman's Warehouse and get some more bullets and powder, nearly out of 9mm stuff.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
I would have a lot more money if I had put everything I've spent over the years on guns and ammo into a CD or something, but not nearly as much fun.
20 G's a year? If I had 6 grand my collection would be complete...
At least that's what I keep telling myself...
I don't understand the guilt, or whatever it is, you're feeling, but I don't fault you for thinking about other people.
But don't take it out on the guns!
At least that's what I keep telling myself...
I don't understand the guilt, or whatever it is, you're feeling, but I don't fault you for thinking about other people.
But don't take it out on the guns!
BADUNAME37
Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2008
- Messages
- 4,434
I decided about ten years ago that I will be happy with what I have and I will not be seeking to have more. It is a mindset one sometimes gets to. For me, it was simply that I have what I need, I don't need more. As for the shooting of the 300 Magnum, if the gun was already all sighted in, why shoot it more? My philosophy is, sight it in, pull a tight group, then be done with the range and shooting paper! If I want to go hunting, the gun is ready and waiting for me to go hunting!
Even though I reload, I got to the point where I don't shoot for no reason. I know how and where each of my guns shoots and hits, I don't need to endlessly put $$$ down the barrel, thus wearing the gun out and spending money I don't have.
There is the middle of the road that you can take, it doesn't mean you have to sell everything or give anything away (unless you really desire to, in which case I will give you my email address).
Even though I reload, I got to the point where I don't shoot for no reason. I know how and where each of my guns shoots and hits, I don't need to endlessly put $$$ down the barrel, thus wearing the gun out and spending money I don't have.
There is the middle of the road that you can take, it doesn't mean you have to sell everything or give anything away (unless you really desire to, in which case I will give you my email address).
tinygnat219
Member
To the OP. If you want to thin your herd, it's your decision to do so. If you want to increase the herd, it's your decision to do so. Do whatever works best for you. If spending 20-30K a year on guns is your thing and you can do it, who are we to judge? I'd be envious (who wouldn't), but then I also like Nagant revolvers and currently have 6 of them. Why? because I like cheap commie guns. No other reason, really.
I don't spend a LOT of money on guns, and very rarely buy new ones, I prefer used or milsurps. But I also consider the money isn't "gone", it's sitting right there in the form of assets that I can always resell to recover that money if need be. The majority of my ammo stash is handloads or surplus purchased cheap, the only ammo I buy new is .22lr.
Mike1234567
member
Mr.Blue... I'm in a similar situation. I like firearms but don't love them. I have firearms for SD/HD and "just in case" I'll need them for hunting later. I've been buying guns and ammo "just in case" they become more necessary or more valuable for reasons we don't discuss on THR. For that reason cheap but reliable firearms are a better investment than higher quality ones. I'll be selling several guns soon but am still stocking up on ammo (more calibers). Also, I'll be buying a few budget-priced firearms to store away for trading on a "rainy day".
ETA: But I DO WANT a .458 SOCOM!!
ETA: But I DO WANT a .458 SOCOM!!
Last edited:
From my perspective.
I worked my way through college while building my collection. I drove an old beater car all through college, and spent my money on really nice guns. At my high point I figured I had abut 20k worth of guns in the safe. Then I had to stop working for a semester to focus on the work load (took 20hrs of senior level classes), and sold off a bunch of guns to pay the bills.
I look at firearms as an investment. I never buy new, and only buy when I find a significant deal (and have the extra cash). Then if I need extra money I take my least favorite and sell em at a gunshow or on forums. I rarely sell, but its nice to know you can sell and get extra cash if you need it. Ive saved myself from taking any eduction loans this way, I just borrow from my collection and build it back when I can. So in essence I view it as a hobby that doubles as a very smart investment.
Edit: On the other hand I have been known to eat raman for weeks on end to save money to buy new guns so I guess im really just addicted, and having the investment value is a welcome bonus.
I worked my way through college while building my collection. I drove an old beater car all through college, and spent my money on really nice guns. At my high point I figured I had abut 20k worth of guns in the safe. Then I had to stop working for a semester to focus on the work load (took 20hrs of senior level classes), and sold off a bunch of guns to pay the bills.
I look at firearms as an investment. I never buy new, and only buy when I find a significant deal (and have the extra cash). Then if I need extra money I take my least favorite and sell em at a gunshow or on forums. I rarely sell, but its nice to know you can sell and get extra cash if you need it. Ive saved myself from taking any eduction loans this way, I just borrow from my collection and build it back when I can. So in essence I view it as a hobby that doubles as a very smart investment.
Edit: On the other hand I have been known to eat raman for weeks on end to save money to buy new guns so I guess im really just addicted, and having the investment value is a welcome bonus.
Last edited:
788Ham
Member
As someone earlier in this thread mentioned, being in his late teens early 20's and being in a drunken stupor and blowing monies and time. I too lived this way for many years, bought untold revolvers, rifles "because I can", then when I saw another one I didn't have, I traded it away for the new one. It finally caught me at the age of 35 when "she and the kids left", I had a few guns left, but not a pot to pee in, or a wall to throw it at. That was 27 years ago, and now have the sobriety I was searching for. I'm fortunate to have many things I never had before, a beautiful wife, a very nice home and many things I never had before. Now, I no longer this wanton "want" I had years ago, I now want what I have! If the 20K you have for guns each year is what you've allowed yourself, my hats off to you, spend to your hearts content, but possibly collecting all of this "stuff" isn't really what you're after either. YMMV!
parsimonious_instead
Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2010
- Messages
- 791
My material needs are taken care of. I don't need more "stuff" right now. My important "wish list" guns are in the safe, and quite immune to "boating accidents" since I don't own a boat and don't particularly want one.
Aside from an AR-15, there's nothing left that I really, really want to own.
OK, maybe a Thompson, but I'd settle for the semi-auto replica. I've fired enough rented full-auto that it doesn't hold much of a thrill any more.
For the forseeable future, anything gun related will be extra mags, maintenance parts and training.
The rest of my money: household expenses, retirement savings and travel.
Charity: 2A causes first, help for the poor and sick second (US only. I feel bad for Africans and Haitians, etc, but they receive
tremendous amounts of help from the US Govt, the UN, and various NGOs)
I believe that the right thing to do is share what we can. And I'd rather write a check to an efficient charity, or perhaps better yet give a decent tip to a service person, than have my money forcibly redistributed to a government bureaucracy or an undeserving person who choose to abuse a social safety net.
Big ticket items come with big headaches and big overhead. I'd rather have a modest, but reasonably attractive home and car so I can focus on the things that really matter, and maybe share some of that success.
Aside from an AR-15, there's nothing left that I really, really want to own.
OK, maybe a Thompson, but I'd settle for the semi-auto replica. I've fired enough rented full-auto that it doesn't hold much of a thrill any more.
For the forseeable future, anything gun related will be extra mags, maintenance parts and training.
The rest of my money: household expenses, retirement savings and travel.
Charity: 2A causes first, help for the poor and sick second (US only. I feel bad for Africans and Haitians, etc, but they receive
tremendous amounts of help from the US Govt, the UN, and various NGOs)
I believe that the right thing to do is share what we can. And I'd rather write a check to an efficient charity, or perhaps better yet give a decent tip to a service person, than have my money forcibly redistributed to a government bureaucracy or an undeserving person who choose to abuse a social safety net.
Big ticket items come with big headaches and big overhead. I'd rather have a modest, but reasonably attractive home and car so I can focus on the things that really matter, and maybe share some of that success.
I forgot, but it's a valid point- spending money on guns isn't a terrible idea, in my opinion, because of inflation. I loathe having more money than a prudent emergency fund, and would MUCH rather have possessions than fiat currency.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked