How do you afford it?
 

How can all you guys afford to buy all this stuff for your trucks? Tell us all your occupations and how you keep buying all this stuff!

:metal::bann::agree:

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I just compare it to the price of a newer truck and paying $400+ monthly payments.

I sold my HEMI ram and now drive a free Camry from my in-laws!

Re: How do you afford it?
 

i quit drinking and smoking ... i now have a ton more money than i used to have.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I work part time at advance, go to college full time, so i stay busted broke....I do benefit from about 8k worth of new parts dad bought before he gave it to me, but i still had to buy a new motor for it......but i just simply do the small details that that most pay for, like my brackets on my engine instead of buying chrome or billet i just stripped all the paint off of mine and glossed blacked the day lights out of them.....

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I quit smoking about 3 1/2 years ago (right after I got my truck) and put the money I would spend on smokes toward truck stuff.

Jason

Re: How do you afford it?
 

What money I have after bills and the wife and my two little girls take I spend on parts, may be $20 bucks a month, may be $200, just depends on how busy we are at work. I am a rock driller and blaster :metal::metal:so the more construction that goes on around here, the more I get to drill and blast, the more I get to work, the bigger my checks are. My truck gets parts, they may not be shiney or chrome, but they are better than whats on it before. And I do all my own work, weather I know how to or not. I try everything myself. Sometimes its cheaper than paying someone elso to do it and you learn a little bit along the way.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

Yep. I figure after the total cost of replacing or restoring the engine, trans, rear end, and brakes I'm still way ahead of the cost of a new truck.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

Re: How do you afford it?
 

stay in school and get a good job. If college is not for you (it is not for everyone) go to tech school. I did both.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

i usually work about 80-84 hours a week

Re: How do you afford it?
 

Well, I don't afford much right now. I am going on my second interview for a new job on Tuesday making almost double what I was and I wasn't doing to bad before. If it all works out I'll have all kindsa fun money after bills to play around with. Wish me luck guys!

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I also find and sell parts on here and at swap meets, put the profits back in my truck. Wait for good deals to come around, craigslist, Ebay etc...

I have purchased two radios for $15 total and sold them for $750 total, also found my 12 bolt posi at the JY for $35. deals are out there...

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I (for the most part I guess) only put money into my truck(s) that I get from selling parts off my parts trucks or income to myself from sources other than my paycheck, such as if help a friend with his project (framing a garage or putting up a fence, etc...) and they hand me a $50.00 bill...
THAT'S truck fund money baby...
As you can see from my build thread below... it's not going together very fast...

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I work about 45 hrs. a week but usually get paid for about 110 hrs. I paint cars , trucks.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

my advice to all the young guys...go to school; albeit college or trade. Secure your future first before you start obsessing over these trucks...because it can be expensive.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

1) no other cars
2) IT job
3) woman with IT job

Re: How do you afford it?
 

SCrew it.. no matter what you spend it is worth it.. buy a medium pizza instead of a large,, buy a pitcher of brew instead of bottles... pick up cans..

go to school and get a good job..... It is too hard to go back once you are in the work force and they pay you just enough to hook you.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I really don't know

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I'm a drug dealer. Just kidding, .......well not really. My wife makes more money than me and loves me very much, thanks honey.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

You only have to work half the time. But you do have to figure out if you want to work the first 12 hours or the second 12 hours!

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I agree with the above but haven't done it.. but if I could just give up women, I'd be rich!

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I am self employed and have a target income level i try to reach every month. Some months good --some bad--- but when its good and my bills are at least up to date and my subs are paid, i can put a few bucks back towards my stress-relievers

(i lack focus and tend to buy more stuff , rather than finish stuff i have---- so i dont know )

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I own a 1995 Impala SS, 1969 Corvette "project" and my truck. They're all paid for...and I probably spend < per month on all 3 than I would on a new car payment + insurance...

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I'm spending my kids inheritance. They can have the truck when I can't drive anymore

Re: How do you afford it?
 

Craigslist, ebay, other board member, and wrecking yards.

I spend 1 - 2 hundred a month depanding on work part im working on.

I have a good job with school dist, and wife works for medical billing. So my allowance is pretty good these days.

I also drive a 99 3500 Dually everyday that cost 3 bills a month just to pay for then about the same in fuel with the cost of fuel these days.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

No car payment and I turn wrenches for a living. Sell, trade, swap and barter for stuff. If I don't know how to do something, I'll figure it out or find someone to swap stuff or work for it. Oh, and my wife is pretty understanding.
I do keep a separate account for truck/tool stuff, that keeps me out of the 'family money' and out of trouble.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

i manage my money very well. i make 10 a hour as a manager at a restaurant, my fiance makes 10 as babysitter for a timeshare. We both work 35-40 hours a week. with low rent and living <5 miles from work it adds up fast. I intend to live below my means so i can one day afford everything in my dreams.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I ride he bus to work every day (unless I can't stand the nice weather, then I ride my motorcycle). The money I save I put into my truck. I used to (and will again soon) do custom powdercoating and either make money, or trade/deal for parts.

I work as a software engineer and live rather simply. If my wife worked full time, I would have a truck load of cash for my truck load of projects.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I work for roper staffing for a company called Jostens who make and sell graduation cap and gowns...it pays crappy but it was all I could find at the moment...Alot of the cooler stuff ive gotten thru good luck and weird twists in the way the pieces fell...the rest I save for which has been slow going and im doing everything by myself,,,I used t make decent money working fr bousch just things happen and I had to move..but in the end just good old daily grind and passion is what keeps it alive for me I reckon,,,,,

Re: How do you afford it?
 

If I could afford it both my trucks would already be fixed up. It just takes time, and money of course.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

i make minimum wage, i save all my change, i super burget my money and i work out deals with people i know for parts i need, its a long process but its better then nothing also i do as much as the work as i can so i dont have to pay for whati can do myself

Re: How do you afford it?
 

Thank god im a handy man just like so many of u.. and that i can still afford my cerveza and cigarros wich i really enjoy having while working on my trucks....:ito:

Re: How do you afford it?
 

To all of the "Young Guns" out there, you have an entire future ahead of you, you don't need to have everything now, (i.e. paint, parts, a fleet of trucks or hot rods). Education is your number 1 priority, once you graduate college your education continues because you never stop learning and don't stop learning. That being said, figure out what type of career you want and set goals, a time frame and do the research on your particular career, (remember, a job and a career are not the same). Another piece of the puzzle is living within your means, take a few additional minutes to set a budget and STICK WITH IT! If you can't afford something, don't use credit cards and sell yourself on the idea that, "you'll make it up" later, because later will never come.
Something else you should look into are investments, create your own retirement plan and don't count on the government, corporate 401k's, stock options, etc. to retire on (this should also be in your above plan, retirement).

Everyone has different views and life styles, what you young folks want in life could be something completly opposite of your best friend. In planning your "life stratedgy", make sure it's something that will make YOU happy as well as project you to your goals and help you accomplish your dreams. One last thing that may help, don't shy away from challenges, "I can't never did anything".

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I agree with that. It has been 15 years since I graduated HS and i'm finally starting to live within my means. Or my income is catching up to my living, debt is a killer 10 fold and I wish I never had a credit card when I was young.... I grew up in a mobile home and wanted EVERYTHING in the world once I started making a paycheck, bad thing is that I didn't wait for it and pay with cash.... take your time and it will happen... much better to be debt free in life...

Re: How do you afford it?
 

i don 't hunt ,golf,or smoke. i sold my fishing boat when my kids got their drivers license and didn't find time to fish with dad. i quit drinkin and found a much better life and paid off the house early. i was 47 yrs. old and found a72 cheyenne along a fence row calling out for a second chance at life. this was march of 2001. my wife gave me a second chance in nov. of 92 and so i figured why not give this truck its life back. time is on your side. take care of your family first. this costs money and my wife always knows where i am. iam pushing 55, great job,great kids and a no.1 fantastic wife!!!!!. Old money.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

Get out of debt and stay out of debt. (www.daveramsey.com)...affiliated in no way with me. Debt is not your friend...Mark Twain said ..."Dems who understands interest eans it, dems who don't pays it." Dems being slang for Them...not democrats.

I stalked the corporate ladder after 12 years in submarines. Made it to VP Operations, then started consulting. I now consult with CEOs on how to streamline their companies and make a profit about 25 hours a week ...after that I am mentally spent...so I charge nearly 200 an hour for consulting work, so I don't have to do it too much.

Do not be afraid to try something difficult and out of your comfort zone...it is the only way to grow.

Be happy...marry a nice girl (don't sweat the hips). Relationships are key. Service is the path to happiness.

Tim

Re: How do you afford it?
 

:agree: except, I hope that they don't kill each other over who HAS to take it.

Seriously, my dad died, leaving me some money. Not a lot, just enough that I could get the body and paint done after helping out our 5 kids over the past 3 decades. Now, it's my turn and since I'm now 60.....it's time. If you have a stroke, even a small one, it'll make you think about what time you may have left.....with no guarantees of even one more day. I'm getting itchy...

Another important point for life....Buy all of the house you can possibly AFFORD, but make sure your vehicle is also a good one. It doesn't have to be a full-on ride to be all you need for your family.

Affording one of these, or any, toys is (or should be) on the back burner in your life if you have a family. We do what we can, when we can, IF we can.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I lusted after the nice bikes and nice cars/trucks when I was graduating high school. I couldn't afford what I really wanted at the time.... a 1987 Grand National Buick Regal. That's when I finally realized that if I was to have those things I would have to
1. rob a bank
2. have a rich uncle die and leave me money or
3. go to college, bust my butt, sacrifice, eat ramen noodles, drive a Volkswagen with one burnt piston, live off of student loans, and reside in an old lady's basement for 2 years.

Now I'm 37 and a mechanical engineer-in-training. And I'm going back to school to further my engineering degree. I believe I paid my dues and would love to spend more money on a complete resto, but I watch the money closely and pay cash when I can.

Take care of the necessities, your family, your debts, and such. THEN spend sparingly on your hobby. It will come together, but the journey is sometimes more fulfilling than the destination.

my .02

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I carried quite a bit of debt load a few years ago myself, it was very difficult to be able to put any money into the truck or the Chevelle as a hobby fund (still not so easy, but much better) but after eliminating quite a bit like my GTO/credit lines etc, I do have freedom to do so. I do have the truck now as more of a daily driver per say, so when it needs something or I want to improve/upgrade it I just do it.

Good paying long term job (management), wife works, and sticking to a set budget does wonders as well.

On a side note, if you want something for your truck, do yourself a favor and learn to do it if you don't know already. Myself, I taught myself to paint a long time ago and have saved thousands and thousands of dollars over the years. Paint and materials still cost a ton, but saving the labor is where it matters. Engines, trans/rearend/suspension I do too (well no machining or trans rebuilding) but you get the idea.

Re: How do you afford it?
 

I joined the army to pay for college, I am now an engineer in the project management group for a forture 500 company. The key is to get to and through college with out any credit cards. Living is much simpler with fewer bills.

I also don't have a TV, it seems like you have more time to things without one. Instead of buying a new piece of equipment for your truck it is cheaper to clean it and paint it. With out a TV you have more time for projects like that.