General Music Chat

Well, here's what is bothering me today...

I live in a shithole, I mean it's a total slum disguised as middle-class apartments. We have turned them into the the township, county, and state authorities on several occasions regarding untimely repairs, infestations, mold, poor living conditions, etc.. although never getting any satisfaction...

You see, most apartments are now run by corporations, with slick lawyers, who circumvent the law seemingly at will, mostly through built-in loopholes designed to allow them to get away with whatever they want.

But anyways, that's just the symptoms of the problem that is bothering me..

What is really bothering me is that I just don't get it... how do people make a living??

We tried the "American Dream"... it turned into a nightmare.. we got married, bought our house, really something quaint and way below what they tried to sell us.. and then dot.com bust/9-11 ended my job, I couldn't get one near the same pay, and then we had our first (and only) child, who turns out to be special needs. .... we lost the house, forclosure, and went bankrupt.

So we carry no debt, live in an apartment, have wrecked credit, and I barely make enough to live check-to-check. My wife cannot work because our daughter needs 24/7 supervision/care. If she were to work, it couldn't even cover the cost of the care, much less the extra car/gas/etc...

So we put our daughter on SSI, who watches every penny I make and penalizes any extra income, and constantly tells us that we make too much money. We used to get about $127 a month, but I haven't seen a payment since last November, and we got a bill for about $650 from them (yes, really, a freeking bill), claiming we got overpaid 2 years ago (I refiled my taxes and corrected a couple of mistakes, which netted us a bigger return, ironically not even the $650 they want back)..

So every time we get any extra income, it never seems to be able to stay in savings.. the car breaks down, or something else always comes up. Things come up even when we don't have money, and sometimes, hell... oftentimes, I end up making calculated decisions on which bills to pay, and which ones have to wait until next month.

The cost of living has gone up dramatically over the last year or so, and my salary is stagnant, hell.. my JOB is stagnant, but there's nowhere to go, and side jobs have all but dried up. The economy blows. But hell.. even when it was GREAT, every wealthy corporation and individual still cried poor all the way to the bank, and today ain't no different, other than people like me are just suffering more...

So me and the wife both quit smoking two months ago, sadly it was more of a financial decision than a conscious health choice. We thought that would put us back into the black, but alas, gas went back up, and my health insurance just went through open enrollement, our family coverage just halved in actual benefits, yet the premiums and ALL co-pay's doubled. Talk about getting effed in the A with no lube.. I'd pay LESS by paying cash at the doctor's office for a standard visit than if I use my benefits. wtf?!?

So here I am, going on 40, and still living life from check to check, with a crappy associates degree and PC skills out the wazoo, and can't make a living. How do people get ahead???

Kramerguy, what kind of PC skills do you have out your wazoo? Do you have a resume posted anywhere on the net? My son is in telecommunications and is pretty much self taught. The only degrees he has are from on the job certifications, but he gets job offers so much that he has to keep his resume deactivated unless he is ready for a new job. He was working for Verizon in NJ up untill a few months ago when he activated his resume just to see what was out there and the first day he got a bunch of offers and one was so good he couldn't turn it down. Moved to Scottsdale, AZ and loves the new job. Anyway, if you need info on where to place that resume and you're willing to relocate for a good job, I'll check with him and get it for you. Maybe you'll find a killer job in an area where you could kick a$$ in music too.
ratsass@ratsass101.com
let me know

Hey Ratsass-

A friend called me yesterday to offer me a job downtown philly, it could potentially pay up to 60k a year (I make about 42 now), BUT.. factor in extra gas / travel / philly wage taxes / time / and the fact that it's 2nd shift, so music income would cease (as would the fun), and bam, I don't see a net gain.

I don't have an updated resume online, but generally speaking, I have basic SQL skills (not programming), but setting up servers, databases, backup, queries, managaing data and datasets, etc.

Also have a lot of general pc and network skills, I used to troubleshoot hardward and software, as well as I worked at a helpdesk for a couple of years. Right now I'm considered a "software specialist" which means basic "backup monkey" - I made about 50k at my last pc job, and this was the best I could do after 5 years of looking...

the problem is that with my previous salary history combined with my generic skill set, I'm either underqualified for a job because of skills, or overqualified for a job, because of salary.

the 50-60k area is really grey, and tough to maintain, the 70+ area is impossible without a specialization and associated certifications (which I can't afford, the courses are $thousands, and I can't barely pay my electric bill)..

so yeah, I guess I'm sounded like a pessimistic jerk right now.. shouldn't shoot down genuine offers... I will email you my resume - see what you think (or what your son thinks)

Thanks RA-

Hey, I grossed about 15k last year. Everything I own is payed for and my bills are all caught up. I lived for years from paycheck to paycheck and finally got sick of it and paid off everything as fast as I could while the money was there. Boy, am I glad now as I am self employed living off of music only. BTW, I've never drawn anything from the government, even in the hardest of times. Not so much a pride thing as, if I can help it, I won't be a draw on what others may need. Sadly, too many draw that don't deserve it so the ones that need it can't get it. Life in America.

If you could get someone (like a grandma) to help out with the kid during the day maybe your wife could work, that would help. But what I would do is move to Philly and go back to school. Getting your BS (computer science?) is the only way you're going to break that 50-60k barrier. You would also have access to a bigger pool of musicians and venues so your gigging chances would increase. Best wishes.

Maybe set your house up as a daycare and take in a couple of tykes for other working moms so your wife can stay home, raise your child with others around and earn some extra income. We did that during hard times when our kids were little.

If you could get someone (like a grandma) to help out with the kid during the day maybe your wife could work, that would help. But what I would do is move to Philly and go back to school. Getting your BS (computer science?) is the only way you're going to break that 50-60k barrier. You would also have access to a bigger pool of musicians and venues so your gigging chances would increase. Best wishes.

Sadly, one set of parents are incapable of being responsible for a special needs child (they are on a supervised visit only schedule now because of stunts they've pulled) and the other set wants nothing to do with her, or us. We don't fit into their social circle, nor is a special needs child acceptable to them, it seems. They won't say it, but over the last year, we've produced about 40 opportunities for them to spend time with her, and they've turned down every one of them..

That's just another notch on the belt of frustrations though.. but yeah, I've been thinking of moving to philly just because of the convenience of not needing to own transportation, and all the associated costs.. but wouldn't the increased cost of living and everything just even that out? Frankly, I'd rather live out in the sticks where we are, I'm not too big on the big city life, smog, and overcrowding..

It really seems like 60k there is no different than 40k here.

Maybe set your house up as a daycare and take in a couple of tykes for other working moms so your wife can stay home, raise your child with others around and earn some extra income. We did that during hard times when our kids were little.

tried that one, she lacks the ... .aptitude to deal with that scenario, one is enough.

tried that one, she lacks the ... .aptitude to deal with that scenario, one is enough.

Has she tried duct tape?

tried that one, she lacks the ... .aptitude to deal with that scenario, one is enough.

Has she tried duct tape?

hmmm....


naaaa..


Back onto topic, what's frustrating me is that i SEE people doing it.. making ends meet, always have that extra $$ put aside for emergencies, never pay a bill late, never complain about not being able to pay for something needed...

How do they do it? I've budgeted and re-budgeted and nothing seems to work.

I think I'm just one of those people who is bad with money. I know my wife is.. and we agreed years ago that I would handle the finances, but I'm thinking I'm no better these days lol.. is there any tricks or tips? I know sounds stupid.. there's a billion.. but why does it seem so hard just to gain an inch>?

Most people's problem with money is not looking to the future at the right time. Think back, what did you do when you were making good money the last time? Treat yourself to goodies that you had maybe done without for awhile? Most people do. I used to. The trick is, when you're making better money for a change, don't change your lifestyle. Use that extra money to pay off what you can, knowing that it ain't gonna last forever. Then when hard times come (and they will), you'll be way ahead in the game if you have less payments to make. The trouble is, when you're down, you can't do that and the least little unexpected bill will send you deeper, making it even harder to climb out. I know this doesn't help much now, but you're young enough, you'll make it through this somehow, and maybe when better days are upon you, you'll think harder about being more prepared for hard times.
When I said everything I own is paid for, keep in mind that, I have a house and 3 1/2 acres, but it's a shabby old house. I have a car and two vans, but it's a '94 Grand Prix that is dented and the door handle is messed up and the drivers side window won't go down and it's running on used tires. One van is a '91 Ford that I use mainly for hauling equipment around in and the other is an '86 Chevy that isn't running right so I parked it and use it for storage because I don't need it right now and can't afford to have it worked on or tagged and insured. I live by myself, so I don't have to worry about providing for anyone else. I have lots of musical equipment, but much of it needs work. The thing is, I sacrifice a better way of life so that I can have the toys I want for my music. It's not for everyone, but it works for me.
Nothing is easy and your goals are your own to shoot for.

It's not just about budgeting. It's about making the most out of the money you DO spend.

My wife and I are both professionals, but we still grocery shop like when we first got married; she uses every coupon she can find; she only buys certain items when they're on sale, etc.

Apply that sort of thoroughness and discipline to ALL your spending. Figure out how to be efficient with EVERY dollar. Treat your savings account LIKE A BILL. As in, "I have to put X dollars into the savings account this month because it's a bill..."

I could never save a dime till my wife and i quit smoking, We done it on a promise I would take her on a nice vacation to an island somewhere. That was 8 yrs ago and we still havent been on a vacation. The following june 13, a friday, I was laid off by some people I really trusted a lot and thought I wouldnt have to worry about my job. But thhings happen for a reason I guess as I was able to take the money I was saving for that trip and start my own business. Its been 6 years now and sometimes I get sick as hell of dealing with a public that has no idea of what being in business is like. If I hadnt been beat out of the near 20k last year by a bunch of people who never intended to pay me from the start Id be on that island right now having a cold one. Then my employees are real important to me and I work my ass off just trying to make sure they stay busy. The point Im trying to get at kramer is dont let yourself forget that you can do anything you want, and acheive any goal you set. But it will never be easy and hard times are always going to mess with you. I never wanted to start a business at 43 years old, but I wouldnt have it any other way now. My customers , employees, and family are worth everything I put into it.

And its another day in Paradise !!!
Right Ratsass ???

I've actually been thinking about that A LOT lately collaborator---

I know that the law of averages says a few things:

1. If I keep doing what I'm doing, eventually, something will happen that I cannot financially withstand - it happens enough that the "big one" is inevitible.

2. Also that if I start a business it will likely fail, no matter how good the business idea or plan is.

3. I will most likely fail a few more times.

4. So long as I keep trying, and try "smart", I will eventually succeed, most likely to a point that is sustainable.


So knowing all that, I just need to come up with a few niche's... I fould a couple that can be done on the side, I've mentioned them here before, but in reality, none of my current endeavors could support a family- So I've been pondering.. and kind of waiting-hoping the economy turns around and people at least get back into the black and start spending again (I know.. MONTHS away even if the market bounced back today...

So anyways, that's the loose plan..

Other than that, yeah, we still shop like we did when we had our efficency apt.. oodles of noodles still make for cheap lunches more than should be necessary.

We did fail to save the "ahead" money only for reasons of "large" purchases, and I also bought some music gear, without selling off the replacement items (see sig lol).. so yeah, a little bit of irresponsibility....

I will work on that!

My wife and I can make 100k + in a year, but we work a lot and very hard.
My checking balance is probably 20 bucks. We have always lived check to almost the next check. Yes, we spend some cash on things most people would consider unimportant, but you cant take it with you, and life must have it's little joys.
We have four kids and that has been expensive and a blessing to us.
If we can hang on about 7 years our home (and my shop) will be paid for again.
Then again my sons are now 13 and 14 soon to drive and need more education.
I will probably die working in my scrubs after telling my patients that they will get their damn pills when I finish taking mine!
It is then I will meet my Father n heaven. He has told me he will never give me more than I can bear in this life, Though sometimes I feel he must think I am one tough SOB.
Life is good.