Post: #26

Average spending probably 1800 dollars per month. If i made more money is obvious that my life would change, i would basically have "stronger holidays".

Post: #27

Live in West LA, which is relatively expensive although after getting back from Hong Kong, Singapore and NYC, I am starting to see that it's not so bad. I keep an excel spreadsheet of my finances and it shows that I consistently spend about $4200-$4500 a month. Luckily, I'm not into cars or electronics like most guys, and I have a shit ton of airline miles and hotel points to cut down on travel costs, but I eat/drink out way too much.

As for my life changing, it totally would with more money. I always state my goal is $3-5million liquid: can easily make 3% tax free on half of that in muni bonds and the rest diversified into RE and other... Interesting opportunities I've found in some of the ethnic communities here in LA. That would support my daily activities with or without a day job and ideally not deplete the principal very much if at all.

Post: #28

I recently left my high-paying job to take some time off to travel and refine my global game. My fixed expenses now are about $900, which include car/insurance, health ins, gym, cell phone. I'm just starting my travels, so I have yet to see how much those expenses will be.

I'm going to preach for a minute so if you don't want to listen, this is your cue to move on.

To those of you who are poor and aspire to make money and live the "baller" lifestyle, get your head out of your ass.

I was the same way. When I was poor, all I focused on was making "real money" so I could buy a hot car, nice clothes, nice pad, travel and fuck women all day and night.

The reality is, the more money I made, the more I started to save and the more I became obsessed with watching it grow. It actually pained me to spend $200 on a night out. I was spending more on my lifestyle when I made $40k than when I was making $150k+.

It got to the point before I left my job that if I had to choose between spending $200 on a night out to bang a 6, or staying in and saving the money, I saved. I was $200 closer to Freedom. And I was $200 closer to quitting my job and living for me.

I had a great social life and a rotation of women, but as I made more, I challenged myself to save more and that meant spending less on bullshit bar tabs and food that is one step above pig shit.

When I go out with friends, I'll buy every round if they let me. But I don't piss away money on strangers who aren't part of my group. I don't spend money on women are looking for a free drink. And I don't ever spend money to look cool, because it doesn't work. You think you're cool flashing some bills and buying the drinks, but you're really the sucker everyone laughs at as they sip from your bottle. Oops, there goes that girl you were trying to impress, right out the door with the hairy guy with black hair and a beard who was chilling at the bar by himself all night (his tab = $15). But he thanks you for the easy bang.

Look, it's true that as your income grows your expenses will grow and you'll want to spend a little more to upgrade your lifestyle. That's cool man, but if you keep this growth under control, spend wisely and don't commit yourself to long-term debt, you'll be surprised at how many more options you'll have in life.

Here's the great secret in life that people in America can't seem to figure out: We call this Freedom.

Every dollar you save buys a little bit more of your personal freedom. Freedom from your parents, freedom from the corporate life, freedom from American women. Freedom is the real dream. There's nothing wrong with pursuing business ideas to try and get rich, but do it for "you," don't do it so you can impress a woman. And don't pursue wealth so you can be a "baller."

You hear a lot of guys talk about this baller lifestyle. Don't get caught up in this bullshit. Guys who are pulling in millions can spend on the penthouses and lifestyle. Guys who are pulling in $100k, $200k, can't.

That's the downfall of so many young guys who start to make money -- they get the taste of breaking the six-digit barrier and they think they rule the world. The fact is, $100k-$200k is a lot but you're not fucking Jay-Z. You aren't given VIP, red-carpet status when you roll to the club. In NYC, DC, Miami, L.A., you're a small guy. You're better off living a modest lifestyle and saving what you can.

$1000 buys you table service and one night out in Las Vegas or it buys you a full month in Thailand fucking horny Euro girls passing through on their holiday. Or, it buys you a domain name, web-hosting, and a few months of business expenses.

Take Aliblahba as an example since he just posted above: he works like eight months out of the year and saves and then goes and spends it doing shit most guys only dream of. Not to impress others or live a fake lifestyle, but to do what he wants, how he wants, when he wants. He marches to the tune of his own drum, and you should too. Don't buy into the other bullshit. Buy your freedom and pursue happiness, not some fake lifestyle.

In the short time that I've been on this forum, I've seen a positive change in the "lifestyle" sub-forum. There used to be more threads touting the high-life, the road to riches, nice cars, penthouses and all that unrealistic bullshit that I'm sure most of the guys who brag about it, don't actually have.

Today, we see more threads on being frugal, eating right, bathing in apple cider vinegar (or whatever) and brushing your teeth with baking soda. That's where it's at man. Listen to the vets around here like MikeCF who give practical and realistic life advice. Forget about the pimp lifestyle because it's a facade.

Be smart with your money and buy your freedom.

Post: #29

Location: The Westside, Los Angeles
Major Expenses:
Rent - ~$1000
Utilities ~$50
Phone - $70
Food $300-500
Car - $150+ in gas
Insurance - $150
Alcohol - $100-200?
Gym - $50
Random other purchases

Plus occasional clothing, furniture purchases. So, something like $2k a month. If I had more money, I'd upgrade my place, and probably stop being so fucking cheap about going out to events that cost $20 here and there. I wish I could get rid of my car, but I need it to drive to work.

Post: #30

Basic living expenses: $3,600

Area: Central London
Rent - 1600
Cell - 53
Supplements - 80
Food - 860
Gym - 53
MMA membership - 112
Gas - 64
Student Loans - 750

I also generally end up making one big purchase every month or so, either a vacation, new suit, high end shoes, etc.

Post: #31

(09-28-2012 09:41 AM)Smitty Wrote:  I recently left my high-paying job to take some time off to travel and refine my global game. My fixed expenses now are about $900, which include car/insurance, health ins, gym, cell phone. I'm just starting my travels, so I have yet to see how much those expenses will be.

I'm going to preach for a minute so if you don't want to listen, this is your cue to move on.

To those of you who are poor and aspire to make money and live the "baller" lifestyle, get your head out of your ass.

I was the same way. When I was poor, all I focused on was making "real money" so I could buy a hot car, nice clothes, nice pad, travel and fuck women all day and night.

The reality is, the more money I made, the more I started to save and the more I became obsessed with watching it grow. It actually pained me to spend $200 on a night out. I was spending more on my lifestyle when I made $40k than when I was making $150k+.

It got to the point before I left my job that if I had to choose between spending $200 on a night out to bang a 6, or staying in and saving the money, I saved. I was $200 closer to Freedom. And I was $200 closer to quitting my job and living for me.

I had a great social life and a rotation of women, but as I made more, I challenged myself to save more and that meant spending less on bullshit bar tabs and food that is one step above pig shit.

When I go out with friends, I'll buy every round if they let me. But I don't piss away money on strangers who aren't part of my group. I don't spend money on women are looking for a free drink. And I don't ever spend money to look cool, because it doesn't work. You think you're cool flashing some bills and buying the drinks, but you're really the sucker everyone laughs at as they sip from your bottle. Oops, there goes that girl you were trying to impress, right out the door with the hairy guy with black hair and a beard who was chilling at the bar by himself all night (his tab = $15). But he thanks you for the easy bang.

Look, it's true that as your income grows your expenses will grow and you'll want to spend a little more to upgrade your lifestyle. That's cool man, but if you keep this growth under control, spend wisely and don't commit yourself to long-term debt, you'll be surprised at how many more options you'll have in life.

Here's the great secret in life that people in America can't seem to figure out: We call this Freedom.

Every dollar you save buys a little bit more of your personal freedom. Freedom from your parents, freedom from the corporate life, freedom from American women. Freedom is the real dream. There's nothing wrong with pursuing business ideas to try and get rich, but do it for "you," don't do it so you can impress a woman. And don't pursue wealth so you can be a "baller."

You hear a lot of guys talk about this baller lifestyle. Don't get caught up in this bullshit. Guys who are pulling in millions can spend on the penthouses and lifestyle. Guys who are pulling in $100k, $200k, can't.

That's the downfall of so many young guys who start to make money -- they get the taste of breaking the six-digit barrier and they think they rule the world. The fact is, $100k-$200k is a lot but you're not fucking Jay-Z. You aren't given VIP, red-carpet status when you roll to the club. In NYC, DC, Miami, L.A., you're a small guy. You're better off living a modest lifestyle and saving what you can.

$1000 buys you table service and one night out in Las Vegas or it buys you a full month in Thailand fucking horny Euro girls passing through on their holiday. Or, it buys you a domain name, web-hosting, and a few months of business expenses.

Take Aliblahba as an example since he just posted above: he works like eight months out of the year and saves and then goes and spends it doing shit most guys only dream of. Not to impress others or live a fake lifestyle, but to do what he wants, how he wants, when he wants. He marches to the tune of his own drum, and you should too. Don't buy into the other bullshit. Buy your freedom and pursue happiness, not some fake lifestyle.

In the short time that I've been on this forum, I've seen a positive change in the "lifestyle" sub-forum. There used to be more threads touting the high-life, the road to riches, nice cars, penthouses and all that unrealistic bullshit that I'm sure most of the guys who brag about it, don't actually have.

Today, we see more threads on being frugal, eating right, bathing in apple cider vinegar (or whatever) and brushing your teeth with baking soda. That's where it's at man. Listen to the vets around here like MikeCF who give practical and realistic life advice. Forget about the pimp lifestyle because it's a facade.

Be smart with your money and buy your freedom.

Post: #32

I live in my own apartment and completely on my own with a humble lifestyle, on a budget of about 800 $/month. I'm fairly happy, although definitely constricted. If I had 1000 $/month I'd be doing great, and with 1500-2000$ I'd feel like the king of the world. I can't imagine why I'd ever need more money than that.

Post: #33

A few questions:

1. What are you guys doing for living that you're able to have 7k+ in out going expenses?
2. How much are you guys saving per month?
3. Any kinds of investments?
4. Other sources of income other than your main job?

The other question: How are some of you guys spending 700+ a month on gas?? And 1K+ on food seems pretty high, unless it's for an entire family.

Post: #34

(09-28-2012 10:56 AM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  I live in my own apartment and completely on my own with a humble lifestyle, on a budget of about 800 $/month. I'm fairly happy, although definitely constricted. If I had 1000 $/month I'd be doing great, and with 1500-2000$ I'd feel like the king of the world. I can't imagine why I'd ever need more money than that.

Where you at Creepy?

Post: #35

Split, Croatia. I don't know if we're cheap (doubtful, since all tourists say that we're very expensive for a country of our GDP/living standard) or I'm very frugal. I wouldn't say that I'm shorting myself in any department, though I'll admit that I don't have a car but it's not needed at all here.

p.s. the average wage in Croatia is 5500 kn (cca 1050$)

Post: #36

Rent: $1,800 All included
Car Insurance: $200 on my own car.
Food: $600
GAS: $200 on my own car.
TOLLS: $100 (COMPANY pays for it)
CLOTHES: $400
CAR WASH: $40
CLEANING LADY: $100
DRY CLEANERS: $100
WEED, DRINKS AND PARTY: $400-$500
GYM: $50
HOBBIES: $200, Guitar strings, golf clubs, new cables, capos, etc...

Company cellphone, company car.

Post: #37

(09-28-2012 02:39 PM)Palo_alto Wrote:  Rent: $1,800 All included
Car Insurance: $200 on my own car.
Food: $600
GAS: $200 on my own car.
TOLLS: $100 (COMPANY pays for it)
CLOTHES: $400
CAR WASH: $40
CLEANING LADY: $100
DRY CLEANERS: $100
WEED, DRINKS AND PARTY: $400-$500
GYM: $50
HOBBIES: $200, Guitar strings, golf clubs, new cables, capos, etc...

Company cellphone, company car.

Wow! about 5k in Chile? Where the deuces is the Gmanifesto? I would love to see his run down here..

Post: #38

(09-28-2012 02:45 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(09-28-2012 02:39 PM)Palo_alto Wrote:  Rent: $1,800 All included
Car Insurance: $200 on my own car.
Food: $600
GAS: $200 on my own car.
TOLLS: $100 (COMPANY pays for it)
CLOTHES: $400
CAR WASH: $40
CLEANING LADY: $100
DRY CLEANERS: $100
WEED, DRINKS AND PARTY: $400-$500
GYM: $50
HOBBIES: $200, Guitar strings, golf clubs, new cables, capos, etc...

Company cellphone, company car.

Wow! about 5k in Chile? Where the deuces is the Gmanifesto? I would love to see his run down here..

That is in Northern Cali.

In Chile:

I rent an apartment with a roommate in the best area of Santiago. Not because I am fancy, only because it gives me great logistics for where the hottest lizards go.

1 dollar = $490 Chilean Pesos (10 Year Average)

Rent: $500
Utilities: $100
Food:$100 (I get free lunch and dinner tickets at work)
Car Insurance: $60
Parking: $150
Public transportation: $50
Weed, drinks and party: $400 (Chile can be as expensive as the US when it comes to partying hard) after parties, drugs,etc...
Cleaning lady: $80
GAS: $100
Hobbies: Surf wax, snowboarding lifts,etc...$100

Company pays for my phone, health insurance, dentist, accidents,lunch, dinner, etc...

I am 100% liquid. Well, some of the inventory in my business aren{t but those are technicaly not mine anyways.

Post: #39

Quote:Oops, there goes that girl you were trying to impress, right out the door with the hairy guy with black hair and a beard who was chilling at the bar by himself all night (his tab = $15). But he thanks you for the easy bang.

Post: #40

quote='Smitty' pid='276807' dateline='1348843269']
Be smart with your money and buy your freedom.
[/quote]

This man speaks sense. I enjoyed your whole post but didn't want to take up half a page by quoting it.

(09-28-2012 02:26 PM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  Split, Croatia. I don't know if we're cheap (doubtful, since all tourists say that we're very expensive for a country of our GDP/living standard) or I'm very frugal.

I visited Split a few years ago and it's not that cheap, more expensive than other parts of Croatia for sure.

Post: #41

Are there any non-USA based mint users on here? I like the site but not sure how comfortable I'd be giving all of my banking info to a site that stores the data in the USA, maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Smitty, great post! I was also surprised at how much more cheaper I became when I actually started making decent amounts of money and am almost obsessed with watching my savings grow and avoiding frivolous spending.

Post: #42

(09-28-2012 09:38 PM)scotian Wrote:  Are there any non-USA based mint users on here? I like the site but not sure how comfortable I'd be giving all of my banking info to a site that stores the data in the USA, maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Scotian, I'm U.S based, but very paranoid when it comes to keeping my data in the cloud, or sharing it with companies; especially financial information.

I can tell you I've been using mint.com since 2008 and I'm comfortable with the site for a few reasons.

1) Intuit owns mint.com. Intuit is the same company that makes quicken and turbo tax - the world's best-selling tax software. They have strict standards for protecting user data (the gov't would destroy them if tax returns were exposed on the net).

2) Mint does not allow you to make any type of transaction with your accounts so even if someone received access to your account, they would not be able to take your money. The person or group would simply see a snapshot of your accounts/balances, which does not include account numbers.

3) My name/address is not attached to my account. Now, my primary email address has my name in it (bad security on my part), so if someone got my login (which is my email) they'd be able to figure out my name, but not my address, social security number or any other critical information required to build a profile on me to transfer my money without my knowledge.

Just a few thoughts to consider. I use the site almost every day for a snapshot of my finances.

If no one drops a data sheet on it by next week, I'll try to put something together.

Post: #43

I'm kind of obsessed with mint. I check it every day even when I KNOW nothing much has happened.

Coincidentally, I started a job where I make more than I ever have, got a little cash scam on the side, at around the same time I discovered mint.

It's been said throughout this thread already; when I was making half as much as I am now, I was spending more. I got "caught up". I still love nights out, spitting game and whatnot, but it's exactly like cocaine. Once the drug wears off, you look at the cost and it very often doesn't add up.

It's very gratifying to have all the data right in front of you, something about the mint interface is highly addicting. I've never cared so much about building personal wealth until recently.

Post: #44

(09-27-2012 06:03 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  In the thread where Roosh dropped his Euro budget, guys started talking monthly expenses.

I'm curious what you all drop. I'm also curious what type of place you live (major metro, medium city, small city, small town) in. Most of all I'm curious to know: Would more money change your life?

Me: Major metro. (Top #10 expensive places to live in U.S.)

According to mint.com (is there a data sheet on that site? It's the bomb), my average monthly spending is $5,200. That includes lighter months like $4,600 that average out heavier months like the holidays ($8,100 and $8,800 in Dec. and Jan. respectively). ETA: student loans. So I'm $5,200 to live my lifestyle each month.

I'm self-employed so I owe quarterly taxes, so I didn't include those, as that would raise my monthly "all in" considerably.

More money would not change my life. Ignoring the "how to add in taxes to calculate monthly expense" issue...If I earned $5,200 a month after taxes, I could live the life I desire.

If I want something, I buy it. Most of my money goes towards food, gym memberships, supplements, and books.

I do not have a taste for what guys spend a lot of money on...no watches, custom suits, no house (I rent and have a roommate), and my car is a POS.

If you gave me a million dollars, I wouldn't upgrade my car or apartment and I wouldn't buy a Rolex.

MikeCF you used to advise a lot on here that young men should focus in money during their 20s so they can party off in their 30s, however it seems like you dont spend that much money and i bet there are people on here who needs way less. I guess 60k per year is enough for you, right?

And you live in an expensive city, imagine how much the guys who are looking to live in south america or asia will need per year.

The idea of becoming filthy rich is almost completely out of my mind,however, i want enough to live the lifestyle of my dreams, i seriously believe 50k per year will do it.

Post: #45

(09-27-2012 07:58 PM)Moma Wrote:  

(09-27-2012 07:24 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  Damn you guys spend a lot. I'm a student, but my parents pay for my food/housing/tuition. I hardly spend $ either. I'll calculate this for post grad. I live in one of the most expensive cities in north America.

Rent: $650/month (roommates, but a big place)
Food: $350/month
Entertainment: $100/month

Total: $1100

When I'm out of school and have a job ill probably throw another $200 in for other expenses because I pretty much don't buy anything.

Perfectly doable on minimum wage here $10/hr, but I wouldn't be saving very much.

Is Vancouver more expensive than Toronto? Break down rent in Vancouver for me. As well as car insurance. Do you lot have LCBO as well? Or can you buy your liquor anywhere?

I am so glad I am away from that nanny bullshyt of buying liquor from designated stores.

I think it is, or at least its close to as expensive.
If you want a 1br downtown close to all the bars it'll be ~$2000/month. If you go to main st/commercial (hipster area) you could be paying $~800. Where I am (kits/ubc) its about the same as the hipster area but you'd more than likely be in a basement suite or something. You can get an apt on campus for ~1500-2k.month but its kind of out of the way unless you only want to game college girls.

The cheapest liquor is at the bc liquor stores. Other than that you can only get it at private liquor stores which are a bit more expensive.

Post: #46

(09-28-2012 09:41 AM)Smitty Wrote:  In the short time that I've been on this forum, I've seen a positive change in the "lifestyle" sub-forum. There used to be more threads touting the high-life, the road to riches, nice cars, penthouses and all that unrealistic bullshit that I'm sure most of the guys who brag about it, don't actually have.

Today, we see more threads on being frugal, eating right, bathing in apple cider vinegar (or whatever) and brushing your teeth with baking soda. That's where it's at man. Listen to the vets around here like MikeCF who give practical and realistic life advice. Forget about the pimp lifestyle because it's a facade.

Be smart with your money and buy your freedom.

What a great post. One of the best I have read on this forum.

Post: #47

(09-29-2012 11:49 AM)thedude3737 Wrote:  I'm kind of obsessed with mint. I check it every day even when I KNOW nothing much has happened.

Likewise. I used to be horrible with money. I would have late fees even when I had money to pay bills.

Credit was at dirt.

Now I check in on Mint (with the iPhone app) just like I check email. Takes a few secons with the appl.

Post: #48

(09-30-2012 08:00 PM)pitt Wrote:  MikeCF you used to advise a lot on here that young men should focus in money during their 20s so they can party off in their 30s, however it seems like you dont spend that much money and i bet there are people on here who needs way less. I guess 60k per year is enough for you, right?

I still do. I have always been anti "four hour workweek"/fraud lifestyle. Put those hours in when you have a lot of energy and promise.

I work much less harder than I did 10 years ago.

I never advocated spending a lot of money though. Probably a lot of people assumed that, since the default in the U.S. is, "Make money so you can spend it."

If you don't have kids, 80K is plenty for a city other than New York.

80K even in a high tax state like Cali is $4,500 a month after taxes. That's workable if you don't get caught up in status purchases (nice car, watches, brand clothing, logos) and are fine with having a roommate.

http://www.paycheckcity.com/

Incidentally, happiness doesn't increase much past 75K.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/articl...28,00.html

Yyou need to have some cash stashed because shit will go down in your life. You need that safety net.

Post: #49

I've been using Mint since I graduated and started work. Awesome website. I'm in a major midwest city:

rent: $775
phone: $50
internet: $45
gas: $250
food: $350
gym: $20
and $500 for drugs, booze, concerts, etc.

Comes out to $2000 a month. I'm saving quite a bit with this budget, I can't see myself spending much more. Maybe a better apartment? Anyways, my goal for the next few years is to develop a location-independent income and start seeing the world. I basically want Roosh's life haha.

Post: #50

I spend about $15k per month, which has been fairly flat for the past 5 years. Sounds like a lot but is it a very small percentage of my net worth. Most of my spending is variable/discretionary and I can deduct 80% of the costs through my LLC. Rough numbers -

Housing - $3k
Cars - $3k
Travel - $4k
Food - $1k
Entertainment - $4k
Total - $15k

Some notes - 1) housing looks light compared to everything else because I don't have a mortgage 2) I live in Chicago (city, not burbs) 3) I am single 4) I am 38

Also, anyone who says more money would not change their life is ignorant. In my professional career, I have made $30k per year...and also close to $2mm. Trust me, it changes your life but not necessarily in a "I blow cash now on $500 shoes" kind of way. You start thinking about helping out your parents, certain charities, etc. Legacy type stuff. Having money doesn't change people, it just intensifies what is already there (if you were an jackass when broke, you will be a huge ass with money. If you were generous before, you will be setting up endowments when you have money. This has been 100% true for every person I have met who went from middle class to wealthy)