How do you guys with the G23 afford these boats?? Am i missing some trick?? LMK

[Connor]

V8 Killer- Just out of curiosity, what business did you start when you were 18?

[V8 Killer]

V8 Killer- Just out of curiosity, what business did you start when you were 18?

An internet-based computer hardware company + built computers locally. Keep in mind this was the late '90s when there was more market share available and prices were higher. Sold the company in 2001 as my racing/performance company had really taken off and was both more fun and more profitable.

[swc5150]

I like reading stories of those who've built businesses, as I find them very inspiring. Keep them coming! I would love to attempt my own business again one day, but I find my career to be very rewarding with company I work for. I'd also prefer to wait for a more business friendly administration before any such attempt. Sorry for being somewhat political, but I deal first hand everyday with the challenges government has laid upon us, as no doubt many of you do as well.

[ES]

I like reading stories of those who've built businesses, as I find them very inspiring. Keep them coming! I would love to attempt my own business again one day, but I find my career to be very rewarding with company I work for. I'd also prefer to wait for a more business friendly administration before any such attempt. Sorry for being somewhat political, but I deal first hand everyday with the challenges government has laid upon us, as no doubt many of you do as well.

Self employed here as well. The govt regulations are not a big deal, especially if you keep below 50 employees. In fact, when you at the global landscape, the US is one of the best countries to run a small business and build your "American dream". Depending on what business you run, you can make multiples vs. a regular employed job, but it does take a very different work approach - no 9 to 5 schedule, 5 working days a week.
As V8 Killer was saying, as long as you love what you do, it doesn't wear you down as much.
And you obviously take a lot more personal/financial risk, but clearly that is offset by higher potential for returns...

[laurie8888]

sacrifice not living in your home country with friends and family and live in middle east for past 12 years earning tax free salary in oil and gas, that's how I did it

[swc5150]

I agree ES. I do have my own business on the side, but it's such a labor of of love, I'm amazed I get paid well to do it and don't consider it work (pro musician).

[ers906]

I would agree with most of the above advice, but one thing I havent seen mentioned (I might have missed it) is be judicious with your $. When you are 18, a new set up every year is not needed. It is ok to not to go out drinking with your friends at every opportunity. A used car may not be sexy, but if you meet a girl that will only have sex with you because of your ride, you will have more problems in the future than being able to afford a G23. Make a budget and stick with it. Live on what you need, not what you can. Going to school is not a guarantee in financial success, but in most cases it can help. Apply for every grant, no or low interest loan etc that you can find. Try to graduate a semester early, etc. For the record, none of these are fun or popular decisions to make at the time, however, if your end goal is a G23 (or a house paid off, or your kids not having to pay their way through college, etc). There are some people who happen to have a great idea, at the right time, and make their $. I would love to have been one of them, but unfortunately I am not. Since the G series came out, and I realized that the woman that I am in love with has 4 children (10, 12,13, 15) and knowing that my current 2002 SAN will not be large enough and that bonding with them on the lake is more important than my free time has been over the last year, I have been working 15-16 hour days. It is all about priorities. Make yours a G, and you will find a way.

[SkiTundra]

I met a guy last year who'd just paid cash for a new X-star. He and his wife are really in to boarding and decided when they got married that they wanted the boat. That was five or six years ago. They bought a 1940's WWII cape cod which was smaller than they wanted and not in their desired neighborhood. Decided that cars were really expensive so sold both and mostly ride bikes to work and pubs except on really bad weather days when they ride the bus. They don't drink much - too expensive. BTW, they vowed not to have any debt except for their house. They paid off college loans before saving up for the boat. They expected their next big purchase to be a car but have decided they don't need one nearly as much as they thought so are saving up for a nicer house. I'm guessing they sleep pretty well at night. If Corey's reading this maybe he'll know more of the story.

[gate9869]

Lots of good stories and advice !! I am also self employed and never finished college due to my business taking off. I spent a lot of long hours working while all my friends who were in college were partying. Its hard on a Friday night when they are all headed to OU or OSU to party and you cant go because you have to be up at 6am. I did miss some good times for sure but looking back, it was well worth it !! I like what ers said ... if there is a will .. there is a way !! Also it depends where your priorities are and what you want in life. I bought my first new boat when I was 20 but still rented a house with friends. When I finally did buy a house I bought a 3 bedroom ranch nothing major just a nice house that was big enough for me its 5 years old now and still does the job haha I would rather have a g and a nice truck with a decent house than a 500k house and no g but that is just me !! Starting your own company can definitely have great benefits but on the other hand its a lot of work, stress, and at the end of the day it falls back on you !! It also takes time ( in most cases) before you start making decent money. College is a great way to go to esp if you go for certain things where you are guaranteed to make 6 figures when you get out. Only bad thing is once you graduate with a degree to do that you usually have a high amount of debt. If you are able to work, get grants, scholarships and pay for as much of your classes as possible esp for you under grad and then teach at the college while you go for you masters it will also save you some money. That's what my gf did and she was able to come out with a low amount of debt.

[swankster]

My parents taught me to save money. It was tithe 10%, save 15% and live on the rest. It easy to live on less if you start out that way. Anyway, this is not what you young guys want to hear but after 30 years of savings (and owning Bayliners and jet skis), I bought the 230 and still should be able to put 3 kids through college debt free. Two year later and a great SAT score by my oldest, I made the upgrade to the G. I may try to do the AllianceBJJ deals to keep the boat new and fresh (I think it works in N.TX) with a great market and smart dealer. But if that doesn't work out I'm extremely happy with the one I have. Yes, it would have been nice to have one when I was younger, but my buddy had an MC that we skied behind and my Bayliner was the party boat and life was good. So my advice to those who cannot afford it now is five fold. 1) pay yourself first (save) 2) become a friend to someone who has one and buy the gas (most people that come out with me are 10 to 30 years younger), 3) work hard, 4) be content, 5) make smart choices. In case you are wondering this is from a 50+ year old CPA with an MBA, who got the privilege of seeing 27 kids wakeboard for the first time behind his old 230. That makes my happy.

[aarond0083]

I met a guy last year who'd just paid cash for a new X-star. He and his wife are really in to boarding and decided when they got married that they wanted the boat. That was five or six years ago. They bought a 1940's WWII cape cod which was smaller than they wanted and not in their desired neighborhood. Decided that cars were really expensive so sold both and mostly ride bikes to work and pubs except on really bad weather days when they ride the bus. They don't drink much - too expensive. BTW, they vowed not to have any debt except for their house. They paid off college loans before saving up for the boat. They expected their next big purchase to be a car but have decided they don't need one nearly as much as they thought so are saving up for a nicer house. I'm guessing they sleep pretty well at night. If Corey's reading this maybe he'll know more of the story.

Buying or saving for a 100K+ boat forcing you to make sacrifices with your home is not smart IMO.

[SkiTower]

unless you live on a lake, how do you have a boat without a car (tow vehicle)?