Whatever guys, thread open. (4 Viewers)

[jon_mx]

Prop Odds on Eminence:

1. Enrolled at U of Miami....20 to 1

2. bachelors degree by 25....50 to 1

3. Assistant Manager at Walgreens next year....10 to 1

Prove me wrong, but I think you are over optimistic about your chances. Your best chance in your current course is getting promoted at Walgreens.

 

[Keerock]

I have sent this to my brother, who is head of security at the main Baker College campus

 

[TheIronSheik]

Meme generator has lots of potential.

Yes it does!

Bad Luck Em

And if you want to see the collection, here they all are. Good job, guys!

 

[mquinnjr]

Prop Odds on Eminence:

1. Enrolled at U of Miami....20 to 1

2. bachelors degree by 25....50 to 1

3. Assistant Manager at Walgreens next year....10 to 1

Prove me wrong, but I think you are over optimistic about your chances. Your best chance in your current course is getting promoted at Walgreens.

What is no on these, -10000?

 

[skol asylum]

http://i.imgur.com/i0pp5TE.jpg

 

[Henry Ford]

I'm going to go on record and say that creating a meme with this kid is a bad thing.

 

[Limp Ditka]

I'm going to go on record and say that creating a meme with this kid is a bad thing.

this.

 

[northern exposure]

http://m.memegenerator.net/instance/46834736

 

[rockaction]

Waiting for the Ditka/sweensles face-off. Coming...soon.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I'm going to go on record and say that creating a meme with this kid is a bad thing.

This

 

[TheMagus]

Your problem has nothing to do with your ability and/or intention of getting a degree and has everything to do with the notion that you seem to think you are going to earn your money by either gambling or whatever get rich quick scheme pops into your head.

But you don't understand that. Because you have a gambling problem.

 

[timschochet]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

 

[Eminence]

Since I'm listed as one of your homies, I'm going to be brutally honest here. Take this however you want, but it's meant to help you.

You are not special. You have no extraordinary skills playing the stock market. And you are simply throwing money away gambling. It sounds like you have a gambling problem. Just because you won $500 gambling doesn't make you special. Especially since you lost most of it last night. That's the thing about gambling: You win some, you lose some. You just tend to lose more than you win. But it's those times you win that give you the false hope that you could support yourself or make money off of gambling. Same holds true for stocks, for you. You have proved nothing except that you shouldn't be messing around with the stock market.

You are 22 and talk about how you have all of this extra disposable income, yet you live at home. And there's nothing wrong with living at home. I did it until I was 24. But I saved that extra money and put it in the bank. Living at home and not saving is moronic.

You have so many pipe dreams on what you're going to be doing in the next 5 years and how much you're going to be making. Yet all you do in the present is waste money and smoke weed. At 24 you hope to be an Assistant Manager of a local Walgreens. And you think you're going to be rolling in the dough. Have you asked any Asst. Managers at Walgreens how their finances are? Are they living high on the hog? I'm guessing not.

You have no concept of money and expenses. And you are a lost cause. Everyone on here, including the people who are now being mean to you, at one point or another tried to give you real advice. And each time you not only refused it, you told them they were wrong.

The world is littered with people just like you. People who have dreams of grandeur and plans worked out to get them there. And in 2 years, if you see those same people, they'll still be telling you how they're going to make something of themselves.

I really want you to succeed. I'm really hoping you start taking some of these guy's great advice. I, too, was addicted to gambling when I was younger. And I don't really gamble any more. But if someone bet me money that you'd be still living at your parents and hoping for a promotion at Walgreens in 2 years, I'd take that bet.

It's time to grow up. It's time to realize that you are not special. That you are not a prodigy. But there is still time to become special. As long as you make the right choices. But time is running out quick for you.

Sadly, I know none of what I said will sink in to you. And I'm sure you think I'm a jerk for saying these things. But I'm doing it because I'm really rooting for you now.

What the #### more do you want from me? I work full-time, go to school full-time. I am getting promotion after promotion by working hard at my current job. I am an Honors Student over at Baker.

I save 25% of my paycheck by investing in Walgreens Stock. A stock I get to purchase at 10% discount. A stock that has gone up 20% on top of that 10% discount.

REALLY MAN. WHAT THE #### MORE COULD I POSSIBLY BE DOING?

I don't spend anymore than I have to. I sportbet because it's fun and plan on allocating $50 each paycheck to make a small check. What the #### is your big gripe with me? When I get paid this Thursday, my NET WORTH will be in GREEN for the first time in over a year.

SO CLUE ME IN. WHAT THE #### AM I DOING WRONG?

I am getting an Associates Degree this Winter.

I am likely getting a promotion a year from now.

I am likely going to be going to a University next Fall.

Do college kids not have fun? Do college kids not smoke weed? Enlighten me of my big mistakes, brohan.

You're gambling instead of saving. You're smoking pot instead of buckling down 18 hours a day and sleeping 6. You're looking to the future to pay for what you want to have now, and you're not taking the advice of people who know what's wrong with your current picture.

The Walgreens stock is a good idea - if you treat that as money you don't make. It's not savings, it's not anything until you finish your time at Walgreens, and maybe beyond. That's an investment for the future - hopefully - and there's nothing wrong with that. But that's what you should be spending your money on instead of drinking, weed, and gambling. The rest is "live and save" money.

You are doing better than you were when things went seriously south for you and you dropped out of college. Do not fool yourself into thinking that doing better is the same thing as doing your best.

I gambled the $300 that I won playing Fantasy Football, wash.

I smoke pot on the weekends after working 40 hours a week, going to school full-time.

I'm looking to the future to pay what I have now? How is it that I have a positive net worth then?

I liquidate my Walgreens Stock as quickly as I can. I sold my first few shares I purchased on the 27th of February. I have about $550 worth I can sell on the 31st of March. I have another $550 I can sell April 31st.

How much money have I spent on weed in the past month? Maybe like $40.

-

"Do not fool yourself into thinking that doing better is the same thing as doing your best."

This, however, is very smart.

 

[StrikeS2k]

Meme generator has lots of potential.

Yes it does!

Bad Luck Em

And if you want to see the collection, here they all are. Good job, guys!

Atta' boy, make me famous.

An hour or so ago you said you were leaving to do homework, work out, and then go to work. I guess we have a pretty good idea why you have a 3.0 GPA.

 

[Premier]

Eminence, serious offer:

If your parents are willing to cosign, I will offer you a line of credit up to $5,000.00. Use it however you will. Invest, gamble, smoke dope, I don't care. We can work out this interest later.

Consider this one of your many assets.

Wait, what?

 

[Eminence]

Your problem has nothing to do with your ability and/or intention of getting a degree and has everything to do with the notion that you seem to think you are going to earn your money by either gambling or whatever get rich quick scheme pops into your head.

But you don't understand that. Because you have a gambling problem.

I won $300 on Fantasy Football then lost $400 on sportsbetting. What exactly is the problem? I'm down $100, oh no...

 

[Henry Ford]

I gambled the $300 that I won playing Fantasy Football, wash. It's not a wash. Stop saying that. It's $300.00

I smoke pot on the weekends after working 40 hours a week, going to school full-time. Yes. That's what I'm talking about.

I'm looking to the future to pay what I have now? How is it that I have a positive net worth then? You don't. You're not counting thousands of dollars in student loans.

I liquidate my Walgreens Stock as quickly as I can. I sold my first few shares I purchased on the 27th of February. I have about $550 worth I can sell on the 31st of March. I have another $550 I can sell April 31st. Then you aren't being honest with yourself about what that money is for. That money isn't "savings" or "investment" once you sell off the shares - it's being brought back into your income, and yet you still have no savings.

How much money have I spent on weed in the past month? Maybe like $40. That's enough money to pay for a small emergency, in savings, or pay off more of your credit cards.

-

"Do not fool yourself into thinking that doing better is the same thing as doing your best."

This, however, is very smart. That's a start. Now use that lens to look at what people like Sheik are saying.

 

[sho nuff]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

Also finishing my last year in Accounting. Worked about 30 hours a week. Active social life...girlfriend as well (who is now my wife).

Had a job locked up that fall of my last year of school.

2 roomates in a 3 bedroom apartment.

Didn't really gamble...saved for a ring for my girlfriend and for our honeymoon trip.

 

[rockaction]

Eminence, serious offer:

If your parents are willing to cosign, I will offer you a line of credit up to $5,000.00. Use it however you will. Invest, gamble, smoke dope, I don't care. We can work out this interest later.

Consider this one of your many assets.

Wait, what?

This is beautiful.

 

[General Malaise]

I'm going to go on record and say that creating a meme with this kid is a bad thing.

this.

Is this kid stable enough to handle the ribbing, good natured or otherwise? I read so many tragic stories about online bullying/taunting leading to tragic ends. I sure hope that's not the case here.

 

[Limp Ditka]

I'm going to go on record and say that creating a meme with this kid is a bad thing.

this.

Is this kid stable enough to handle the ribbing, good natured or otherwise? I read so many tragic stories about online bullying/taunting leading to tragic ends. I sure hope that's not the case here.

Even if he can handle it, what good can come out of it?

 

[cstu]

How much money have I spent on weed in the past month? Maybe like $40.

That's enough money to pay for a small emergency, in savings, or pay off more of your credit cards.

Hold on, he owes money on credit cards?

 

[timschochet]

Eminence, serious offer:

If your parents are willing to cosign, I will offer you a line of credit up to $5,000.00. Use it however you will. Invest, gamble, smoke dope, I don't care. We can work out this interest later.

Consider this one of your many assets.

Wait, what?

It's a standing offer.

 

[cstu]

Your problem has nothing to do with your ability and/or intention of getting a degree and has everything to do with the notion that you seem to think you are going to earn your money by either gambling or whatever get rich quick scheme pops into your head.

But you don't understand that. Because you have a gambling problem.

I won $300 on Fantasy Football then lost $400 on sportsbetting. What exactly is the problem? I'm down $100, oh no...

Yes, "oh no" - you're making $8 an hour. That's a couple days pay after taxes.

 

[Henry Ford]

Your problem has nothing to do with your ability and/or intention of getting a degree and has everything to do with the notion that you seem to think you are going to earn your money by either gambling or whatever get rich quick scheme pops into your head.

But you don't understand that. Because you have a gambling problem.

I won $300 on Fantasy Football then lost $400 on sportsbetting. What exactly is the problem? I'm down $100, oh no...

Your numbers keep changing. I implore you to make a list of every penny you've used for gambling purposes. For instance - you "won" $300 - how much was your buy-in? Was it included in the $300 you got back?

How much total have you put into your betting account (including all fees) so far this year? Not how much have you "lost" - how much have you spent? Include every single penny.

How much time have you spent with gambling and stock-picking, and what would that time do for you if you spent it reading a book, or studying, or learning a new skill, or working on your car, or anything other than spending time on spending money on nothing?

It's important stuff to think about.

 

[AwesomeAuger]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

Also finishing my last year in Accounting. Worked about 30 hours a week. Active social life...girlfriend as well (who is now my wife).

Had a job locked up that fall of my last year of school.

2 roomates in a 3 bedroom apartment.

Didn't really gamble...saved for a ring for my girlfriend and for our honeymoon trip.

Currently 22.

Work as a software engineer for a defense company. Currently taking 2 classes a semester to get my masters in CS. Have been in a relationship with my girlfriend for 1.5 years about. I gamble some but only after maxing out my retirement and having automatic, regular contributions to VTSAX (Vanguard total US Index fund).

 

[cstu]

You have no concept of money and expenses. And you are a lost cause. Everyone on here, including the people who are now being mean to you, at one point or another tried to give you real advice. And each time you not only refused it, you told them they were wrong.

 

[timschochet]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

Also finishing my last year in Accounting. Worked about 30 hours a week. Active social life...girlfriend as well (who is now my wife).

Had a job locked up that fall of my last year of school.

2 roomates in a 3 bedroom apartment.

Didn't really gamble...saved for a ring for my girlfriend and for our honeymoon trip.

Currently 22.

Work as a software engineer for a defense company. Currently taking 2 classes a semester to get my masters in CS. Have been in a relationship with my girlfriend for 1.5 years about. I gamble some but only after maxing out my retirement and having automatic, regular contributions to VTSAX (Vanguard total US Index fund).

If you're 22 and already working as an engineer, that's pretty good.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Honest advice Em...

At 19 I went to AC, won $9k, and then gave it back later that night plus an extra $1000. At 22, I lost over $10k of my own money on an online casino in one sitting. These experiences were fantastic for me. I learned the dangers of gambling at a young age. I was in Puerto Rico last week and walked into a casino for the first time in a few years, dropped $400 in 10 minutes, & even though I was tempted to pull out real money and play, I decided against. Honestly, there are very few winners besides the house with gambling, better to learn that at a young age when you don't have that much to lose. You want to gamble at 21 while you still live with your parents and don't have a real career yet, you should go ahead and do that.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

At 22 I was working for XeroxConnect. Not sure if they still exist, but they were a computer services branch of Xerox. It was my first job. They had a contract with Pennzoil, which owns Jiffy Lube, and needed someone to unbox returned equipment, clean it, and ship out refurbished equipment. My job had no dealings with the computer side of it. For a year I would open boxes and scrub keyboards with a toothbrush, because they were coated with old oil. I eventually talked my way into letting some of the techs let me watch what they did and I started taking notes on it all. This is how I got into the IT business.

I was salary and made $14k. I left a job bartending where I was making almost double that. But I knew it would be worth it in the long run to take the pay cut.

I eventually made a name for myself with the Pennzoil people and they brought me to their building to work desktop support. While there, I would talk with anyone I could about the oil and gas industry. I bought books and learned everything I could about it. From there, I took my knowledge of computers and O&G and began working for Oil Companies doing application support.

That's how I spent my 20's.

 

[rockaction]

I'm going to go on record and say that creating a meme with this kid is a bad thing.

this.

Is this kid stable enough to handle the ribbing, good natured or otherwise? I read so many tragic stories about online bullying/taunting leading to tragic ends. I sure hope that's not the case here.

Nobody does. At all. Having to write, "if you're real, you need help," is disconcerting. If everyone on this board didn't #### around with so many aliases, this wouldn't be an issue.

 

[TheIronSheik]

You have no concept of money and expenses. And you are a lost cause. Everyone on here, including the people who are now being mean to you, at one point or another tried to give you real advice. And each time you not only refused it, you told them they were wrong.

Geez. I finally say something intelligent and you don't even give me credit.

 

[Eminence]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

At 22 I was working for XeroxConnect. Not sure if they still exist, but they were a computer services branch of Xerox. It was my first job. They had a contract with Pennzoil, which owns Jiffy Lube, and needed someone to unbox returned equipment, clean it, and ship out refurbished equipment. My job had no dealings with the computer side of it. For a year I would open boxes and scrub keyboards with a toothbrush, because they were coated with old oil. I eventually talked my way into letting some of the techs let me watch what they did and I started taking notes on it all. This is how I got into the IT business.

I was salary and made $14k. I left a job bartending where I was making almost double that. But I knew it would be worth it in the long run to take the pay cut.

I eventually made a name for myself with the Pennzoil people and they brought me to their building to work desktop support. While there, I would talk with anyone I could about the oil and gas industry. I bought books and learned everything I could about it. From there, I took my knowledge of computers and O&G and began working for Oil Companies doing application support.

That's how I spent my 20's.

So you're saying, me studying investments (including the stock market) and eventually trying to make a career out of it isn't a terrible idea as long as I do the legwork? ...or rather, exactly what I'm doing now isn't as inherently wrong as everyone is trying to make it out to be?

EDIT: Cool story, btw.

 

[FDAS]

Part of the problem is referring to yourself as a college kid in the first place. You're turning 23 this year. You're an adult, you need to start acting like one.

RULE ONE OF ADULTHOOD, DON'T LISTEN TO HOMELESS PEOPLE!

 

[timschochet]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

At 22 I was working for XeroxConnect. Not sure if they still exist, but they were a computer services branch of Xerox. It was my first job. They had a contract with Pennzoil, which owns Jiffy Lube, and needed someone to unbox returned equipment, clean it, and ship out refurbished equipment. My job had no dealings with the computer side of it. For a year I would open boxes and scrub keyboards with a toothbrush, because they were coated with old oil. I eventually talked my way into letting some of the techs let me watch what they did and I started taking notes on it all. This is how I got into the IT business.

I was salary and made $14k. I left a job bartending where I was making almost double that. But I knew it would be worth it in the long run to take the pay cut.

I eventually made a name for myself with the Pennzoil people and they brought me to their building to work desktop support. While there, I would talk with anyone I could about the oil and gas industry. I bought books and learned everything I could about it. From there, I took my knowledge of computers and O&G and began working for Oil Companies doing application support.

That's how I spent my 20's.

So you're saying, me studying the stock market and eventually trying to make a career out of it isn't a terrible idea as long as I do the legwork?

He studied an industry he was interested in working in. Are you interested in becoming a stockbroker? If so, that's fine. But if you're just interested in playing the market, that's not the same thing at all. That's just a hobby, and an expensive one at that.

 

[TheMagus]

Your problem has nothing to do with your ability and/or intention of getting a degree and has everything to do with the notion that you seem to think you are going to earn your money by either gambling or whatever get rich quick scheme pops into your head.

But you don't understand that. Because you have a gambling problem.

I won $300 on Fantasy Football then lost $400 on sportsbetting. What exactly is the problem? I'm down $100, oh no...

A month ago you said you had about $1500 in credit card debt. You said this debt was due to gambling losses. A few hours ago you admitted to filling another $500 into your Sportsbook account from your credit card. We'll just choose to ignore, for now, the margin trading and penny stocks which is actually more dangerous than betting on games.

Let me ask you a question. At least a month ago you said you had $1500 in CC debt. You are now claiming you have $1400 in disposable income to play with every month that was getting eaten by paying off your credit card. Why do you still have credit card debt? It should be almost completely paid off by now right considering you have $0 in your checking/savings account? If the answer is no, then where did the $1400 disposable income go this month?

I already know the answer. I think you need to think about the answer and then re-read some of the posts in here.

 

[StrikeS2k]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

At 22 I was working for XeroxConnect. Not sure if they still exist, but they were a computer services branch of Xerox. It was my first job. They had a contract with Pennzoil, which owns Jiffy Lube, and needed someone to unbox returned equipment, clean it, and ship out refurbished equipment. My job had no dealings with the computer side of it. For a year I would open boxes and scrub keyboards with a toothbrush, because they were coated with old oil. I eventually talked my way into letting some of the techs let me watch what they did and I started taking notes on it all. This is how I got into the IT business.

I was salary and made $14k. I left a job bartending where I was making almost double that. But I knew it would be worth it in the long run to take the pay cut.

I eventually made a name for myself with the Pennzoil people and they brought me to their building to work desktop support. While there, I would talk with anyone I could about the oil and gas industry. I bought books and learned everything I could about it. From there, I took my knowledge of computers and O&G and began working for Oil Companies doing application support.

That's how I spent my 20's.

So you're saying, me studying investments (including the stock market) and eventually trying to make a career out of it isn't a terrible idea as long as I do the legwork? ...or rather, exactly what I'm doing now isn't as inherently wrong as everyone is trying to make it out to be?

EDIT: Cool story, btw.

You have never made an investment recommendation based on solid financial reasoning. You just play hunches. That is not a long term strategy for success. People will give you credit when you make an argument for a stock that is based on solid analysis, not hunches.

 

[rockaction]

I'm going to go on record and say that creating a meme with this kid is a bad thing.

this.

Is this kid stable enough to handle the ribbing, good natured or otherwise? I read so many tragic stories about online bullying/taunting leading to tragic ends. I sure hope that's not the case here.

Nobody does. At all. Having to write, "if you're real, you need help," is disconcerting. If everyone on this board didn't #### around with so many aliases, this wouldn't be an issue.

I'm leaving these threads. If the issue is identity, it's not a good thing. Never is. Peace. Good luck, Eminence.

 

[Eminence]

Your problem has nothing to do with your ability and/or intention of getting a degree and has everything to do with the notion that you seem to think you are going to earn your money by either gambling or whatever get rich quick scheme pops into your head.

But you don't understand that. Because you have a gambling problem.

I won $300 on Fantasy Football then lost $400 on sportsbetting. What exactly is the problem? I'm down $100, oh no...

A month ago you said you had about $1500 in credit card debt. You said this debt was due to gambling losses. A few hours ago you admitted to filling another $500 into your Sportsbook account from your credit card. We'll just choose to ignore, for now, the margin trading and penny stocks which is actually more dangerous than betting on games.

Let me ask you a question. At least a month ago you said you had $1500 in CC debt. You are now claiming you have $1400 in disposable income to play with every month that was getting eaten by paying off your credit card. Why do you still have credit card debt? It should be almost completely paid off by now right considering you have $0 in your checking/savings account? If the answer is no, then where did the $1400 disposable income go this month?

I already know the answer. I think you need to think about the answer and then re-read some of the posts in here.

I get paid tomorrow, I'll post my exact numbers like I've been doing each payday...

 

[Henry Ford]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

At 22 I was working for XeroxConnect. Not sure if they still exist, but they were a computer services branch of Xerox. It was my first job. They had a contract with Pennzoil, which owns Jiffy Lube, and needed someone to unbox returned equipment, clean it, and ship out refurbished equipment. My job had no dealings with the computer side of it. For a year I would open boxes and scrub keyboards with a toothbrush, because they were coated with old oil. I eventually talked my way into letting some of the techs let me watch what they did and I started taking notes on it all. This is how I got into the IT business.

I was salary and made $14k. I left a job bartending where I was making almost double that. But I knew it would be worth it in the long run to take the pay cut.

I eventually made a name for myself with the Pennzoil people and they brought me to their building to work desktop support. While there, I would talk with anyone I could about the oil and gas industry. I bought books and learned everything I could about it. From there, I took my knowledge of computers and O&G and began working for Oil Companies doing application support.

That's how I spent my 20's.

So you're saying, me studying investments (including the stock market) and eventually trying to make a career out of it isn't a terrible idea as long as I do the legwork? ...or rather, exactly what I'm doing now isn't as inherently wrong as everyone is trying to make it out to be?

EDIT: Cool story, btw.

Studying and playing the stock market are two different things. Sheik didn't start buying gas when it was cheap and holding it until it got expensive - he learned everything he could about an industry and used his knowledge to leverage a career.

If that's what you want to do, take that time you spend playing penny stocks and use it to hang around with stockbrokers, use the money you were using for those stocks for gas to drive to a city where you can do that, go to a library and read everything you can about our financial system - learn. Success happens when preparation meets opportunity - not randomly trying things until you get lucky. That's gambling - and true gambling isn't going to take you where you want to go.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

At 22 I was working for XeroxConnect. Not sure if they still exist, but they were a computer services branch of Xerox. It was my first job. They had a contract with Pennzoil, which owns Jiffy Lube, and needed someone to unbox returned equipment, clean it, and ship out refurbished equipment. My job had no dealings with the computer side of it. For a year I would open boxes and scrub keyboards with a toothbrush, because they were coated with old oil. I eventually talked my way into letting some of the techs let me watch what they did and I started taking notes on it all. This is how I got into the IT business.

I was salary and made $14k. I left a job bartending where I was making almost double that. But I knew it would be worth it in the long run to take the pay cut.

I eventually made a name for myself with the Pennzoil people and they brought me to their building to work desktop support. While there, I would talk with anyone I could about the oil and gas industry. I bought books and learned everything I could about it. From there, I took my knowledge of computers and O&G and began working for Oil Companies doing application support.

That's how I spent my 20's.

So you're saying, me studying investments (including the stock market) and eventually trying to make a career out of it isn't a terrible idea as long as I do the legwork? ...or rather, exactly what I'm doing now isn't as inherently wrong as everyone is trying to make it out to be?

EDIT: Cool story, btw.

Replies like this are why I think you are destined to fail at almost everything you try.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

At 22 I was working for XeroxConnect. Not sure if they still exist, but they were a computer services branch of Xerox. It was my first job. They had a contract with Pennzoil, which owns Jiffy Lube, and needed someone to unbox returned equipment, clean it, and ship out refurbished equipment. My job had no dealings with the computer side of it. For a year I would open boxes and scrub keyboards with a toothbrush, because they were coated with old oil. I eventually talked my way into letting some of the techs let me watch what they did and I started taking notes on it all. This is how I got into the IT business.

I was salary and made $14k. I left a job bartending where I was making almost double that. But I knew it would be worth it in the long run to take the pay cut.

I eventually made a name for myself with the Pennzoil people and they brought me to their building to work desktop support. While there, I would talk with anyone I could about the oil and gas industry. I bought books and learned everything I could about it. From there, I took my knowledge of computers and O&G and began working for Oil Companies doing application support.

That's how I spent my 20's.

So you're saying, me studying investments (including the stock market) and eventually trying to make a career out of it isn't a terrible idea as long as I do the legwork? ...or rather, exactly what I'm doing now isn't as inherently wrong as everyone is trying to make it out to be?

EDIT: Cool story, btw.

Studying and playing the stock market are two different things. Sheik didn't start buying gas when it was cheap and holding it until it got expensive - he learned everything he could about an industry and used his knowledge to leverage a career.

If that's what you want to do, take that time you spend playing penny stocks and use it to hang around with stockbrokers, use the money you were using for those stocks for gas to drive to a city where you can do that, go to a library and read everything you can about our financial system - learn. Success happens when preparation meets opportunity - not randomly trying things until you get lucky. That's gambling - and true gambling isn't going to take you where you want to go.

I actually screwed up and bought gas when it was high and sold it when it was low. But it didn't matter, because even though I lost money, it was more about proof of concept.

 

[Rayderr]

Em, I woull give you this one simple and very sound piece of advice. Get some humility. Realize that you're not an expert on everything, that there are plenty of people who are more knowledgeable in any subject. Know your limitations and when to ask for help, and when they offer it, take them up on it.

If you do that, you will go very far in life. If you don't you will most likely be a failure.

 

[UniAlias]

Part of the problem is referring to yourself as a college kid in the first place. You're turning 23 this year. You're an adult, you need to start acting like one.

RULE ONE OF ADULTHOOD, DON'T LISTEN TO HOMELESS PEOPLE!

 

[timschochet]

Sheik, why did you even bother going to work for a living in oil and gas? Wouldn't it have been more profitable for you simply to borrow money from your credit card and buy gas stocks? Think how much wealthier you'd be now.

 

[sho nuff]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

At 22 I was working for XeroxConnect. Not sure if they still exist, but they were a computer services branch of Xerox. It was my first job. They had a contract with Pennzoil, which owns Jiffy Lube, and needed someone to unbox returned equipment, clean it, and ship out refurbished equipment. My job had no dealings with the computer side of it. For a year I would open boxes and scrub keyboards with a toothbrush, because they were coated with old oil. I eventually talked my way into letting some of the techs let me watch what they did and I started taking notes on it all. This is how I got into the IT business.

I was salary and made $14k. I left a job bartending where I was making almost double that. But I knew it would be worth it in the long run to take the pay cut.

I eventually made a name for myself with the Pennzoil people and they brought me to their building to work desktop support. While there, I would talk with anyone I could about the oil and gas industry. I bought books and learned everything I could about it. From there, I took my knowledge of computers and O&G and began working for Oil Companies doing application support.

That's how I spent my 20's.

So you're saying, me studying investments (including the stock market) and eventually trying to make a career out of it isn't a terrible idea as long as I do the legwork? ...or rather, exactly what I'm doing now isn't as inherently wrong as everyone is trying to make it out to be?

EDIT: Cool story, btw.

Maybe take some more classes on reading...what he said vs. what you got out of it is a bit off.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

I had graduated from a local community college with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science when I was 21. I was offered an internship on the help desk of a small local company, and hired full-time out of college.

At 22, I was working at that job, living at home, and saving money. I don't mean "saving" it in the stock market. I was saving it in the bank. I wasn't trying to multiply it through gambling or schemes, either. I was just putting it in the bank and letting it add up, so that I could move out.

At 23, I moved out of my parents' place and into a nice one bedroom apartment with a brand new Chevy Cavalier. Was it extravagant? No. But it was nice, I was comfortable, and I had no worries about money.

I continued to work my butt off at that help desk job. They noticed, and when a position opened up to for a Systems Analyst, they asked if I wanted the job. Because of my hard work, they noticed my potential and were willing to send me to training. Fast-forward twelve years, and I'm a Systems Analyst III for a large software company in the Healthcare industry.

Sometimes it just takes time. There is no magic pill or shortcut for 99.99% of us. You just work hard and keep your nose to the grindstone and opportunity presents itself.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Sheik, why did you even bother going to work for a living in oil and gas? Wouldn't it have been more profitable for you simply to borrow money from your credit card and buy gas stocks? Think how much wealthier you'd be now.

I wasn't a prodigy, like Em. I chose the long route. It was a gamble, but luckily it paid off.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

I had graduated from a local community college with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science when I was 21. I was offered an internship on the help desk of a small local company, and hired full-time out of college.

At 22, I was working at that job, living at home, and saving money. I don't mean "saving" it in the stock market. I was saving it in the bank. I wasn't trying to multiply it through gambling or schemes, either. I was just putting it in the bank and letting it add up, so that I could move out.

At 23, I moved out of my parents' place and into a nice one bedroom apartment with a brand new Chevy Cavalier. Was it extravagant? No. But it was nice, I was comfortable, and I had no worries about money.

I continued to work my butt off at that help desk job. They noticed, and when a position opened up to for a Systems Analyst, they asked if I wanted the job. Because of my hard work, they noticed my potential and were willing to send me to training. Fast-forward twelve years, and I'm a Systems Analyst III for a large software company in the Healthcare industry.

Sometimes it just takes time. There is no magic pill or shortcut for 99.99% of us. You just work hard and keep your nose to the grindstone and opportunity presents itself.

LOOK AT ME! I OWNED A CAVALIER!

That's not even a crossover, brohan.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

I think it might be informative to Eminence for those of us who are a little older to describe what they were doing at age 22.

I'll start: I was in my last year of college (University of California at Irvine.) All my classes were at night so that I could work full time during the day. I sold ladies' shoes in a department store. I had a second job selling shoes at a shoe store on the weekend. I lived in a 4 bedroom condo with 3 roommates. Between work and school I had a very limited social life. I had a girlfriend (who is now my wife) but she lived in Los Angeles and we only saw each other once a week or so. I did not gamble and tried to save what little money I could.

I had graduated from a local community college with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science when I was 21. I was offered an internship on the help desk of a small local company, and hired full-time out of college.At 22, I was working at that job, living at home, and saving money. I don't mean "saving" it in the stock market. I was saving it in the bank. I wasn't trying to multiply it through gambling or schemes, either. I was just putting it in the bank and letting it add up, so that I could move out.

At 23, I moved out of my parents' place and into a nice one bedroom apartment with a brand new Chevy Cavalier. Was it extravagant? No. But it was nice, I was comfortable, and I had no worries about money.

I continued to work my butt off at that help desk job. They noticed, and when a position opened up to for a Systems Analyst, they asked if I wanted the job. Because of my hard work, they noticed my potential and were willing to send me to training. Fast-forward twelve years, and I'm a Systems Analyst III for a large software company in the Healthcare industry.

Sometimes it just takes time. There is no magic pill or shortcut for 99.99% of us. You just work hard and keep your nose to the grindstone and opportunity presents itself.

LOOK AT ME! I OWNED A CAVALIER! That's not even a crossover, brohan.

That's my point...I had to work UP to a crossover.Reading comprehension down, camper?