TOPIC: My 20k savings log

Updated numbers:

Oct. 9
balance before pay: $3,790.51
saved since Sep 11: $565.64
spent since Sep 11: $446.03
bi weekly savings rate: 55.91%
total saved to date: $3,119.82
pay: $900.88
balance after pay: $4,691.39

Continuing on my way. Some good things to note 1. I am making steady progress every two weeks, 2. I have this feeling that my balance is going up and will never drop down below each milestone, 3. I took out $200 to pay rent to a roommate and I still ended up saving over half my money this paycheck... so I cut other unnecessary expenses. This is a good sign and these next two weeks I'm going to continue to watch for buying shit I don't need.

This goal is becoming more important to me and I'm becoming more motivated the more progress I make. It's slow progress... but it's progress. I really think once I start traveling for work I think I have the possibility of doubling my pay... at least when I have bigger jobs in other ports. So for now I just have to be patient. The money situation is a long haul... 20k and beyond. I really want to build a life of more freedom... where I have my own business or work remotely or work seasonally. I think it's a 3-5 year mid range goal. First work and save and gain industry experience in being a mechanic on ships. Then look for next steps.

I'm at where I'm at and I just really need to take fucking resposibility for the situation and change it. Right now girls feel like a total distraction. But at the same time it's something I still want in my life. It's weird because the dates I've been on have gone nowhere and I've lost interest, I have a girl from a social circle that clearly likes me and has even agreed to a NSA situation but I don't want to fuck her because I know she doesn't mean this and will bring drama and because she's a 6. If she were hotter I'd jump on it. In fact at this point I think I kinda just want a girlfriend that is like zero work and that will stick around for awhile while I work on my main goal of money.

Truth is... the girls stuff can give results way quicker than the money thing. I mean for me I turned my dating life around in about three months where I proved to myself I could bring chicks in. Even though I've been off and on with the chasing girls I've had 3 months where I brought 3 girls in, maintained a few fuckbuddies, fucked a bunch of 6-7s and a couple 8-9s. The money situation is just so much more long term... I mean it's years down the road until I have any tangible financial freedom. It's just at this point 39 years old this is the only goal. This makes me feel way better than chasing girls and the progress I'm making I know I'll enjoy. This is the biggest insecurity and problem I have. I'm "good enough" with chicks. Not elite but good enough. I know I can bring a chick in if I have to... but I'm just kinda burnt out on cold approach, got other priorities, and will probably just live life until I bring a hotter chick in from my social circle or until one of the couple a chicks a week I hit on comes through.

Right now I actually like my job which is good. No stress. I work out all day. I talk shit with the other guys. Build boats. Turn wrenches. I'm not in a hurry to do anything else. I have to do this well first because my industry experience from education is worthless because I hate education now. I have to build some knowledge and know how here. Then in the future... start a business, find another job in this industry, find other options, whatever. I'm not focused on starting over at 39... I'm focused on moving forward.

I WILL HIT THIS 20K GOAL

Was gonna say that too , would love to hear his get paid advice video or article. Ive read a few books on business , and chris said it better in like 2 sentences. He said you don't need tons of bullshit at the start., you need to have a clientele with a want or need, and you gotta give it to them better in a way, or cheaper to be successful. So basic , but if everybody REALLY thought about that , a lot of people could of saved a lot of useless college degrees

Numbers for today:

Oct. 23
balance before pay: $4,389.04
saved since Sep 11: $598.53
spent since Sep 11: $302.35
bi weekly savings rate: 66.44%
total saved to date: $3,718.35
pay: $932.82
balance after pay: $5,321.86

Good couple weeks working and saving.

I had someone fraudulently steal my debit card information, most likely from a gas pump, and charge over $500 at Target. My card was frozen after and I'm disputing the charge. It takes 10 business days to do this. I'm obviously pissed and scared because this much money represents what I save in 2 weeks. But I'm trying not to flip out. My numbers don't reflect the fact that this $500 was stolen since they said I would get it back after it was investigated. So I'm basically gonna keep going as if nothing happened. But right now it's not back in my account yet and I'm still kinda pissed and bothered. So anyway I just got to wait and see what happens and move from there.

I'm still pretty motivated. I'm making progress. I can definitely save more once I start traveling for work. I almost went to Australia for a job but that got cancelled. Which sucked but I'm not trying to get side tracked and just stay with it.

I'm also thinking about the future. once I have a stack of cash then I can see myself continuing or even starting a business of some sort. But I'm not there yet and won't be for awhile. It's gonna take some time. The money thing is really a long haul to get it in order. For some people it might happen over night... but I just got to take responsibility for where I'm at and just keep working and moving forward

How much do you earn per week?

A good thing to do, and I know rich people do this, is save 50% of your income and live off the remaining 50%. This will force you to live a simpler lifestyle and you will manage your money better.

If you can’t afford to save 50% then you need to find a better job.

This is coming from a guy who has been broke for the past 6 years and finally managed to get his finances in order.

Right now I'm netting like $450-$500 per week and only spending around $150-$200. But I'm living super low key. My rent is only $200 per month since I live with a family friend whose kids already left home. But I have to listen to him bitch non stop about politics so I deserve the discount lol.

Yes I agree saving at least 50% of income is the absolute key. I'm already doing this but I need to earn more also. Right now I'm only making $14 an hour... but once I start traveling for work I get double time, per diem, plus I get paid the whole time I travel from when I leave my house, airport, airplane until I get to the hotel. And on flights to Asia thats like 20+ hours. So right now I'm making modest cash... but I think I can earn 1.5x that or even double that really soon.

there are other mechanics with this company that are in there early 20s making 100k. But they know there shit and are valuable. I don't know shit and am learning so I won't make that much. But there is potential if I stick with it. Regardless the $14 an hour won't get me rich... but the discipline I have now will help, I'm saving, plus I'm hungry to make more money once I start traveling and gain experience.

But I have to accept responsibility for my situation. 39 years old and starting over. Gave up on teaching and higher ed because I hate education now and need something new. I hate corporate also. I actually like being a mechanic on ships... I don't have to do it forever... once I gain some experience there can be other jobs in this industry. But yeah I'm sick of being broke.

Numbers for today:

Nov 6
balance before pay: $4,921.03
saved since Sep 11: $531.99
spent since Sep 11: $400.83
bi weekly savings rate: 57.03%
total saved to date: $4250.34
Net pay: 1458.64
Balance after: 6379.67

Got a little overtime last pay check. Will make even more this next one. Traveling a lot for work so more money. I'm hoping in the future to save a grand every two weeks . That will get me to my goal quick

Hell yeah over the past two week period I saved over a grand. Updated numbers:

Nov. 20
balance before pay: $5,991.01
saved since Nov 6: $1,069.98
spent since Nov 6: $388.66
bi weekly savings rate: 73.4%
total saved to date: $5,320.32
Net pay: $1,949.18
Balance after: $7,940.19

I'm making and saving more since I started traveling for work. For this paycheck I flew to work on some military ships in Norfolk. I had one full week of work on the road basically and one week of work in the shop. I make a ton more money on the road. I got paid about 450 bucks just for my travel time plus about 500 bucks double time plus 300 bucks per diem for food and living expenses on the road. Hotel and rental car paid for. Working on the road like this is great because I'm also not spending money at home. I usually worked at least 12 hours a day... and some days are hell, but other days there was honestly a lot of waiting around for permission to do this or that or for a crane to show up or for something to be loaded on the ship, etc.

If I stay on track with similar spending habits for this two week period I should be able to save around $1500 bucks. Although I might make some purchases that I've been putting off. The point is that once I gain more experience (or when some other guys leave this job) I should be on the road more consistently. That would mean I could hopefully save $1500 every two weeks, and hopefully reach saving $2000 in two weeks. Then I would make progress real fast. At this point I just need to be patient and work hard and be ready for when it happens.

Now that I have 5k saved I feel like I'm on my way. I've put off bigger purchases until now. will probably get a couple things that will enhance my life. Like a new pair of sunglasses and probably nice luggage for travel. After those purchases then probably a buy nothing I don't truly need until 10k.

The saving calculating I'm on is like this... I get paid but don't actually factor that into my savings until two weeks later. I spend out of that pay check and then after two weeks see how I've done. What's awesome now is that my balance is at almost 8k at the moment. This gives me good motivation. I started at $670. I got a local job in port on thanksgiving but I get paid double time for that. Some shop time and then I go to New Orleans and after that Long Beach. I just have to survive my time in the shop until I get on the road again.

As much as I would love to have a business this is actually the work I need to be doing right now. I work hard as hell as a mechanic on ships. I'm earning this money and building work ethic. I got a vision for the future but I don't know how to get there just yet. It's like I need to save money first. Once that happens then I can start to look for ways to start a business and have an income stream that allows me the life I want.

Out on a job in Norfolk again. I'm kinda lacking motivation even though this is a cake job and will help me on my next paycheck. So I just need to think about my original goal and how I'm making good progress. The problem is I lose perspective when I see how hard the money problem is to solve long term. I mean when I think about living the life I want with the freedom I want or if I think about retirement in the future the numbers are HUGE.! And I'm far away. So that makes me feel depressed. Also because even though I like this job and I can save there is a shelf life to it. I think I can realistically handle the travel and physical labor and risk of injury for two years. By then I suspect I need to do something different. But the goal for year one is 20k and I'm on track. After 2 years I should have 50 k in the bank.

That will give me some freedom. To maybe open a business. Problem is I don't have any real ideas... But I have time to figure that out. Right now I'm building my work ethic and determination. When I'm ready I'll be able to see more options. The truth is I want more freedom. I really would like to move back to Thailand one day and have my money situation in order and not have to teach. Have a seasonal business or even a seasonal job possibly. Or have some sort of remote work/business. It sometimes seems impossible. I really have no idea how to get to the long term goal. So for now it's the more realistica and attainable 20k goal

What Chris said in an article is really true... Something like most guys want to beyond financially secure with a couple nice toys. The man knows me well... I really would like financial security and some sweet toys. It seems so hard because I'm 39 yo and never have made a lot of money. Anyway I got to find a way to at least enough financial freedom to live a good life

Can't wait for you to hit 20k.

You're right, it's not a lot of money, but there is a world of difference between having $1000 and having $20,000. If some catastrophe happens, you won't be shit out of luck like 90% of Americans (not sure if you're American, but you get what I'm saying).

Updated numbers:

balance before pay: $7,091.68
saved since Nov 6: $1,100.67
spent since Nov 6: $848.51
bi weekly savings rate: 56.5%
total saved to date: $6,420.99
% progress toward 20k goal: 32.1%
Net pay: $1,595.13
Balance after: $8,686.81

@BIB yes I'm American and agree that majority of Americans are basically in debt or broke. And this 20k will give me some security and some ability to make a move toward better things like a business or seasonal work.

Getting ahead is hard. Getting by is easier. but I'm on my way. Keeping good perspective even though I've been humbled at work because it's so difficult . The learning curve to become a really competent mechanic is 1.5 to 2 years. Things could change but that's probably my shelf life at this job before I burn out and it takes a physical toll. The point is that I need to learn and stay motivated no matter what.

Was on the road on a job and I spent way more than normal on food. Living out of hotel rooms is tough because I work and eat out a lot. All of that adds up. Plus I payed rent for this month. Anyway I spent $848 which is way more than normal. Still saved over a grand though which is good. So good progress but have to find ways to do better.

Next job I'll be out at sea for two weeks. Best part is from what I understand the ship will feed me for free. So hopefully I can bank a lot of what I just got paid.

Also... I'm almost at a third of the way toward my goal

Goal 1b is also becoming clear: I got to give up porn. Don't really watch it that often but it is bad for my self esteem , energy , confidence, vibe etc. it's just easy option for when I'm not chasing girls and not getting laid but at least for me it's not productive and takes me off course. Eventually I'll find a girl but right now I'm really just better off focusing on money until I get ahead a little bit. In the meantime I got to stay away from porn... So far 10 days. I don't think anything is wrong with porn but Im better off without it. Now that I'm really focused on the money I'd love to have one of my ex fuckbuddies back to make a gf. Seriously I would take any of those girls in the 6-7 range now just because they were into me and I had a perfect dynamic . Obviously the couple of legit hot girls I got would be better... But I really have a special place in my heart for the cute cool girls I've met. It would be great to have some low maintenance consistent sex when I'm in town. Problem is I don't want to put in any effort to approach especially when this month I'm only in town for about a week total. So I'm just okay with this dry spell for now. Which has been a pattern in the past. Basically approach like crazy, find two to three girls , retain at least one as a long term fuckbuddy, be content with that, do something else in life and move to a different country, go on a dry spell. Then approach again and repeat. Problem was I made no progress with money and life trajectory. So it's honestly good that I stay away from girls for awhile. Especially since I'm 39 and need to get some forward movement . Point is that I can't go back to porn just because it's easy and always there .

Hell yeah! My balance is over 10k! (Even though I haven't saved 10k yet... since I started with $670 or so bucks and I have to live off of this paycheck for the next two weeks)... regardless I don't see my balance going below 10k! (unless there is some sort of emergency situation with my car or something). So I'm on my way to 20k no doubt!







Couple of notes: Now that I'm traveling I'm making way more double time pay, travel pay, and per diem pay. This makes a HUGE difference. If this level of travel keeps up I should be able to save over $2000 a month instead of a grand. I may even be able to get up to saving $3000 a month. Right now I'm on the schedule for a dry dock job in Singapore that would be 3 weeks of non stop work and double time. That job alone might be worth 3 grand in savings. So I hope the schedule doesn't change.

Insecurity about money is becoming less of a factor This whole thing has been difficult because I've felt very worthless and insecure about myself and my future because of lack of money and lack of an ability to really change that area of my life. Now that I'm getting some results (more money in my account) I'm not feeling as insecure. I'm working hard and feeling capable. I'm seeing progress every two weeks. I feel more and more like I can do this and that more good things will happen in the future. Just like with girls there is a real battle with insecurity and how I feel about myself. It sometimes seems that it is the WHOLE battle.

I will hit this goal At the pace I'm at now I should hit 20k in May or so which would be less than a year since I started last August. If my travel increases I could hit the goal earlier... and then move beyond. 25k is a possibility for August and 30k is a long shot but also possible.

Problems at work with injuries On this last job my elbow felt fucked up from all of the lifting and also work with power tools. I had pain when I would open a door, shake hands, or even turn my cell phone off. This is a big fear of mine. Injuries like this or even worse. The reason I can make good money here and save is because this is a dangerous job with a risk of injury and is labor intensive. Good news is most of the pain is gone now, and I have four days off for Christmas. So I think I'll be back to normal. I actually like a lot of this physical work and I'm in great shape... but its not a controlled environment like the gym. There is a lot of awkward movement and lifting. Fuck sometimes I'm walking around a shaking boat in water carrying awkward test equipment that weighs 100lb. Or walking tool boxes up a gangway to a ship, or lifting brake covers or carrying boat hooks... or whatever. Lots of possibilities for strains. So I need to stay healthy for the next seven months and hit this goal.

There is a shelf life for this job because of possibility of injury I think I'm going to stay a year here... hopefully save 30k and then bounce. So I have seven months to plan. I'll have the money and freedom to do so. A lot of these other guys spend every cent they have or are married with kids and can't leave. I'm pretty sure I want out and I'm building the financial foundation for something better. Either maybe get into sales with this business, start my own business, or maybe even work seasonally. Point is I'm on my way. I really want to get back to Thailand with this bank roll and with an income source so I can live the great life I want. It's really not that far off if I work at it.

So today I'm feeling good. I feel out of a slump... for a couple of years I lacked direction. Now I'm making real progress toward a goal. So there will be more difficulty and insecurity ahead... but for the most part I'm on my way and the worst is behind me. So I feel good about that.

Updated numbers:

balance before pay: $8,383.31
saved since Dec 4: $1,291.63
spent since Dec 4: $303.50
bi weekly savings rate: 81.0%
total saved to date: $7,712.62
% progress toward 20k goal: 38.6%
Net pay: $2,176.58
Balance after: $10,559.89

Balance before pay: $10,127.36
Saved since Dec 19: $1,744.05
Spent since Dec 19: $432.53
Bi weekly savings rate: 80.1%
Total saved to date: $9,456.67 of net pay of $14,012.66 overall savings rate: 67.5%
% progress toward goal: 47.3%
Net pay: $1,676.54
Balance after pay: $11,803.90
529 account savings: $524.00

Another good two week period. From the travel work I saved in two weeks what it would take me 6 weeks to save working only in the boat yard. I'm also opening a 529 savings account for my niece who is two years old. Instead of buying useless Christmas and birthday gifts for 18 years I'm gonna put $1800 in there for her to use when she goes to college. I don't have a ton of money but I want to be helpful to family that has always helped me. Now that I got money coming in I don't fear using money if it's for a good purpose. I can make that money back. So I'm gonna set aside a little here and there to do that. Even though college is of questionable value for how much it costs at least she has that option. Anyway onward toward the goal. No other real updates on other goals. I need to dig deep and figure out other areas of my life.