firestrat
Member
May be selling my meager collection soon. I know we're not to dicuss political issues here, but the information in my header space are clues as to why. I will keep my beat up Combat Masterpiece though.
May sell all my guns
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firestrat
Member
No deployment. Left the Marines in 1989. Recent legislation in my state means I'm looking at a $1000.00 a month reduction in take home pay as a best case scenario, and possibly more.
WHOA!!! Please don't do that! Starting all over really sucks,too!
If nothing else, work a deal with your LGS to put them in display cases.
I went thru the selling thing, some years back; won't do it again!!
Good luck, TACC1.
If nothing else, work a deal with your LGS to put them in display cases.
I went thru the selling thing, some years back; won't do it again!!
Good luck, TACC1.
well I'll go the other way ..I was unemployed for over a year and at first I kinda liked it but then came money problems.I was forced to sell most of mine,I am lucky and I have several that were passed on to me by my Grandfather and those aren't for sell (EVER).I sold almost all that I had bought or traded into but I'm starting over and grabbing some new deals.
BIGGEST problem is selling then buying or trying to buy at current prices.
I also would sell one when needed not all at once...hopeing a job would come along,finally I got back on my feet
Take your favorites and stash them back for last.
BIGGEST problem is selling then buying or trying to buy at current prices.
I also would sell one when needed not all at once...hopeing a job would come along,finally I got back on my feet
Take your favorites and stash them back for last.
Raider
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Unless you get a HUGE amount for your guns the money will be gone shortly anyway. I know you are taking a big pay cut but the guns don't eat anything. I would hang onto them and enjoy them until I was really hurting and then start selling the ones that can be most easily replaced first. Hope something good happens and you don't have to take the cut or at least can find another job.
Luck
Charlie
Luck
Charlie
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VERY few sell their guns and are later happy with the sale....i wish you the best of luck...times are tough indeed
blazewheat
Member
I had to sell a few of mine also. It broke my heart. I just hope I can get them back for the same price.
dlbx2
Member
I am a retired Battalion Chief. 2 health insurance increases in 6 months, plus January income tax increase. Wasn't $1,000 per month, but I feel your pain. It's hard to need money, and have expensive guns that you don't shoot, or that you do shoot for that matter. Even tougher with children. Mine are grown, thank goodness. I hope that things for you get better, or at least don't turn out as bad as you think. Good luck! By the way, I notice that none of these guys are asking what you have, or offering to buy them. Sometimes your best friends are the ones you don't even know.
DLB
DLB
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doc540
Member
Sorry to hear.
Loss of job and illness in the family broke me 10 years ago.
Sold things I'd owned for decades (with an emphasis on the term things).
You can get through this.
Loss of job and illness in the family broke me 10 years ago.
Sold things I'd owned for decades (with an emphasis on the term things).
You can get through this.
scooter123
Member
It's not just Public Employees who have been effected by recent economic events, many in the Private sector have been hit as well. Personally, I've lost all vacation pay, all Holiday pay, and am now footing the bill for my health insurance. All told the result is a similar drop in take home pay.
Good news for me was that I was able to cut out some Luxuries and the net effect hasn't been as drastic as one may assume. One area where I have saved a bunch is food. Used to eat out at lunch every day, now by packing a PB&J sandwich I'm saving about 6.50 per day. I've also stopped eating out for dinner and that's probably saving me at least 40 bucks a week. Another slight positive is that currently the cost for my health insurance is excluded from my earned income, however I've seen indications that when Obamacare is in full force I'll lose that tax benefit. Finally, any use of the car is approached with a minimum mile policy, meaning that if I need to do any shopping it's either done on the drive home or combined with other errands. I've also started walking to the local shopping center for minor errands.
End result is that I'm probably eating healthier, getting more exercize, and still putting money into savings every month. Quite simply, there are some strategies that may allow you to cut what you spend each month by a surprizing amount. BTW, one immediate thing you may not have thought of is the cost of Cable TV, take a look at that monthly bill and compare it to the cost of an antenna.
BTW, if you are currently driving a truck or SUV, I would suggest that you sell that off FIRST, gas prices are only going to go up and you'll get more for that truck now than you will in 3 or 6 months. I expect that the automakers are going to see demand for small cars skyrocket in the next 2 years and they won't be able to give away large trucks. I'll also tell you that if you have any watercraft such as jet ski's to sell them now, in very short order value on these toys is going to plummet.
Good news for me was that I was able to cut out some Luxuries and the net effect hasn't been as drastic as one may assume. One area where I have saved a bunch is food. Used to eat out at lunch every day, now by packing a PB&J sandwich I'm saving about 6.50 per day. I've also stopped eating out for dinner and that's probably saving me at least 40 bucks a week. Another slight positive is that currently the cost for my health insurance is excluded from my earned income, however I've seen indications that when Obamacare is in full force I'll lose that tax benefit. Finally, any use of the car is approached with a minimum mile policy, meaning that if I need to do any shopping it's either done on the drive home or combined with other errands. I've also started walking to the local shopping center for minor errands.
End result is that I'm probably eating healthier, getting more exercize, and still putting money into savings every month. Quite simply, there are some strategies that may allow you to cut what you spend each month by a surprizing amount. BTW, one immediate thing you may not have thought of is the cost of Cable TV, take a look at that monthly bill and compare it to the cost of an antenna.
BTW, if you are currently driving a truck or SUV, I would suggest that you sell that off FIRST, gas prices are only going to go up and you'll get more for that truck now than you will in 3 or 6 months. I expect that the automakers are going to see demand for small cars skyrocket in the next 2 years and they won't be able to give away large trucks. I'll also tell you that if you have any watercraft such as jet ski's to sell them now, in very short order value on these toys is going to plummet.
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When I hit the skids, the one bright spot was losing weight
for lack of good meals. Kept the few guns I've got, though.
Seriously, better times WILL come back to you! If you can discuss it here, you can do anything. Be strong and stand tall. TACC1
for lack of good meals. Kept the few guns I've got, though.
Seriously, better times WILL come back to you! If you can discuss it here, you can do anything. Be strong and stand tall. TACC1
DeathGrip
US Veteran
I don't matter what we do or where we're at.Most of us are taking a hit in one way or another.
Hang in there and don't let it get you.
Hang in there and don't let it get you.
Tom M
Member
First, don't panic. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, and was anticipating huge medical bills. I sold off almost 75% of my collection, and wound up not needing anywhere near the money I'd derived from the sales. Some of the pieces I sold were pretty much irreplaceable. Take it slow, and good luck to you.
JcMack
Member
I'll try to be objective. If you find yourself in a position where you have to sell your guns so be it. I've been there. Once to support a family after I got married, once to support a lawyer during my divorce. I see money getting tighter and tighter now. I was 30 when the last recession hit in the late 70's. The current "recession" is much worse. If you have anything "collectible" you can live without, now's the time to sell it. Soon we'll all be broke and gun money will be nill. Don't be hasty, everyone's situation is unique.
Out West
Member
It's tough. And it's personal. Got to say, as a taxpayer, government payrolls are too big. I read recently that more than 50% of all payrolls are government payrolls. Think local, state and federal payrolls combined. That means that less than half the population is funding all that expense. I don't see how that can be sustained. My wife got surplused off after 29 years with the same company. Maybe that's the difference between private and public sector.
Out
West
Out
West
nicky4968
Member
I've sold most of mine, and will probably sell the rest, except, like you, I will retain one. For the same reasons as you and everybody else on this forum, just flat need the money.
I'm not upset about it. When dealing with the things of this world, and you have a choice between guns you don't need and food on the table, you won't ever look back. (Not that the guns are toys; but you only need one).
I'm not upset about it. When dealing with the things of this world, and you have a choice between guns you don't need and food on the table, you won't ever look back. (Not that the guns are toys; but you only need one).
m657
Member
stuff is just stuff.....even guns...mostly....although there are some that may be 'special'.....
I bought stuff ahead before retirement, to be able to jettison pieces along the way as needed. So far it hasn't been all that painful....although $4 gas may change that opinion.
I bought stuff ahead before retirement, to be able to jettison pieces along the way as needed. So far it hasn't been all that painful....although $4 gas may change that opinion.
OP
firestrat
Member
First off, I appreciate everyone's positive comments. Cable Tv is going, as far as other luxuries, my guns and guitars are my only sellable assets. No watercraft, no trucks or SUVs, although I do have a minivan which gets about 20 mpg but having a 9, 6, and 2 year old means a minivan is almost a necessity. The only eating out we do is getting a couple of pizzas once in a while. We have been living a pretty austere life here for awhile.
My paycheck these days is the same as it was 5 years ago, but with the cost of everything going up, my situation is that my househlod income is just enough to keep me at 0 at the end of the month. The only saving I'm doing is $200 a month in a 401k, and the extra $150 I pay towards my house principal every month.
My house payment is approximately the same as the amount I'm going to lose. I could sell the house I suppose and get something cheaper, but the housing market being what it is, I'm not optimistic about a quick sale.
So, do I keep my guns and guitars and not make my house payment?
No, so the objects of any value must go.
Appologies if this sounds like whining and maybe it is, but I'm feeling pretty disconnected and lost right now.
Also, internet will probably go soon too, so I probably won't be hanging out here too much longer.
My paycheck these days is the same as it was 5 years ago, but with the cost of everything going up, my situation is that my househlod income is just enough to keep me at 0 at the end of the month. The only saving I'm doing is $200 a month in a 401k, and the extra $150 I pay towards my house principal every month.
My house payment is approximately the same as the amount I'm going to lose. I could sell the house I suppose and get something cheaper, but the housing market being what it is, I'm not optimistic about a quick sale.
So, do I keep my guns and guitars and not make my house payment?
No, so the objects of any value must go.
Appologies if this sounds like whining and maybe it is, but I'm feeling pretty disconnected and lost right now.
Also, internet will probably go soon too, so I probably won't be hanging out here too much longer.
JcMack
Member
We've had discussions here on this board about gas prices and vehicles. It always works out that your better off keeping a vehicle even if the gas mileage is not the best. Trying to sell your house and buy a smaller one will involve uprooting the family. Even if you could sell and rebuy in this market moving the wife and kids to a new neighborhood and schools aren't worth the problems it could create. You're not alone in this mess, believe me. I'm retired now mainly because of health issues. At 64 I'm still paying for health benefits. They are no longer "pre tax" so I am essentially taxed on my med benes for the last ten years. Everybody's story is a bit different, but more or less ultimately the same. I do not wish to kill this thread with comments on what's wrong with the country. It took a long time to get to this point and nobody saw it coming? Good luck to you firestrat
P.S. Don't get rid of internet unless it's cable. It is much more than entertainment now. If it's cable it provides more speed than you need. If it's DSL, then renegotiate with the provider. I did that recently and saved $10 a month. Tell them you want a dry loop and want to cancel your phone service and go to cell only. They'll jump thru their butt to keep you a customer. Cancel long distance and go to local calls only on land line. Google Gmail has FREE long distance calling. Obviously you need internet access to utilize it. This is only a suggestion: Your kids are under the rebellious age. A family meeting might be in order. Trying to carry the whole thing is depressing, I've been there. A nine year old is surprisingly on top of things, and can help with siblings. I'd quit the addition money on the house payment for now. If stopping the 401K contributions doesn't effect your taxes dramatically I'd stop it for now.
PPS: Internet access allows you to get coupons for almost anything. It will offset the cost of the service. If you cut yourself off from the internet community it will drive you further in to a place you don't want to be.
You are not whining, you're presenting your problem to an adult board. You're job demands all your attention. You do not need these problems in the back of your mind haunting you all the time. I wish I had more viable suggestions.
P.S. Don't get rid of internet unless it's cable. It is much more than entertainment now. If it's cable it provides more speed than you need. If it's DSL, then renegotiate with the provider. I did that recently and saved $10 a month. Tell them you want a dry loop and want to cancel your phone service and go to cell only. They'll jump thru their butt to keep you a customer. Cancel long distance and go to local calls only on land line. Google Gmail has FREE long distance calling. Obviously you need internet access to utilize it. This is only a suggestion: Your kids are under the rebellious age. A family meeting might be in order. Trying to carry the whole thing is depressing, I've been there. A nine year old is surprisingly on top of things, and can help with siblings. I'd quit the addition money on the house payment for now. If stopping the 401K contributions doesn't effect your taxes dramatically I'd stop it for now.
PPS: Internet access allows you to get coupons for almost anything. It will offset the cost of the service. If you cut yourself off from the internet community it will drive you further in to a place you don't want to be.
You are not whining, you're presenting your problem to an adult board. You're job demands all your attention. You do not need these problems in the back of your mind haunting you all the time. I wish I had more viable suggestions.
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