I have no idea what to do, I have a snugglebunny of things I want to buy. I don't have money at the moment but it seems like I'm only gonna have money to get one thing.

I eventually want to get an iphone but at the moment i have a cell phone and a little 2GB mp3 player, I need to solder one of the battery wires back on but no big deal.

I spend all my money on drums and drum related stuff. Everytime I get money I've spent it on drum stuff. For christmas I got a tenor pad, some sticks and a modern multitenor book. Then I got a drumset. Then I just recently spent over $70 on the rudimental cookbook, bill bachman's quad and rudimental logic and like a $30 stickbag i got for $20

So I want to be commited enough but i want to buy some toys and spoil myself a little. I got a psp about 6 months ago i think, I gave it to a friend to do the pandora battery thing to ad install custom firmware. Then he said he lost it, which i believed because he lost one of his own psp's earlier in the year, he's basically rich so his father boughtr him another one. He said he'd get money somehow and get me another psp. In retrospect when he asked me if this one psp was mine and i said no, I should have said yes. He seemed to be getting money and he gave me his number, I wasn't in class with him the last couple days of school because we had different finals. So school has ended and I call him, it was a fake phone number

I want to get another used psp but I'd rather have an xbox 360 f.y.i. I traded in my ps2 all my games which was like 40, my gamecube and all those games, about 5 for my psp. So have I spent enough money on drum stuff lol? My dad offered to pay for my drivers ed which is like $300 but because of marching band i won't be able to take it until spring so i was thinking of asking him for a 360. Because now I have no video games to play. I want to get some new cymbals, or a new cymbal rather but I'm not that good at drumset I'm taking my first lesson today and I think I should spoil myself and get a 360. What do you guys think?

Get a 360 so you can play Portal

Here's an idea... list out what you need versus what you want.

You WANT an iPhone.
You WANT ax Xbox 360.
You WANT a PSP.
You WANT more toys.
But you don't NEED any of them.

You NEED the driving course.
At some point you might NEED a car.

One thing you really need? Not to let money continually burn a hole in your pocket. Try saving it. It's amazing what can happen when you save money.

Oh... and in b4 t3h bill

I save money all the time, that's how i got a drumset, a computer and most of my crap. That;s the thing I don't have any toys.

also guys what games should I get? If i get a 360?

1.get a 360
2.buy ncaa 09
3.buy call of duty 4
4.enjoy

no what you do is save enough for what you want then blow it all on that thing. What Cadet 311 is talking about is actually saving money to have money saved. Example "it would be cool to have new cymbals for my drumset but the old ones still work so I'm going to save the 500 dollars i have in the bank instead of blowing the 500 dollars for new cymbals and now I'm broke"

So then down the line when you have a few grand in the bank and a cymbal cracks on you, you can buy a new cymbal and not blow your entire savings

More specifically I think Cadet311 might have been saying eventually things you need like the drivers ed course and a car is going to become something you need right away and you won't have the money for it because instead of having your dad pay for the drivers ed course you had him buy you a 360 and now you dont have money to pay for the drivers ed course. Then what would you do?

They have these things now called 'jobs'. I don't know if you have one already but they actually pay you to do stuff!

Even if you do have a job, I'd like to reiterate what Cadet311 said. Earning money takes patience, sometimes it takes a while to get what you want. Therefore you should set your priorities for the things you need and let the 'wants' come second.

I won't be able to take drivers ed because of marching band until spring. I got like 9 application for jobs, then my moms friend was going to have me work for him, he has a fencing company, so I didn't turn in my aplications and his business has been going slow so he doesn't need me, which sucks because he would work well with my band hours. And If I get a job now I'm not sure how well they will work around my marching band schedule, I guess I should turn in all those applications, but believe me I've tried to get a job.

Well, seeing as you didn't hand in "9 applications", I personally don't think you tried hard enough. You put all your eggs in one basket and they got smashed.

Save your money. What will any of those things you WANT help you do in life? Entertainment, that's it. Save your money and you'll appreciate what you have more. If your parents offer to buy you things, say "No thanks, Let me try to get it on my own". You'll have more respect for the dollar, more respect for what you get, and more respect for yourself.

When I was in 7th grade, I worked an entire summer to purchase my first REAL drum kit, a Tama Rockstar in Forest Green, and it was so worth it to pick up those drums and say these are MINE.

Now, that I have a part time job (that pays pretty well), I can plan my purchases. Right now, I have a drum kit that cost $5200 waiting for me to pick up. I saved my money from working and put $2000 down before hand and I'm going to put another $600 down when I pick it up. When the drums go on my credit card (0% interest for 12 months), I'll have them half paid off and I'll have no problem paying them off over the next year.

And I'll very much enjoy my new toys.

Moral of the story? Save your money. You can live without the bigger, better and hipper technological and musical toys for a while.

You don't have a money problem. A real money problem means you can't afford the things you NEED, like housing, food, or schooling. You're just whining about things you WANT.

If you really want the Xbox or whatever else, maybe you shouldn't have spent all your money on drum stuff. Or maybe you should turn in those job applications you have. Maybe those employers would work around your band schedule, but you've got to take the initiative to apply and ask!

I saved $750 over 2 years, my parents, didn't pay me allowance and borrowed money then i had nothing. Then I waited two more years and my mom felt bad and finally had some money, she spent half her tax check on my drumset, I waited 4 years, believe me I know the value of a dollar.

I'm not some spoiled kid who gets whatever he wants, the reason I want to get it with the drivers ed money is because, now that my dad has moved out and even before $300 is $50-$150 more than my parents spend on me for christmas. The reason I want to try and get it now is because there may not be another way to get it.

I understand what your saying about saving money but i have nothing to do other than drum, listen to music and use my ***** 10 year old, 15GB hard drive, 256mb ram, piece of ****

I see what your saying about not turning the applications in, do you think i should now, i'm just not sure if i'll have time because of marching band but other people do it so i should be able to


---

f.y.i. the reason I'm complaining is because i don't have much. My parents owe money to a lotta places. they still owe $300 for band from last winter, we have had are heat cut off for not paying the bill, they've filed for bankruptcy when i was a little kid, we don't have much.

I want to get the 360 because i don't have much. like i said just to get my psp i had to sell all of my playstation and gamecube stuff that i got over a couple of years.

most of my stuf was given to me by other family or i got really cheap. my computer desk was given to me, the chair my mom bought, the computer was $50 even though i saved up $750 i didn't get it from my parents as i explained. my printer was given to me. my tv was given to me as was the desk it's on. my bunk bed was given to me along with the two mattresses. I don't have much and my parents usually can't get me much that's why i want the 360.now that i have a chance because my dad offered me money for drivers ed so i wanna ask him since i can't take it now if i can have the money for a 360.



Combined because double posting is bad, mmk? Please use edit next time.
Kthxbye.
Cadet311

Cadet has some very good points. Most of the fun stuff I had when I was young I bought on my own. Got my first drumset from money I earned mowing yards. Spent $300 on an old Rogers kit that I would give almost anything to still have. Vintage guys are paying top dollar for those things now. My first car which was a POS cost me $500. Moral of the story is find a job. The money is easy to save when you don't have a lot of bills and expenses to keep up with.

As far as the game system goes...I wouldn't know what to tell you. The last system I owned was an Atari probably somewhere around 1983 and I was the happiest kid on the block when my dad finally got me Space Invaders.

As far as percussion stuff...that's easy. I waited until I finished college, got a good paying job and now I buy lots of drum stuff. It's nice that I have a steady income and don't have to save for something like when I was a teenager but it took me awhile to get to this point. Plus, I married a percussionist so I have multiple incomes and don't have to justify buying drums. And since my wife and I earn a great part of our income from playing and teaching it's all a tax write-off. As long as my son decides to be a percussionist I'll have him covered. My luck he'll want to play tuba or bassoon and I'll have to shell out more dough.

So, let's recap...get a job, save some cash, go to college, get a better job, make some more cash, marry a percussionist, buy lots of drums, and hope your offspring don't pick a wind instrument.

as much as i understand where you're coming from, believe me i do.
i have to agree w/ Cadet311 and the others i think you should save up for things you need or will be needing soon such as a car etc.

Dude, I understand what it's like to be poor. After my first season of drum corps, I returned home only to find out it wasn't my home anymore. We had been evicted!

There will likely be lots of times in your life where you want something you don't have, whether it's an Xbox, fancy clothes, a nicer car, or whatever. You've got two options: (1) Do what it takes to earn 'em, or (2) Learn to live without them. I suppose complaining is a third option, but it won't do anything to better the situation.

Oh, and akeith... There's a possible upside if your kid plays bassoon. Aren't scholarships handed out like candy to double reed players?

sorry i got so ***** with you, sometimes i get a little annoyed with not having money. I think I'm gonna do all of the above,

1)buy an xbox 360
2)get a job
3)save money
4)take drivers ed with saved money
5)buy crappy car with more saved money (Ithink I'll wait a year to buy my own car)

Yea, but you know how much bassoons cost? I guess those are all hand made, Those things run around 2k+ from what I know.

As for saving money, Instead of having views from a bunch of adults who have money, (Yes I know you guys are the best to listen to) but I will also restate what they said. I'm your same age, same problem, No job (Well, Im a few months to young) And you want something fun to do. Just save your money, work with what you have.

You dont need the best drumstuff ever, your not a pro yet, there are plenty of years for you to go invest 10k in drums, Not yet. Save your money, College is the most imporant thing now, Stick to what you have, save up your money, If you do get a job, try opening a bank account, deposit "X amount" of your check there every payday, and use the rest for things like this, Things for your entertainment.

New student model bassoons start in the $3,000 ballpark. Pro models often have five-digit price tags. $15,000 is common. But when compared to multiple years of college tuition, it could be a bargain!

The price might not be the biggest problem, though... Ever heard a beginning bassoonist? I don't think I'd want to live with one!

You don't need video games. Go pick up some sticks and practice. Video games are the biggest hinder you can put on yourself if you want to be a good drummer. If anything watch tv so your hands are actually free to chop out!!!

my sister just opened me a bank account with money she gave me, so i think i will

...

You know they have online drivers ed courses? That cost, at most, 50 bucks? You can work on them whenever, and not have the hassle of paying a kajillion dollars and driving out to God Knows Where.

:P

Just a suggestion.

I was actually going to suggest openening an account at Wachovia with the "Way2Save" option on it. Everytime you swipe your debit card or use your card online it puts a dollar into a high-interest savings acount. I love it. I've had mine for almost 4 months, and I've got a little over $200 in my savings by doing practically nothing. It really adds up.

You betcha! Double reeds and french horns are the way to go if you're looking for free tuition but having to listen to an oboe or bassoon is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Get a wii, then you can drum with one hand and hold the wiimote in the other

Just like Crash suggested, take online drivers ed, its only about $50, saves you, what, a couple hundred $? You can save up for your xbox 360 with what you save from that.

Shoot, I can't even stand the sound of a experienced bassoonist, Guess my band director was'nt lieing when he said it would be cheaper to feild the battery then to get 2 bassoons.

Nope, he wasn't lying.

Two bassoons = $6,000
My school's battery (4/2/5 plus carriers) = $5,600

i realize your intentions with your post, but it ended sounding like you complaining about not having money and wanting video games etc...The drumset: don't upgrade it, if you have a kick, snare, hi-hats, ride, and 2 toms, you are fine. You really don't need more than that, it will teach you how to become more creative with the sounds. Drivers ed: an online course sounds a little sketchy to me, but if you want to go for it. Don't buy a car...you probably don't need one, gas is expensive and judging by your situation you will probably end up paying for insurance. Seeing as you don't have a job you would have a good time paying for that. Do drivers ed and get a job. Right now i am working 8 hour days at an apple farm to raise money for drumcorps next year. Is it always fun? Not always. Do i enjoy it? yes. Farm labor is probably your friend, usually the bosses are very lax about schedules, which is good for band students. Get a job and you wouldn't have to worry about what to get and you wouldn't have to ask strangers on a drumline forum what to do.

Im not sure what hole you live in, but online drivers courses are very common nowadays and are THE alternative, if not THE main option, of taking drivers ed, usually if you go to DoT sites for your state they recommend good online drivers ed websites.

www.DMV.ORG
click on your state.

I was just on there today helping a friend sign up for a driving school class instead of paying the full price on a ticket.

Check it out.

Creekynoise,
im not sure what hole you live in where you automatically denounce someones opinion by more or less calling them stupid simply because they live in a state which you probably consider a hick state and has never heard of, seen or experienced online drivers ed courses. The only thing i have ever been exposed to in terms of drivers ed is what my parents, brothers, and i went through with a real person teaching us. So excuse me for expressing my opinion about something that is foreign to me. Notice i said that if it works for him to do it. I didn't discount it so don't discount me.

i didn't even know they had it you don't need to jump on my...stufff...and i looked they don't have it for my state at dmv's website i found it on another though

i get where youre comming from my family is alittle tight with money too since all of my moms yearly income and 1/2 my dads goes to my sister college tuition (45K a year) so i dont get money of my own unless i get a job or sell stuff. so acouple things ive found as helpful to saving money is 1)sell old video games...personally i sold them all and got like $300 for them and ive said maybe once in the past year "hey i wish i still had vids to play" 2)put the money where you cant get to it...the bank account is good but if you wanna save your money at home then go for the tin can with the hole or some sort of slotted box. if you can see how much you have you wont be planning to use it every second and youll be pleasently surprised when you open it.

and dont buy a car
gas is soo much right now
insurance is really expencive for single user cars
and the car itself with repairs will drain you

good luck

Im not denouncing anything, I live in the south I know all about "hick states." Online drivers ed seems to be the financial way to go, I've heard many financial experts and former government figures recommend it through many forms of media which lead me to believe im sure everyone has atleast heard of the idea? Ok so you may not be sure of the idea but ok well guess what now you do, if you didn't before, im sorry that you didn't.

As for a car, if you really need to get one, get something as small as you can, a very small car, or if your parents are willing to let you, pass the motorcycle test and buy a motorbike, depending on your age and when they let you do it, motorcycles are the fuel efficient way to go nowadays.

Im not sure what your school offers, but see what they can do about some kind if internship. My school offers certain job opportunities for seniors where they go off campus and do a certain thing monday-friday and get paid for it. One i've heard of is helping out and the lower schools (middle, elementary) its during school so you won't have to worry about band, as long as its not during a band period.

i'm gonna be a sophomore so that last thing won't work

Also, I'm pretty sure getting your motorcycle license is free as long as you get it with your drivers license. But really, When your getting 60 MPG, on a bike that costs you 5k new, who would'nt want a bike.

Those of us who drive in the snow.

wow, at my school, Driver's Ed is REQUIRED in 10th grade, and I can Have band 2 periods, which I have to take to periods or i'd have it every other day, but I gotta take spanish my junior and senior year for advanced diploma, and 1 PE class. I think the bd lets us take required class and go to the afternoon practices, that's what I hope.

Talking to a northern Ohioan (I guess that word works) here. As long as there is no ice on the road, button up tightly =)

so with online drivers ed where and how do you do the driving part

I personally dont know how the online drivers Ed works, But I know this is usually what happens. The chain of things to get your license.

Get your temps, While you have your temps, you take 24 hours of drivers ed. and get so many hours of driving time with your temps, When you are 16, and have your hours in, you take the written test, and then the driving test.

Thats the system how I understand it at least, Don't know if I'm 100% correct though.

The whole process varies from state to state. When I went through the process in California (way back when), there was "Driver's Ed" and "Driver's Training". Driver's Ed was the classwork -- studying rules, laws, and so forth. Driver's Training was the behind-the-wheel stuff. Both had to be completed to get a license before the age of 18.

Online Driver's Ed would work with California's (old?) model since it wouldn't need to include behind-the-wheel training. The State of Indiana seems to lump together both written and behind-the-wheel stuff in their definition of "Driver's Ed", so you may not be able to do it online.

But while I was looking at Indiana's rules, I noticed that you don't have to take Driver's Ed at all if you're 16 or older. There are some perks if you take Driver's Ed, like possibly getting your behind-the-wheel test waived, but it's not necessary. All you need to do is:

• Study the handbook to prepare for the written test.
• Pass the written test to get your learner's permit.
• Wait 60 days (while you're presumably practicing).
• Take the behind-the-wheel test at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

If you have any questions or want to look into other options, all the info you need is right here on the Indiana BMV web site.

ok thanks, i have to take drivers ed my mom said she decided this a million years ago lol, I new she was old but i was like dang! lol...wow I'm not funny..anyway thanks man