The Economy and Your Active Lifestyle (Page 3)

I believe this is meant to be sarcastic? All of my knowledge and exp regarding your country comes from talking and knowing quite a few ppl who live and work there, and who I am a very good friends with. I'm sorry, but tv is not a valid source of information for that kind of thing, it's all too wound up to conform to the picture that any particular tv station or network is trying to get across to their audience at a given time. Whether that picture reflects reality is another matter in itself. So no, I don't believe 90% things said on tv, because they are always heavily slanted towards one point of wiev, whatever is the reason for that.

I know from a lot of ppl - who go there, and never come back, that it is much better over there. If it wasn't, they would already be back. Remember that house u speak of? So, in order to buy a house, I would need to live for about at least 120 yrs so I could pay it off. I think it's safe to say you can do that well within a lifetime. And also, I know from firsthand exp the relation of income/life costs here versus there. And, there is no comparison.

I know a lot of things, I'm specialized in an industry that builds extremely complicated objects, I have a fair knowledge of my engineering bussiness, but guess what? I'm working for chips so to say. With my knowledge and exp in the industry, I reckon at least 5 to 6000 U$ per month is realistic, since I've been offered that by someone I know who lives and works there. And he said he would like to have someone with my knowledge on board. So yes, you might say I'm a bit bitter when I hear talk about economic slowdown and problems in light of everything I know. And when I know that despite working about 55 to 60 hrs/week, I have to go for two weeks with about $70 for food, taking into account that food is much more expensive here, I get a tiny bit more bitter.

Meow-cat,

 I believe they were refering to where you live so we know where your perspective comes from. saying you are from Europe is like saying you are from Africa...It is a big place with wide varience from area to area. The TV comment on the above posters remark was being VERY sarcastic in that it points out that Americans have a lot wrong with them and with their priorities in life...there was no mention that anyone was getting any sort of information from TV.

As for how the economic slowdown is affecting me? Not to much because I am just starting my Tri-athlon life. My wife and I are still paying off some debt from our wedding this summer but it is carefully managed as part of our finances. I have my commuting bike which I am going to work on this spring/winter to try and make a few adjustments to it to make it less of a hybrid and more of a hybrid/roak bike combo so I can get a better Aero form. I am also doing some looking around in the hopes that I can find a good used wetsuit at one of the local shops. It does mean though that I am not trying to spend money on any big ticket items and am instead just focusing on things I can do on my own.

1. any thoughts of new road bike are gone

2. no more 1:1 coaching

3. much less traveling to races

Nice and broad perspective on things. "I dont want to know whats happening with the rest of the world as long as I'm allright." But you know, a world is a big place, and there is a wide variety of people, countries and all the stuff that goes with diversity, and it is a good thing to know something about it and not trying to be oblivious to the world that surrounds you. It is good to be open minded.

And, the original question was:

"How is the current economy and/or the prospect of worsening economic conditions affecting your multisport lifestyle?

Are you postponing making a big-ticket equipment purchase? Are you cutting back on your spending as a whole? Are you not changing a thing? Would love to hear from BT'ers both in the U.S. and abroad."

So yes, the answer to that question is what I wanted to express, and that's why I have responded to the question. And this is the right thread for my answer to that question, if you have doubts, please re-read the q. Last time I checked there wasnt a rule on BT posting guidelines that said that only threads concerning american themes and interests are welcome here. I have responded how it affected my lifestyle, because that is the answer. And since my lifestyle is what it is, it can't drop much further then the bottom it already is; therefore it that economy slowing doesn't phase me at all. Anyway, since spending over your abillities is what got you in this mess in the first place, it's a lesson to think about and not make that error again. What can I say more, you had your years of fun, now it is going to be much more like the rest of us had it for past decades.

No changes as far as Tri-related stuff.

Mark

None what so ever.

Matt Cazalas
Technical Writer

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My wife and I are spending more and more on "Tri-Stuff".  Call it our one family economic stimulus plan.  If we buy enough GU, maybe the economy will rebound.

Browncd that is great news to hear! and congrats on taking up Tri's at 61 that is also awesome. I would try and save like that but...unfortunately when I graduated from college and got my first job I started bike commuting to and from it so I don't have to extra money coming out of my budget to save for my new interest of Tri's. Not only that but paying off my wedding from this summer means...well that weddings are expensive! I have budgeted well though and I should be able to afford the modifications to my current Hybrid bike for racing next year, a good tri wetsuit and the New digital SLR camera I want. All together those three things should cost under 1200 dollors which is perfect. Then I have about 500 or so to spend on new gear that wears out (shoes etc) and on training food and entry fees. Then in 2010 I hope to be able to get a good road bike/tri bike.

 Budgetting sucks sometimes!