What do you do for a living?

It's really amazing how there 3 simple rules can, at least, keep you out of poverty:

1. Graduate High School
2. Do not have a child until after you are married
3. Do not quit a job until you have obtained a better job

In the U.S.A., that is really about all it takes to avoid being poor.


If you do one other thing, most will consider you "rich"...

1. Don't borrow money to fund anything except your home.



It's AMAZING, how far that will take you!

Many people think I'm "rich," but, I've never haven't had a substantial inheritance, never owned a new car, worked as a local government employee most of my life, and my wife was a public school teacher until she retired.

The first 3 rules, and not wasting money on "lifestyle" will take most people surprisingly far...

Scott CWO said:

Now the rest of the story comes out! Lol. A good life!

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The "side-gig" has always seemed to just about break even every year.

I've never made hardly any money on it, but it has afforded me some great deals on fishing tackle, fishing trips, and I've had the opportunity to meet many "legends" of the sport!

I took out a $15K HELC, my partner used a "student loan."

31 years later, somehow, we are still in business...

34 Yrs in Navy, as others drank dumb rum I looked for ways outside military to make money grow. Overall investments went well, retired at 52, now have cash flow and pensions. I never waste what funds that I attain. Buy a truck, built it as you want then keep it, repeat after 20 years. Decide your toys properly so no need to change often. IE Boats, quads, trailers, camper.

Your (OP) young, going to Africa for safari has little to do with money and ALL to do with drive and determination to go. Make a plan, stick with it and GO. No dope or smoke also helps you keep funds.

MB

I work in vegetation management as a labourer (well, team lead but do all the hard work also). Work 47.5 hour weeks. Buy cars outright (always old and only what we can afford without debt, and only have 1 car). Bought the cheapest house at the time.
Still can’t afford to go on a hunt. Ah well!

By profession I am a metallurgical engineer in the minerals processing side of that field. I was funded through university by the Rhodesian government and paid back my time with the Zimbadwe government for the four years. Then started a company with a partner and been 'self employed' ever since. Lost the company twice as Zimbabwe tried and failed at various social experiments, but the latest incarnation was designed to be virtually bullet proof and doing well.
My needs are not great and all the toys are there. It is about passing it all on, and by it I mean not just the company, but the ethos, tools and wisdom to perpetuate it.
I am also on the steering group for our small church, which is very satisfying.
I have enough to hunt, but as you know my wife gets an equivalent reward for everything that goes on my hunts or guns! We both like adventure travel.

I went Army, college, then work. The company I work for is a fortune 100 construction/technology company and and I have been with them for 21 years. I am the associate director of data center construction.

I am 86 and hoping I don’t get 86’ed. I have been a lucky man but think it is time to hang up my guns.

Mekaniks said:

It’s all about priorities….

I work with guys that own new a new RV, jet boat, snow machines, timeshare in Cabo, and drive a new pickup every 5 years… then ask “how do people afford to hunt in Africa”???

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ditto

sgt_zim said:

A 7 day plains game hunt for 4 or 5 trophies, all-in (including the hunt, lodging, air, tips, and taxidermy) is less expensive than a guided elk or moose hunt in the western US. It isn't cheap, but it's less expensive than most imagine who aren't familiar with such things.

Most of the folks here are upper middle class, with a smattering of 1%-ers.

If you can afford to save maybe $350/month, you'll have the money for a nice hunt in South Africa or Namibia every 3 or 4 years.

The missus and I do very well for senior technical/low-level management. I drive a 13 yo truck, she drives an 11 yo car. We've been steadily plowing as much as we can save into real estate, and I set aside the aforementioned money into a "hunting" account. Other than mortgage, we have no personal debt. We live below our means, quite well below it.

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@sgt_zim
My wife and I are just into the middle class area and a long way from upper middle class.
But we worked out buts off for years and are pretty well debt free and own our own home with very few expenses. The wife's car is 6 years old and my old 1997 4x4 diesel will stay with me for as long as possible or I die which ever comes first. I like it because it's simple to work on, ultra reliable, goes every where I want with NO fancy computer to keep it going. I like simple in the bush as I know it will get me back home.
Saving any excess money into a separate account for holidays and hunting is the best way to get things done in my book.
My philosophy is work to live not live to work. As long as we have enough to live on and keep the wolves from the door and save a bit as well we're happy.
I'm a retired long haul truck drive and disability worker and my wife is in a govt job that she has been doing for 40+ years and she will retire in a couple of years at 65.
Bob

Redheadkentuckian said:

Thanks! You hit the nail on the head. I should have specified more clearly. I completely understand with the right timeline and budget anyone can go to Africa, NZ, Europe and more. I am very interested in those older than me (I am 26 haha) in how they got to where they are and what has driven them to their success as a hunter and professionally. I know that may be personal but I am just wanting to be able to do it my self one day. What sparked this thread was reading one from earlier today where every one was posting all their plans for the year and wow! I saved up for a hunt up north for bears this past year and it was my first foray in big game outside of deer so reading about people taking trips 2-4 times a year, I am just trying to mimic that one day. I know I rambled on but I hope that makes sense.

Cheers

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@Redheadkentuckian
I'm young compared to some on this site but I'm sure a lot will agree with me. I'm 67.
I got where I am with bloody hard work. Forklift for loading trucks back when I started were few and far between. It was just pure muscle and hard work to load trucks. Yes it was hard graft but to me I loved the job so to me it was a job I got to travel around Australia and got paid to do it.
Young People whinge and and bitch about interest rates now. When I bought my first house interest rates were 18% but we survived.
Um not including you but a lot of young people nowadays wouldn't know what hard work was if'n it but then in the arse.
Find a job you love, work hard, live simply ( you don't have to keep up with the Jones) and save as much as you can. I'm not saying don't enjoy life, but when you go to buy that cup of star bucks coffee think, do I want that or will I put the money away. Not having that cup of coffee every day is almost $2,000 you can put in your hunting/spending account each year.
Bob

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen, extremely wise advice!!

CBeck said:

Oddly enough, I drink enough rum to supply a small Caribbean nation.

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@CBeck
Problem is you need to drink the only palatable run on earth BUNDY RUM.
Bob