Goals for 2008
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Get into and graduate from NYPD Police academy in July 08.
So far per my investigator I’m good to go. I’m waiting for the call this weekend -
Join the NYPD’s boxing team.
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Lose 30+ lbs.
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Win a Judo competition.
Talk to a CPA. Incorporating sounds good and all, but you have to have the right circumstances, otherwise it’s an unnecessary expense and some lawyer can charge you a bunch of fees for little if no gain. You might be better off with a sole proprietorship- contact the small business administration in Oakland and see what they say. It’s free and that’s what they are there for- to help out people trying to start a business. You’re paying taxes to keep their doors open, you might as well get your money’s worth.
SFPD pays twice what NYPD pays, and they’re hiring, look into it. If you get hired, you owe me.
SFPD meaning San Franciso Police, it would be a hell of a commute to work.
SF won’t seem so far if the whole NYPD thing really doesn’t play out. Plus, if you’re straight, there a ton of gorgeous women waiting to meet a guy with an accent and a badge in SF, considering a major amount of the male population is gay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. All I can say is that a young, straight guy in SF can get laid with no money and a shitty car, and were not talking ugly women, either. Christ, a badge and SF, think of the possibilities. And sure, real estate is expensive here, but so it NY. Good luck, either way
Not as easily as a young, gay guy. Seriously, what does NYPD pay, $5.50 an hour?
Touche. However, being that there are so many of them in SF you may not get pick of the litter in that community- you know, scarcity and all that.
Ever notice how SF is full of gays and Chinese, yet you rarely see any gay or Chinese bums?
You’re just not looking in the right places, that’s all. Plus, the sense of family is much stronger, so there is more of a safety net, for someone who can’t make it. It’s no big deal to stay with your folks, where as, white people boot there kids as soon as they can. This is coming from a white guy. The gay thing is probably a closet thing. From what I read, HK has a huge gay population, so it’s not genetic, just quiet.
PS- let’s try to stay on topic- so switchblade, when are you going to the SBA or talking to a CPA?
You’re right, I could go on all day about gay Chinese bums.
I’m trying to avoid a business loan, as i would probably have to put up the house as collateral. If I can’t fund it myself, which would not cost too much, her folks might even offer a loan. I will have her look into a loan for female minorities (as she is a middle-class college graduate and I am poor white trash), and any free services, I will have her look into. I think her main set-back is she lacks salesmanship. But now that we live in 209, she definitely has the edge as far as fashion goes, while boutiques in SF are a dime a dozen.
The problem I’ve had with financial advisors, CPAs and such, they always seem to have an agenda, or their own product to sell. I did well finding real estate people, because they were related to ‘family’. My ignorance of ‘legalese’ leaves me vulnerable. I learned this when a car salesman slipped me a 2 year warranty, with 'You should have read the contract".
Switch, from what I understand, the small business administration also has mentors. You could go to the chamber of commerce and ask them as well. Lana is a sweet young lady, and she can tell you about seminars out there for people getting started. I understand your trepidation about Financial Planners and salespeople. I’m a sales person myself, so I know about agendas. At the same time, do you expect free advice from anyone but the library? If you see a CPA, they will charge you, but if it gets on the right track, it’s well spent. I would also suggest you call Ray Lucia next week- he’s on 1550 AM from 9 am to 12 pm PST- he is a good guy and answered several of my questions- but only one at a time. He has a lawyer and a CPA. If you ask him “My wife wants to start a boutique, she is going to be the sole employee, are there any advantages to incorporating or should we be an LLC or Sole PRoprietorship?” he will give you a straight up answer. Now, if you want to get in depth, he’ll go off line and recommend someone. Sooner or later you have to bite the bullet. Now, you could go to classmate.com and look through all the profiles and see if there is anyone from BHS is a CPA that will give you free advice, but that would be a sorry thing to do- trade on friendship. Just get off your ass and call on Monday, then go see a CPA. There, there’s a new years goal.
Appreciated, BJJ.
Swicthblade, don’t forget to tell me how it goes- and I’m going to post my 3 main goals-
- Make an ungodly amount of money- IF I said how much, some would say I’m bragging and others would think it’s pathetic.
2.Save $ 12,000 in an emergency fund
3.Do the crossfit workouts- first learn the exercises I don’t know, but full on, W/out fall by march 1st. The main strength goal is a 225 lb squat 10 times and 300 Deadlift 5 times. I know it’s not much, but I’ve got some real disc problems- so it’s enough for me.
4.Put IRA, 529, and Money Market Savings on autopilot- i.e. auto debit into the accounts. - Get 50 rounds of sparring in.
The actual list of goals is much longer, but who really wants to look at that
Good luck! I just graduated from the NYPD academy December, and I am working in the Bronx. Real busy, and non stop fun/terror depending on your demeanor. Take all you martial arts experience and check them at the academy door, since the instructors will use you as a demo/punching bag for the “approved techniques”. Keep a low profile in the academy, then when you graduate the streets are another story. 
There are alot of good fighters in the NYPD who use what they learned previously outside, you’ll meet a pretty cool bunch of guys from all different styles, and you’ll meet some people who have never thrown a punch in their life. The NYPD is the most fun you can have while being paid $25,100 to $59,000 in 5 years. Though a new contract is in the works which is rumored to be about $36,000 starting to $69,000 in 5 years.
I’m going to resurrect this thread as we are 3/4’s of the way through 2008. How many people got through there goals? I didn’t. The economy took over and most of my fitness goals had to take a back seat. Also, my wife’s employment situation really kind of blew the savings auto pilot thing. I still have 3 months to hit the 50 rounds, though, and I lost 8 pounds of fat, so it wasn’t a complete loss.
I expect a response from Frank White on the boutique project.
Cheers!
The boutique has been put on hold since other clothing stores have been closing down here in the central valley, which I believe has been hit hardest (or at least first) in the real estate market. We’ve decided to wait it out so she can hit the ground running.
She has been doing ok with her internet and consignment, and she is part of a co-op boutique, where she works one day a week, and pays part of the rent. She will also be on MTV doing a make-over for some fat chick. I’ll PM and let you know when thats on.
My own goals have not been achieved, some health problems and me having to work through them has made this a rough year. But with all the forclosures in the area, I count my blessings, and have decided to ride it out and keep my home. Worse case scenario, I may have to work in Europe during the winter if the economy doesn’t pick up, though my wife is not to fond of that idea.
I had forgotten about this thread, but I’m happy to say I’m just about on track to where I wanted to be.
Update:
Got a new job with a about a 25% raise, but I still should have 1 month gross (new)salary in the bank by Jan 1. So far this year I’ve paid off a credit card and a line of credit, next up is my heloc and 2 car loans.
Thanks again for the savings account suggestion. I’ve already made over $25 on my HSBC Direct account from starting with a couple hundred dollar balance at the start of the year. The return I’m getting is damn near that of a CD.