To those who proudly serve the country...

roastbeef · 12-11-2012, 08:50 PM

decent pay and low cost of living.

military likely consists of thrill seekers more likely to drive a fast car or motorcycle.

URBAN LEGEND · 12-11-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spdg37s

before this thread gets blown all out of proportion ...

Is this kind of like in before the lock?

datninja · 12-11-2012, 09:06 PM

Well, I'm active duty enlisted Air Force, and live pretty well ( single no kids). I have simply saved money from being stationed overseas and deployments. Co-workers think I do illegal activities on the side haha. It also helps not to be upside down on trade ins.

Endless619 · 12-11-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmmdreamer

There seem to be a lot of you who have Ms? Just a matter of coming back with a lump sum to spend? I think it's cool, I'm just use to the movies depicting soldiers struggling to get back into society following service.

I'm assuming many different circumstances but I'm curious to hear

Keep in mind some of us have been in over 15 years and have 2-3 paid off cars that are as good as cash. Very easy to do. I know some E7s that have 7 cars and multiple BMWs. I also know some O3s or W3s in the same boat. You need to learn how to manage your money and/or invest.

Some took the REDUX at 15 years and lost 10% of their retirement but got $30k and after taxes only got $22k. Not really worth it unless you are doing 30 years or using on a house. I have seen many blow it on a nice car.

Some come back from deployment with tax free pay and put a large lump sum down and finance the rest having a $200 a month payment on a 2012 M3. Seen it happen.

Pretty much if you are E5 and above with no credit card debt and single you can afford an M3. E4 and below you just do not make the money to purchase a car over $60k and you cannot show enough earned income for creditors.

SAINT VAN ROCK · 12-11-2012, 09:30 PM

17 years in the USAF and my wife is in too, managed our money well....capitalized on some great savings with Pentagon Car Sales just before departing Germany. Love the M3, but I am more proud of our house that we are in the process of building

donovan · 12-11-2012, 10:15 PM

^ Success story right there

Wasteland · 12-11-2012, 11:45 PM

have you seen the pay grades of officers? those dude are not poor.

URBAN LEGEND · 12-11-2012, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasteland

have you seen the pay grades of officers? those dude are not poor.

True. But when its time to brief the Gods failure will not be an option. Death can be had on the carpet.

donovan · 12-12-2012, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasteland

have you seen the pay grades of officers? those dude are not poor.

Agreed on that, should of stated enlisted lol

CPB · 12-12-2012, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasteland

have you seen the pay grades of officers? those dude are not poor.

Was making about $55K back in 1995, as a USAF pilot. Felt like all the money in the world to me.

donovan · 12-12-2012, 07:16 AM

Base pay?

CPB · 12-12-2012, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donovan

Base pay?

No, included fly pay. No VHA where I lived.

UBER ///M3 · 12-12-2012, 07:50 AM

Its From Saving And Saving Man...thats It Unlike These Other Soldiers That Go Out And Party I Spend Mine On My Ride And Mods Haha....im 27 Owned A 2009 M3 Fully Paid Off, Wrecked It, And Now Have A Brand New 2012 Zcp M3...so Its Not Making A Lot...its Proper Saving And Being Fortunate Honestly Along With Deployment....plus Im The 180 Of This So Called "///m3 Owner"...i Have So Many Tats I Cant Count, Half Black Half White, Ears Gauged, And Blast Hip Hop And House Outta My ///m3 So Lets Get Outta This Lame Old Man M3 Owner Mindset Haha!!!

mn_av8or · 12-12-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3FREAK

Its From Saving And Saving Man...thats It Unlike These Other Soldiers That Go Out And Party I Spend Mine On My Ride And Mods Haha....im 27 Owned A 2009 M3 Fully Paid Off, Wrecked It, And Now Have A Brand New 2012 Zcp M3...so Its Not Making A Lot...its Proper Saving And Being Fortunate Honestly Along With Deployment....plus Im The 180 Of This So Called "///m3 Owner"...i Have So Many Tats I Cant Count, Half Black Half White, Ears Gauged, And Blast Hip Hop And House Outta My ///m3 So Lets Get Outta This Lame Old Man M3 Owner Mindset Haha!!!

I need a nap after attempting to read that post.

F80.Ferg · 12-12-2012, 01:41 PM

i purchased my M3 before i deployed. Plus i am Army National Guard so not really getting paid good money back home.

Franken///M · 12-12-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mn_av8or

I need a nap after attempting to read that post.

donovan · 12-12-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mn_av8or

I need a nap after attempting to read that post.

I need a nap and a tylenol. lol

Mmmdreamer · 12-12-2012, 08:55 PM

Thank you for the insights, as a person who would probably be a poor solider (usually shot first in paintball), thank you and enjoy your rides!

izzyM2 · 12-13-2012, 01:01 AM

My bro just retired from 25 yrs of service. He was able to put 3 kids through university has two cars and as far as I know two properties that are paid for (1 is rental). His only 44 and according to him he and my sis in law no longer has to work the entire rest of there lives and are debt free as well. He may not be a millionaire but as far as I see it his better off than them.

lookitsma · 12-13-2012, 03:00 AM

The benefits are great. I recently separated as well. I feel for many of us, the problem after leaving isn't the money. Its just the lifestyle we've had to endure through the years. The pay scale is completely different if you look from Officer/Enlisted. I thought I made a good amount as an E-6. Couldn't imagine what it would be like as a O-3/O-4 after 8 years of service. Anyway, some are smart about it. Most are dumb and have no savings to their name and live way beyond their means because they have a steady paycheck. There was a little pay scare a little while back. You couldn't imagine how many AER loans were sought out cause we wouldn't get paid for a week or so.

Deployment money was nice but considering the hours we worked and the baggage I've had to deal with, its not as enticing as it once was. Kudos to the rest of you.

12-11-2012, 08:50 PM	#23
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11585 Rep 12,724 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	decent pay and low cost of living. military likely consists of thrill seekers more likely to drive a fast car or motorcycle. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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12-11-2012, 09:06 PM	#25
datninja Private First Class 19 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: bossier city, LA iTrader: (0)	Well, I'm active duty enlisted Air Force, and live pretty well ( single no kids). I have simply saved money from being stationed overseas and deployments. Co-workers think I do illegal activities on the side haha. It also helps not to be upside down on trade ins. __________________ MR E92/20"HRE P40SC/Meisterschaft GT/H&R/VF620
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12-11-2012, 09:30 PM	#27
SAINT VAN ROCK ///M Enthusiast 28 Rep 442 Posts Drives: 2012, E92 DCT M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colorado Springs/Black Forest, CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Ford Expeditio ... [0.00] 2004 Ford Expeditio ... [0.00] 2004 BMW 325i [0.00]	17 years in the USAF and my wife is in too, managed our money well....capitalized on some great savings with Pentagon Car Sales just before departing Germany. Love the M3, but I am more proud of our house that we are in the process of building
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12-11-2012, 10:15 PM	#28
donovan Brigadier General 371 Rep 4,167 Posts Drives: R8 - Ford Raptor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: National iTrader: (17)	^ Success story right there __________________ Audi R8 v10 Ford Raptor m3e46freak@yahoo.comfor all euro parts!! ebay/craigslist verified/ m3post/e46fanantics/m3forum/zpost/bimmerforum
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12-11-2012, 11:45 PM	#29
Wasteland Private First Class 8 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 09 Space Gray E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vegas iTrader: (1)	have you seen the pay grades of officers? those dude are not poor.
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12-12-2012, 07:16 AM	#33
donovan Brigadier General 371 Rep 4,167 Posts Drives: R8 - Ford Raptor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: National iTrader: (17)	Base pay? __________________ Audi R8 v10 Ford Raptor m3e46freak@yahoo.comfor all euro parts!! ebay/craigslist verified/ m3post/e46fanantics/m3forum/zpost/bimmerforum
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12-12-2012, 07:50 AM	#35
UBER ///M3 Nüburgring Nordschleife BTG 8:05 49 Rep 826 Posts Drives: 2012 LEMANS BLUE E92 ZCP M3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Ezelsdorf, Germany iTrader: (0)	Its From Saving And Saving Man...thats It Unlike These Other Soldiers That Go Out And Party I Spend Mine On My Ride And Mods Haha....im 27 Owned A 2009 M3 Fully Paid Off, Wrecked It, And Now Have A Brand New 2012 Zcp M3...so Its Not Making A Lot...its Proper Saving And Being Fortunate Honestly Along With Deployment....plus Im The 180 Of This So Called "///m3 Owner"...i Have So Many Tats I Cant Count, Half Black Half White, Ears Gauged, And Blast Hip Hop And House Outta My ///m3 So Lets Get Outta This Lame Old Man M3 Owner Mindset Haha!!! __________________ ESS V2 Tune, ACM Test Pipes, AA Green Filter,Custom painted Recaro Pole Positions, Akrapovic slip on, Stoptech ST60/ Pagid pads, KW Clubsports, APEX ARC8s/Pilot Sport Cups, Hamann carbon fiber hood, ONEighty Headlight mod (selfmade), CRT lip with splitters, Blacked out/paint matched emblems, black aluminum extended paddles and pedals
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12-12-2012, 01:41 PM	#37
F80.Ferg Private First Class 64 Rep 113 Posts Drives: F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E90 M3 [8.34] 2012 VW Jetta [0.00] 2011 Ducati 848 EVO [10.00]	i purchased my M3 before i deployed. Plus i am Army National Guard so not really getting paid good money back home.
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12-12-2012, 08:55 PM	#40
Mmmdreamer Captain 46 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3 Jet Black Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jersey City iTrader: (1)	Thank you for the insights, as a person who would probably be a poor solider (usually shot first in paintball), thank you and enjoy your rides! __________________ [08 e90 M3. Jet Black/Black. Dinan Rear Exhaust. ACM Test Pipes. ESS Tune. Eibach Pro-Kit + e36 bumpstops. 18x10 Apex Arc-8. AA Air Filter. RPI Scoops. CREE Angel Eyes. OEM Blacklines. Black Reflectors. Gloss Black Grills. Matte Black Gills. ZCP Shift Knob]
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12-13-2012, 01:01 AM	#41
izzyM2 Major 704 Rep 1,243 Posts Drives: 24’M2/21ID.4/21’MacanGTS Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4)	My bro just retired from 25 yrs of service. He was able to put 3 kids through university has two cars and as far as I know two properties that are paid for (1 is rental). His only 44 and according to him he and my sis in law no longer has to work the entire rest of there lives and are debt free as well. He may not be a millionaire but as far as I see it his better off than them.
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12-13-2012, 03:00 AM	#42
lookitsma Private First Class 8 Rep 138 Posts Drives: BMW M3 E92 Melbourne Red Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (0)	The benefits are great. I recently separated as well. I feel for many of us, the problem after leaving isn't the money. Its just the lifestyle we've had to endure through the years. The pay scale is completely different if you look from Officer/Enlisted. I thought I made a good amount as an E-6. Couldn't imagine what it would be like as a O-3/O-4 after 8 years of service. Anyway, some are smart about it. Most are dumb and have no savings to their name and live way beyond their means because they have a steady paycheck. There was a little pay scare a little while back. You couldn't imagine how many AER loans were sought out cause we wouldn't get paid for a week or so. Deployment money was nice but considering the hours we worked and the baggage I've had to deal with, its not as enticing as it once was. Kudos to the rest of you.
	Appreciate 0 Quote