To the poors-I salute you!

ftrovato said:

We are all fortunate to be 'Hunters'.

If we get to Africa is a bonus to be thankful for.

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Amen brother!

deewayne2003 said:

Well said about priorities!

Just before Covid hit I lost the best paying and longest tenured job of my career and within a month had four close friends and family die.

So I decided to do the most unAmerican thing I could do…..

I took a two month long vacation in Australia and I’m glad I got to see it before Covid and returned home shortly before the Covid lockdowns.

People ask me how I can afford to buy land or travel/hunt; and I point out that the vehicle I’m driving is only the second one I’ve owned since I graduated high school in 2002.

I’ve found that Americans(especially Texans) spend money on distractions like deer leases and boats slips vs travel and hunting because many will not leave their comfort zone of traveling internationally……. Other than direct flights to tourist trap beach vacations.

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Let's not be to harsh on the fine Texans on here! Wink.

deewayne2003 said:

Well said about priorities!

Just before Covid hit I lost the best paying and longest tenured job of my career and within a month had four close friends and family die.

So I decided to do the most unAmerican thing I could do…..

I took a two month long vacation in Australia and I’m glad I got to see it before Covid and returned home shortly before the Covid lockdowns.

People ask me how I can afford to buy land or travel/hunt; and I point out that the vehicle I’m driving is only the second one I’ve owned since I graduated high school in 2002.

I’ve found that Americans(especially Texans) spend money on distractions like deer leases and boats slips vs travel and hunting because many will not leave their comfort zone of traveling internationally……. Other than direct flights to tourist trap beach vacations.

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We’re all impacted differently by death and life altering changes. I’m sure your travel is/was one of the more memorable experiences of your life, and gave you a different outlook or perspective.

I do agree about the American/Texan thing. Not being a born and raised Texan, and having lived in over a dozen states has shown how different regions or states have different focuses, spending habits, and standards.

Tanks said:

Was this in the 50s? Uniform of the day seems to be leisurewear in business and first class nowadays. I think the last time I saw people in suits at First Class was a Pan Am flight when I was a teen.

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As someone who’s flown 5 of 6 flights this week in First Class I’d agree with you. I don’t fly in First Class because I pay for it, I fly there because I fly a lot and get upgraded frequently. Typically I feel I’m one of the better dressed passengers, but only because I’m coming from or going to something for work and haven’t had an opportunity to change. I’m also normally traveling carry-on only so I can easily adjust and move flights.

Most everyone else is in leisure wear and wants to be comfortable. If you watch closely, it’s pretty easy to pick out who’s in FC because they fly a lot, and who’s in FC because they spent the money on the ticket or earned status due to credit card spend.

Sounds like "I sho' is sorry for me" from this guy.

You are far richer than 95% of the people on this planet, yet you whine over the size of your airplane seat.....Really???

DaddyFlip said:

Said it before, say it again; I'll never go to Africa. The reason is I don't fly; won't fly. Mass transit stopped being tolerable for me years ago. Plus the desire isn't there. I just like the entertainment.

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I hate flying too. It's the main reason I waited so long in life to go to Africa, but damm, I sure love to hunt over there.

Mtn_Infantry said:

As someone who’s flown 5 of 6 flights this week in First Class I’d agree with you. I don’t fly in First Class because I pay for it, I fly there because I fly a lot and get upgraded frequently. Typically I feel I’m one of the better dressed passengers, but only because I’m coming from or going to something for work and haven’t had an opportunity to change. I’m also normally traveling carry-on only so I can easily adjust and move flights.

Most everyone else is in leisure wear and wants to be comfortable. If you watch closely, it’s pretty easy to pick out who’s in FC because they fly a lot, and who’s in FC because they spent the money on the ticket or earned status due to credit card spend.

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I'm curious what gives away the big spenders vs earned status 1st class passengers? Their choice of cologne or manicure? Or maybe Walmart Wrangler attire vs Abercrombie & Fitch?

Fortunately, when I was a teen I was bucking bales in a barn to buy shotgun shells for duck hunting. Both did much more for character development than sitting on my mommy's lap flying first class. In fact, my first commercial flight was from Butte, MT to basic training at Ft Ord, CA in December 1971. And the Army didn't fly us first class. Okay ... technically still a teen then but just barely.

I am rich. There, I said it. I am rich! Living and working in third world countries most of my life has given me a much different perspective on wealth. I woke up this morning and ground some of the best coffee beans in the world (cupping score and international awards support my claim) to make fresh coffee. I can see the farm that grew the coffee from my balcony. I walked down to the market where I was warmly greeted by dozens of people and bought a few things for Mama to make a big pot of beans. I will be grilling pork ribs to go with it and no doubt the smell will attract one or more of our Colombian friends.

Not counting some "great military moments", I have never been hungry. I survived successful military and civilian careers, cancer and a few long term ICU stays. We own our condos and vehicles and we owe nobody. We have been to Africa 4 times, staying about a month each time. We set goals, establish priorities and like the Grupo Origen hit, I look at myself in the mirror and say "Cabrón, yo puedo". Through all the hard work and blessings, we are rich.....and thankful. I am sure that despite the differences in financial status of the members here, majority of us are "rich".


View from our balcony yesterday evening



View of the town from our balcony yesterday evening



And thanks to technology, I can see what is happening on the deer lease.
How can I not say I am rich?

Safe hunting!

Ontario Hunter said:

I'm curious what gives away the big spenders vs earned status passengers? Their choice of cologne or manicure? Or maybe Walmart Wrangler attire vs Abercrombie & Fitch?

Fortunately, when I was a teen I was bucking bales in a barn to buy shotgun shells for duck hunting. Both did much more for character development than sitting on my mommy's lap flying first class. In fact, my first commercial flight was from Butte, MT to basic training at Ft Ord, CA in December 1971. And the Army didn't fly us first class. Okay ... technically still a teen then but just barely.

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There’s only so many seats in FC and people in the first boarding group. It often includes your frequent travelers who didn’t get upgraded.

Most passengers that fly enough to earn top status will have certain types of luggage and you can tell it’s used. They board and take seats very rapidly. Their bags are typically packed specifically so allows them to quickly and efficiently access what they need during the flight. They won’t walk on with a shopping bag or two, have neck pillows and other shit dangling. They’re often on the phone or laptop up to take off and during the flight. How they interact with the flight attendants and what/how they order drinks/food. Add in the million or two million miler tags and it’s pretty easy.

M70375! said:

Very well said sir, I agree 100%

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To put that in perspective, I paid about $215,000 net of taxes just to put my two kids through college all cash no debt so they could start their careers without debt and no debt on me either…when you don’t have kids or are married you are right you can do a lot of things!!!! Would not trade my life for anything or my wife and kids just laughing at my “ opportunity cost”

Ontario Hunter said:

Both did much more for character development than sitting on my mommy's lap flying first class.

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For a self declared multi-millionaire that can afford Ferraris you sure have a chip on your shoulder about those that are comfortable and enjoy life.

You mention it like a badge of honor that you live in squalor even though you can do better. I don't get the logic there.

To the OP.

I nearly spit out my Pappy Van Winkle and almost wrecked my Rolls Royce when I read your original post my good sir. Now chop chop! Be gone peasant! LOL!

Rare Breed said:

To put that in perspective, I paid about $215,000 net of taxes just to put my two kids through college all cash no debt so they could start their careers without debt and no debt on me either…when you don’t have kids or are married you are right you can do a lot of things!!!! Would not trade my life for anything or my wife and kids just laughing at my “ opportunity cost”

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I commend you on paying for your kids college. IMO there are a lot of other ways they can start life without significant student loan debt should they so decide college is the path for them.

I still have my GI Bill and constantly wrestle with the thought of going back to school for my MBA. I’ve yet to use my college degree, and would 100% return my undergrad if I could get even a fraction of that money back.

deewayne2003 said:

Well said about priorities!

Just before Covid hit I lost the best paying and longest tenured job of my career and within a month had four close friends and family die.

So I decided to do the most unAmerican thing I could do…..

I took a two month long vacation in Australia and I’m glad I got to see it before Covid and returned home shortly before the Covid lockdowns.

People ask me how I can afford to buy land or travel/hunt; and I point out that the vehicle I’m driving is only the second one I’ve owned since I graduated high school in 2002.

I’ve found that Americans(especially Texans) spend money on distractions like deer leases and boats slips vs travel and hunting because many will not leave their comfort zone of traveling internationally……. Other than direct flights to tourist trap beach vacations.

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I’ll disagree with this a bit. There are probably more Texans that go on safari than most other states combined.

And a deer lease isn’t a distraction if that what you value. I know many people. That would rather have a deer lease than a vacation. There is nothing wrong with that. They just prioritize something different than you do.

This thread made me laugh so hard today. Thanks to the OP and everyone involved.

One of my favorite quotes is from a Malibu (liquor) commercial. If we took life as seriously as this, then we’d never have invented Malibu

Truly good advice, lighten up and smile. Everyone on this forum is richer than 99,99 procent of all people that ever lived.

Tanks said:

For a self declared multi-millionaire that can afford Ferraris you sure have a chip on your shoulder about those that are comfortable and enjoy life.

You mention it like a badge of honor that you live in squalor even though you can do better. I don't get the logic there.

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You and I obviously have different perceptions of what defines "doing better" and "squalor." You also imply because I don't spend a lot of money, even though I have it, I'm somehow less comfortable and enjoying life less than you. But you don't know that. You associate living in the lap of luxury with happiness. Not surprising given your born-with-a-silver-spoon upbringing. You don't know any better. When you were playing in riding boots at an English boarding school I was probably shoeing my own horses during the day and punching pots midnight shift at the aluminum plant. I don't know if you were more comfortable or enjoyed that life more, but I do know I was very happy then. And I was driving a 5-window '53 Chev 1-ton stock truck I built literally from the ground up using parts from wrecks in the local junkyard. Dad called it variously the "Flintstone truck" and/or "carnival wagon." Doors, fenders, and body were different colors. Beer keg for saddle tank and short bed from Ford Model A. The stock rack I made myself ... but rather incorrectly with chute gate in the middle. Once both horses were loaded they couldn't back out without bumping into the rack. Finally the gals figured it out on their own. I'm standing with both halter ropes in hand wondering what to do, Duchess throws her head down, Jean throws her head up, and stomp, stomp, they're turned around with me in the middle. Quite magical actually. Everyone knew that truck and the story behind it. Guys at the plant marvelled that my old Chev relic would start at -40° when new trucks in the parking lot didn't turn over. Wish I still had it today. Great memories of my unenjoyable life of squalor, and discomfort. You don't have a clue. How could you?

There are hunting resources that are shared here, AND, you might not have noticed, financial advice sometimes given here by people who have learned how to create wealth. Rookhawk comes to mind. It is like "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." You can learn to approach life differently and up your status. Better by far to learn than to envy.

I get the meaning of the original post. It’s a shout out to the people whose safari “planning” involves planning on how to pay for it, lol. I don’t see it as much more than that. I took it as an acknowledgment of the sacrifices some make to do it. Just like any pursuit or passion that comes with sizable costs. There are hurdles to overcome. Sometimes that may be family, work, or a non hunting spouse that can put forth a good case for how leisure money could be spent. Sometimes money can be the easier hurdle too. My spouse’s only issue is budgeting her too, lol.
I go to SCI and watch YouTube hunts and understand the difference between the game farm plains game special and the multi species dangerous game hunt in a wild place. Same as I understand the difference between my old vehicle and the new luxury ride.
I have people look at me like the “rich” guy when someone mentions that I’ve hunted Africa and I understand the offense that can be taken from that too. That, “I worked hard and earned this”, feeling.
The ones that are inquisitive and not meaning to offend I am happy to explain ways I am able to afford what I am able to do. Just as many on here do often.
For the record. I find anyone who has a passion for it much more interesting to talk to and be around than those just trying something as a vogue. I’ve met people who were tremendously well traveled who didn’t seem to have two nickels to rub together and were great to speak with and I’ve met truly rich people just as passionate and interesting. But most people are not going to make sacrifices for anything not important to them.
The funny thing for me is when people visit my home the first time they are shocked as they come in my very modest house and are face to face with a buffalo. Most of them look around at the African trophies and then at me with disbelief and that look that asks how did you afford this? Sacrifice. We all make them in some form to do it.
I am rich though, in the best sense. I always appreciate the blessings I have and when my planning and sacrifices pay off with great experiences. Generally, I want it bad enough, it’s doable.

I snapped this pic on the walk to the lake this morning. Family + Nature + Needs Met = Rich

Happy hunting