YOUR thoughts on MY options

[ferretbiter]

Just a youngster looking for advice from those a bit older,wiser and most importantly wealthier than me.
Looking to decide on a future, having trouble getting advice from others around my, mainly because of repeated catch-phrases such as "whatever makes you happy" and "there's no wrong decisions when it comes to your future".Hodgepodge!!

So the options are as follows.

1.Stay a personal trainer and look to expand my local business, whilst trying to scope bargains in real estate/stocks.
+'s Takes little effort and its what im doing right now.
+'s very cheap to live in my current area.
-'s small town population and low socio-economic status means very little base for a large business in PTing.

2.Stay a personal trainer and move to a larger city where there is a far larger user base, and generally get paid double my current hourly rate.(One personal trainer gets 400 per hour(not bad work if you can get it)
+'s I have experience personal training and am far better qualified and educated then most Pt's out there, especially those who have done an online course.Thus should be able to find some work fairly quickly.
+'s Bigger city=more opportunities when it comes to real estate.
-'s hate large cities, freakin grid-lock traffic urggh.
-'s current pt market in the bigger cities is over saturated.
-'s Cost of living in most large cities is extremely high.

3.Join the airfield defense guard.Part of the Australian air force.
+ good pay at the start and increases quickly.
+ do not have to rely on others for cash income, job security likely very high.
+ get paid to be fit, which I enjoy.
+Good benefits and tax benefits.
+get to see the world....or at least some middle eastern desert filled with people trying to kill me.Maybe this isn't a plus....
+ possible increase in rank to officer status, good pay even better benefits.
+safer then most ground troops, may just sit back in Australia wandering around an airfield watching the f-14's fly in and out.
-Fly all over the world, never have time to check on real estate/stocks.
-Could be killed, many times over.
-Hated by most people my age.Don't think I mind really.

4.Join army as a PT.Most of the benefits above.
+Less pay, more safety.
+I have experience in this field.
+Have a few mates on the armed forces.
- Unlikely to see the world.

5.Study at TAFE/UNI and become Become a real estate agent.
+Get great knowledge on real estate pricing and valuing.
+get access to great deals before the public.
+am interested in real estate.
+Very high job security (people will always need somewhere to live right?)
+Reasonably high pay rates depending on performance.
-Could end up being terrible at selling houses.
-Takes time at UNI/TAFE until I receive any financial return.
-Housing market could slump, thus lack of income.
-Bit of a 9-5 job.You get what I mean.

6.Study at TAFE/UNI to become a financial advisor.
+get great know of the stock market and other investments.
+Can use that knowledge for profit.
+Relatively good pay.
-Performance based, I might suck.
-Commision based, paid to take risks with people mullah.
-Have to study at TAFE/UNI, a while before I see any returns in profit.
-With the stock market and investing, who knows what could happen, QE3 anyone?

Lastly 7.Start a web-based company designed to bring all the "ladies of the night" around Australia onto one website.
A site where users can search for women in their area, providing "services".Searches can be done by height,body type, hair colour, eye colour, ethnicity, location and services rendered.:
Clients pay on site by credit/debit card/bank deposit/pay pal before making a booking.
I take a 15-20% cut on profits.
+I don't think this has been done before, its just crazy enough to work .
+A large userbase of working girls out there, all working by themselves relying on ads in newspaper classifieds to get them by.
+Relatively cheap idea that could have massive returns.
+People are more likely to book online then risk the shame of being seen walking into a brothel.
-Absolutely out-there, I've got no experience and no idea how to get this going.
-May have already been done.
-No-one is going to believe me until I get the website set up.
-May be laws and regulations against this activity.

Believe it or not I'm entirely serious on that last one.

So thought/advice anyone?

 

[skyQuake]

ok i'll bite

Just a youngster looking for advice from those a bit older,wiser and most importantly wealthier than me.
Looking to decide on a future, having trouble getting advice from others around my, mainly because of repeated catch-phrases such as "whatever makes you happy" and "there's no wrong decisions when it comes to your future".Hodgepodge!!

So the options are as follows.

1.Stay a personal trainer and look to expand my local business, whilst trying to scope bargains in real estate/stocks.
+'s Takes little effort and its what im doing right now.
+'s very cheap to live in my current area.
-'s small town population and low socio-economic status means very little base for a large business in PTing.

Less time in PT = more time in Real estate and stocks!

2.Stay a personal trainer and move to a larger city where there is a far larger user base, and generally get paid double my current hourly rate.(One personal trainer gets 400 per hour(not bad work if you can get it)
+'s I have experience personal training and am far better qualified and educated then most Pt's out there, especially those who have done an online course.Thus should be able to find some work fairly quickly.
+'s Bigger city=more opportunities when it comes to real estate.
-'s hate large cities, freakin grid-lock traffic urggh.
-'s current pt market in the bigger cities is over saturated.
-'s Cost of living in most large cities is extremely high.

Funny how I heard the 400/hr figure recently too. But my guess is that you'll need to get a large client base before you can find some good $ work? Theres a few gyms in the city already, lots of PTs work with the gym. I guess a few richer individuals would still be seeking out private PTs. With all the cougars and such it'll certainly be interesting.
If you live in the city u avoid the traffic. Cost of living is high and will be a drain on ur finances till u have well and truly established urself..[/quote]

3.Join the airfield defense guard.Part of the Australian air force.
+ good pay at the start and increases quickly.
+ do not have to rely on others for cash income, job security likely very high.
+ get paid to be fit, which I enjoy.
+Good benefits and tax benefits.
+get to see the world....or at least some middle eastern desert filled with people trying to kill me.Maybe this isn't a plus....
+ possible increase in rank to officer status, good pay even better benefits.
+safer then most ground troops, may just sit back in Australia wandering around an airfield watching the f-14's fly in and out.
-Fly all over the world, never have time to check on real estate/stocks.
-Could be killed, many times over.
-Hated by most people my age.Don't think I mind really.

Pay is decent, but hard to translate those skills to a civilian environment imo. It sounds like its part of the Reserves - which means u won't get sent o/s. Are u sure u get sent o/s? Have a friend whos in the airforce and they didnt send him further than PNG.
Haters gonna hate.

4.Join army as a PT.Most of the benefits above.
+Less pay, more safety.
+I have experience in this field.
+Have a few mates on the armed forces.
- Unlikely to see the world.

same

5.Study at TAFE/UNI and become Become a real estate agent.
+Get great knowledge on real estate pricing and valuing.
+get access to great deals before the public.
+am interested in real estate.
+Very high job security (people will always need somewhere to live right?)
+Reasonably high pay rates depending on performance.
-Could end up being terrible at selling houses.
-Takes time at UNI/TAFE until I receive any financial return.
-Housing market could slump, thus lack of income.
-Bit of a 9-5 job.You get what I mean.

Don't think you can get access to great deals before the public. Probably some conflict of interest rules in there. Also if the real estate agent wants to buy my house, chances are I have a brilliant house and will probably double the asking price
Job security depends on sales - depends on ur personality

6.Study at TAFE/UNI to become a financial advisor.
+get great know of the stock market and other investments.
+Can use that knowledge for profit.
+Relatively good pay.
-Performance based, I might suck.
-Commision based, paid to take risks with people mullah.
-Have to study at TAFE/UNI, a while before I see any returns in profit.
-With the stock market and investing, who knows what could happen, QE3 anyone?

+ Yes
+ No
+ Somewhat
- Less so now with the reform and all. Usually an upfront fee
- Quite a bit of qualifications, though i've heard its easy
- Always will be suc.. er customers
I'll add one:
- Not held in high regard on ASF after the GFC

Lastly 7.Start a web-based company designed to bring all the "ladies of the night" around Australia onto one website.
A site where users can search for women in their area, providing "services".Searches can be done by height,body type, hair colour, eye colour, ethnicity, location and services rendered.:
Clients pay on site by credit/debit card/bank deposit/pay pal before making a booking.
I take a 15-20% cut on profits.
+I don't think this has been done before, its just crazy enough to work .
+A large userbase of working girls out there, all working by themselves relying on ads in newspaper classifieds to get them by.
+Relatively cheap idea that could have massive returns.
+People are more likely to book online then risk the shame of being seen walking into a brothel.
-Absolutely out-there, I've got no experience and no idea how to get this going.
-May have already been done.
-No-one is going to believe me until I get the website set up.
-May be laws and regulations against this activity.

Believe it or not I'm entirely serious on that last one.

So thought/advice anyone?

Do we get ASF members discounts?

 

[Glen48]

Think you want to keep out of any thing considered a luxury was the economy tanks people will only spend on food and vitals. ADG is a soft job and even better if you like dogs. R E is finished once house prices tank.. I would be looking at trading as this will be the best time in history to trade as every thing goes short, OZ bank will be a good one I reckon.
All the best and read up as much as possible.

 

[ferretbiter]

ok i'll bite



Less time in PT = more time in Real estate and stocks!



Funny how I heard the 400/hr figure recently too. But my guess is that you'll need to get a large client base before you can find some good $ work? Theres a few gyms in the city already, lots of PTs work with the gym. I guess a few richer individuals would still be seeking out private PTs. With all the cougars and such it'll certainly be interesting.
If you live in the city u avoid the traffic. Cost of living is high and will be a drain on ur finances till u have well and truly established urself..

Pay is decent, but hard to translate those skills to a civilian environment imo. It sounds like its part of the Reserves - which means u won't get sent o/s. Are u sure u get sent o/s? Have a friend whos in the airforce and they didnt send him further than PNG.
Haters gonna hate.

same



Don't think you can get access to great deals before the public. Probably some conflict of interest rules in there. Also if the real estate agent wants to buy my house, chances are I have a brilliant house and will probably double the asking price
Job security depends on sales - depends on ur personality

+ Yes
+ No
+ Somewhat
- Less so now with the reform and all. Usually an upfront fee
- Quite a bit of qualifications, though i've heard its easy
- Always will be suc.. er customers
I'll add one:
- Not held in high regard on ASF after the GFC




Do we get ASF members discounts?[/QUOTE]

1.Hmm couldn't agree more on that one.Its hard to beat and if the economy tanks I don't really have much of a worry, the clients I train in grafton are flat ass broke doubt any of them have money in stocks or anything other then their home.I charge half of what the PT's in Sydney do, for that reason.

2.Yep, paying the bills until a client base is established could be tricky unless I work with a gym ,which I don't mind at all.But it could be more directly economy related in terms of client numbers.
Cougars are unfortunately not an issue, as soon as they see me train myself then stay waaay away.A guy grunting like a wilderbeast being molested by a shovel while he pushes out 1000lbs on the leg press scares em away reeeal quick.Then again some seem to like it....strange world.

3.It can be done with the reserves as well as full time from what I've read.Don't care to much about the skills carrying over.Don't plan on working for more then 15years.....but inflation might have its way.

5.True, though I am pretty good with people, being a PT teaching you pretty quickly how to sell yourself....sometimes literally .

6.I don't think financial advisors would ever have been held in high regard on ASF.Everything else sounds about right.

7.You want the services you gotta pay for the goods.No exceptions...gotta get the duggets yo!

Think you want to keep out of any thing considered a luxury was the economy tanks people will only spend on food and vitals. ADG is a soft job and even better if you like dogs. R E is finished once house prices tank.. I would be looking at trading as this will be the best time in history to trade as every thing goes short, OZ bank will be a good one I reckon.
All the best and read up as much as possible.

Every thread I've posted in you come in and destroy my hopes of a future.You are my negative half keeping my mind in check.The kings second guesser(theres a special word for that which Ive forgotten..damnit).Sounds like ADG plus trading is your advice...not a bad idea.

 

[Gringotts Bank]

ferret, you need to change your whole vibe, IMO. Based on what you're saying, you have no self-confidence or self-respect, but it's those very attitudes that are needed for success in any endeavour.

 

[ChaoSI]

Every thread I've posted in you come in and destroy my hopes of a future.You are my negative half keeping my mind in check.The kings second guesser(theres a special word for that which Ive forgotten..damnit).Sounds like ADG plus trading is your advice...not a bad idea.

devil's advocate?

i like anything to do with the ADF, always wanted to serve but i'd never pass the physicals due to surgery.

tho of course that last one.. could get some nice benefits.... admittedly you could also get some nasty diseases

 

[ferretbiter]

ferret, you need to change your whole vibe, IMO. Based on what you're saying, you have no self-confidence or self-respect, but it's those very attitudes that are needed for success in any endeavour.

Truthfully I am extremely confident in every situation but talking over the phone (still don't know what is up with that, I think its the lack of body language that throws me off.
I run fitness classes with 20+ people daily who do nothing but stare/ask questions and mimic my movements for 60mins and I enjoy it.My self respect is through the roof, I can truly do anything I put my mind to.
I wanted to lose weight, I lost 52kg's in 30 weeks.I wanted to be able to walk again, I can now leg press 1000lb's.
I wanted to grow muscle, Ive eaten the same thing every day for 3 years,gained 18kg's of muscle and have had 5 days off training out of 622.
I am a goddamn monster of willpower, I just need a goal or object to work towards.
Thus why im trying to reassess my current goals to gain the most wealth whilst improving my health.Looking for some input from people that may have worked in those fields or have general life experience.

 

[ferretbiter]

devil's advocate?

i like anything to do with the ADF, always wanted to serve but i'd never pass the physicals due to surgery.

tho of course that last one.. could get some nice benefits.... admittedly you could also get some nasty diseases

That's a bummer man, what surgery was it that interfered?

Nah not the devils advocate, its a word describing the person who was employed in ages past to counter-point the king on every matter and the only person truly safe to.

 

[ferretbiter]

No-one ever worked as a real estate agent/PT/ADG/Army PT/Stock broker/financial advisor? What are you people all macca's employees'?

 

[Logique]

Go with your own instinct [/platitude].

Option 3 looks the one, combine it with Option 5 (part time).

 

[ferretbiter]

Go with your own instinct [/platitude].

Option 3 looks the one, combine it with Option 5 (part time).

Very much considering those options placed together.
Got all the adventure and fitness based aspects of the ADG whilst having the regular,safe reliable income of the real estate agent 9-5 when im ready to settle down.

Come October looks like I might be joining the ADG.Let's just hope there's no bullet out there with "ferretbiter" up the side.

 

[ChaoSI]

That's a bummer man, what surgery was it that interfered?

Nah not the devils advocate, its a word describing the person who was employed in ages past to counter-point the king on every matter and the only person truly safe to.

hmm now i'm curious about that now..

hmm lol let's see.. i had an ACL reconstruction, i have flat feet, an unrepaired ruptured ligament in my right ankle, and i'm at the end of the initial recovery for an open shoulder stabilisation.....

on the plus side i have perfect vision... so if you could wheel me out somewhere that i never have to move from i'll be all good

 

[chrislp]

5.Study at TAFE/UNI and become Become a real estate agent.
+Get great knowledge on real estate pricing and valuing.
+get access to great deals before the public.
+am interested in real estate.
+Very high job security (people will always need somewhere to live right?)
+Reasonably high pay rates depending on performance.
-Could end up being terrible at selling houses.
-Takes time at UNI/TAFE until I receive any financial return.
-Housing market could slump, thus lack of income.
-Bit of a 9-5 job.You get what I mean.

Ferretbiter I work in real estate & your points are not the reality.

Study at TAFE/UNI and become Become a real estate agent

In NSW you only have to do a one week course & you get a Certificate of Registration which is enough to work in the industry. One year course to get a license but you only need that if you want to open an agency.

Get great knowledge on real estate pricing and valuing

True enough

get access to great deals before the public

Not really, there are laws in place to stop you from doing this if it's through your own agency. If you can get a good deal alongside the rest of the public then that's fine.

Very high job security (people will always need somewhere to live right?)

No, competition is very tough & a lot of agencies only work through commission only meaning if you can't list & then sell a property than you may earn nothing and/or get sacked as you bring no value to the agency. Very high burnout rate as well for newbs.

Reasonably high pay rates depending on performance

True but don't underestimate how hard it might be for you to list a property. If a person wants to sell & they get 5 agents to look at the property what would be your point of difference.

There is also property management which is another option in RE. Usual starting wage around $30,000 & around $60,000 with a few years under your belt. More stable income than in sales.

Could end up being terrible at selling houses

That's not the problem. Any place will sell itself if it's priced reasonably. You have to sell yourself & know how to negotiate with people if you want to be good at this job.

Takes time at UNI/TAFE until I receive any financial return

As I said in the first response this is not true.

Housing market could slump, thus lack of income

Yes a hard market will make the job harder. When this happens the less experienced & less established agents will burn out.

Bit of a 9-5 job.You get what I mean

Anything but. Whether you do property management or sales you are on call 24/7 & if you work overtime you won't get paid for it unless you want to do reception or admin. Also say goodbye to your Saturdays.

I hope that helps.

 

[ferretbiter]

hmm now i'm curious about that now..

hmm lol let's see.. i had an ACL reconstruction, i have flat feet, an unrepaired ruptured ligament in my right ankle, and i'm at the end of the initial recovery for an open shoulder stabilisation.....

on the plus side i have perfect vision... so if you could wheel me out somewhere that i never have to move from i'll be all good

Yeah fully reconstructed left knee here, tore my ACL,MCL and knee miniscus, been 3 years since surgery.Don't let it slow you down, I entered the gym on crutches, now I am the strongest person lb for lb in my town.
If you aren't currently doing any resistance training.Then start....now.The skys the limit man.
Also flat feet is great for sprinting, far better at applying power throughout the entire range of motion.

 

[ferretbiter]

Ferretbiter I work in real estate & your points are not the reality.

Study at TAFE/UNI and become Become a real estate agent

In NSW you only have to do a one week course & you get a Certificate of Registration which is enough to work in the industry. One year course to get a license but you only need that if you want to open an agency.

Get great knowledge on real estate pricing and valuing

True enough

get access to great deals before the public

Not really, there are laws in place to stop you from doing this if it's through your own agency. If you can get a good deal alongside the rest of the public then that's fine.

Very high job security (people will always need somewhere to live right?)

No, competition is very tough & a lot of agencies only work through commission only meaning if you can't list & then sell a property than you may earn nothing and/or get sacked as you bring no value to the agency. Very high burnout rate as well for newbs.

Reasonably high pay rates depending on performance

True but don't underestimate how hard it might be for you to list a property. If a person wants to sell & they get 5 agents to look at the property what would be your point of difference.

There is also property management which is another option in RE. Usual starting wage around $30,000 & around $60,000 with a few years under your belt. More stable income than in sales.

Could end up being terrible at selling houses

That's not the problem. Any place will sell itself if it's priced reasonably. You have to sell yourself & know how to negotiate with people if you want to be good at this job.

Takes time at UNI/TAFE until I receive any financial return

As I said in the first response this is not true.

Housing market could slump, thus lack of income

Yes a hard market will make the job harder. When this happens the less experienced & less established agents will burn out.

Bit of a 9-5 job.You get what I mean

Anything but. Whether you do property management or sales you are on call 24/7 & if you work overtime you won't get paid for it unless you want to do reception or admin. Also say goodbye to your Saturdays.

I hope that helps.

Thanks for the insight man, I had no idea.Seriously a one-week course?Thats just plain silly.Damn the government preventing me from ripping off honest homeowners.
I just wanna make money quickly from preying on other peoples ignorance....whats wrong with that?:

P.S. by 9-5 I mean it lacks excitement, not that it has regular hours.

 

[Caveman]

Well I wouldnt be asking on a stock forum about career choices unless it was trading or financial.I would be asking the actual people working in industries.

 

[ferretbiter]

Well I wouldnt be asking on a stock forum about career choices unless it was trading or financial.I would be asking the actual people working in industries.

I have been of late, whenever a client comes in that works with real estate I've been popping a few questions in.
Just haven't had contact with anyone that deals in financials yet.Plus I was just looking for some general advice and info from anyone in particular (especially those not are financially independent).

 

[Smurf1976]

My perosnal opinion is to never choose a career based solely or primarily on potential income. There IS more to life than money, and earning a few extra $ in a job you hate isn't worth it in my opinion.

There's also the point that it is possible to do well finanically in just about any job that allows independent thought (ie just about anything other than working at maccas etc). Certainly any professional job or a trade has the potential for high income if you go about it the right way.

First thing I'd do is eliminate any career path that doesn't involve doing something you enjoy.

 

[Julia]

I understand exactly what you're saying Smurf, but there's also a case for gritting one's teeth and doing a very highly paid job for X no of years in order to get a decent financial base.
e.g. I doubt too many of those working in mines in the heat of WA or inland Qld actually enjoy what they're doing, but the financial rewards make it worth their while to do it, when their options outside of this work are probably fairly limited.

It's a different story for a well qualified person, of course, who can enjoy the luxury of choosing any number of different positions all offering good remuneration.

 

[ferretbiter]

My perosnal opinion is to never choose a career based solely or primarily on potential income. There IS more to life than money, and earning a few extra $ in a job you hate isn't worth it in my opinion.

There's also the point that it is possible to do well finanically in just about any job that allows independent thought (ie just about anything other than working at maccas etc). Certainly any professional job or a trade has the potential for high income if you go about it the right way.

First thing I'd do is eliminate any career path that doesn't involve doing something you enjoy.

Truthfully I agree and disagree with you there on a few points.

I agree with:there is more to life then money.But while ever I work I do not have time to do what I truly enjoy doing, playing video games, snorting coke and hiring strippers.So whatever job gives me the largest amount of income in the shortest possible time is the job I will always choose.
I work to retire, I do not work for fun.

Yes any professional job or trade has the potential for a high income, but I'm looking for the trade which has the highest income on average.

I understand exactly what you're saying Smurf, but there's also a case for gritting one's teeth and doing a very highly paid job for X no of years in order to get a decent financial base.
e.g. I doubt too many of those working in mines in the heat of WA or inland Qld actually enjoy what they're doing, but the financial rewards make it worth their while to do it, when their options outside of this work are probably fairly limited.

It's a different story for a well qualified person, of course, who can enjoy the luxury of choosing any number of different positions all offering good remuneration.

I agree with you there Julia.Its best to grit your teeth and bare it until you see your next paycheck.The only thing that stops me from joining the mining boom is that there is only one thing I believe is more important than wealth, and that's good health.
No use being rich if you are dead from gas exposure.