OK, here's my problem. I work for a small equipment dealership, and make around $520 take home a week, which doesn't seem all that bad, but when you factor in the house and other life expenses, plus the CONSTANT tool expense...how do you guys do it? Am I just overlooking something? I have no life and dont spend extra on anything, and I am just scraping by. Is $18 an hour just way too low or is being a mechanic just a live check to check kinda job? I have worked for a small town police department making almost the same per month as a cop that I make now. Other equipment dealerships pay about the same, so leaving this shop for another won't fix the problem. I am as much of a tool-aholic as any, but dang I got other priorities is life too! Am I just on a dead end road trying to make it as a tech or am I just in the wrong line of work? I can go roughneck on a drilling rig making double what I make just doing general labor! I love working on stuff, but no matter what direction I look, its the same pay with the same constant tool expense on the mechanic. Eveytime I think I have everything, I find myself spending another $100 on a tool and again putting off repairs to my house! I only buy my tools online to keep costs down, and never buy snap on or other truck brands, so I sure am not wasting money anywhere! How do you guys do it?
Need honest advice from other techs
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JJThrasher
Well-known member
Sounds like you're spending too much on tools. You don't need every tool or style of tool ever made. I know a few non flat rate techs that have downsized in the last couple years.
Pay will be determined by where you live. Without knowing that its hard to comment.
Pay will be determined by where you live. Without knowing that its hard to comment.
John316
Well-known member
My belief is that as a basic repair tech it will be difficult to "get ahead". Yes, there are those exceptions, but you usually need to bring something unique to the table that has added value, and (really) sets you apart from your competition. Specialized skills can be leverage if they are in demand and uncommon/less common among those in your field. As an example, effective management skills are less common and therefore bring more value to an employer.
Put your self in their shoes. If you were running a business and could easily find decent techs willing to work for $18, why pay more? Now, what can you do that companies will gladly pay a bunch more money for? (such things DO exist, btw) Bottom line IMHO, as long as you are working for someone else.
Spending within your means on tools... yeah, but $18 per hour is usually limiting in more than just the "tool" part of your budget.
Ok, this is annoyingly obvious to many, but I know a lot of people who seem to miss this and think they should get paid more because they are just so great (not saying this of the OP- don't misunderstand), but fail to bring anything else to the table. Once you can see it how employers see it, it's easier to see what is needed to position yourself better.
Put your self in their shoes. If you were running a business and could easily find decent techs willing to work for $18, why pay more? Now, what can you do that companies will gladly pay a bunch more money for? (such things DO exist, btw) Bottom line IMHO, as long as you are working for someone else.
Spending within your means on tools... yeah, but $18 per hour is usually limiting in more than just the "tool" part of your budget.
Ok, this is annoyingly obvious to many, but I know a lot of people who seem to miss this and think they should get paid more because they are just so great (not saying this of the OP- don't misunderstand), but fail to bring anything else to the table. Once you can see it how employers see it, it's easier to see what is needed to position yourself better.
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ihateminimumwage
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As the previous comment said, all depends on the cost of living in your area.
I'm working as an apprentice diesel tech, only getting $12/hr. Took the job to get my foot in the door while finishing school, and while the pay is low, the ol' lady and I are splitting $595/mo renting a house. I don't drive much, currently don't have much of a social life (thanks to working nights), and like you I don't buy my tools off the truck, just online.
I'll be quitting my job to go back to school full time in a month. In a couple of semesters I'll be out with a degree in Onsite Power Generation, and can make better money and not have to crawl around trucks all night.
I've learned if you want to get out of living check to check, you need to actually sit down and write out where the money is going every month. Once you look at the actual dollar amounts, you'll know where you can trim some of the fat. Or if in your current position there's no way to make it work, how much you'd need to start getting ahead, and go from there.
I'm working as an apprentice diesel tech, only getting $12/hr. Took the job to get my foot in the door while finishing school, and while the pay is low, the ol' lady and I are splitting $595/mo renting a house. I don't drive much, currently don't have much of a social life (thanks to working nights), and like you I don't buy my tools off the truck, just online.
I'll be quitting my job to go back to school full time in a month. In a couple of semesters I'll be out with a degree in Onsite Power Generation, and can make better money and not have to crawl around trucks all night.
I've learned if you want to get out of living check to check, you need to actually sit down and write out where the money is going every month. Once you look at the actual dollar amounts, you'll know where you can trim some of the fat. Or if in your current position there's no way to make it work, how much you'd need to start getting ahead, and go from there.
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Givl Reggin
Banned
Like they say in real estate; "location, location, location" - in some areas you can live like a king on $500 bucks a week, others it won't get you through even a day.
Unfortunately, the only good paying mechanic jobs I can get require years of experience on the particular equipment. For natural gas compressors, they require you to start in the shop at 40 or 45 hours a week and after a few years, then you are trusted to work on them out in the field. I just cant do 40 hours a week living check to check. I have no idea what other areas pay for mechanics, but I live on the gulf coast and anyone over $20 an hour is usually the old guy. I believe $25 an hour is typical old guy that been there forever pay.
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devoncoolman
Well-known member
honestly the only way to get ahead is to work flat rate. flat raters typicly get about $4 more an hour around here. And you can make good money. but $520 a week is tough your not doing anything wrong just need to make more money some how. Its kinda tough as a mechanic spending at min $50 or more a week in tool payments to do a job that doesn't pay all that well.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
Like somebody else said above, you have to do find a niche that sets you apart from everybody else and makes you a valuable asset and can earn you raises over time. Something that makes you irreplaceable. Otherwise your boss will only see you as just another $18/hr tech.
I'll be the one to say it. You're making under 30k a year (~$13/hr). Thats pretty bad by most standards especially if you want a family and to be able to support them and spoil them a bit. Invest in yourself, your education, and move up and out of the hole you're in. If your field is truly limited to $25/hr for a lifer, probably time to go back to school or side step into a related field that pays significantly better.
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helterskelter
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He said take home pay. So it's not 30k a year.
Either work some overtime or pick up some side work would be my advice. But I'm not a tech.
Either work some overtime or pick up some side work would be my advice. But I'm not a tech.
What he's taking home is actually around 27k a year so I was already being a little generous.
Theres also the question of benefits (health/dental) and paid sick days/vacation. Usually benefits are pretty **** in those types of jobs, if they exist at all, which means even more money gone.
Not trying to sound like a d-bag. I know words are cheap, just depends on what his ambitions are. Regardless of what part of the country you're in 27k in your pocket in a field that poor on benefits and is hard on your health/body is just not very good pay. Gave my 2 cents.
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I say lowwwww,thought it is determined by market.
When I was a Ford tech starting pay at our small time dealer was $18 flat rate iirc.
A good tech,or diesel tech would end up around $22 or so.
I wouldn't touch heavy equipment for any less than $25hr personally.
The tools are more expensive and the labor is backbreaking.
Hell,if I could make the same by working on something half the size I definately would.
I've been offered field work with heavy equipment starting around that,but not worth killing myself imo.
When I was a Ford tech starting pay at our small time dealer was $18 flat rate iirc.
A good tech,or diesel tech would end up around $22 or so.
I wouldn't touch heavy equipment for any less than $25hr personally.
The tools are more expensive and the labor is backbreaking.
Hell,if I could make the same by working on something half the size I definately would.
I've been offered field work with heavy equipment starting around that,but not worth killing myself imo.
in my area that is decent money, not great but decent. i was working for a local small equipment dealership here and it was $9.50 p/h. bout $300 a week. can't make it on that around here at all.
of course that was when i was new to the buisness now i have a few more years under my belt. i may check around again and see if anything better turns up now, things change.
of course that was when i was new to the buisness now i have a few more years under my belt. i may check around again and see if anything better turns up now, things change.
tinkergeek
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Not a tech. Notice many GJ posts that mention side work or flipping cars. I've always wanted to learn more details about those posts to help people make decisions.
Would the time and effort be worth it or not for the OP?
Is there a sideline you find has best cost/benefit for you?
Niches that you know have been successful for others?
Those ideas might help if there is more education planned in the future. I recall a post about someone that rebuilt Mazda engines (wankel?) to pay for school.
Would the time and effort be worth it or not for the OP?
Is there a sideline you find has best cost/benefit for you?
Niches that you know have been successful for others?
Those ideas might help if there is more education planned in the future. I recall a post about someone that rebuilt Mazda engines (wankel?) to pay for school.
cj7365
Well-known member
you don't say where you are at, $18.00 in my neck of the woods is alright money, but not sure how the spending $100 for a tool all the time would play into that.
you might want to consider making double the money on a oil rig, I personally would be looking at something else if $18.00 is not enough
you might want to consider making double the money on a oil rig, I personally would be looking at something else if $18.00 is not enough
From what I have seen, diesel mechanics around here dont make wonderful per hour, but ya gotta make the hours to make the check. Most jobs are shop related, giving only 40 to 45 hours a week. It seems nobody wants to pay a mechanic to just sit around in case something breaks, which severely knocks ya hours back. Even if your on call, the few hours you get gets eaten up by the gas ya spend going and coming back. Not many companies even let the road techs take the truck home around here either, if they do its only cause the tech is on call. The reason I started this thread is because I have over 2 years invested in the local vo-tech for diesel schooling, and it just seems with the diploma and formal training, I should be looking at more money than this. I am not ranting, but more along the lines of confused. When I started the vo-tech, the rumor was diesel mechanics make great money and there is a HUGE need for them, but I wonder if I'm overlooking something or missed the boat somewhere because every job site I been to I talk with other guys and the welders pay always far exceeds mechanic pay, as does electricians. I honestly love repairing things, but I sometimes wonder if I chose the wrong career path. Is it just the area I live in or is this pretty much the same no matter where?
Another thing I have seen is all the shops and dealerships have contracts that the tech MUST sign in order for employment. They state that the employee agrees to not work on any similar equipment on their day off, or some state that the employee wont work for any other shop with equipment geared towards the same market for up to 5 years! Is this normal?!?!?!!?!?
Yes it's normal, not everywhere though.
ihateminimumwage
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ihateminimumwage
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That's why I'm continuing my education into the power generation field. It opens up a lot more doors (and money). The guys I know that have gone this route are making almost double out the door (depends on who you get on with) as the guys that went through the regular diesel program, who are now in major debt and just changing bigger tires for $12-15/hr. There are guys at my shop that have been on for 20+ years maxing out at $30/hr. I was making almost that in my 20s as a carpenter.
It seems every guidance counselor in the US is now telling every idiot they deal with to get into diesel. My school was full of kids that were told they'd be getting $40/hr right out of the program (not happening outside of ND), all people with no actual interest in wrenching, just wanting to see dollar signs.
BlackKnight427
Member
As a tech for 5 years before being laid off I can tell you this much. Most of the time you will be living check to check.
Every person I met in the field and every person I know in the field (every single one of my guy friends and even some girls as well as just about everyone else I talk to are all techs still) you will struggle to provide for a family. If your a single guy and are willing to put in 40+ hours a week you can get by but I would not try to feed a family with a tech job.
Very few techs break the 30-35k net income. My break down of my check pretty much went bills/living expenses then gas and tools then everything else.
The BEST advise I can give you is to try and get out and go to school like I am doing.
Besides for the low pay take into account the fact that EVERY SINGLE tech has serious health issues. They all have bad knees, backs, hands, elbows, shoulders, or get driven to alcoholism lol. There is also the fact that every single substance you are in contact with is known to cause cancer. Don't be fooled, Coolant, Gas, Oil, Grease, Brake fluid, PS fluid, trans fluid and just about everything else has carcinogens and causes long lasting health issues.
Also all the rust and metallic powder you are inhaling while working all day long indoors. Ever wonder why your snot is pitch black by the end of the day? its all the dust from brake pads, cutting rotors, grinding metal, rust, clutches etc etc. Ive been out of the game for just over a year a now and can tell you there is a huge difference in my breathing, sense of smell and taste as well as my sinuses. All for the better.
Every person I met in the field and every person I know in the field (every single one of my guy friends and even some girls as well as just about everyone else I talk to are all techs still) you will struggle to provide for a family. If your a single guy and are willing to put in 40+ hours a week you can get by but I would not try to feed a family with a tech job.
Very few techs break the 30-35k net income. My break down of my check pretty much went bills/living expenses then gas and tools then everything else.
The BEST advise I can give you is to try and get out and go to school like I am doing.
Besides for the low pay take into account the fact that EVERY SINGLE tech has serious health issues. They all have bad knees, backs, hands, elbows, shoulders, or get driven to alcoholism lol. There is also the fact that every single substance you are in contact with is known to cause cancer. Don't be fooled, Coolant, Gas, Oil, Grease, Brake fluid, PS fluid, trans fluid and just about everything else has carcinogens and causes long lasting health issues.
Also all the rust and metallic powder you are inhaling while working all day long indoors. Ever wonder why your snot is pitch black by the end of the day? its all the dust from brake pads, cutting rotors, grinding metal, rust, clutches etc etc. Ive been out of the game for just over a year a now and can tell you there is a huge difference in my breathing, sense of smell and taste as well as my sinuses. All for the better.
OP you could always open up your own little shop it might take some time but eventually assuming you get successful you will be making money. Otherwise if you do chose to stay in the field look for a place to grow some roots. Money isn't every thing like another poster said align your bills and trim some fat. Wants are wants and needs are necessity but don't confuse wants with necessity.
Also in my area welders make twice as much as mechanics. However I like my job and can support my family.
Don't forget 40-50 hours of your week is spent working Lol so if you can swing it do something you like rather than try and keep up with the rich.
I'm making $630 a week bring home. I own a house and my wife doesn't work at the moment. Money is tight but we swing it and I save for our fun time and save for our hard times if they should arise. I am working at a great small shop though the owner really takes care of me. I plan to either take the place over for him or learn enough to open my own shop someday. I can put in 50 hours a week at my current job and still be happy and not even feel tired like I just worked my *** off. That's important to me because I have two little boys that demand my attention every second I'm home Lol.
When i was younger I chose to go to collage to further my education and get a job that would pay very well. I drooped out after 2 years because I really lacked interest in it other than the pay. I ended up delivering pizzas for four years in what seemed like limbo before my kids where born and I decided I needed to **** it up and find a real career. I got lucky in finding my current job. I don't make much now but there is a bright future for me now. I have options to advance in the upcoming years and there all going to lead to bigger better things.
Also in my area welders make twice as much as mechanics. However I like my job and can support my family.
Don't forget 40-50 hours of your week is spent working Lol so if you can swing it do something you like rather than try and keep up with the rich.
I'm making $630 a week bring home. I own a house and my wife doesn't work at the moment. Money is tight but we swing it and I save for our fun time and save for our hard times if they should arise. I am working at a great small shop though the owner really takes care of me. I plan to either take the place over for him or learn enough to open my own shop someday. I can put in 50 hours a week at my current job and still be happy and not even feel tired like I just worked my *** off. That's important to me because I have two little boys that demand my attention every second I'm home Lol.
When i was younger I chose to go to collage to further my education and get a job that would pay very well. I drooped out after 2 years because I really lacked interest in it other than the pay. I ended up delivering pizzas for four years in what seemed like limbo before my kids where born and I decided I needed to **** it up and find a real career. I got lucky in finding my current job. I don't make much now but there is a bright future for me now. I have options to advance in the upcoming years and there all going to lead to bigger better things.
jimindm
Well-known member
Reading threads like this makes me sick. What are your peers doing, that you are not? I do not believe for one second that your area is filled with people doing jobs like yours, with your outlook. Seriously do all the shops there wonder about employee turn around? Shops full of people that want to be somewhere else?
Hard work will get you farther ahead than anything else you do. If you want more, you have to earn it one way or the other. Everyone thinks they are worth more, owed more. The truth is you are worth, what you are worth.
There are many on this board that do repairs for a living. Its not a bad job. It may not be the job for you.
Employers may have some say about you moonlighting, while you are employed. I am pretty sure that the clause of not working in the same field after employment ends, is bogus. If you are an electrician by trade, not sure how far they could push you for getting another electrician job, after leaving one. You are entitled to make a living. Some jobs this may happen, but the value of that person usually reflects that. Not many jobs that way in the blue collar industry.
Hard work will get you farther ahead than anything else you do. If you want more, you have to earn it one way or the other. Everyone thinks they are worth more, owed more. The truth is you are worth, what you are worth.
There are many on this board that do repairs for a living. Its not a bad job. It may not be the job for you.
Employers may have some say about you moonlighting, while you are employed. I am pretty sure that the clause of not working in the same field after employment ends, is bogus. If you are an electrician by trade, not sure how far they could push you for getting another electrician job, after leaving one. You are entitled to make a living. Some jobs this may happen, but the value of that person usually reflects that. Not many jobs that way in the blue collar industry.
With all honesty, yes most shops do have a turn over rate from what I have seen. Generally, the guys that stay there are middle aged on up, have kids, and want to be home every night. I am in the forklift repair field and it seems like every shop is always short handed. Truck shops seem to be the same. Again, I am not ranting about the career I chose, just want honest advice so if and when I make a career move, I won't regret it.
Move to California, you'll get cancer every time you enter a building. Im not kidding, they have signs on them.
jeeper93436
Well-known member
everyone starts at the bottom and was living pay check to pay check for my first 9 years. but while i was in the bottom of the barrel i learned has much has i could and got all my ASE and went back to schools at nite to get my smog lic. now i have all my ASE which i dont really care for them but my bosses like it. a year ago i was a lube tech with all the certs and smog lic and i couldnt move up at that shop so i quiet and got another job. my pay doubled from that moved and i finally feel all my hard work is finally paying off. working at the right shop is also a big factor of your pay. oh and now i have been getting offers to just do smogs for 25 hour. like other people said you have to stand out from the rest and have the shop need you more than u need the shop.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
From what the op has posted, I would say it is about the same by me. Getting into a city garage is about the only local job where I could make seriously more money, about $5 an hour more. Every equipment dealer is hiring including mine. Im running ragged right now working 55 to 60 hours just trying to keep up. I went in on the 4th just trying to get **** done. We have had several good apps from what I have seen, but we interview nobody. My boss always says they want more then he will pay. I know I'm pretty much topped out where I work at the age of 30. I also feel kinda stuck because I don't know if I could jump to another dealer and really ask for much more since I don't know their product lines. I'm hoping like hell to get into the railroad. I applied for a position paying about 2 1/2 my current income. I'm not in bad shape financially, but do not see a real rosey future money wise. The girlfriend is crippled by student load debt so I basically support her and will so for another 30 years or so if nothing changes for her.
ihateminimumwage
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I'm starting to think I should have just stuck with welding as a profession...
Spudland_Dave
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That used to be the saying the tech industry...now Certs are completely useless. Experience pays.
Personally, I was raised with the No such thing as an income problem mentality...you have a spending problem. IMO 18/hr is good money in most of America. I'd keep your job and look at what you can do to take care of the outgoing portion of your wallet. Again...talk is cheap and you may be in an area where that kind of money barely gets you a loaf of bread....
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
It really is a personal choice. I started out very similarly as the OP described - seemed like I could never get ahead. But I stuck it out for 2 reasons - #1 being I "knew" that wrenching is what I'm good at (tried other work previously and it wasn't "working") , #2 -it was the busiest hourly paid work I could get (meaning unlimited potential to work and get hours = pay). The other big thing I tried to do differently was that I went into equipment work since I felt like automotive work was too unstable. I had a few years experience on construction equipment in the military and that lead to lot of job offers when I got out, but not much money was offered to start.
It was tight, and we where pretty broke for a long time, but the big priorities where met - bought a house / safe place for the family to live, dinner on the table, decent benefits (health insurance, etc). I did buy tools of the tool truck, because the web didn't really exist and I had no other credit to get anything that cost cash I didn't have. We budgeted 50 bucks a week to the toolman right off the bat....I worked a lot in the beginning - around 70 hours / 6 days a week to be able to do anything beyond just barely surviving.....It progressed over the years to where I'm making good money, working less hours, the bills are paid with ease, money being saved and we can afford a lot more than sitting around feeling broke. It just took time. I had to learn to be patient for a lot of things.....I was 40 before I bought a brand new car, but this year I bought myself a big tool box that was just because I wanted it - not really a "need" this time.
The key to wrenching for a living IMO, is you have to make yourself irreplaceable -- there's 10 other guy looking for work, so you better shine and be the guy the boss does not want to loose. You gotta have something that sets you apart from the crowd.
I fell into a specialty in equipment by accident, but I learned it inside and out and have always tried to keep a "do it all" attitude - whatever it takes. I have tried very hard to NOT become the prima-donna ( you know - the "I'm sooo good at XXXXX I refuse to do other jobs" attitude you hear from some guys) Now as the shop lead /service mgr, I give the gravy work to my other mechanic and tackle the worst PITA jobs myself because I know I CAN get it done better / faster than anyone else even when it's a job I despise. I will also still dive into a messy / PITA LOF if that is what needs to be done..... I tried to quit once, the boss's answer was "What will it take to make you stay?"...we worked it out....I'll mark 18 years at this job in September......
I have also experienced some of what Dan described - even though I'm well paid, the boss won't pay enough to start another guy even though we need more help. Now, mind you, we are in one of the more expensive parts of the country - pretty much need a household income over 100K a year for a family unless you like the ghetto......They want me to start a road service guy and set up a truck, but I'm not asking any mechanic I feel is worth having around to come work for 15 bucks an hour...and the guys who would work for that, I don't want around. I have left hiring up to the boss's to look at the resumes and call / interview guys since they ultimately have to approve the guys paycheck.
It was tight, and we where pretty broke for a long time, but the big priorities where met - bought a house / safe place for the family to live, dinner on the table, decent benefits (health insurance, etc). I did buy tools of the tool truck, because the web didn't really exist and I had no other credit to get anything that cost cash I didn't have. We budgeted 50 bucks a week to the toolman right off the bat....I worked a lot in the beginning - around 70 hours / 6 days a week to be able to do anything beyond just barely surviving.....It progressed over the years to where I'm making good money, working less hours, the bills are paid with ease, money being saved and we can afford a lot more than sitting around feeling broke. It just took time. I had to learn to be patient for a lot of things.....I was 40 before I bought a brand new car, but this year I bought myself a big tool box that was just because I wanted it - not really a "need" this time.
The key to wrenching for a living IMO, is you have to make yourself irreplaceable -- there's 10 other guy looking for work, so you better shine and be the guy the boss does not want to loose. You gotta have something that sets you apart from the crowd.
I fell into a specialty in equipment by accident, but I learned it inside and out and have always tried to keep a "do it all" attitude - whatever it takes. I have tried very hard to NOT become the prima-donna ( you know - the "I'm sooo good at XXXXX I refuse to do other jobs" attitude you hear from some guys) Now as the shop lead /service mgr, I give the gravy work to my other mechanic and tackle the worst PITA jobs myself because I know I CAN get it done better / faster than anyone else even when it's a job I despise. I will also still dive into a messy / PITA LOF if that is what needs to be done..... I tried to quit once, the boss's answer was "What will it take to make you stay?"...we worked it out....I'll mark 18 years at this job in September......
I have also experienced some of what Dan described - even though I'm well paid, the boss won't pay enough to start another guy even though we need more help. Now, mind you, we are in one of the more expensive parts of the country - pretty much need a household income over 100K a year for a family unless you like the ghetto......They want me to start a road service guy and set up a truck, but I'm not asking any mechanic I feel is worth having around to come work for 15 bucks an hour...and the guys who would work for that, I don't want around. I have left hiring up to the boss's to look at the resumes and call / interview guys since they ultimately have to approve the guys paycheck.
Sounds like a prime location/situation to start your own shop!
porschedude996TT
Well-known member
Get a second job to supplement your income. Try Home Depot, they hire a lot of weekend people. ???
mrjaw14
Well-known member
most of america is living check to check. I am not, but guys making 10-15k more than me are living check to check...it's real simple: if more goes out than comes in, or its a wash, you'll be living check to check...at any income level so. as long as you "buy what you can afford" you'll be living check to check. You need to live below your means for a while, even if that means eating out less, stop spending $5 here and $10 there...all that adds up. do you really need a fancy TV package (not that you have one, just saying) or can you get by with basic for a while?
You need to set a goal. If you want to be free of check-to-check you need to have 6 months of monthly expense in the bank, and not dip into it for any reason. Don't tell me I'm full of S because I've done it, and had accomplished it before I even made 40K combined with my wife. It's hard, you have to adjust how you spend money...but if you really want it, it's do-able.
As a small engine mechanic why are you constantly having to buy tools? I'd put a stop to that unless it's making you money somehow. Don't spend $20 on a tool to make your life easier if you can take 10 more minutes with something you already have unless that 10 minutes is worth $20, or you do enough of that to allow you do do more of those jobs. No more keeping up with the Jones (or other techs)
There is freedom from check-to-check...and it's not making more money, it really is about how you use the money you have. I swear that if you don't change your spending habits you could get a $15k raise tomorrow and still be broke.
You need to set a goal. If you want to be free of check-to-check you need to have 6 months of monthly expense in the bank, and not dip into it for any reason. Don't tell me I'm full of S because I've done it, and had accomplished it before I even made 40K combined with my wife. It's hard, you have to adjust how you spend money...but if you really want it, it's do-able.
As a small engine mechanic why are you constantly having to buy tools? I'd put a stop to that unless it's making you money somehow. Don't spend $20 on a tool to make your life easier if you can take 10 more minutes with something you already have unless that 10 minutes is worth $20, or you do enough of that to allow you do do more of those jobs. No more keeping up with the Jones (or other techs)
There is freedom from check-to-check...and it's not making more money, it really is about how you use the money you have. I swear that if you don't change your spending habits you could get a $15k raise tomorrow and still be broke.
Craptain
Well-known member
If you are on the Gulf Coast then have you considered the boats that serve the oil industry. Crew boats, supply boats etc. A regular deckhand gets $180 and above per day. A deckhand with real engine experience can do much better. Marine engineering is definitely a good living with good advancement possibilities. It is definitely different to land based work, and it does not always involve leaving home for long periods at a time, though that is the best pay. Day boats you get home every night if you happen to live close enough. If you are interested I have lots of information available on paperwork and companies.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
$25 is about top hourly wage for most dealler equipment techs. Generally the best techs are on the road which equals hefty overtime. Hourly pay is maybe slightly better then cars, but is 100% hourly, flat rate really can't work in this world. Right place and company and wages can be amazing high, but those are often in remote god forsaken placed, not a mile north of small town USA.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Trust me I have thought long and hard about and crunched the numbers.