How do you guys support your PT project?

[Musclerodz]

Don't want to know what you have in it, but how do you support your hobby? Credit cards? Side jobs? Left over income? Stock investments? And what do you do when it comes time to make that big ticket purchase? I know we have some members that this is not an issue, but I think the majority of us have to work within some type of budget.

I work on other people's projects and buy and sell car and airplane parts to support my addiction. What stalls my project besides working on client projects, is trying to purchase the the big ticket items like HRE wheels, new LS2 motor, etc. My car has been sitting the last year saving for the high dollar wheels I need so I can start building my suspension. I am asking this because I have a business idea I am working on and trying not to give to much away, but it is not hard to figure out either. Please honest with your answers. Thanks!

Mike

[mazspeed]

I'm an electrical contractor, 2 person shop. I do primarily lighting and electrical design. That's how I afford my toys. And wife.

[race-rodz]

im not married, so i dont have to justify my spending habbits..... i use my post bill income to finance "money makers" which i fix and turn to maximize profits(usually clean title collision cars), which give me funds for the "toys".

[Hdesign]

Man, I miss those days....don't tell my wife I said that. :_paranoid

[slow4dr]

I make short throw shifters and port/polish & clip stock turbo's/manifolds for the Dodge SRT4's on the side. I have also been lucky enough to get free parts for the Dodge for product development, some of which I have sold to fund the Nova. These are the ones easy enough to keep under the wives radar. :_paranoid

[Hooligan]

I can't support my pt habbit right now:( .

[Dodgenut64]

over time money pays for the credit card i maxed out $5000 (not much for a limit, but im kinda glad its only $5000, plus i earn airline miles with every dollar i spend). wife is cool with it because i work hard for my toys and my dart is my only toy, no big SUV, no boats, no nothin. i was looking good till i made a BIG purchase last week. bought Bills front Alterktion unit for my car along with flaming river steering column, 2 bolt master, 9 bolt steeringwheel adaptor, and much needed 64 dart parts stuff from Laysons Restoration. im giving myself till next time this year to pay it off, then ill charge it back up with wheels,tires and brakes, then after that ill make another go, but two years from now my daily driver (neon, dont laugh) will be payed off and then ill be able to throw some real money at my old car. previous car payment+overtime= lots more money for my 64.

[71Nova]

I own an alarm company Called Total Security Plus Inc. We sorry I mean I sell and install alarm systems in homes and businesses as well as service other companys alarms such as ADT and Monitronics. I just started the company about 1 year ago. So far I spend about 75% of my income not going to bills on my Nova. My significant other Jen likes my Nova and lets me spend as much as I want on it as long as we can still pay our bills. Im curious to see if this changes after we get married. Sometimes she looks at me funny after a big purchase, but as long as I space them out she dosent give me any crap. I try not to charge anything on the car but every once in a while i give in. Im curious to find out what your business idea consists of.

[XcYZ]

I fund my project through a constant flow (and backlog) of side jobs.

[fletcherscustoms]

Work a full time day job with my family selling boilers, all that cash goes to bills, kids and wifey!! Then on the side I run my business Fletcher's Customs building hot rods and such for folks. I also try to build 3 to 4 cars a year to sell. So far I have had to sell every car I have supposedly built for myself to fund the next project. I figure I should be on the good side of things and will be able to keep the car I just drug in. hell its fun for me and it keeps me from having to come out of pocket to finance the next car. Build a car sell for $20K profit, invest $20K in next projects, eventually you have paid for 5th or so car completly with profit and have a good bit left over to build your own car! Just sucks never getting to enjoy a car, before its leaves for its new home!

[MaxHarvard]

I funded mine by selling T-shirts and what not on my website.

Also, before i was married i spent nearly my entire paycheck on parts. That was a smart move!!

[MarkM66]

Build one, sell it, make a little money on it, budget gets bigger for the next one, so on and so on... :thumbsup:

[almcbri]

I think quite a few guys here work with a budget. Most of us don't have complete cars and save and buy as money allows.

One thing I have done to stay on track is make up a well detailed build sheet with prices. When I want a certain part, I focus on saving the dollars up and buy that part when the money is saved up. (I am talking dimes and nickles here) Another thing I have started doing is selling anything I have stacked up in the garage and don't have a need for. There is always people that are interested in others junk, even if you get a few bucks for it, that is more than you started with. Start selling stuff that you don't use.

Another thing that I have been doing is refinishing old parts on the car so I feel like I am getting something accomplished and still spending very little cash. I manage to buy parts even on my almost non existing college budget. If you budget every factor of your life you can save money as well. I don't eat out hardly anymore which has allowed more money to spend. Most people wouldn't want to go to a big extreme of budgeting, but that is my only way to buy parts. Did you ever sell the blazer and the firebirds? Good luck with the project.

[LS1NOVA]

I do side repair jobs on the side to fund it. I only use that money, so It takes
a while.

[Derek69SS]

I'm a cheap bastard who doesn't spend money on anything that isn't completely necessary for me to live... leaves some money for me to spend on all the cool toys I don't have the willpower to pass up. :lol:

[kennyd]

make my wife work 3 jobs . just kidding , i wish i could get her to work 1 full time .
45 hrs running the bodyshop, 40 hrs on the streetrod shop , per week .

[DCreations]

I have 2 jobs and a business with my wife (DayCare). I do home loans and design for people. I'm going to school in SF to be an automotive designer. I charge 90 hr when I design stuff for people. The home loan money is going to pay for school and bills. The rest is for my car, but mostly to start a business when i'm done with school. I'm only 22, so I HOPE to have my cake and eat it too when i'm in my late 20's :unibrow:

[oneninesixseven]

I was the marketing director for a performance automotive company for 7 years. Since I started my own business I'm still able to build ads, catalogs, logos, etc. in my spare time. This helps support my addiction.

[sick65]

A really good paying job, cheap house payment, No Kids, and a very understanding wife.

The other thing that has helped me fund a lot of my build...A bunch of good friends that have offered their services when needed. :unibrow: :unibrow:

[Hdesign]

Designing other people's cars on the side really helps since my full-time product design paycheck gets eaten up by bills, diapers and home improvements.

[carkrazy1987]

Me for an 18 just gettin into the working field, i do what i can buy side jobs and money from work. i get alot of parts cheap or free from work, im a tech at a Chevy dealership. thats how im able to fund my engine and parts. it also helps still living at home and not have to pay for bill except tools and car insurance. i dont pay rent cause i do up keep on the vehicles at home. it also helps to keep the cost down by doing as much work as possible urself. now i just need to figure out a backdoor to geting a free turbo from work...

[Mikael A]

My wife let's me have $250 a week in a savings account
so to purchase big items all i have to do is save.

$250 week = 13000 a year.......7k makes it in to the car
the rest goes to every day life.

Mike

[awesometool]

I own a large home improvement company in Ma. but my wife does the books. I take some here and there and do not tell her how much.

[murtah]

All of you help fund my car habit by paying your taxes. I have been in the Marine Corps for 12 years.
Only after I was promoted to my current rank, 4 years ago, was I able to resume burning large piles of money in my garage. I'm not married, so I don't have to justify buying a DSE Quadra-link or spending countelss hours of leisure time installing it.
In the past couple of years I have been funding my current project with trips to Iraq.

So in review:
Single Marine + combat zone tax exclusion pay + no rent because stuff is in storage+ imminent danger pay+ hardship duty pay = New DSE Subframe and maybe a LS-2/T-56 in 2007!

Support the troops, keep paying your taxes!

Jim

[Hooligan]

Single Marine + combat zone tax exclusion pay + no rent because stuff is in storage+ imminent danger pay+ hardship duty pay = New DSE Subframe and maybe a LS-2/T-56 in 2007!

Support the troops, keep paying your taxes!

Jim

That's a rough way to pay for your subframe... and after I get fully qualified for my new mobility position I'll be right there with ya:thumbsup: ... er maybe a few miles back the Air Force doesn't really like to get that close.

[youthpastor]

Side jobs! I just did a heater core on a Taurus tonight :( . The things people will do to support an addiction-Chris

[Mecom Racer]

I trick old rich widows into marrying me with my good looks and smooth talk, then I...

No, not really. I'm a senior project manager for a trade show exhibit company. www.heritageexhibits.com I also make and sell items for www.afterthoughtsauto.com , mow lawns, detail cars, steal, borrow, charge up credit cards... whatever it takes.

[J2SpeedandCustom]

I have this tree in my back yard that has $100 bills for leaves... :rofl:

[T Bell]

I wanted to only strip on the weekends. But that has put me in the negative so I have to work my regular job during the week as a telecommunications engineer. Wife doesn't work and with the 2nd kid on the way, it's rough. I may have to slim down my collection of non working vehicles: 2 Cutlasses, 1 non working and 1 working Metro daily driver, a Jeep Cherokee (wife's ride), 77 Ford Pickup, and an 81 Honda CB750. Also trying to sell the house and move before the baby is due in Dec. Ya know, I don't have any money. TAKING UP DONATIONS.

[RussMS]

I really cant support it yet. Still just a dreamer at this point.

One of two things will happen within 2 years.

1. I will get a good job and do tax/accounting work on the side
or
2. I will open my own tax/audit firm.

Either way, the cash flow should improve and maybe I can start squirreling away enough money to start my car project.

[Ummgawa]

armed robbery. :rofl:

[Mecom Racer]

...Metro daily driver...

That's a funny joke... a Metro daily driver... you're killing us... really, stop already... my stomach hurts. :rofl:

[67Sally]

armed robbery. :rofl:

stickemup
W.

[67rsconvert]

1. I work in a lug nut factory measuring thread tolerances.
2. I solve problems. People have problems. I solve them.
3. I'm involved in a start-up specializing in a new line of gourmet dishes prepared from human flesh.
4. I'm involved in another start-up specializing in prostitute time shares.
5. I do a little trading in kitty litter futures.
6. I'm President of the local chapter of the Tourette's Syndrome chapter mother%&*#er mmm err sh*t!
7. I nearly lost my shirt in midget farming, but luckily a few turned out to be mongoloids so I sold them to the circus and got out of the biz, breaking even.

[race-rodz]

That's a funny joke... a Metro daily driver... you're killing us... really, stop already... my stomach hurts. :rofl:


its a pt metro....has 15's, drilled rotors, coilovers, and uses less gas all week than that fancy corvette takes warming up. :lol: :lol:

[T Bell]

its a pt metro....has 15's, drilled rotors, coilovers, and uses less gas all week than that fancy corvette takes warming up. :lol: :lol:

I laughed to the 1st time I saw that it had a 3 cyl engine. But at 40MPG (and that's burning oil), it has really saved me some dough. And a fillup is only $16. Yeah, I stopped laughing too. I usually go to the pumps and see some dude in his Suburban looking over at me. When I leave, I yell "dammit, $16. We've got to do something about the price of gas!" :lol:

[one+g]

Yeah, Know what ya mean. I stepped down from a supervisory position with the railroad and now have 2 babies and a wife. I make about the same with much less headaches and more free time. However, now I dont have a co truck with a gas card. Miss that!! I picked up a 96 accord 5 spd last week for commuting. Cut my 200 a month gas down to about 99 a month from the truck I had which was shot and my brother traded me a loaded LT-1 97 camaro staright up for the truck with 18x10.5 inch z-06 style wheels. Another toy paid for. I can use up the accord and not regret wearing it out like I would My z or mustang. It would be cool to daily drive a 500-600 horse Ls7 Camaro, but facts are I have other responsibilities at the moment.
Currently do track inspections for an east coast rail line. Business is booming in this industry with an 80% retirement rate of the current workforce in the next 5 yrs. Opportunity is wide OPEN.

[EFI]

I just started my PT project, and I already see big $$$ exiting my wallet at an alarming rate.
So, I found myself a suga-mama! er... I meant to say... I should have found myself a suga-mama....

I have 4 kids, a soon-to-be new wife, and an ex-wife, so my paycheck is stretched paper thin. By day I work as a network admin for a school district. Working for a municipality has it's trade off's - put kindly, the pay is not very good, but the upside is - I usually get to have lunch with at least one of my kids once or twice a week. Also, in Vermont we have a motto - Moonlight or starve. So by night, beside selling anything not bolted down on ebay, I sell tee-shirts, and I buy/sell fixer-upper apartments and houses. And on weekends I've been known to work for a landscaper friend or for my younger brother's painting company. But, my favorite side gig is - designing and fabricating a couple of custom items for motorcycles.

No, I don't sleep. I figure I'll have plenty of time to sleep when I'm on the wrong side of the grass.

[sikryd]

I'm a Systems Administrator for a large health care organization 5 days a week. On the side I sell any body fluids that are able to be sold. I'm also a cheap whore, thinking about raising my rates. wonder how much a kidney goes for on the black market, anyone of you rich people need one?

[jst8a5.0]

I build other people's PT vehicles, Doh!

[3kidsnotime]

A large amount of people are on a budget and our younger members got it hard as well I hope our Lateral-g project car helps on that part, As for me Im the only income in our house of 5 great tax break, I work hard and I take every chance I get to make money anything I see I can make a buck on it I buy it as long as I know I can turn it quick I do, I dont do cars or major items to sell I try and use my brain and not my back. I use to build performance boats and cars were always my past time, I had a chance to sell out and I did Im thinking of going the product mfg route now, and sure I will and as always it will be in big dollar toys of some sort.

[TLWiltman]

I'm in naval ship repair (federal employee). It pays well, and I work a lot of OT (6-800+ hrs/year). About once a year, I take an assignment to San Diego (from Bremerton, Wa). This way, I usually miss the really bad weather up here and bank about $2000/mo in per-diem money. Last trip was 8 months. That's a lot of PT parts. :thumbsup:

BTW... NO KIDS/NO WIFE!