Quitting the day job

#21
I enjoy my job.

Even if I didn't, I would not quit until I retire because of the affordable group health insurance.

I have relatives who are self employed. What they pay in a month is eye opening.
 
#22
Misnomer

JohnGalt1 said:
I would not quit until I retire because of the affordable group health insurance.

I have relatives who are self employed. What they pay in a month is eye opening.
If you are healthy a private plan is cheaper then a group one. The reason employees often think a group plan is cheaper is because their employer pays some or all of it.

When one is comparing self employment vs a job/career they should take into consideration compensation besides just pay.

So when thinking of quitting that job for AP one should look into healthcare also.

:joker::whip:
 

MountainMan

Well-Known Member
#23
Try a seasonal job

Try finding a seasonal job. Many seasonal jobs pay well, you can collect unemployment during the offseasons and play blackjack.
 

flyingwind

Well-Known Member
#24
I had no idea that this would cause so much discussion.

I just got home from work. I'm tired and hungry. I'm frustrated. I'm stressed out. I need a vacation. Or a trip to the casino.
 

aslan

Well-Known Member
#25
Mr. T said:
You must be one heck of a pool player. I am not sure about you being an AP though. Still it is always good to have a passion in life. Enjoy.
I use the term AP loosely. :grin: Anyway, I'm ahead, even though you might not agree with my methods.
 

Machinist

Well-Known Member
#26
AAAhhhhemmmmm havent you all heard ??? Us americans have free healthcare now thanks to a certain person. So hang on, you all with jobs will be able to quit work and become full time APs. AAAhhhh casino noises 24 hrs a day,,,,no stress..just cards...
And all the money you make is CASH!!!!! So you only have to make about half as much as you were at your real mundane job!!!!!!! Wow!!!
Of course if you could get laid off that would be nicer ,,, because you can get about 3 years of unemployment...Thats a nice little cushion while you are ramping up you BJ play..

Machinist
 
#27
JohnGalt1 said:
I enjoy my job.

Even if I didn't, I would not quit until I retire because of the affordable group health insurance.

I have relatives who are self employed. What they pay in a month is eye opening.
That's surprising. I pay for my own health insurance and it's less than the COBRA for state employees. It has a high deductible, but I did the math and determined I'd have to become deathly ill every 18 months to justify a lower deductible.

I'd never quit engineering for AP because the way I approach each discipline, it's the same thing. I've little confidence in people who aren't good at day jobs and think AP is the way out.
 

aslan

Well-Known Member
#28
Machinist said:
AAAhhhhemmmmm havent you all heard ??? Us americans have free healthcare now thanks to a certain person. So hang on, you all with jobs will be able to quit work and become full time APs. AAAhhhh casino noises 24 hrs a day,,,,no stress..just cards...
And all the money you make is CASH!!!!! So you only have to make about half as much as you were at your real mundane job!!!!!!! Wow!!!
Of course if you could get laid off that would be nicer ,,, because you can get about 3 years of unemployment...Thats a nice little cushion while you are ramping up you BJ play..

Machinist
Obama says he hates those big corporations and the fat cats that own them. I guess that goes for casinos, too. So maybe he won't mind underwriting a few card counting careers. Hey, it's employment, isn't it? And you still get to collect unemployment. Now that's a good deal! I got a feeling you might even see Mr. O at the tables in a couple of years, too. Wouldn't that beat all!
 

Billy C1

Well-Known Member
#29
aslan said:
Obama says he hates those big corporations and the fat cats that own them. I guess that goes for casinos, too. So maybe he won't mind underwriting a few card counting careers. Hey, it's employment, isn't it? And you still get to collect unemployment. Now that's a good deal! I got a feeling you might even see Mr. O at the tables in a couple of years, too. Wouldn't that beat all!
You won't see Mr. O at the tables. Casinos won't allow devices like teleprompters to be used as an aid.

BillyC1
 

Jack_Black

Well-Known Member
#31
Machinist said:
Of course if you could get laid off that would be nicer ,,, because you can get about 3 years of unemployment...Thats a nice little cushion while you are ramping up you BJ play..

Machinist
Ha! that's exactly what I'm trying to do right now. but it is really hard trying to get laid off! Mind you, getting fired gets you nothing. So I've been trying to do the bare minimum while staying out of trouble. My dept. supposedly is going to lay off one person, but i'm not on that list.

Automatic Monkey said:
I'd never quit engineering for AP because the way I approach each discipline, it's the same thing. I've little confidence in people who aren't good at day jobs and think AP is the way out.
It always depends on the person. For me, I have plenty of discipline and I was looking for a business opportunity or a career change, just something to get away from my 6 years at my current sales gig. Business or self employment is good for me because I have yet to work under someone I can respect, and I work better independently than with others. But business opportunities aren’t looking that good right now. I do have a job waiting for me at Charles Schwab or TIAA/Cref if I want it. But I want something different and slightly adventurous for the time being. AP just might be that ticket.
 

Jack_Black

Well-Known Member
#32
JohnGalt1 said:
I enjoy my job.

Even if I didn't, I would not quit until I retire because of the affordable group health insurance.

I have relatives who are self employed. What they pay in a month is eye opening.
That’s an ironic statement coming from a guy with a handle of John Galt. Hopefully you’ll see how ridiculous of a writer Ayn Rand is if you’re posting statements like this. Then hopefully you’ll change that stupid handle.

blackjack avenger said:
If you are healthy a private plan is cheaper then a group one. The reason employees often think a group plan is cheaper is because their employer pays some or all of it.
Automatic Monkey said:
That's surprising. I pay for my own health insurance and it's less than the COBRA for state employees. It has a high deductible, but I did the math and determined I'd have to become deathly ill every 18 months to justify a lower deductible.
We’re now going into dangerous territory with this topic. You all know that ICNT is thread lock happy when it comes to these kinds of discussions. However, I will say one comment. I was once a big proponent of universal care in the US. But I now realize the reason it won’t work here compared to the rest of the world. It is because most Americans are lazy, unhealthy, excessive, fat slobs that would destroy social care with the bills they would rack up. Auto Monk has it right, healthy people wouldn’t put pressure on a socialized system. If you look at the rest of the world that has social medicine, most of its citizens are healthy. Japanese senior citizens, even most European senior citizens walk around without those hover round cart things. Most elders are skinny. But we in America love our mickey Ds, hostess cakes, and bacon ultimate cheeseburgers.

I remember when I did a backpacking trip through Europe. I could always tell who was an American before they even started to speak. They all had terrible fashion sense, wearing shorts with Hawaiian shirts, and most were fat. It was really depressing when I was in heathrow airport checking out all the ugly british girls who at least had great bodies and would flaunt it with revealing clothes, then landing back in the US surrounded by chubs wearing flip flops and moo moos.
 

shadroch

Well-Known Member
#33
Billy C1 said:
Nothing could be further from the truth at present. Try to tell that to someone living in Vegas with 14.4% unemployment now!
Sadly, I know several people that are ENJOYING the 99 weeks of unemployment income already extended to them and lusting for more extensions to that program while working "scab" cash jobs all the while.
Isn't that nice?????

BillyC1

Exactly, people have found they enjoy staying home for less money. Thats the truth.
 

Billy C1

Well-Known Member
#34
Where does it end?

It goes without saying that unemployment funds are a needed thing but reality also says that there's a limit to how much can be paid to people for doing NOTHING!

BillyC1
 
#35
Machinist said:
Of course if you could get laid off that would be nicer ,,, because you can get about 3 years of unemployment...Thats a nice little cushion while you are ramping up you BJ play..

Machinist
Jack_Black said:
Ha! that's exactly what I'm trying to do right now. but it is really hard trying to get laid off! Mind you, getting fired gets you nothing. So I've been trying to do the bare minimum while staying out of trouble. My dept. supposedly is going to lay off one person, but i'm not on that list.

It always depends on the person. For me, I have plenty of discipline and I was looking for a business opportunity or a career change, just something to get away from my 6 years at my current sales gig. Business or self employment is good for me because I have yet to work under someone I can respect, and I work better independently than with others. But business opportunities aren’t looking that good right now. I do have a job waiting for me at Charles Schwab or TIAA/Cref if I want it. But I want something different and slightly adventurous for the time being. AP just might be that ticket.
I am in a similar situation. My company is closing down in less then a year and will be laid off. I am guaranteed severance, unemployment, and funding for school. I have been placed on a list(optional) at a sister company which prioritizes those facing layoff, but does not guarantee employment.

This would be rolling the dice(pun intended), but have been tempted to remove myself from the list to ensure I'd receive the full bonus of severance, unemployment, all while fully funded for obtaining another degree or certification(s) in a career/trade of greater interest, and/or doing something on the side part time. It's an opportunity to experiment all out with AP blackjack and sports betting. Would like to study horseracing and venture into poker as well. Time to do this is the constraint that comes with a full time job.

I figure it would be foolish to get off the list and possibly miss on an opportunity to secure a full time job, and get a much needed bigger family house sooner then later. Part of me wants to go for it though. If nothing does come along, that will be my path.

I'm not highly gifted and took major discipline and determination to get my engineering degree. I'm not stating this to boast, but feel if given enough time, as I'm sure other engineers here feel as well, can learn almost anything. Given this potential new wave of free time, it may be the one time chance to put in many more hours of AP time with, although less then full time income, some incoming cash flow from unemployment.

I dread my current job because of the organizations employee favoritism and stupid, inefficient methods to handle simple tasks. I dream of being my own boss in a more hands on career, or ultimately become a solid part or full time AP, in one or several areas of gaming. :rolleyes:
 
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#36
Always Poor

I haven't been at it long, playing one to two times a week. I practice and study roughly fifteen (15) hours per week. I started BJ in February and Craps in June 2010, betting minimums while honing my skills. Bedtime reading is Poker related. In this time, I have won more than lost, but my expenses keep me even. I have a job, no time committments or constraints and enjoy the games immensely. I think most of all I enjoy the people I meet (Dealers and Players). At BJ, I don't play hunches or feelings, only use basic strategy and toy with various betting strategies. My Craps is fairly solid and I make more money there.

I imagine that AP stands for Always Poor, while living off the proceeds of full-time gambling. Full-Time gambling appeals to me because I will be rich or poor on my own terms. Not as dictated by some investment broker or banker.
I've played that game far too long, and the odds are stacked against you.

For the guy who started this topic, do what feels right. If you hate your current setting, change it. They say "Life is a gamble."
 

aslan

Well-Known Member
#37
Jolly Roger said:
I haven't been at it long, playing one to two times a week. I practice and study roughly fifteen (15) hours per week. I started BJ in February and Craps in June 2010, betting minimums while honing my skills. Bedtime reading is Poker related. In this time, I have won more than lost, but my expenses keep me even. I have a job, no time committments or constraints and enjoy the games immensely. I think most of all I enjoy the people I meet (Dealers and Players). At BJ, I don't play hunches or feelings, only use basic strategy and toy with various betting strategies. My Craps is fairly solid and I make more money there.

I imagine that AP stands for Always Poor, while living off the proceeds of full-time gambling. Full-Time gambling appeals to me because I will be rich or poor on my own terms. Not as dictated by some investment broker or banker.
I've played that game far too long, and the odds are stacked against you.

For the guy who started this topic, do what feels right. If you hate your current setting, change it. They say "Life is a gamble."
That advice is hard to argue with, but any such change in occupation should entail a ton of planning and preparation. The major reason for business failure of new start ups I believe is under-capitalization. New restaurant owners are so sure their place will catch on quickly--after all, they are offering great meals at reasonable prices!

It doesn't always work that way. You have to have enough capital to operate at a loss for two years while you build your business, giving plenty of time for the word to get out and for enough people to visit and be pleased by what you have to offer. During that first two years you will have time to make changes you never anticipated when you began, but which will be necessary for your survival. Those with only the ability to operate at a loss for, say, 6-months, are simply not giving themselves a reasonable chance to succeed.

I think the parallel with becoming making a living as an AP require no explanation. Besides the skill, which I'm assuming the hopeful already has, I would anticipate a long learning curve before getting to the point of making a living solely off AP. When you find yourself living off your bankroll instead of living off the proceeds from your bankroll, it must be a sobering experience. It must also play havoc with RoR calculations if one is not sufficiently funded in the first place with a bankroll that anticipates both losses and living expenses for an extended period of time.
 
#40
fubster said:
how can you be an advantage craps player?

You count the number of black dots on the right side, subtract the number of black dots on the left, divide by 2 which is the number of dice, and multiply by the number of attractive women watching. Duh
 
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