Comments for Math Rocks! http://dereksh.wordpress.com Just another WordPress.com weblog Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:48:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on Paper, textbook, and motorcycle updates by David Charlap http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/paper-textbook-and-motorcycle-updates/#comment-430 David Charlap Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:42:36 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=119#comment-430 SCD: Is that really typical? I guess it's just more evidence that most people have no clue how (and often no desire) to manage their finances. I never had a $500/mo car payment, and I bought both of my cars brand new. The payments on my first car was about $230/mo, and the second car was slightly less than that. But I made a point of not buying beyond my means, and of saving enough in advance to permit a substantial down-payment. Gas? Again, it really depends on what you're driving and where. My commute is pretty short, and the car is efficient. I fill the tank about every two weeks (about $80/mo) for commuting. And when I take long trips, where it's all highway driving, I routinely get 37-40MPG - with an ordinary non-hybrid car. You don't have to do anything extraordinary to avoid getting caught up in the problems of "typical" Americans. You just have to have the sense that was supposedly common when we were growing up and think about what you're doing before you do it. SCD: Is that really typical? I guess it’s just more evidence that most people have no clue how (and often no desire) to manage their finances.

I never had a $500/mo car payment, and I bought both of my cars brand new. The payments on my first car was about $230/mo, and the second car was slightly less than that. But I made a point of not buying beyond my means, and of saving enough in advance to permit a substantial down-payment.

Gas? Again, it really depends on what you’re driving and where. My commute is pretty short, and the car is efficient. I fill the tank about every two weeks (about $80/mo) for commuting. And when I take long trips, where it’s all highway driving, I routinely get 37-40MPG - with an ordinary non-hybrid car.

You don’t have to do anything extraordinary to avoid getting caught up in the problems of “typical” Americans. You just have to have the sense that was supposedly common when we were growing up and think about what you’re doing before you do it.

]]> Comment on Paper, textbook, and motorcycle updates by SCD http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/paper-textbook-and-motorcycle-updates/#comment-429 SCD Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:58:24 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=119#comment-429 Oh, I dunno, Jenny. I understand that your motorcycle expenses are up recently, but you have to compare it to the alternative. Many people have a $500/month car payment. Scratch that. TWO $500/month car payments. Then they have to put gas in those cars, which these days is about $60/week/car, so that's another $500 month, not to mention maintanance, etc. So if you are paying less than $1500-$1700/month on your 1 car and two motorcycles, you are doing well. Oh, plus insurance on motorcycles is less too, right? Personally, I don't have any $500 car payments, since we drive old used cars, but instead I spend an average of $100 to $200 a month per car on maintanance and repairs. That's right, around $3600 a year between the two cars. But that is still a LOT cheaper than two $500/month car payments. So you see, you guys are doing great. Good luck with the hybrid. I suppose you'll pay a pretty penny for that, but hey, if that's where you want to put your motorcycle savings, good for you. Enjoy. Oh, I dunno, Jenny. I understand that your motorcycle expenses are up recently, but you have to compare it to the alternative. Many people have a $500/month car payment. Scratch that. TWO $500/month car payments. Then they have to put gas in those cars, which these days is about $60/week/car, so that’s another $500 month, not to mention maintanance, etc. So if you are paying less than $1500-$1700/month on your 1 car and two motorcycles, you are doing well. Oh, plus insurance on motorcycles is less too, right?

Personally, I don’t have any $500 car payments, since we drive old used cars, but instead I spend an average of $100 to $200 a month per car on maintanance and repairs. That’s right, around $3600 a year between the two cars. But that is still a LOT cheaper than two $500/month car payments. So you see, you guys are doing great.

Good luck with the hybrid. I suppose you’ll pay a pretty penny for that, but hey, if that’s where you want to put your motorcycle savings, good for you. Enjoy.

]]> Comment on Paper, textbook, and motorcycle updates by dereksh http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/paper-textbook-and-motorcycle-updates/#comment-428 dereksh Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:11:42 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=119#comment-428 SCD: We have a car, one that we hope to trade in for a hybrid later this year or early next year. Jenny: Yeah, at least the big bag/backpack that straps on the back of the sissybar will still work. I'm a little sad about not saving so much money, but I'm glad we're a motorcycling family again. SCD: We have a car, one that we hope to trade in for a hybrid later this year or early next year.

Jenny: Yeah, at least the big bag/backpack that straps on the back of the sissybar will still work. I’m a little sad about not saving so much money, but I’m glad we’re a motorcycling family again.

]]> Comment on Paper, textbook, and motorcycle updates by Jenny http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/paper-textbook-and-motorcycle-updates/#comment-427 Jenny Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:30:19 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=119#comment-427 One of the women I spoke with said that she does need a U bracket on her bike to keep the saddle bags away from her chain and her tire. I think that my fenders are large enough to take care of the tire issue, but I'm going to install your saddlebags on my bike *tee hee* and see how they work. It's good that you've still got all the "other" stuff to carry things on your bike (sissy bar, pack to attach to it, tank bag, the tiny handlebar bag, bungy cords, and the flamed backpack that came with your bike). All I've got at the moment are your tank bag and my backpack! I loved the comment above about the bike being a great way to save money. You haven't saved a penny this year! One of the women I spoke with said that she does need a U bracket on her bike to keep the saddle bags away from her chain and her tire. I think that my fenders are large enough to take care of the tire issue, but I’m going to install your saddlebags on my bike *tee hee* and see how they work.

It’s good that you’ve still got all the “other” stuff to carry things on your bike (sissy bar, pack to attach to it, tank bag, the tiny handlebar bag, bungy cords, and the flamed backpack that came with your bike). All I’ve got at the moment are your tank bag and my backpack!

I loved the comment above about the bike being a great way to save money. You haven’t saved a penny this year!

]]> Comment on Paper, textbook, and motorcycle updates by SCD http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/paper-textbook-and-motorcycle-updates/#comment-426 SCD Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:46:00 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=119#comment-426 So, is the bike your primary mode of transit? Do you have a car in the winter, or is it all cycle all the time? Great way to save money. Good thing you don't need to try to fit a car seat in it though. And congrats on the paper! That'll learn 'em. So, is the bike your primary mode of transit? Do you have a car in the winter, or is it all cycle all the time? Great way to save money. Good thing you don’t need to try to fit a car seat in it though.

And congrats on the paper! That’ll learn ‘em.

]]> Comment on Math is Delicious! by Paper, textbook, and motorcycle updates « Math Rocks! http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/math-is-delicious/#comment-423 Paper, textbook, and motorcycle updates « Math Rocks! Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:28:49 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-423 [...] 18, 2008 at 2:28 pm | In life, math, motorcycles | Just a couple of updates on stuff from my last entry. My paper is done, and it will likely be submitted to a journal this week! I’m very [...] [...] 18, 2008 at 2:28 pm | In life, math, motorcycles | Just a couple of updates on stuff from my last entry. My paper is done, and it will likely be submitted to a journal this week! I’m very [...]

]]> Comment on Math is Delicious! by dereksh http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/math-is-delicious/#comment-421 dereksh Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:03:34 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-421 Jenny: In time, you'll learn to ride smoothly no matter who's watching you. Jenny: In time, you’ll learn to ride smoothly no matter who’s watching you.

]]> Comment on Math is Delicious! by Jenny http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/math-is-delicious/#comment-420 Jenny Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:34:38 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-420 I just read the comic that your t-shirt is based on. I gotta say that I think the t-shirt should be pizza instead of cereal based :-) I just read the comic that your t-shirt is based on. I gotta say that I think the t-shirt should be pizza instead of cereal based :-)

]]> Comment on Math is Delicious! by Jenny http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/math-is-delicious/#comment-419 Jenny Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:31:28 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-419 My tummy's feeling a bit better now. I am looking forward to riding with you, but at the same time I'm worried. I am doing pretty ok by myself, and I'm worried that when I'm out on the streets with you I'll be too worried about you noticing all the things that I'm still doing wrong (and usually know that I'm doing wrong) since I've been going out alone and feel like I've got more control then I'll come home and find out how I suck even more than I thought I did :( My tummy’s feeling a bit better now.

I am looking forward to riding with you, but at the same time I’m worried. I am doing pretty ok by myself, and I’m worried that when I’m out on the streets with you I’ll be too worried about you noticing all the things that I’m still doing wrong (and usually know that I’m doing wrong) since I’ve been going out alone and feel like I’ve got more control then I’ll come home and find out how I suck even more than I thought I did :(

]]> Comment on Math is Delicious! by dereksh http://dereksh.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/math-is-delicious/#comment-418 dereksh Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:09:34 +0000 http://dereksh.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-418 I'm thinking of adding the Evolution Kills one to my collection. By the way, your blog looks amazing. So professional! I've got to get mine into shape. Ah, but when? If not this week, then not this year, I fear. I’m thinking of adding the Evolution Kills one to my collection. By the way, your blog looks amazing. So professional! I’ve got to get mine into shape. Ah, but when? If not this week, then not this year, I fear.

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