Frustrated

[Lawrence 0]

I'm new to these forums, hence the post here. I've been jumping for a few years but very on and off, last jump was end of last year. I'm a B license holder and love the sport, but have trouble funding the habit, only have 60 jumps total. I have a new family on the way and it's our first, but now having to support my wife and get enough money into the household and thought of jumping just can't be justified, at least not to my other half. I guess I just needed to voice my frustration, and no one here wants to listen, hence the post. How do you guys out there with familys cope, baby stuff is just so expensive. Is it now just a case of having to put skydiving on a back burner and return at a later date in life ( this last sentence was a tough one to write ). Sorry for the moan, but blue skies forever to all out there.

[skymama 37]

Welcome to the forums! I hate to break it to you but that baby is going to be way more expensive than you ever imagined! You very well might have to take some time off from the sport right now and focus on the little one. Let me tell you though, it will be totally worth it. Babies are da bomb!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Witelli 0]

I hear you man. I'm in the same boat. I'm just getting into the sport and it's super expensive, especially the tandems/AFF/etc. I started packing lunches and eating breakfast at home to save. Also, tell everyone in your family that gifts are not accepted for birthdays/Christmas etc. Only cash. My birthday money is going towards my next skydive. Congrats on the baby, they're awesome. I'm sure your little one will take the edge off your skydiving withdrawls for now. Don't get me wrong, you'll still want to get out every now and again, just not as much. Good luck.

[TAndrews 0]

I'm at a point in my life where I'm in the same money situation. Only my kids are starting college. Enjoy the family, do everything you can with your kids they will be gone in a flash! I usually try to talk my wife into letting me take some money out of our tax refund, I jump until the money's gone. Then I'm done until I can find another source of money, like selling something.

[Lawrence 0]

Thanks guys, I'll just knuckle down save the money and do the best I can. Just makes me jealous when friends head off every weekend. Don't get me wrong, I'm real happy for them, but a little green with envy. And Skymama the cost thing didn't help

• Quote

[uponone 0]

Buy and sell stuff on ebay for extra cash, that's what I do.

[Guest]

(caution: wine-induced newbie advice)

Here is what I would do in your situation.
1) Enjor the baby! Before you know it she/he'll be crawling/baby steps/running/asking for the car keys.

2) Since you don't have enough money to jump every sunny weekend, accept that.

3) Like some guys plan hunting trips every year, I'd plan and set aside for a skydiving week/month every year. Get the wife's to accept and sign off on that. Say it'll be next July. Then in April and May hit the SIM hard, in late June get your reserve repacked and main inspected, get to the DZ a few mornings to meet peeps and do daily refreshers, schedule a currency jump on July 1st and jumps your ass of every Saturday and Sunday that month. Won't even burn vacation time. There's 8 weekend days in July 2006, start two jumps /day the first weekend, finish at 4-5 jumps/day and you can get 40 jumps in easy that month. Then don't worry about it for a year and enjoy that kid of yours and maybe make a few more.
My $.02 friggin cents


Blue Skyes

You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two.

[Lawrence 0]

Good advice all, thankyou, it's just hard accepting 1010, but that's the plan. Thanks again.

[Guest]

Good Luck & Blue Skies to you!

You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two.