Wealthy Alaskans (Kodiak, Metlakatla: to buy, construction, school)

[gggjfg]

If there's one consistent comment on the Alaska forums is how incredibly expensive it is to live there.

So tell me all you wealthy folks, how did/do you make all your money?

Since you all seem to be on your computers 24/7/365, perhaps it's the stock market.

And what are wealthy folks doing sweeping floors, flippin' burgers, digging ditches, bagging groceries or do they make $100.hr.?

Maybe because I'm old and my math capabilities have faded over the decades, but it doesn't add up!

Enlighten me!

I want to be wealthy too and join you up there!

[Frostnip]

The sarcasm is cute, but the simple fact is that wages are somewhat higher here, but mostly, people live much more frugally and are more creative about spending less money.

[AlaskaNana]

Frostnip is right. You learn what is important and what you can live without. Gardens, fishing, hunting fill the pantry while bartering will get you what you can't do yourself and finally you have to buy those things you can't get any other way, but those are a lot less than others living elsewhere would think you need to buy. I do buy a fair amount of books and craft supplies but those come out of a budget based on a steady "guaranteed" payment I have and I can use crafts as gifts, barter or sell for some cash. Like the rest, I garden, can and harvest for most of what I eat. I sew, crochet and knit -- well attempt to knit its mainly small stuff -- and make comforters to keep warm. Wealth is only relavent to the person it involves. I consider myself "wealthy" since I have friends I can call on in a pinch, and am mostly self-reliant. Not having a 9-5/50wk/yr job to go to makes me happy and wealthy. If I need cash I can do seasonal work at a resort area or taxes. With my needs, either will give me enough cash for the year. Like I said, wealth is relavent to the individual it involves.

[Rance]

I started selling wild hand picked berries at 12, working fish canneries at age 14, set net sites and commercial boats at 15, bagging groceries and janitorial at 17, YACC at 18, military at 19, construction and more boats at 25, and oilfield at 26. I've always worked, bought my own school clothes, cars, gas, beer etc.
Work hard and spend wisely will go a long way in this state. Sure I do well for myself now. But I spent years climbing that tall ladder getting here.

I've earned every rung along the way.

[Metlakatla]

This place has really gone to the trolls lately.

Fact is is that there are plenty of social parasites living in Alaska. Welfare and food stamps are pretty common. There are a lot of layabouts in Alaska who are waiting for someone else to come along and fix there lives. This is more common in the urban areas.

I see no indication that any of the regular participants here are online constantly, so I don't know what that BS is all about.

As far as how anyone here has achieved any degree of financial success, they/we did so the old-fashioned way by using an outdated concept formerly known as work.

[AlaskaNana]

Well, Met, I will admit to be on here more than I probably should, but I do multi-task. I will be listening to the TV while I am on here. Rarely will you find me on here during the day. The only time I have time to be online during the day is when I am at an appointment and am waiting. A lot of those lately. I have a netbook that connects to my cell provider. And I am self-employed. Besides why should any of us have to justify our lives, when and where and what hours, to you (OP).

If you have time to follow any of us and Q our scheduals what are you doing? By your logic you must be wealthy or on public assistance. Oh wait, as an individual who's income is derived from illicit activity you would have the time. I'm in a not-so-forgiving mood tonight so BUG OFF and leave us alone!

[AKStafford]

We live in the Valley... Both me & the wife work full time at jobs that pay pretty decent. We are incredibly tight with our spending and avoid debt like the plague. We make it okay.

But, I've spent quite a bit of time in the Kodiak area. It seems like everyone I knew there worked a full time job, plus a part time job in the evenings, plus another job on the weekend.

So in many case it's not a matter of being wealthy, but a matter of working your butt off...

[gggjfg]

Thank you people! Yeah, there was a bit of sarcasm there but I really wanted to hear how an average person lives in Alaska.

As I suspected, it's no different than any place else. You do what you gotta' do.

I've lived in areas in the lower 48 where it got down to -30F, long trips to the grocery store with outrageous prices, etc.

It's just that reading the forums for Alaska and Hawaii, especially, you would think you have to be a millioniare to live there but of course how does the area function without all the normally associated jobs and wages.

Of course, I also know you're not revealing your "Secrets Of The Rich And Famous".

[gggjfg]

Oh, forgot to add a comment for the curmudgeonly responders.

Yes, I am retired and receiving public assistance: Social Security that your gummint removed from my paycheck for 50 years!

I know your secret is "selling ice cubes to Eskimo's" but I won't tell!

I am now "bugging off"!

Your loss!

No sunshine for you for one year!

[okieplumber]

met you are very well spoken wouldn't let me rep ya hope to meet you some day when me and the family make the move up..

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

This place has really gone to the trolls lately.

Fact is is that there are plenty of social parasites living in Alaska. Welfare and food stamps are pretty common. There are a lot of layabouts in Alaska who are waiting for someone else to come along and fix there lives. This is more common in the urban areas.

I see no indication that any of the regular participants here are online constantly, so I don't know what that BS is all about.

As far as how anyone here has achieved any degree of financial success, they/we did so the old-fashioned way by using an outdated concept formerly known as work.