Everyone 18 & Under Post Your Setups

[Chip NoVaMac]

Those who are yelling "Spoiled kids!" are just buying in to the same illusion that a material thing will make your life "better." Not to mention that getting such a ridiculous car at her age will make cars less enjoyable as she grows older, as they continue to get harder to "top". where do you upgrade from landrover? ferrari? batmobile? spaceshuttle? Getting a ****** car in highschool makes life more enjoyable in the future.\
-cody

Cody, some of us are speaking from experience from a time some 20 to 30 years ago that allowed parents to focus more time on their children than seems possible today. Instead today we have parents so bent on keeping up with the Jones that the only real attention they can give their kids are material things.

20 to 30 years ago many of us drove what our parents drove. Or we brought promising to to pay them back on. And as i stated in another post here, driving to school was considered a privilege, not a right.

I will not disagree with you that having a car in HS, makes life more enjoyable. The issue is that in the last 20 to 30 years the wealth of the nation has grown, but as it has grown the gap between the classes has grown even greater.

Wonder how some of your peers would "survive" if they had to live to the standards that some of us had growing up. TV? Go down to the living room and watch it down there. Telephone? We have one in the kitchen you can use. A Walkman? Save your money, or hope that you get one as present for your birthday or holiday.

That is not to say that we did not have some of peers that came from truly wealthy homes that did not enjoy the good life. But even then, the cars they drove were more modest than a BMW or Land Rover.

I for one do not blame you or your peers on having better things in life than I did. For my peers. I tried to do the same with my parents. The thing is that at least my parents were strong enough to say no when they thought it was in my best interest. Many parents today I think either feel guilty or are to weak to say no.

Some of what I talk about is from first hand observation working in a camera store. I have seen more than a few of your peers pitching a fit that they needed the very best, when the parents had hoped to do the same for half the price. I know that when my parents helped me buy my first SLR, I was just grateful that they were willing to help me out. Did I try to get a slightly better SLR? Sure I tried, but was quickly reminded that I had to stay within both of our budgets. And if I got argumentative, we went home empty handed.

Keep in mind we are talking about stereotypes. And stereotypes are not just based on a small subset of "offenders", but a broader group sometimes. Stereotypes are brought by real world observations that tend to taint our view of the real world. When a day doesn't go by that a luxury car or SUV driver takes up two parking spaces in an area that has limited parking, that reinforces the stereotype that these drivers are jerks that only care for themselves.

But in the end there are life lessons to be learned through "hardship" (not getting that New Beetle or Mini convertible, or Land Rover as your first car.; or by getting "only" a iMac G5 instead of that full blown PM. It teaches us that we can't have everything in life that we want. My parents went through the Depression. I went through the Recessions of the 70's and 80's; and now have to deal with me and my peers being labeled "redundant" - and forced to change even "modest" lifestyles because the jobs that we can find are paying half of what we used to earn.

Some of your peers (if they are lucky or unfortunate as the case may be) may be seeing the "hardships" that I am talking about as their parents are finding themselves out of work, or working below the income levels that they all had grown accustomed to as they grow older. People over 40 are finding themselves replaced in the workforce by those that don't cost companies as much in healthcare. Or that some one in India or Pakistan can do their work for half the cost.

What I and others have written is a warning that there is not always a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. For I see higher drug use, alcohol abuse, and suicides as your peers reach the 40 year old market, once they are not able to sustain the "quality" of life they think they "deserve". Only because they never had to deal with a life of not having it all.

For in our youth, we think we will live forever (or at least a long life), and that we will end up being rich in our old age. None of which is guarantee.

 

[zflauaus]

Here's my setup. It's my first Mac, ever. Notice my PCs wallpaper.
By the way, I'm 14.

 

[runninmac]

This thread is interesting.

It has always bothered me that whenever a young person gets a nice computer, car or whatever and it was paid for by the parents they are immediately labeled as spoiled. That only shows jealousy, ignorance or both.
What if the 'spoiled kid' does appreciate what he has and knows its value?
Wouldn't you like to give your kids whatever they wanted, within reasonable limits? I know I would.

Yep my parents bought me a car and is paying for my gas. I don't like everyone thinking Im spoiled (or else id have a Mac right now). I understand how lucky I am for having them pay for it today i filled up and it was $35 for 10 gallons.

But onto the subject of the thread I have a:

2.8 P4
512 MB Ram
80 Gig HD
(dah cant remember the rest)
All payed for by myself before I got into Macs.

EDIT: I just turned 16 a week ago and they pay checks are rolling in now I have a job so I should be getting my first Mac in a month or 2.

PS for some of the people looking for jobs that are under 16 it gets alot easyer once your 16 if not try you parents friends/ your friends that have jobs... it helps alot

BTW: I figure this is a picture thread so I will get a picture tommorw even thnough it is a winblows computer

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Yep my parents bought me a car and is paying for my gas. I don't like everyone thinking Im spoiled (or else id have a Mac right now). I understand how lucky I am for having them pay for it today i filled up and it was $35 for 10 gallons.

I have heard of some greatly inflated prices for gas, but you have to win the prize as the most expensive area in the US at $3.50 a gallon. And in the end do you truly realize what you are getting from your parents?

You also failed to mention how far your "$35 fill-up" was between your last one. I am doing $30 every two weeks, but that is almost 300 miles.I basically just go to work and do some small shopping trips. And I have to also buy my groceries, pay almost a $1000 in rent for a one bedroom apartment, pay for the loan on my car, and pay for my telephone and cable modem.

You may not like thinking that peiple think you are spoiled. But regardless, if you spent $35 for gas in the Grand Rapids area for more than two weeks you might be spoiled. I am not sure how old you are, but when I was in HS I had to pay for my own gas.

To be fair you have not indicated why your parents felt that you needed your own car, or what type of car it is. But many of my peers worked to own their own cars.

Maybe your parents thought it was more important for you to have your own car, rather than you having that Mac. That you have a computer of your own should be enough.

The definition of spoiled is:

v. spoiled, or spoilt (spoilt) spoil·ing, spoils
v. tr.
1-To impair the value or quality of.
2-To damage irreparably; ruin.
3-To impair the completeness, perfection, or unity of; flaw grievously: spoiled the party.
4-To do harm to the character, nature, or attitude of by oversolicitude, overindulgence, or excessive praise. See Synonyms at pamper.

It is possible by your comments and those of your peers, that any of the above conditions maybe true. For even at my age of 47, many of these may be true depending on the situation.

 

[CompUser]

I agree with the parents giving off material items instead of actually being with their kids. They buy you material items to keep you happy

My dad is a business executive and works over 1.5hrs away from my house in another state. He doesn't get home until 7:30 or later most nights. When he has to go out to dinner with foriegn clients sometimes he gets home at 1:00am, and leaves to go to work before 6:00 am.

My sister is in college.

I get home from school at 2:30 so a lot of the time I'm alone for 3.5 to 4hrs hours unless I'm with my friends. Most days after school I have a sport and thats usually 6:00-7:30 OR 6:00-8:00 which means I get home at 8:00 or 8:30. By that time I eat dinner right when I get home and then I take a shower. My dad is exhausted from his car drive and goes to bed before 9:30 and my mom is tired too. So durring the school year I don't see my parents for extended periods of time except on the weekend. On the weekend if we go somewhere usually we're driving and he has to talk on his cell phone for hours to biz people.

Not to sound like an annoying person by saying my "life is so horrible- my parents are never around" and "my parents give me w/e I want" but it is true to some degree. I have a iPod, powerbook, a PC, nice sports equipment, XBOX, PS2, PSP, AF clothing, and I'm sure I'll probably get a car. They bought my sister a new Jeep Wrangler and they give her money or a credit card to go buy gas for it.

 

[DeSnousa]

Wonder how some of your peers would "survive" if they had to live to the standards that some of us had growing up. TV? Go down to the living room and watch it down there. Telephone? We have one in the kitchen you can use. A Walkman? Save your money, or hope that you get one as present for your birthday or holiday.

It would be booorrring.

My mum says this all the time.In my room ive got a tv, ps2 and a computer while my mum had to share a room with her sisters and to keep themselves entertained they had to work with my grandpa on the farm. I totally agree that we are spoiled however this is the new era as you have mentioned.

I wonder what im going to say to my children in the future.

 

[amacgenius]

This is missing my 12" iBook (it's on eBay right now) but otherwise, I use this everyday, btw I'm 15.

EDIT: Believe it or not, that Sprite can on my one shelf, was empty when purchased, and still sealed. No holes because I dipped it in a bucket of water and no bubbles!

 

[devilot]

Keep in mind we are talking about stereotypes. And stereotypes are not just based on a small subset of "offenders", but a broader group sometimes. Stereotypes are brought by real world observations that tend to taint our view of the real world. When a day doesn't go by that a luxury car or SUV driver takes up two parking spaces in an area that has limited parking, that reinforces the stereotype that these drivers are jerks that only care for themselves.

That is right... this has turned into a bit a stereotype-throwing discussion. My parents are in a higher income bracket-- but in this area, they're "average" if not below-average, but something tells me, that even if we were silly-rich, my parents would still have instilled the same principles in me. Have I been blessed w/ a materially simpler/"better" life than Chip, and other past generations? Yes, w/out a doubt. But it's not fair to call someone spoiled w/out knowing the whole picture. For instance, when I was in HS, people's first cars were brand-spanking new Lexus, BMWs, Audis, Benzs, etc. More than a couple also ended up crashing their cars, and getting upgraded replacements. Gag. I inherited a car that was almost the same age I was, handed down from my father to my older sister (both of whom shredded it; dad smokes, sister crashed it) and I never complained. However, the "deal" in my family is that whatever/whenever my sister gets something, is the same price-bracket and age that I would receive the same (to be fair). When she was ending sophomore year in college she got a new Honda accord. So all during high school, I saved up money from working tedious sales retail... I knew the budget of the car I could get in college, and I knew how much of a difference I had to come up w/. When we went to get my car, I had saved up at least $4K for the downpayment, and I am still helping my parents w/ the monthly payments. So was I spoiled for having a car in HS? Maybe, but not nearly in comparison w/ a lot of other people-- especially if they have never worked. Those $6+ an hour jobs? Subtract taxes, and you are not making diddly. It takes a long time to save up a good chunk of money.

Some of your peers (if they are lucky or unfortunate as the case may be) may be seeing the "hardships" that I am talking about as their parents are finding themselves out of work, or working below the income levels that they all had grown accustomed to as they grow older. People over 40 are finding themselves replaced in the workforce by those that don't cost companies as much in healthcare. Or that some one in India or Pakistan can do their work for half the cost.

I know w/out a doubt, that when I am fully supporting myself, there is no way, I mean no way, that I will be living in the lap of luxury that my parents are affording, and you know what? That is ok by me. I have come to grips w/ the fact that I don't need fancy shmancy things all the time (never got them anyway until I started working and paying for them myself). But I agree w/ you Chip, a lot of people in my generation and perhaps younger, will be hit hard w/ the truth.

What I and others have written is a warning that there is not always a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. For I see higher drug use, alcohol abuse, and suicides as your peers reach the 40 year old market, once they are not able to sustain the "quality" of life they think they "deserve". Only because they never had to deal with a life of not having it all.

That is partially true I think, but not entirely. There has been an increase in drug use and suicides but not because of "never dealing w/ a life of not not having it all." I think it's because w/ this abundance of material possessions, it becomes woefully clear that life seems pathetic. You go to school, get the best grades, go to the best colleges to get the best jobs to get the best pay... and then what? Get the "best" things? I think that from Generation X and younger there is a hollowing realization that life feels quite empty. And to make matters worse, high schools are not endowing youth w/ the resources the know-how to make real life bonds, meaningful relationships w/ others... Many of today's youth do not know HOW to be happy, how to find happiness except through the newest gadget-- but as you get a little past HS, you realize that that simply won't cut it. I think that is why drug use and suicides have gone up.

 

[drison]

That is partially true I think, but not entirely. There has been an increase in drug use and suicides but not because of "never dealing w/ a life of not not having it all." I think it's because w/ this abundance of material possessions, it becomes woefully clear that life seems pathetic. You go to school, get the best grades, go to the best colleges to get the best jobs to get the best pay... and then what? Get the "best" things? I think that from Generation X and younger there is a hollowing realization that life feels quite empty. And to make matters worse, high schools are not endowing youth w/ the resources the know-how to make real life bonds, meaningful relationships w/ others... Many of today's youth do not know HOW to be happy, how to find happiness except through the newest gadget-- but as you get a little past HS, you realize that that simply won't cut it. I think that is why drug use and suicides have gone up.

I agree and what's really sad is that society is forcing this generation down this path. Being successful means driving fancy cars, buying newer and better toys, larger homes, etc. What makes this so much worse than previous generations of people who exhibited the same behavior is the availability of credit, not only for the parents of these younger people but to the younger people themselves! We are encouraged to have lines of credit owing big businesses more than we could ever attain on our own. It's really becoming a problem in my opinion and it preys on the weakness of the human race.
-Dave

 

[Platform]

This is missing my 12" iBook (it's on eBay right now) but otherwise, I use this everyday, btw I'm 15.

EDIT: Believe it or not, that Sprite can on my one shelf, was empty when purchased, and still sealed. No holes because I dipped it in a bucket of water and no bubbles!

iMac, PB, iSight, Sticks..............

 

[greatdevourer]

PowerBook 1.5Ghz 15", soon to be upgraded to 2GB RAM (got the money for it today, in fact) (bought for half price due to a lot of special offers all at once)
PowerMac Cube, 450Mhz, 1GB RAM, 80GB Raptor, GeForce 2 MX, 17" TFT(special project of mine ), Harmon Kardon speakers
MacMice "The Mouse", LaCie 250GB external HDD... Will get pictures

 

[ham_man]

This is missing my 12" iBook (it's on eBay right now) but otherwise, I use this everyday, btw I'm 15.

EDIT: Believe it or not, that Sprite can on my one shelf, was empty when purchased, and still sealed. No holes because I dipped it in a bucket of water and no bubbles!

Bloody nice Larry. However, blur out the content on the iMac screen!!!

 

[bebo]

where did you get that desk ?

 

[CoMpX]

Bloody nice Larry. However, blur out the content on the iMac screen!!!

Why do you want him to blur it out? I don't get it? What do you want him to blur out? The iChat? Because if yes, nobody can ready the person's screen name.

 

[swy32x]

This is missing my 12" iBook (it's on eBay right now) but otherwise, I use this everyday, btw I'm 15.

EDIT: Believe it or not, that Sprite can on my one shelf, was empty when purchased, and still sealed. No holes because I dipped it in a bucket of water and no bubbles!

Dude weren't you selling that PB about 6 months ago?

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I agree and what's really sad is that society is forcing this generation down this path. Being successful means driving fancy cars, buying newer and better toys, larger homes, etc. What makes this so much worse than previous generations of people who exhibited the same behavior is the availability of credit, not only for the parents of these younger people but to the younger people themselves! We are encouraged to have lines of credit owing big businesses more than we could ever attain on our own. It's really becoming a problem in my opinion and it preys on the weakness of the human race.
-Dave

Funny thing is that we don't have the message taught in JH and HS, that saving early is the best route to financial security. Forgot the numbers, but even $50 to $100 a month leads to a lot after 30 to 50 years when you start at 18.

Add to that we have credit companies that want the government to protect them from people who make bad credit choices, yet will not take the actions to protect themselves. Does it make any sense that a person earning lets say $40K a year to have $40K to $75K in revolving credit lines? Let alone car payments and/or mortgage payments.

where did you get that desk ?

I had a desk almost identical to this one. I bought mine at Microcenter. Though you should be able to find the same design at Staples, Office Depot, or Best Buy.

 

[drison]

Funny thing is that we don't have the message taught in JH and HS, that saving early is the best route to financial security. Forgot the numbers, but even $50 to $100 a month leads to a lot after 30 to 50 years when you start at 18.

Add to that we have credit companies that want the government to protect them from people who make bad credit choices, yet will not take the actions to protect themselves. Does it make any sense that a person earning lets say $40K a year to have $40K to $75K in revolving credit lines? Let alone car payments and/or mortgage payments.

Yes, exactly. It really is a sad state of affairs, but how can we mitigate it? I have two small children and already they have far more than they need or want, largely due to the abundance of gifts from friends and family. I guess the point is that they are already growing up knowing that they can have whatever they want. I honestly don't know a way around it but I hope I make the right decisions as a parent.

Honestly, I miss the "simpler" times when I had nothing.

-Dave

 

[iindigo]

I don't see the problem as long as I pay for everything I buy NOW, rather than charging to those stupid freakin credit cards. I only spend what I have, and if I don't have the money well then too bad for me.

I also realize the importance of saving up, and plan on saving a large portion of my paycheck once I get what I want.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Yes, exactly. It really is a sad state of affairs, but how can we mitigate it? I have two small children and already they have far more than they need or want, largely due to the abundance of gifts from friends and family. I guess the point is that they are already growing up knowing that they can have whatever they want. I honestly don't know a way around it but I hope I make the right decisions as a parent.

Honestly, I miss the "simpler" times when I had nothing.

-Dave

It begins with you as the parent. You have to tell your friends and family that more meaningful gifts are what you expect, and no more lavish gifts.

 

[cwright]

I envy you, I make skate videos with my friends and I go to school full time so I save all my money for that which means I can't afford to buy a 2-3000 dollar camera I really want but don't need.
Expecially seeing as I'm more the editor and my friend is the filmer (though I do a considerable amount of filming too).

Yea I have been pretty lucky to have access to those cameras. My teachers have never hesitated to let me borrow them. Not only that, but in yearbook and newspaper, the advisors there let me borrow Canon 10Ds and lenses and even the $500 scanner whenever I wanted . I hope I have that kind of luxury in college.

Anyway, I won't deny that I'm spoiled. However I did earn the money to pay for most of it. The powermac was given to me by my dad, but he didn't pay for it either. Somehow he got Apple to give him the computer (don't ask me how–I think it has to do with the company he works for). I paid for the monitor, rebel xt and extra lens, speakers, printer, and all the microphones and other video equipment. My parents were nice enough to split the cost of the GL2 with me.

Hey cwright
I am absolutly loving that set up man. It great

Thanks
My dad and I spent an hour or so tonight designing my new desk to build in my college dorm in two weeks. We're going to build the desk here at home this weekend and then assemble it at the dorm room. Should be pretty cool. I'll be sure to post new pics when I get moved in.

 

[Chundles]

delete me

 

[drison]

I don't see the problem as long as I pay for everything I buy NOW, rather than charging to those stupid freakin credit cards. I only spend what I have, and if I don't have the money well then too bad for me.

I also realize the importance of saving up, and plan on saving a large portion of my paycheck once I get what I want.

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone if I did. I think it's perfectly fine if you have the means to buy what you want. I was really referring to the credit trap that we are subjected to these days and it's now just become overwhelming. I am lucky enough to have the means to pay cash for most of my toys but others who aren't are provided with a magic second option which lets them get whatever they want on credit. They should put warning labels on CC's just like they do on cigarettes.
-Dave

 

[prostuff1]

Don`t have this yet but...

in about 2 weeks i will be buying the stock 12in iBook (for mobile use at college) and the stock 17in iMac with SD for at home (grandma`s actually). Plan to max everthing out on RAM right away also.

Have to get internet for the house and a wireless router so that everthing ends up nice and clean looking (so grandma doesn`t complain ) And a desk/cupboard to put it all in.

Can`t wait. And i will be paying for the majority of this by my self.

 

[howard]

Success and happiness are so relative. Some people like material things: cars, computers, houses, gadgets, clothes, etc. and thats fine. Seriously whats the matter with that? If it makes you happy it makes you happy. Other people find happiness and success in things like travel, art/creativity, helping others, education and other non-material things. And thats fine too, in fact it bothers me when people look down on others because they don't make enough money, or have the nicest things. They may have a "rich" life in the things that they DO.

Personally, I like a little of both, I like nice things, and but I'm passionate about non-material things. Both you have to work for, and the more you do the more you appreciate them.

You kids who are making your way into the world successful already. Awesome. Hope your happy and I hope you appreciate it. As for the "kids who have it all" and don't appreciate it, or the old grumpy guys that didn't have what they wanted as kids, just remember, there will always be someone better off than you, and someone worse off. So in the voice of arnold "STOP WHINING!" and make the best of what you got, chances are its your fault your not happy, not someone elses.


[addition]: someone said they miss the simpler times where they had nothing. I totally agree. Thats why I love going camping in the wilderness and just live for life's sake once in awhile. Having the chance to do that is a type of success for sure.

 

[CoMpX]

[addition]: someone said they miss the simpler times where they had nothing. I totally agree. Thats why I love going camping in the wilderness and just live for life's sake once in awhile. Having the chance to do that is a type of success for sure.

Judt don't forget your iBook on that trip! LOL