[CharlesInCharge]

Canadian youths stressed about money & careers‏
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BOUX0T95qs

We live in a country rich with resources and a small population, university should be free for the better advancement of our people... but watching the CBC news, it sounds like our economy could tank like USA.

What kind of debts and stresses are members here experiencing?
Myself I dont have any major debts but in return Im a bum. :p






On another note, a couple of video clips of where the wealth is going.

Majority of Canada's 100 richest get richer (video)
PressTV - Majority of Canada's 100 richest get richer: Report (http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/11/27/274849/canadas-richest-getting-richer-report/)

Canadians call for increased state control of natural resources (video)
PressTV - Canadians call for increased state control of natural resources (http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/10/06/265319/canadiansstatecontrolnaturalresources/)

[belaud]

We've taken on a whole fuck load of foreign funds injected straight into our real estate vein, expect the market to crash in about 4-5 months. (It's already starting)

[Purely]

"Youth of today have it more difficult than their parents"

kind of agree but disagree at the same time..

[xilley]

I agree.. back then when people work hard they make big bucks, but nowadays even if you work hard you might not make it. - quote from my gramps

[yogenfruz]

It sad seeing people go to university without much financial help, having to rely on student loans, only to get out into the workforce after 4-5 years and realizing that you're still almost unemployable. I hope that's not what happens to me, but I've already got a few friends who've come out and ended up working a random desk job that has nothing to do with a degree that most anyone could snag.

Tuitions fees are high out here, and coming from a middle class family without a lot of disposable income makes the debt run high. I think about how in debt I'll be after 5 years... It's daunting and terrifying. Here's hoping that Geoscience stays strong.

[rsx]

Totally different world nowadays. Definitely tougher competition than before, imo.

[HondaGuy]

Yes, this generation does have it difficult and struggling than our parents' generation. But dont forget that even back then, it was even harder for our parents. Back in 1985-86, my family purchased a vancouver east side piece of land and tore it down (old house) and built a new vancouver special house for our family. Now, it was roughly $400,000 (roughly, maybe a bit more) and this was also a lot of money! Mortgages were needed and rates were high. Family had to work more jobs to support and save whatever they made to make ends meet...all to support us and the next generation (hopefully).

Now when you think of it now, that sounds so cheap! Wow, $400,000 for a house/property etc....compared to at least $1 million. Cant really say foreigners bought up the market prices but in fact land is expensive and we are running out so having a detached residence is harder (land value). So the next resort is buying apartment or condo (attached residence), however buying a van west side apartment starts at $$259,000 and thats a bachelor suite. And slowly into the $300-$400,000 gets you a larger 1 bdrm and maybe den. And a 2bdrm + den might be close to $500,000 or more (depending which project we are speaking of).

Its no clue that everything nowadays is expensive, from eats - clothing - homes - gas - taxes - cost of life overalll but remember that economy is changing and that will not change. Life evolves and doesnt stop...

What advice can anyone offer? No one knows but just try to save as much as you can I guess...

[tseman]

↑ that was the most useless shit i`ve ever heard hondaguy

[CharlesInCharge]

The system is designed to keep people living in servitude with inflationary and deflationary schemes... have a look at this chart. It may be harder today because there are more slaves to compete against or that the system is more fine tuned.
http://pacificapartners.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Canadian-Real-Home-Price-Index-cumulative-return-from-first-quarter-1974.png
This is not a balanced economy or way of living. Fuck if Im going to spend 20-30 years of my life working to own a box.



These two comic book videos show how the system is purposely broken.
The Kingdom of Moltz by Irwin Schiff - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi-P-pLO0vY&feature=share&list=PLDBCBAA7F1C63A46A)
How an Economy Grows and Why It Doesn't (by Irwin Schiff) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFxvy9XyUtg&feature=youtu.be)

[murd0c]

This video was posted in the powerful pictures thread and is so true.

Why I Hate School But Love Education||Spoken Word - YouTube

[vantrip]

Yes, this generation does have it difficult and struggling than our parents' generation. But dont forget that even back then, it was even harder for our parents. Back in 1985-86, my family purchased a vancouver east side piece of land and tore it down (old house) and built a new vancouver special house for our family. Now, it was roughly $400,000 (roughly, maybe a bit more) and this was also a lot of money! Mortgages were needed and rates were high. Family had to work more jobs to support and save whatever they made to make ends meet...all to support us and the next generation (hopefully).

Now when you think of it now, that sounds so cheap! Wow, $400,000 for a house/property etc....compared to at least $1 million. Cant really say foreigners bought up the market prices but in fact land is expensive and we are running out so having a detached residence is harder (land value). So the next resort is buying apartment or condo (attached residence), however buying a van west side apartment starts at $$259,000 and thats a bachelor suite. And slowly into the $300-$400,000 gets you a larger 1 bdrm and maybe den. And a 2bdrm + den might be close to $500,000 or more (depending which project we are speaking of).

Its no clue that everything nowadays is expensive, from eats - clothing - homes - gas - taxes - cost of life overalll but remember that economy is changing and that will not change. Life evolves and doesnt stop...

What advice can anyone offer? No one knows but just try to save as much as you can I guess...

You could always move to Alberta :concentrate:

[FerrariEnzo]

the prices of everyday items little by little over the years yet our wages raised very little.. the reason for the little wage increase (non-specialized jobs) is because of the foreign workers.. lots of immigrants move here need jobs and will take on job at lower rates, this drives down alot of shops wages...

I dont doubt that our economy will go down.. the question is how bad and how fast.. Im sure it wont be like the US...

[unit]

We've taken on a whole fuck load of foreign funds injected straight into our real estate vein, expect the market to crash in about 4-5 months. (It's already starting)

im no real estate expert, but people have been trying to time the market crash here in vancouver for years.
i agree it will continue to soften but a crash in 4-5 months? people have been predicting stuff like this forever.

[Tapioca]

the prices of everyday items little by little over the years yet our wages raised very little.. the reason for the little wage increase (non-specialized jobs) is because of the foreign workers.. lots of immigrants move here need jobs and will take on job at lower rates, this drives down alot of shops wages...

I dont doubt that our economy will go down.. the question is how bad and how fast.. Im sure it wont be like the US...

Well, in this city, people are paid below market wages. But, companies will pay what they can get away with until people start leaving in droves.

University degrees are not for everyone, but there's no excuse for you to be sitting on your ass when you're young. Upgrade your skills, or get out there and hustle.
Posted via RS Mobile

[GabAlmighty]

I already have my own mortgage and no house to show for it.

I manage it by having a good job and sacrificing certain things so I can receive some more.

It's really not difficult, people are just bitches about it all.

[melloman]

This topic has been beaten to death.
Everybody knows we live in a city where inflation is sky high, wages are below the national average, and a good chunk of university grads are heavily under-employed.

:Popcorn

[tiger_handheld]

We've taken on a whole fuck load of foreign funds injected straight into our real estate vein, expect the market to crash in about 4-5 months. (It's already starting)


quoted. will check back in 5 months.
#realestate #crash

[bing]

This video was posted in the powerful pictures thread and is so true.

Why I Hate School But Love Education||Spoken Word - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ZmM7zPLyI)

I only watched the first part, but I have to say this. University is for learning and people need to stop thinking its to enable them to get a job. It doesn't guarantee you anything.

edit: I am talking more about universities in general, not vocational schools like BCIT.

Secondly, all those people in the video have all done great things. How many people will ever be like them? For instance, Zuckerberg and Gates are both Harvard drop outs and showed promise early. How many people do you know that can even get in Harvard in the first place? or had a grand plan by 18? The only message I will agree with in the video is that there are different ways to learn.

[Meowjin]

quoted. will check back in 5 months.
#realestate #crash

when people walk away and leave their 100k deposit on their condo's what does that tell you?

They are rich enough to walk away, and to realize that the risk and headache is too big for the amount they will lose on the completed unit.

[Lomac]

^ x2 @ bing

Don't go into school expecting to get a job right at graduation. It's a place to learn and to better prepare yourself for your desired field. One thing I've noticed, especially by just seeing random posts in Facebook and other social mediums, is that a lot of people go to school with no idea what they want to do, so they just go into courses that are either easy or sound good. Before you go to school, do your research and find out if it's even worth pursuing. See what sort of jobs are available, where they are, and what the requirements are. Yes, chances are there will always be a need for skilled trades people, but there are a lot of, well, let's call them imported workers, that do everything they can to undercut prices until they're operating on a razer edge profit margin. That, in turn, drives down the prices of properly skilled labourers in an attempt to stay profitable. Even then, by the time you're done school, the market may have taken a nosedive for your field. Hell, the field of study I'm currently in school for may not even be as big of a market by the time I'm out.

Kinda random comment here, but too many kids are taking arts degrees in fields that will very rarely amount to anything useful. And then they complain that they can't find work. I wonder why...

[Tapioca]

Vancouver was rated as one the top cities for startups in the country/North America. I don't dabble with people in the startup industry much (though a friend's spouse develops mobile apps for a living and makes so much money that my friend doesn't even have to work), but there's a lot of small-scale entrepreneurship in this city.

Social media is huge in this city too. An Arts student can get paid for writing thoughts containing 140 characters. That's a bit ridiculous when you think about it, but it's surprising that a lot of organizations still don't understand how to do social media and that it's here to stay. There are others who have made a living blogging.

My point is that there's opportunities out there - people just have to get out there and find them or make up their own jobs.
Posted via RS Mobile

[Great68]

Vancouver was rated as one the top cities for startups in the country/North America. I don't dabble with people in the startup industry much (though a friend's spouse develops mobile apps for a living and makes so much money that my friend doesn't even have to work), but there's a lot of small-scale entrepreneurship in this city.


I just read an article in the Vancouver Sun that said Vancouver is terrible for startups, because we have a giant Venture Capital gap here. No one wants to invest.

Vancouver venture capital gap: all brains, no bucks (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/Vancouver+venture+capital+brains+bucks/7611032/story.html)

[Great68]

^ x2 @ bing

Don't go into school expecting to get a job right at graduation. It's a place to learn and to better prepare yourself for your desired field.

Yeah but some schools will help more than others. I remember many recruiters making frequent visits to my BCIT classes in my last term. A lot of my classmates got jobs right away.
I had my job lined up before I graduated, but that was through my own contacts.

[Lomac]

Yeah but some schools will help more than others. I remember many recruiters making frequent visits to my BCIT classes in my last term. A lot of my classmates got jobs right away.
I had my job lined up before I graduated, but that was through my own contacts.

Oh absolutely. There are plenty of companies out there that will recruit students even if they're still a year or two away from graduating, provided they show promise. I was aiming that comment more towards students who are in random studies where unless you're showing some exceptional skill, the chances of being cherry picked by a recruiting company is pretty much nill.

When I went to school back at Capilano 11 years ago, I learned nothing. And I literally mean that. I knew everything the teachers were talking about through my own personal experience. The only reason I was there was to get a piece of paper to prove that I knew what did. The plus side to going, however, is that I gathered a lot of contacts for the industry through fellow classmates... and that certainly paid off in spades.

[Tapioca]

I just read an article in the Vancouver Sun that said Vancouver is terrible for startups, because we have a giant Venture Capital gap here. No one wants to invest.

Vancouver venture capital gap: all brains, no bucks (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/Vancouver+venture+capital+brains+bucks/7611032/story.html)

Yeah, you're right that venture capital has dried up, but I was referring to small-scale entrepreneurship. Check out Vancouver is Awesome's 50 influential Vancouverites - half of them run companies I've never heard of. Either they're all being financed on lines of credit or home equity, or they're doing something right (after all, they can seme to afford the hipster clothes).
Posted via RS Mobile

[Jason00S2000]

I have no savings and no retirement, I own nothing and have no inheritance coming what-so-ever

I'm not too worried, I have a good income and I can always keep the hustle up to make more online. My first novel is coming out February 14th, 2013, and I have my next two already lined up for staggered release after that.

I feel bad for people trying to fit into the whole mainstream paradigm of:

Need a house
Need a wife
Need kids
Need savings
Need a nice car

One person wrote above that they don't want to work 30 years to struggle to pay for it, and I agree. I can still reproduce with a woman and have the joy of kids, but I don't need to get married or have her live with me someday.

Think of how you'd feel being a 40-45 year old man with a couple of kids, and your wife wants a divorce where she'll get the house you worked 20+ years to pay for. Don't forget the alimony and child support, so that basically your entire life will be in servitude of holding up traditional ideals.

[Jason00S2000]

I just read an article in the Vancouver Sun that said Vancouver is terrible for startups, because we have a giant Venture Capital gap here. No one wants to invest.

Vancouver venture capital gap: all brains, no bucks (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/Vancouver+venture+capital+brains+bucks/7611032/story.html)


I know so many people with giant piles of money in the bank, and they never do anything with it other than spoil their gold digger girlfriends with another pair of Jimmy Chus

[Jason00S2000]

the prices of everyday items little by little over the years yet our wages raised very little.. the reason for the little wage increase (non-specialized jobs) is because of the foreign workers.. lots of immigrants move here need jobs and will take on job at lower rates, this drives down alot of shops wages...

I dont doubt that our economy will go down.. the question is how bad and how fast.. Im sure it wont be like the US...


I remember when gas was 35 cents a litre, a subway footlong was like $5, a beer was like $2.50, and renting a bachelor suite in Vancouver could be had for like $450 a month...

That was only 15 years ago!

Strange, marijuana is the only thing that has actually become cheaper over the years!

[Yodamaster]

Employers here won't even look at you straight unless you can shove three/four years of reports in their face.

I had one year of subsidized schooling at VCC (autobody), and at the end, I scored close to the top of my class.

Even if I show an employer that I'm more than capable, the answer is "you don't have enough experience".


I know that I could do a great job in the field, but nobody is even giving me a chance to show it. I'm shy, so all these failed attempts at putting myself out there are really fucking annoying.

Vancouver is not the place to be for a young startup.

[JKam]

Employers here won't even look at you straight unless you can shove three/four years of reports in their face.

I had one year of subsidized schooling at VCC (autobody), and at the end, I scored close to the top of my class.

Even if I show an employer that I'm more than capable, the answer is "you don't have enough experience".


I know that I could do a great job in the field, but nobody is even giving me a chance to show it. I'm shy, so all these failed attempts at putting myself out there are really fucking annoying.

Vancouver is not the place to be for a young startup.

More like Vancouver isn't a place for new grads/junior positions.

Everywhere is hiring junior positions/fresh grads except Vancouver in pretty much every industry. Unless you freelance for a while or intern for free, good luck finding a stable job.

[Harvey Specter]

It's definitely getting tougher and extremely risk to start up a small business because cash flow is always an issue even when you're making money and banks are flat out refusing to lend money unless you an hard asset like a house for collateral. The Canadian government also has small business loans but good luck with them, they only lend money for certain type of businesses and the process is a pain in the ass.

[m!chael]

Vancouver has become a harder place for youths starting out in life - but it's all relative. You can come to Alberta with no education right out of high school and work your way up to a 6 figure salary sitting in an office within 3-5 years. We have it easy in Canada.

[bananana]

I just read an article in the Vancouver Sun that said Vancouver is terrible for startups, because we have a giant Venture Capital gap here. No one wants to invest.

Vancouver venture capital gap: all brains, no bucks (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/Vancouver+venture+capital+brains+bucks/7611032/story.html)

Thanked for the article.

You're correct. There is not a lot of Venture Capital in Vancouver -- The beauty of this is that business goes where the money goes. Fortunately, for local entrepreneurs this makes it so that only the absolutely great ideas get all the attention and funding.

[noclue]

Vancouver youth have it hard because they don't want to leave for opportunities elsewhere. Majority seem to shudder about going elsewhere in BC or even leave the province.

I'll probably get flamed for this but I've noticed from the Revscene demographic that quite a few young adults here tend to live with their parents and instead of saving up, they take out a loan for a new/slight used car or sometimes multiple old cars. To make it worse they spend tons on car mods, and shopping/eating out constantly. I know cars are a hobby and im not advocating being a hermit but some people need to make sacrifices and a strict budget. Furthermore to exacerbate the issue, they don't have that great of a wage/salary.

Can't bitch about how hard life is if you're not fiscally responsible.

[Noir]

Employers here won't even look at you straight unless you can shove three/four years of reports in their face.

I had one year of subsidized schooling at VCC (autobody), and at the end, I scored close to the top of my class.

Even if I show an employer that I'm more than capable, the answer is "you don't have enough experience".


I know that I could do a great job in the field, but nobody is even giving me a chance to show it. I'm shy, so all these failed attempts at putting myself out there are really fucking annoying.

Vancouver is not the place to be for a young startup.


If you're not getting the jobs you seek despite having great academic credentials to support your name; I'm going to guess that you're lacking in other areas (and I'm not talking about work experience).


I hate to sound like an asshole but the hard truth in the workforce is that you have to have a certain amount of social skill/and grace to close the deal on a job opportunity; because they're not just looking for a person who's capable, but one that fits in well with their professional team, or dynamic.


In fact, and this is hugely true; people get hired all the time despite not having the best academic/work credentials in comparison to their competitors.

Maybe you need to work on your social finesse.




But I will agree with the entirety of the topic that things are much harder now; and more competitive.

[Jason00S2000]

so that only the absolutely great ideas get all the attention and funding.


Some of the greatest ideas have the quietest voices

[ForbiddenX]

Like someone said before, a lot of people that go to university don't really know what they want to be once they finish. They go in there taking courses to get an "idea" of other things.

Some personal experience with school:
Luckily for me I really loved computers, math, and video games so my only option was comp sci. I went straight to BCIT after high school and did the 2 year diploma program for CST (Computer Systems Technology). It was pretty brutal, if you had no interest or just wanted to "see" what it was like, you would've probably failed after the first term. It's very direct and it taught me a lot and gave me a good taste of what it would be like after I graduated (pretty much just programming all the time :P). I also did a month at SFU because my mom wanted to get a "degree" but I dropped out.

Networking and being social helps as well. I don't think I would've been able to start my career if it wasn't for the friends that I made while at BCIT. A lot of the people there were pretty annoying but the few that I got to know were the ones that studied hard and wanted to finish.

It's not about what you know but who you know.

I've been in the mobile & web industry for about a year and a bit now and it's been pretty good. If you like programming it's definitely something I would recommend getting into and trying. You get to do a lot of really cool stuff as well when trying to push current tech and try to innovate old ideas.

I've been a part of a tech start up as well and I wouldn't say that it's dead in vancouver. There's a lot of good things that have come out of here. But yea there aren't a lot of investors thats for sure.

You guys should look up Brian Wong (Brian Wong, CEO and Founder, Kiip Inc. | BCBusiness (http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/people/brian-wong-ceo-founder-kiip)). He graduated from UBC and he's the same age as me (21) but he already has his own 11 story? building + a great startup and idea.

[Harvey Specter]

My family owns a media company and it shocks me how many overqualified and highly talented people e-mail on a daily basis asking for jobs. I've had grads from schools like MIT emailing and inquiring about video operator positions or general studio work, positions which usually get filled by broadcast students and not MIT grads.

[Harvey Specter]

I have no savings and no retirement, I own nothing and have no inheritance coming what-so-ever

I'm not too worried, I have a good income and I can always keep the hustle up to make more online. My first novel is coming out February 14th, 2013, and I have my next two already lined up for staggered release after that.

I feel bad for people trying to fit into the whole mainstream paradigm of:

Need a house
Need a wife
Need kids
Need savings
Need a nice car

One person wrote above that they don't want to work 30 years to struggle to pay for it, and I agree. I can still reproduce with a woman and have the joy of kids, but I don't need to get married or have her live with me someday.

Think of how you'd feel being a 40-45 year old man with a couple of kids, and your wife wants a divorce where she'll get the house you worked 20+ years to pay for. Don't forget the alimony and child support, so that basically your entire life will be in servitude of holding up traditional ideals.

Same boat as you when it comes to savings, all my money is in my business but it's a growing asset so I don't stress about it because it'll pay off at the end. And I always say...if you want to build an empire you can't work 9-5 and brag about been debt free, you gotta take risks.

[Jason00S2000]

Same boat as you when it comes to savings, all my money is in my business but it's a growing asset so I don't stress about it because it'll pay off at the end. And I always say...if you want to build an empire you can't work 9-5 and brag about been debt free, you gotta take risks.

I'm on the ragged edge, money comes in, money goes out, there's a certain fire it gives you though. A forced-growth that attracts like minded individuals.

Also, being passionate about nearly anything attracts women like crazy. Well, maybe not passion for being a brony or smelling your own B.O. on the Skytrain, but passion for something that other people find rare and valuable. Storytelling, entrepreneurial spirit, sports, family, art, or what-have-you.

Throughout the ages, some of our most famous and gifted individuals, died broke without a penny to their names. They did, however, live incredible lives and leave behind legacies that will echo for centuries.

[CharlesInCharge]

I have a solution, a good number of members should plan to rent out some farm land in south Burnaby in the future and start a trailer park... I know myself I would build a luxury RV out of a large Sprinter van if I had to rather then pay for a house.
Know that when locking down on a mortgage, your basically paying, what, 1/3 of the price in interest along with the other headaches and stresses of monthly bills.

http://i.imgur.com/6f9ak.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6ukQw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/f5895.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XALQW.jpg

[ForbiddenX]

I'm on the ragged edge, money comes in, money goes out, there's a certain fire it gives you though. A forced-growth that attracts like minded individuals.

Also, being passionate about nearly anything attracts women like crazy. Well, maybe not passion for being a brony or smelling your own B.O. on the Skytrain, but passion for something that other people find rare and valuable. Storytelling, entrepreneurial spirit, sports, family, art, or what-have-you.

Throughout the ages, some of our most famous and gifted individuals, died broke without a penny to their names. They did, however, live incredible lives and leave behind legacies that will echo for centuries.

^That's exactly what I want to do and where I want to take my career. I don't care too much for the money, it goes in, it comes out.

But creating something out of your name or something out of your own two hands that you know will last way past your grave is worth more to me than money.

[Jason00S2000]

^That's exactly what I want to do and where I want to take my career. I don't care too much for the money, it goes in, it comes out.

But creating something out of your name or something out of your own two hands that you know will last way past your grave is worth more to me than money.


We are living in very incredible times.

Creative people have so many outlets, choose one you can entertain people and make a living from, and you have it made!

[Meowjin]

moving to Australia by next september. w00t w00t.

[Lomac]

My family owns a media company and it shocks me how many overqualified and highly talented people e-mail on a daily basis asking for jobs. I've had grads from schools like MIT emailing and inquiring about video operator positions or general studio work, positions which usually get filled by broadcast students and not MIT grads.

Looking for a camera operator or non-linear editor? :fullofwin:

[LiquidTurbo]

Nobody is entitled to anything. I hate it to hear about how it was 'easier' before. Life changes, time changes. Vancouver has too many people expecting handouts and not willing to make sacrifices.

Vancouver has too many coddled youngsters.

[Mr.HappySilp]

I have no savings and no retirement, I own nothing and have no inheritance coming what-so-ever

I'm not too worried, I have a good income and I can always keep the hustle up to make more online. My first novel is coming out February 14th, 2013, and I have my next two already lined up for staggered release after that.

I feel bad for people trying to fit into the whole mainstream paradigm of:

Need a house
Need a wife
Need kids
Need savings
Need a nice car

One person wrote above that they don't want to work 30 years to struggle to pay for it, and I agree. I can still reproduce with a woman and have the joy of kids, but I don't need to get married or have her live with me someday.

Think of how you'd feel being a 40-45 year old man with a couple of kids, and your wife wants a divorce where she'll get the house you worked 20+ years to pay for. Don't forget the alimony and child support, so that basically your entire life will be in servitude of holding up traditional ideals.

That's why you need a prenup

[GGnoRE]

I hate it to hear about how it was 'easier' before.

Agreed. I don't know how one can make such bold statements like that. The older generations are probably rolling over in their graves when people say that bs.

It has always been competitive and will stay cut-throat in a capitalist market. Like all animals, we need to adapt to our changing environment to survive.