Graduation Gift For Yourself

[Impromptu]

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So, all you MS4s, how are you rewarding yourself for getting the big MD degree? I'm coveting a Honda Magna motorcycle. I have a friend who bought himself a high-end road bicycle. Others are taking vacations to foreign lands. Still others are buying houses in their new cities and will thus be dumping their cash into fixing up their castles, having nothing left over for fun.

I know that many of us have a lot of debt, but there is a world of opportunities out there, even for the frugal, so what are your ideas?

 

[McSnappy]

So, all you MS4s, how are you rewarding yourself for getting the big MD degree? I'm coveting a Honda Magna motorcycle. I have a friend who bought himself a high-end road bicycle. Others are taking vacations to foreign lands. Still others are buying houses in their new cities and will thus be dumping their cash into fixing up their castles, having nothing left over for fun.

I know that many of us have a lot of debt, but there is a world of opportunities out there, even for the frugal, so what are your ideas?

Ortho-to-be buddy of mine bought a Harley and loves it!

I'm hoping for an iPhone and new laptop!
pretty boring, but i like the functional parts too
Then, I'll fix up my bicycle (rims getting trued)and do a long ride in may!! I'm pumped about it!

 

[DO4lifer]

Dude, its 4th year. I have already purchased the Wii and PS3 and a bunch of games. I'll probably upgrade my car while I'm at it.

This is how we do it. 👍

 

[fastosprintini]

my graduation gift to myself were 8 weeks of backpacking in southern india and sri lanka prior to internship....
fasto

 

[Gimlet]

Been thinking about getting one of these for a while...will probably use graduation as an excuse to finally do it:

Ruger SR9

 

[psychbender]

A month in Belize

Might have to do the new computer thing, too, if this one keeps trying to die.

 

[cchoukal]

Where is everyone getting all the money to buy these things? You just dropped $200K on med school and for the next 4 years you'll be making very little money. Meanwhile, the transition period (moving from school where your last loan check came in January and your first paycheck may not come until the end of July) will be very expensive.

I guess in hindsight I did 3 weeks hostelling in Europe, but I had worked prior to school and had some money saved. Even with all that, the first couple months in my new city were torture (rental deposit, moving expenses, and living expenses for 2 months without a paycheck) because I was PI$$ broke. Maybe you guys planned better than I did.

I just realized what a wet blanket that sounded like. Sorry!

 

[psychbender]

Where is everyone getting all the money to buy these things?

I am your tax dollars at work. Hooah.

I also had a job before/during medical school.

 

[Colba55o]

Where is everyone getting all the money to buy these things? You just dropped $200K on med school and for the next 4 years you'll be making very little money. Meanwhile, the transition period (moving from school where your last loan check came in January and your first paycheck may not come until the end of July) will be very expensive.

I guess in hindsight I did 3 weeks hostelling in Europe, but I had worked prior to school and had some money saved. Even with all that, the first couple months in my new city were torture (rental deposit, moving expenses, and living expenses for 2 months without a paycheck) because I was PI$$ broke. Maybe you guys planned better than I did.

I just realized what a wet blanket that sounded like. Sorry!

I'm in the same boat (sinking raft) that you were. I don't know how people are affording to make major purchases and go on vacations even though we are done with the most stressful 4 yrs of our lives.
I'm actually thinking about getting a temp job to make ends meet between graduation and July 1st.
Interviewing drained all my $$ and I'm going to have to take out an additional loan to make it TO graduation, let alone afterward. Something about taking out additional loan money to go on vacation to a far away land seems too imprudent.
I was in this same position the summer before med school started. Everyone seemed to be doing all this exciting stuff..I worked literally up until 2 weeks before starting. Sucks to be po'

 

[Buckeye Anes]

Where is everyone getting all the money to buy these things? You just dropped $200K on med school and for the next 4 years you'll be making very little money. Meanwhile, the transition period (moving from school where your last loan check came in January and your first paycheck may not come until the end of July) will be very expensive.

I guess in hindsight I did 3 weeks hostelling in Europe, but I had worked prior to school and had some money saved. Even with all that, the first couple months in my new city were torture (rental deposit, moving expenses, and living expenses for 2 months without a paycheck) because I was PI$$ broke. Maybe you guys planned better than I did.

I just realized what a wet blanket that sounded like. Sorry!

Don't know about everyone else but I took out a "residency relocation loan" and took a two week alaskan cruise with the wife...worth every penny.

 

[coprolalia]

Been thinking about getting one of these for a while...will probably use graduation as an excuse to finally do it:

Gimmy:

Ruger's are decent, but get one of these instead...

On the whole, a better, more-dependable, excellent (first) firearm in a more potent caliber than 9mm. Definitely will enjoy a 40 S&W more, and the slightly higher cost of going to the range is offset by the bigger bang and better stopping power... if you ever need that.

Plus, for a comparable price, you can overall get a lighter, much more dependable firearm.

Just my $0.02.

-copro

 

[G0S2]

Building house. 😳

 

[G0S2]

All metal:

I love mine.

 

[coprolalia]

All metal:

[snip]

I love mine.

Nice.

I have a couple of all-metal pistols and revolvers, including my 1911-A1. But, overall, my favorite all-around pistol is my HK USP .45 ACP.

Despite being plastic fantastic, that thing is a beast. It's light, it has low recoil, will eat any ammo and has never - I mean never - misfired (we're talking well over 2,000 rounds through it with routine cleaning, of course).

And - for what it's worth - I just don't think you can beat .45 ACP for stopping power without overpenetration. I have a couple of 'after market' 12-round mags for it, too. So, with 12+1, it's pretty hard to beat (although my Beretta will pack 17+1 in .40 S&W).

Of course, you gotta have pretty big hands to wrestle with the HK, and I further recognize that not everyone has in the range of $800 to drop on a pistol, especially in this economy.

-copro

 

[error404]

<-- was totally disturbed that everyone's reaction to graduation was to go out and buy guns... but is guessing that its more of a hobby and less of an anger issue?

<-- crosses fingers.

 

[Chrysanthemum]

44" HD flat screen TV, stereo system, and a vacation somewhere. I'm taking out loans right now ... I'm 190K in debt ... if figure what's another few thousand on top of that going to really do? I think its worth it.

 

[scudrunner]

A hand gun would be tempting, but I'd be more apt to buy something I can drop a deer at a 1/4 mile with...

... a Sako 85 Finnlight 300 WSM.

I love rifles.

 

[pgg]

I am your tax dollars at work. Hooah.

Yeah, me too (but I'm in the aaaarrrrr-matey branch). I went to Peru with my wife and hiked the Inca Trail. Had some really yummy meat on a stick thing from street vendors ... think it was guinea pig.

That was back in the day when airfare was dirt cheap though, and there's not much of a cheaper vacation than carrying a pack through the wilderness. (I use the term "wilderness" loosely; the trail was crowded.)

I also bought myself a car that June, but I suppose that was less a graduation present to myself than a "finally I can afford this thing" present.

Yes, the Navy owns me for a few years, but I've lived well since day 1 of med school. 🙂

I further recognize that not everyone has in the range of $800 to drop on a pistol, especially in this economy.

See, this is what has me all disappointed. I went ahead and bought myself a likely-to-be-banned Colt 6920 (AR15) back around election time, figuring that prices would go up and I'd have trouble finding one later. And they've skyrocketed ... going for 50-100% more than I paid then, and that's if you can find them. Yay me.

Also picked up a Sig P239 for my wife at the time (nice gun, fits her small hands well).

Thought I'd wait a while before picking up a .45 for myself, thinking that after all the Obamamania gun sales settled down, there'd be a mass of newly unemployed people looking to sell their impulse-bought safe queens cheap.

Still waiting for the handgun firesale. I may have misoverestimated that market. 🙁

Tragedy #2 is that the Navy is moving me to California, where my shiny new carbine is illegal. I'm going to have to leave it with my brother in Arizona for a few years. :cry:

 

[223634]

the plan is to spend 1 week at the beach, buy a house, if there's enough time travel to central america, get an iphone for residency, and hopefully get my first gun (if I end up having the time to learn how to use it)... the buying the house part may ruin all the other plans. The ps3/wii/large LCD were purchased at the beginning of 4th year.

 

[Bertelman]

I'm in the same boat (sinking raft) that you were. I don't know how people are affording to make major purchases and go on vacations even though we are done with the most stressful 4 yrs of our lives.

It's called having a wife that works, and making a nice penny selling the med school house.

It's been a couple years for me, but I bought a nice espresso machine. I enjoy it every single morning. Was gonna buy the flat screen, too, but the fam stepped up and got it for me. Also got a super-duper watch from the grandparents.

 

[TheEleventhReel]

I talked my wife into letting me buy an AR-15 as an "early" graduation last March. She recently ok'd a guitar last month as another "early"graduation gift.😀

Oh yeah, and we're going to Aruba for a week in May. Thank you student loans!

 

[Impromptu]

I just test drove my most likely choice for motorcycles. I think I'm in love.

It has been asked how we med students can afford these types of big gifts after indebting ourselves so heavily during the previous 4 years. Frugal living is how smart people can afford to splurge. I have roomates, drive a less expensive car, patch my own clothing, clothing shop at thrift stores, grocery shop at Aldi's (way cheaper than Wal-Mart), brown bag lunch to the hospital, change my own oil/filter, have a food storage reserve, don't have cable tv, commute via bicycle weather permitting, pay off my credit card charges every month, drove to interviews instead of flying if under 9 hours, shop Craigslist, pay a tithe to God, etc...

I am frugal, so I always have a surplus and can pay cash for nearly everything I need (including emergencies), and most things I want. It is a philosophy that has served me well thus far in life, and will serve me well during residency and as an attending. I believe that frugality is a principle that would deliver America from its individual and collective financial difficulties, too.

 

[flashgordon]

Where/how do you guys who have little rugrats running around the house keep your guns locked up?

Thinking about buying a subcompact Glock but I'm hesitant because my wife is afraid our son will somehow get his little hands on it (he just started walking ).

What type of gun-lock/safe do you guys use? Is there something that will keep it securely locked up, but easily accessible in case of an emergency? Maybe a finger-print scanner thingy?

 

[BobBarker]

Gun Vault

 

[Code Brown]

Nice.

I have a couple of all-metal pistols and revolvers, including my 1911-A1. But, overall, my favorite all-around pistol is my HK USP .45 ACP.

Despite being plastic fantastic, that thing is a beast. It's light, it has low recoil, will eat any ammo and has never - I mean never - misfired (we're talking well over 2,000 rounds through it with routine cleaning, of course).

And - for what it's worth - I just don't think you can beat .45 ACP for stopping power without overpenetration. I have a couple of 'after market' 12-round mags for it, too. So, with 12+1, it's pretty hard to beat (although my Beretta will pack 17+1 in .40 S&W).

Of course, you gotta have pretty big hands to wrestle with the HK, and I further recognize that not everyone has in the range of $800 to drop on a pistol, especially in this economy.

-copro

As someone planning to move to Baltimore in less than 3 months, $800 might be well worth it...

 

[akpete]

Leaving Saturday for a month long rotation/vacation in Belize. Not really a present to myself, but awesome nonetheless.

Trip to Puerto Vallarta with a group of around 15 people.

And when I move a new couch. A nice one. Possibly Crate and Barrel. Can't afford the really nice furniture yet.

My mom asked me what she could get me for a graduation present, but it had to be something "doctory." I'm trying to talk her into a really nice espresso machine.

 

[powermd]

Gift to self following residency graduation:

I love this damn thing, it's such a dream to drive
0.9% financing is what made this possible for me, plus just enough cash to cover the payments for a year.

When I make partner at my new pain job, I plan to upgrade to one of these:

A reasonable compromise, since I'll probably never have my fantasy car, which looks like this:

 

[Bertelman]

My mom asked me what she could get me for a graduation present, but it had to be something "doctory." I'm trying to talk her into a really nice espresso machine.

Nothing says "doctor" like a nice cup of coffee.

 

[Bertelman]

Frugal living is how smart people can afford to splurge. I have roomates, drive a less expensive car, patch my own clothing, clothing shop at thrift stores, grocery shop at Aldi's (way cheaper than Wal-Mart), brown bag lunch to the hospital, change my own oil/filter, have a food storage reserve, don't have cable tv, commute via bicycle weather permitting, pay off my credit card charges every month, drove to interviews instead of flying if under 9 hours, shop Craigslist, pay a tithe to God, etc...

Are you suggesting tithing saves you money?

 

[coprolalia]

I talked my wife into letting me buy an AR-15 as an "early" graduation last March. She recently ok'd a guitar last month as another "early"graduation gift.😀

MAN! Does she have a sister?

-copro

 

[coprolalia]

Where/how do you guys who have little rugrats running around the house keep your guns locked up?

Thinking about buying a subcompact Glock but I'm hesitant because my wife is afraid our son will somehow get his little hands on it (he just started walking ).

What type of gun-lock/safe do you guys use? Is there something that will keep it securely locked up, but easily accessible in case of an emergency? Maybe a finger-print scanner thingy?

Yes, what BobBarker posted...

-copro

 

[SaintFrances]

.

 

[Impromptu]

That is a pretty cool gun vault.

I think today is the day to purchase the motorcycle (if I don't get cold feet). If I'm in the ICU tomorrow, you'll know why.

Are you suggesting tithing saves you money?

Yes, I am. Quite a paradox, eh? It may even help one bring in more prosperity (opens the windows of heaven Malachi 3:10). At a minimum, paying tithing (10%) really helps one organize one's finances, in the same way that those who work or are in school organize their time better and are more productive with fewer hours available. It is just a suggestion that I've found valuable in my own life and don't want to force it on anyone.

 

[buntybrown]

2 weeks in Tulum, Mexico with the fiancee. Cabana on the beach, no electricity, lots of cheap food, and plenty of beer.

 

[TheEleventhReel]

MAN! Does she have a sister?

-copro

What can I say? I'm a lucky man.

 

[ChrisA]

wow powermd

Great car choices!

 

[TheEleventhReel]

Gimmy:

Ruger's are decent, but get one of these instead...

On the whole, a better, more-dependable, excellent (first) firearm in a more potent caliber than 9mm. Definitely will enjoy a 40 S&W more, and the slightly higher cost of going to the range is offset by the bigger bang and better stopping power... if you ever need that.

Plus, for a comparable price, you can overall get a lighter, much more dependable firearm.

Just my $0.02.

-copro

Agree with Cop on this. I have a 23 model and it's nice. I also have the sub-compact 9mm and there is a huge difference. The 23 really packs a punch. If you do buy one, I'd recommend getting a Hogue grip for it. Cost you about $12 bucks but the rubber grip is much better than the Glock plastic to hold on to.

I think I've said this before, but the 23 model .40 caliber Glock barrel is interchangeable with a .357 barrel. So, for about $120 bucks more you can shoot 2 different calibers in one gun.

 

[BitingPlates]

Agree with Cop on this. I have a 23 model and it's nice. I also have the sub-compact 9mm and there is a huge difference. The 23 really packs a punch. If you do buy one, I'd recommend getting a Hogue grip for it. Cost you about $12 bucks but the rubber grip is much better than the Glock plastic to hold on to.

I think I've said this before, but the 23 model .40 caliber Glock barrel is interchangeable with a .357 barrel. So, for about $120 bucks more you can shoot 2 different calibers in one gun.

Instead of a Hogue grip you can purchase a mountain bike tire inner tube and cut it in sections and place it on the grip. I like it better than the Hogue, you have to try it.

 

[ChrisA]

Copro

What do you think of a Sig for a 1st handgun? Which would you suggest?

Gimmy:

Ruger's are decent, but get one of these instead...

On the whole, a better, more-dependable, excellent (first) firearm in a more potent caliber than 9mm. Definitely will enjoy a 40 S&W more, and the slightly higher cost of going to the range is offset by the bigger bang and better stopping power... if you ever need that.

Plus, for a comparable price, you can overall get a lighter, much more dependable firearm.

Just my $0.02.

-copro

 

[fakin' the funk]

I personally am going to stay away from lethal weapons...😕

Grad gift = 3 weeks total vacation, possibly a TV (more "necessity" than "splurge")

The gift of actually achieving the goals I set out when I started med school, and have been killing myself for 4 years to get to, and having now set myself on a career path that is 100% ideal to me...is reward enough for me 😀