A $1,200 Expense Almost Broke Me 5 years ago, now - not really (funny)

[TreyAllDay]

Thought I'd share some humor on a Friday.

In early 2015, I was 24 years old - a bit of a loser. Stuck in a slowlane job, smoking weed in my basement to avoid thinking about it, ignoring calls from collectors, etc.

Around that time, I went in to get my license renewed, and was surprised to find out I had $1,200 in tickets. I pulled out my wallet and used up the last of my savings to pay, with no clue how to make the next 2 weeks work, and then was forced to take the new photo for my license (see below).

LEGIT the WORST photo I've ever taken in my life and I had to live with it for 4 years. I look like I have a gun to my head. My friends made fun of me for years because every time we went to a club the door girls would have to scan it.


ANYWAY - Today I went in to renew my license, and guess what? $1,200 in tickets. Honestly - it still sucked but it was really inconsequential, my software business will make that back in two days.

Money isn't really a big deal to me - it's not the point of the story, but freedom is. I recall this was one of the events shortly before I became an entrepreneur that really pushed me to think "I don't ever want to be one X from being broke", and this dumbass photo always served as a reminder. I should have it framed.

 

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[Nick T]

Thought I'd share some humor on a Friday.

In early 2015, I was 24 years old - a bit of a loser. Stuck in a slowlane job, smoking weed in my basement to avoid thinking about it, ignoring calls from collectors, etc.

Around that time, I went in to get my license renewed, and was surprised to find out I had $1,200 in tickets. I pulled out my wallet and used up the last of my savings to pay, with no clue how to make the next 2 weeks work, and then was forced to take the new photo for my license (see below).

LEGIT the WORST photo I've ever taken in my life and I had to live with it for 4 years. I look like I have a gun to my head. My friends made fun of me for years because every time we went to a club the door girls would have to scan it.
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ANYWAY - Today I went in to renew my license, and guess what? $1,200 in tickets. Honestly - it still sucked but it was really inconsequential, my software business will make that back in two days.

Money isn't really a big deal to me - it's not the point of the story, but freedom is. I recall this was one of the events shortly before I became an entrepreneur that really pushed me to think "I don't ever want to be one X from being broke", and this dumbass photo always served as a reminder. I should have it framed.

How do you keep racking up $1200 in tickets you do not know about?

Thanks for sharing your story on here ... the wins and the lessons. Some good stuff man!

 

[TreyAllDay]

How do you keep racking up $1200 in tickets you do not know about?

Thanks for sharing your story on here ... the wins and the lessons. Some good stuff man!

Just a coincidence. I havent gotten any tickets since 2014 when I moved to a new part of the city and didn't change over my license address where they mail tickets to. This year I bought a house and there is a trap right outside my neighbourhood where I got 3 in one week and then a couple more since

In my city, photo radar is a huge cash grab. Basically there are hidden cameras EVERYWHERE and always in the same spots where you may not notice you're going a few mph over.

 

[Nick T]

Just a coincidence. I havent gotten any tickets since 2014 when I moved to a new part of the city and didn't change over my license address where they mail tickets to. This year I bought a house and there is a trap right outside my neighbourhood where I got 3 in one week and then a couple more since

In my city, photo radar is a huge cash grab. Basically there are hidden cameras EVERYWHERE and always in the same spots where you may not notice you're going a few mph over.

Ahh that makes... what a pain. Way to see the coincidence and be grateful.

 

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[Rabby]

Just a coincidence. I havent gotten any tickets since 2014 when I moved to a new part of the city and didn't change over my license address where they mail tickets to. This year I bought a house and there is a trap right outside my neighbourhood where I got 3 in one week and then a couple more since

In my city, photo radar is a huge cash grab. Basically there are hidden cameras EVERYWHERE and always in the same spots where you may not notice you're going a few mph over.

The secret to these is "ticket lawyers," at least if the tickets are a big enough deal. For $100 a ticket lawyer can get most tickets thrown out. A few you might have to pay some court "adjudication cost." Either way, they don't record points on your license. At least... that's how it works where I am. Here if you get too many points on the license they can suspend it, so it's worth it for that alone.

 

[StillGrindin']

Just a coincidence. I havent gotten any tickets since 2014 when I moved to a new part of the city and didn't change over my license address where they mail tickets to. This year I bought a house and there is a trap right outside my neighbourhood where I got 3 in one week and then a couple more since

In my city, photo radar is a huge cash grab. Basically there are hidden cameras EVERYWHERE and always in the same spots where you may not notice you're going a few mph over.

The only time I have ever been to Edmonton, I got a photo radar ticket. Three lane road (six wide), as wide open as day. I drove 79km/h thinking I was in a 70, turned out it was a 60. Didn't find out until it was too late. $230 ticket for 19 over lol. Calgary was easy to navigate the photo radar, but Edmonton felt like a never-ending speed trap designed to squeeze every dollar out of you.

At least Whyte Ave + West Edmonton was fun.