Always nice to see how Bitcoin helped some struggling people get over their problems.
I'm sure we will see more of these stories once Bitcoin gains mainstream adoption, since we're still in early phase and we're all early adopters.
Topic: Bitcoin changed my life - page 2. (Read 3887 times)
Firstly, I have been a member of this board for quite some time. I lost my credentials, so a created a new account because I have something to say or would like to participate in ongoing discussions. Although I am happy that the newbie forum is no longer required; it did have some utility preventing spam and FUD.
Secondly, Bitcoin changed my life. How so; you may ask?
Before the 2013 bubble; I was relatively broke, jobless, and without a steady place to live. I heard about Bitcoin on a popular "news" show on a conservative cable network that someone else was watching. I then used the oracle (Google) to discern what opportunities may be available in this space. I had a few greenbacks left when BTC was under $20. The decision was made to buy. BTC hit $260ish, and I sold at an average of $190ish. I held 15% of the BTC I had purchased and spent another 2.5% on pizza and Gyft cards. It was a quasi-gamble that paid off.
Most of you know that BTC crashed swiftly upon reaching the peak in 2013. I was able to buy back on the way down at an average price of $65. By this time, I was able to afford to buy and hold without fear of going hungry. With the windfall of cash, I enjoyed a much higher standard of living than which I had grown accustomed. I learned something about myself, and many other people: I don't manage my cash very well. Also around this time, I received a windfall of cash (outside of BTC) while maintaining a fairly low standard of living. BTC was hovering pretty low and I continued to buy when people were bearish.
What is this cash problem? It spends so easily that it evaporates quickly. Fact: it is more difficult to spend bitcoin than it is to spend cash. This has resulted in me using bitcoin primarily as a storage of wealth. I must confess that I sold a bit of BTC on the China $1000+ bubble. I also started buying back at $800ish, and have continued to buy on the way down until recently at $400ish. Am I "worth" 1/2 as much now as I was in January? Simply; yes. However, I have a hell of a savings account that no one can take. I also believe that my savings account will be bigger in one year no matter what bitcoin does in the interim.
There are a few things that I would like for all bitcoiners to do or at least think about doing:
1. Buy more. But, BTC is going down; right? This, my friends is the time to buy IMO. So much is developing around BTC that I do not see it devaluing to any greater extent.
2. Spend some BTC on things you were already going to buy and make sure to buy back with the cash you otherwise would have spent on the product you purchased.
3. Give some to friends, family, and other good causes. Make it a non-trivial amount. This fosters adoption more than any other activity. My mom got bitcoin for Mother's Day.
4. Don't speculate for purely speculative reasons with money that you need for other things.
5. Talk with local businesses about accepting your coin for their product. Small business listens.
Bitcoin is like most things. It is not Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian. It is not Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or atheist. It is not white, black, brown, or any other race. Bitcoin is what you make it; much like your own life. It is currency and information for everyone. We have yet to realize the true potential contained therein.
Lots of people are just hearing about Bitcoin for the first or second time, Sharing you story here on this forum help people see what bitcoin can do for them personally.Secondly, Bitcoin changed my life. How so; you may ask?
Before the 2013 bubble; I was relatively broke, jobless, and without a steady place to live. I heard about Bitcoin on a popular "news" show on a conservative cable network that someone else was watching. I then used the oracle (Google) to discern what opportunities may be available in this space. I had a few greenbacks left when BTC was under $20. The decision was made to buy. BTC hit $260ish, and I sold at an average of $190ish. I held 15% of the BTC I had purchased and spent another 2.5% on pizza and Gyft cards. It was a quasi-gamble that paid off.
Most of you know that BTC crashed swiftly upon reaching the peak in 2013. I was able to buy back on the way down at an average price of $65. By this time, I was able to afford to buy and hold without fear of going hungry. With the windfall of cash, I enjoyed a much higher standard of living than which I had grown accustomed. I learned something about myself, and many other people: I don't manage my cash very well. Also around this time, I received a windfall of cash (outside of BTC) while maintaining a fairly low standard of living. BTC was hovering pretty low and I continued to buy when people were bearish.
What is this cash problem? It spends so easily that it evaporates quickly. Fact: it is more difficult to spend bitcoin than it is to spend cash. This has resulted in me using bitcoin primarily as a storage of wealth. I must confess that I sold a bit of BTC on the China $1000+ bubble. I also started buying back at $800ish, and have continued to buy on the way down until recently at $400ish. Am I "worth" 1/2 as much now as I was in January? Simply; yes. However, I have a hell of a savings account that no one can take. I also believe that my savings account will be bigger in one year no matter what bitcoin does in the interim.
There are a few things that I would like for all bitcoiners to do or at least think about doing:
1. Buy more. But, BTC is going down; right? This, my friends is the time to buy IMO. So much is developing around BTC that I do not see it devaluing to any greater extent.
2. Spend some BTC on things you were already going to buy and make sure to buy back with the cash you otherwise would have spent on the product you purchased.
3. Give some to friends, family, and other good causes. Make it a non-trivial amount. This fosters adoption more than any other activity. My mom got bitcoin for Mother's Day.
4. Don't speculate for purely speculative reasons with money that you need for other things.
5. Talk with local businesses about accepting your coin for their product. Small business listens.
Bitcoin is like most things. It is not Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian. It is not Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or atheist. It is not white, black, brown, or any other race. Bitcoin is what you make it; much like your own life. It is currency and information for everyone. We have yet to realize the true potential contained therein.
Firstly, I have been a member of this board for quite some time. I lost my credentials, so a created a new account because I have something to say or would like to participate in ongoing discussions. Although I am happy that the newbie forum is no longer required; it did have some utility preventing spam and FUD.
Secondly, Bitcoin changed my life. How so; you may ask?
Before the 2013 bubble; I was relatively broke, jobless, and without a steady place to live. I heard about Bitcoin on a popular "news" show on a conservative cable network that someone else was watching. I then used the oracle (Google) to discern what opportunities may be available in this space. I had a few greenbacks left when BTC was under $20. The decision was made to buy. BTC hit $260ish, and I sold at an average of $190ish. I held 15% of the BTC I had purchased and spent another 2.5% on pizza and Gyft cards. It was a quasi-gamble that paid off.
Most of you know that BTC crashed swiftly upon reaching the peak in 2013. I was able to buy back on the way down at an average price of $65. By this time, I was able to afford to buy and hold without fear of going hungry. With the windfall of cash, I enjoyed a much higher standard of living than which I had grown accustomed. I learned something about myself, and many other people: I don't manage my cash very well. Also around this time, I received a windfall of cash (outside of BTC) while maintaining a fairly low standard of living. BTC was hovering pretty low and I continued to buy when people were bearish.
What is this cash problem? It spends so easily that it evaporates quickly. Fact: it is more difficult to spend bitcoin than it is to spend cash. This has resulted in me using bitcoin primarily as a storage of wealth. I must confess that I sold a bit of BTC on the China $1000+ bubble. I also started buying back at $800ish, and have continued to buy on the way down until recently at $400ish. Am I "worth" 1/2 as much now as I was in January? Simply; yes. However, I have a hell of a savings account that no one can take. I also believe that my savings account will be bigger in one year no matter what bitcoin does in the interim.
There are a few things that I would like for all bitcoiners to do or at least think about doing:
1. Buy more. But, BTC is going down; right? This, my friends is the time to buy IMO. So much is developing around BTC that I do not see it devaluing to any greater extent.
2. Spend some BTC on things you were already going to buy and make sure to buy back with the cash you otherwise would have spent on the product you purchased.
3. Give some to friends, family, and other good causes. Make it a non-trivial amount. This fosters adoption more than any other activity. My mom got bitcoin for Mother's Day.
4. Don't speculate for purely speculative reasons with money that you need for other things.
5. Talk with local businesses about accepting your coin for their product. Small business listens.
Bitcoin is like most things. It is not Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian. It is not Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or atheist. It is not white, black, brown, or any other race. Bitcoin is what you make it; much like your own life. It is currency and information for everyone. We have yet to realize the true potential contained therein.
Lots of people are just hearing about Bitcoin for the first or second time, Sharing you story here on this forum help people see what bitcoin can do for them personally. Secondly, Bitcoin changed my life. How so; you may ask?
Before the 2013 bubble; I was relatively broke, jobless, and without a steady place to live. I heard about Bitcoin on a popular "news" show on a conservative cable network that someone else was watching. I then used the oracle (Google) to discern what opportunities may be available in this space. I had a few greenbacks left when BTC was under $20. The decision was made to buy. BTC hit $260ish, and I sold at an average of $190ish. I held 15% of the BTC I had purchased and spent another 2.5% on pizza and Gyft cards. It was a quasi-gamble that paid off.
Most of you know that BTC crashed swiftly upon reaching the peak in 2013. I was able to buy back on the way down at an average price of $65. By this time, I was able to afford to buy and hold without fear of going hungry. With the windfall of cash, I enjoyed a much higher standard of living than which I had grown accustomed. I learned something about myself, and many other people: I don't manage my cash very well. Also around this time, I received a windfall of cash (outside of BTC) while maintaining a fairly low standard of living. BTC was hovering pretty low and I continued to buy when people were bearish.
What is this cash problem? It spends so easily that it evaporates quickly. Fact: it is more difficult to spend bitcoin than it is to spend cash. This has resulted in me using bitcoin primarily as a storage of wealth. I must confess that I sold a bit of BTC on the China $1000+ bubble. I also started buying back at $800ish, and have continued to buy on the way down until recently at $400ish. Am I "worth" 1/2 as much now as I was in January? Simply; yes. However, I have a hell of a savings account that no one can take. I also believe that my savings account will be bigger in one year no matter what bitcoin does in the interim.
There are a few things that I would like for all bitcoiners to do or at least think about doing:
1. Buy more. But, BTC is going down; right? This, my friends is the time to buy IMO. So much is developing around BTC that I do not see it devaluing to any greater extent.
2. Spend some BTC on things you were already going to buy and make sure to buy back with the cash you otherwise would have spent on the product you purchased.
3. Give some to friends, family, and other good causes. Make it a non-trivial amount. This fosters adoption more than any other activity. My mom got bitcoin for Mother's Day.
4. Don't speculate for purely speculative reasons with money that you need for other things.
5. Talk with local businesses about accepting your coin for their product. Small business listens.
Bitcoin is like most things. It is not Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian. It is not Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or atheist. It is not white, black, brown, or any other race. Bitcoin is what you make it; much like your own life. It is currency and information for everyone. We have yet to realize the true potential contained therein.
I liked your story! Thank you for sharing it.
Bitcoin can seem harder to spend than cash because of it's nature and the status of the infrastructure around it. It will take time, but with companies like CoinKite, it will become easier and easier. On the flipside, it would be easier to spend BTC online than it is to spend cash.
2. Spend some BTC on things you were already going to buy and make sure to buy back with the cash you otherwise would have spent on the product you purchased.
Fully agreed. Enough places accept Bitcoin now where we can all start shifting our default online purchase currency over to Bitcoin. It helps Bitcoin in many ways that I doubt I have to list for you fine folk.
Bitcoin has made the needy rich and the greedy poor.
Dude that's profound!
I really enjoyed your story! Thanks for sharing.
Regret that I forgot about Bitcoin after early 2011 crash, glad that I've made some bucks in 2013/14 altcoin goldrush 
Now I'm ivesting all BTC I can get in several cryptos, but in longrun I treat this like Bitcoin deposit.
Now I'm ivesting all BTC I can get in several cryptos, but in longrun I treat this like Bitcoin deposit. If only I had the initial wealth to invest originally. Ive been around bitcoins since they were 5 bucks a pop. Had I had enough money to invest, id be a rich son of a bitch right now.
Had I heard of BTC some more years ago, I am sure I would have mined them for fun and wouldn't have just sold them. I also would be rich now 
If only I had the initial wealth to invest originally. Ive been around bitcoins since they were 5 bucks a pop. Had I had enough money to invest, id be a rich son of a bitch right now.
Such an inspiring story. I must say that every successful trader of this forum must share their success story. It will inspire a lot like new member of this forum.
Good story, happy for you. But you had some luck buying early and luck again selling high then to buy back in on a lower price. Many of the readers here bought late or are still holding and lost quite some money.
Well I to think with all the extra's bitcoin is bringing (merchants/atm,etc) it's still early, so just hodl on to the coins you have. But that's just what I do haha don't know if this is the right thing to do.
Well I to think with all the extra's bitcoin is bringing (merchants/atm,etc) it's still early, so just hodl on to the coins you have. But that's just what I do haha don't know if this is the right thing to do.
Like the story 
Then the new rich will grow greedy and we need a new financial innovation to solve that problem. And so the cycle goes on...
The innovation that solves greed is not a financial one. It will be an innovation of collective compassion; it will be the end of capitalism.Greed can't be solved. Greed lies in human nature - it's driven by the desire to survive in face of competition around limited resources which is shared by all species. That's how evolution works.
Capitalism is not bad. Capitalism favors the smart and industrious over the dumb and lazy. And that's a good selection. Of cause there are cases when capitalism fails due to an abuse of rights. But overall capitalism offers much more freedom to the individual than any alternative.
Thank you for sharing. Cool story.
Great story!
Then the new rich will grow greedy and we need a new financial innovation to solve that problem. And so the cycle goes on...
The innovation that solves greed is not a financial one. It will be an innovation of collective compassion; it will be the end of capitalism. What does "a few greenbacks" translate into in $? Must be more than a few if your standard of living changed from a 1000% roi..
I had about $2500 to my name when I first bought $800 worth. I sold much of my holdings to reap about $7000. I was living out of my car and staying with friends and family at this point. Previously going from making 6 fgures a year to zero. I bought back in with most of this money after the bubble of 2013. It didn't take much to change my standard of living from what it was when I began.
Trading on exchanges and selling at a premium to non-traders earned me more BTC. I also got an unexpected windfall of cash (unrelated to bitcoin) later in the year (2013) that kept my hands out of my BTC holdings. Buying back in after the 2013 bubble, reinvesting proceeds from BTC sales to non-traders, and holding are the three best decisions I have ever made.
Each time I sold BTC, I bought 10% more regardless of price. I now have no car payment, rent a home with a yard; and my only three bills are car insurance, internet, and phone. I enjoy a life free from financial worry, albeit far from luxurious. I neither want nor need luxury. A good quality of life for me is one free from financial concerns. I can maintian this standard of living for quite some time because of bitcoin, luck (variance), and good decisions.
What does "a few greenbacks" translate into in $? Must be more than a few if your standard of living changed from a 1000% roi..
Jump to: