Being the mathmatical guy that I am and having to prove to my wife that my supplements don’t cost as much as it seems, I worked out the per day cost for both MAG-10 and Surge. If using MAG-10 for the recommended 2 weeks on 4 weeks off (1/3 on, 2/3 off) approach you are spending $1.58 per day which includes off week days. If you’re like me, and you want to try MAG-10 for 8 weeks on 8 weeks off, you are spending $2.58 per day. This would require you to use Tribex+Vitex during off weeks in which the per day cost is inconsequential (<$1.00/day).
For Surge, the per day cost is actually more than MAG-10 but that’s only because you will be using it more often. This cost is dependent upon how many scoops you use and how often you workout a week. 12 scoops/week works out to $2.85 per day and 16 scoops/week works out to $3.80 per day. With all that being said, I really can’t know how someone can say I’m broke and don’t have the money. If you REALLY can’t afford a few extra bucks a day then certainly wait until you can. However, for those that can, think of this as a large short-term cost but a relatively small long-term cost. It really is an unbeatable deal at Biotest.
I did the same thing with my wife. I told her I didn’t smoke, didn’t drink, didn’t spend several dollars a day in vending machines etc… Heck, this stuff saves me money. a protein shake is cheaper than eating fast food at lunch after all. Oh yeah, and I had a smoker tell one time that she thought I spent too much money on supplements. A smoker for gods sake!
You are forgetting that some of us are students, but I know what you mean. Some people spend a few dollars per day on pure garbage. I can barely afford my 2000 kcal/day diet right now, let alone surge and mag-10.
Yeah, I find it odd that some of my friends can’t afford AP yet have plenty of money for a weekend drunk or Playstation games. Funny that. Priorities I guess.
It all depends on your budget. And sure, rationalizing it by saying it’s only $2.58 a day doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it is still a big price to pay up front! I mean, you’re talking $200 for three bottles of MAG-10 and an additional $100 for three bottles of Surge. That may only cost so much per day, but when you get the credit card bill, you’re going to be paying the whole thing at once! Is it worth it? Hey, if you make the gains, it sure is. But there are many people that can’t afford to front $300-$400 on some supplements. I barely manage to fit supplements into my budget due to all the other bills I have. And no, I don’t drink, smoke or spend tons of money on partying either! And yes, I do skip out on some things because it’s important to me that I spend money on food and food supplements.
Let me throw my 2 cents in here. I take a multi vitamin, meal replacement powder (2 per day), whey protein, casein protein, vitamin C, vitamin E, Lipoic Acid, and Chromium(I’m a diabetic). Throw in some fish oil caps and Glutamine too. Now, I order online, so it saves $$, but it averages to $170 monthly.
I’m constantly looking for ways to cut costs. So now, I’m leaving the glutamine behind because shakes already have plenty.
These are my staples. Which means I take these everyday, no matter what. My questions to you are–what other supplements do you take on a regular basis? Is your diet spot on?
I think the basics need to be addressed before supplements are considered. And, over the years, I’ve found supplements in general to be over hyped. I agree with Nate Dogg. Computing the monthly cost of supplements to a daily figure is sneaky. Also, I agree on prioritizing supplements for specific needs.
TEK, that was a one-time cost only! LOL! So for $55 I got both nipples pierced with the ring and all cleaning soaps and solutions that I need to take care of them!
I agree with JD, you have to figure out everything. I use the basics on a daily basis (multivitamin, vitamins C & E, ZMA and Fish Oil caps). In addition, I'm on my last bottle of T2. And I use Advanced Protein on a daily basis along with Surge after workouts. So when you add all that up, it comes out to be a pretty penny each month. Luckily, the basics aren't too expensive and usually last me 2-3 months per bottle. But the other stuff isn't cheap (AP, Surge). So you really do have to figure out what is the most important stuff to you. Other than the basics, the majority of my supplement bill is for food supplements, which I feel is most important. Yes, I'm going to give MAG-10 a try, but it's not something I'll use throughout the year.
This is why I periodize my supplements. Hell, as a student I can only afford the basics also. But every once in a while, I’ll splurge a little and buy of the other stuff, fat burners, anabolics whatever. I know I won’t make gains all year so that is why I spend one or two months, buy the supplements I need for that particlar phase and go from there. I can only afford one to three of these a year so I have to really make them count!!
I feel that I have to say something here. Okay, I’ve posted in other places about how if you’re poor you should think more about making yourself wealthier rather than trying to squeeze more out of a single dollar. It just makes sense. However, from the time you start thinking about improving your financial condition to the time when the condition actually starts to improve there may be (in fact, probably will be) a significant time lag.
So here's what to do in the meantime: First, figure out what supps you want and for how long. Then, do what Scott did and figure out the cost per day. That's not being "sneaky", it's being smart. Let's say that it's $2.58 per day for 100 days. That's $258 - a fair amount of cash. Now, Nate also had a good point about not everyone being able to front that kind of money all at once. So, two options exist. One, if you're young enough that you're still on parental support, make a deal with your folks. Tell them that you want to take out a loan from them, and make a contract. Pay it back in installments. Believe me, most parents will be thrilled to have their youngster "show some fiscal planning and responsibility" in this manner. Okay, second option. Every evening, for 100 days, put aside $2.58 into a jar or something. Do this religiously. No matter WHAT HAPPENS, you MUST have that spare bit of change left over at the end of the day. After the 100 days are up, buy the supps - and start saving again, IMMEDIATELY. That way, when they run out, you'll be in a position to buy more. Yes, this means that you will initially have to wait for three or four months or however long. But after that you'll be ahead of the curve for as long as you continue to put that little bit of change aside every night. And in the meantime, you're planning on how to improve your money status...so after four or five savings cycles, you should have more money start to come in. Problem solved, everyone happy!
I think only a few of you really understood the point of the post. i was merely letting people know the breakdown of the supps daily cost.
dave, I also tell my wife that supps is the only non-essential cost that I have since I don’t smoke, drink, or etc.
Hoser and other students, I suggest you do what char-dawg recommends and that is if you are still supported by your parents come up with a financial plan and get a loan.
jd, I don’t count my AP and Surge as part of my supps cost but apart of my food cost because it replaces meals. Fortunately, I do have help from my parents for food so they pay for the rest of my food. The supps I take on a regular basis are few. There isn’t really many supps I need since my diet is very, very good. I only take fish oils and flax oils on a regular basis. IMO, a multi-vitamin, Vit C, Vit E, and Lipoic Acid (which you are taking) aren’t necessary unless you have only a modest diet. When I diet, I do take mulit-vitamins, ALA, inzitol, and sometimes MD6 but I diet very seldomly. Clearly I have addressed the basics first, which are diet, training, and rest. I find it funny that you think supplements are over-hyped yet you take so many of them. As char-dawg mentions, computing the daily costs is certainly not being “sneaky” but rather being “smart”.
It’s called budgeting and if you get advanced like me then you’ll break most expensive things down to a monthly, weekly, and daily cost.
This is scary! I just did a quick tally, and stopped when I realised that I spend more every month on Biotest products alone than I do on my mortgage!! (UK prices - AP, MD6+T2).
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not screaming poverty here. I’m type of person who tends to throw money at whatever his attention is on, be it hobbies, learning, toys etc. and am very fortunate in that I can. But still, I’m thinking that this is just excessive. I can live without most things, but take away my AP and you may as well just finish me off while your at it (neighbours: hide the silverware if you see me take up a paper round :o)
I understand the point of your post. And I know what budgeting is. But there really is no way I can afford AP and other supps. I’m glad you know how to use your calculator, but no matter how much you crunch the numbers, it doesn’t work with me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, because I graduate in 6 months and then my cupboards will be stocked with Biotest supps, no doubt.
