GoFundMe account for a down and out Provider

[caliguy]

Isn't this the same dude that was living in the Trump tower last year or something?  I could see where the life style difference would hurt but jeez. 

[marylander1940]

On 6/20/2026 at 11:25 AM, Rod Hagen said:

I was an escort for decades with great reviews and loyal wonderful client/friends.  I'm smart, well educated, drove a decades old car and lived in a rent-stabilized apartment for thirty years.  I can tell you from my experience my earnings never ever came to a "substantial" amount of money.  We charge a lot, but charging a lot and earning a lot are not the same thing. 

 

First of all, thank you one more time for posting an honest contribution based in your real life. 

Did you travel to compensate your income? Many escorts started doing it in 2008/09, obviously is tricky to pick where and when to go to a place but "canvassing" a city for months in order to collect emails/cellphones and pick a good time to go with a hotel by Priceline was always a way to triple the investment in the trip. 

On 6/20/2026 at 11:25 AM, Rod Hagen said:

 

Because many escorts burn through what they earn buying stupid things, some can sneer that we throw away the money on stupid things.  A lot of us don't, it's just not a high earning career.  We go days without seeing clients, even the most popular of us, sometimes by choice, sometimes by cancelations, sometimes by the gods. 

 

Exactly, lack of economic education makes a big difference in life. Knowing how to invest it matters a lot. 

Believe I know folks who belonged to an episode of Shameless, PNP, buying clothes, etc. 

Unfortunately, in some cases they go without clients is by choice, some guys just aren't in the mood to take a call. That's no longer the case and even though there are guys who are difficult, in this market they tend to be more realistic. 

Now time wasters happen even more because of folks being able to download a new number in their phone and use it to play games have enabled them to remain anonymous. 

On 6/20/2026 at 11:25 AM, Rod Hagen said:

 And nowadays, with rent and cars costing what they do, I can't imagine how escorts can even make enough to live, much less live comfortably.  

Anyway, very very very few escorts who've been at it a long time and very good at it have a house, health insurance to carry us into Medicare, and a self-driving car.  Generally we move to Palm Springs and make do. We disappear.

Is not so much the cost of living that for certain has increased a lot, but the fact that now everything is more competitive. I remember 50 guys in Rentboy in DC, now on RM sometimes there are 300 in town or about to come to town. Before the Washington Blade had 20 guys... fewer choices, more revenue for all. That's no longer the case!

[Peter Eater]

22 hours ago, Rod Hagen said:

Dane Scot and Steven Kesslar

I know Dane still works, but Steven? Didn’t know that.

[Rod Hagen]

1 hour ago, Peter Eater said:

I know Dane still works, but Steven? Didn’t know that.

I wasn't saying they were still working, I'm glad to hear Dane is, I was just saying that in my memory they were two of the first to advertise being over 40.

[Rod Hagen]

13 hours ago, marylander1940 said:

First of all, thank you one more time for posting an honest contribution based in your real life. 

Did you travel to compensate your income? 

Exactly, lack of economic education makes a big difference in life. Knowing how to invest it matters a lot. 

Believe I know folks who belonged to an episode of Shameless, PNP, buying clothes, etc. 

Unfortunately, in some cases they go without clients is by choice, some guys just aren't in the mood to take a call. That's no longer the case and even though there are guys who are difficult, in this market they tend to be more realistic. 

Is not so much the cost of living that for certain has increased a lot, but the fact that now everything is more competitive. I remember 50 guys in Rentboy in DC, now on RM sometimes there are 300 in town or about to come to town. Before the Washington Blade had 20 guys... fewer choices, more revenue for all. That's no longer the case!

My Pleasure :-)

I traveled when I started escorting, but then at the request of my partner I stopped.  So your point is right on, I would have made much more money had I continued traveling. 

One of the nicest things about being a young escort is it's that rare job where you don't have to work when you don't feel like it.  It's lost income, but it feels so great to just say no sometimes.  As an engineer, that was not an option.

You're right, there is more competition now than when I was young, and that can't help.

Also I'm blown away by how much rent is now compared to my salad days, the late '90s and early 00s. With NYC and WeHo Rent now 3 times or more what it was then, but the hourly rate only $100 more, I just don't see how they can get far enough ahead to invest as you suggest.

Shameless, I loved that stupid stupid show. :-)