Shoebox money: 1. A dollar amount that doesn't exceed the amount you are willing to pay for shoes. 2. The type of money thrown into a shoebox, and often out of sight out of mind in your closet.
In 2019 dollars I will spend between $40-$500 for shoes. I do own a lot of shoes. My sports bets tend to be a circa 1998 definition of shoe box money. $20-$100. My horse bets will be anywhere from $2 to $150.
I will freely and openly admit to my wins/losses, not that anyone cares. I don't tout, I simply do this for entertainment. I've hit 2/3 parlays this year (Wins: 3 team all dogs, all lucky back doors, 2 team all favs, easy win. Loss: a $10 5 team, was peer pressured,
, got crushed, led off by BC getting humiliated by KU on a Friday night). P
arlays are really really stupid bets, but really fun, when you get into a lather talking about the week's games with friends. I would never lay more than $50 on a two game, $25 on a three, or more than $20 on a 4+. I also broke my golden rule, never do a parlay involving a Thur/Fri game, as your weekend is ruined before GameDay airs. My other rule, never bet on Nebraska, but only against them. I was rewarded for this in the BC era. Their helmet status clouded people's judgment, they didn't understand, this isn't Nebraska. Another saying we had in college, post-college. 'your diversified portfolio should include, low cost mutual funds, or ETFs, six months worth of cash savings and Bill Snyder ATS'). KST was a such a great value play for years.
I generally start with the principal, there is no way I can have high confidence in more than two games. I'm not thinking clearly if I tell myself that there are more than two games which are the proverbial 'lock.' It just isn't likely. You are buying a lottery ticket with those parlays, except the ping pong balls are teenagers and 20 somethings, with wobbly kickers and people that turn the ball over.