What we're doing is really arguing over what "afford" really means.
I'm firmly in the game with Bio-Banker and his definition of "afford".
**
To most of America, to "afford" something the ONLY number that matters is the cost per month.
Nothing else matters. Nothing. Not the total cost, not the cost of ownership and absolutely not worrying about the highest cost of all: the cost of lost opportunity.
I see kids in their 20's getting a loan on a car and, in most cases, begin the process of *permanently* indebting themselves and begin the daily grind of monthly obligations. They have volunteered to be lifetime indentured servants or, if you like, slaves for life to a creditor.
**
Of course, in the long run everybody is dead, so you have to worry about the now and here. There is much competition for your place in life (women, jobs and living space) and the hotties* really tend to go for the short game.
I see many young guys take the chance to almost certainly destroy their future by driving nice cars, renting a place on the beach and living large. Nothing breeds success like the appearance of success and occasionally a few are able to pull this off into a real life of riches (ie your basic non-value-adding over-payed CEO). This potential is very alluring and often used by the media as the proper example how it is done.
This whole process sorts out by 30-35 years of age, but by then the hotties are not quite as hot and are laden with baggage. (Which is probably why you see all these old rich guys driving around in their F-cars alone or with 20 year olds
So it really depends what you want to do with your life: A leveraged lottery (with 1:16.9M odds of winning All or Nothing) or delayed moderate success?
I understand the concept of "you can drop dead at anytime", but what happens when you don't?
Drew
/sigh, kinda neg
I'm firmly in the game with Bio-Banker and his definition of "afford".
My opinion, for what its worth, is that any luxury/discretionary items like a car shouldn't be noticeable financially.
**
To most of America, to "afford" something the ONLY number that matters is the cost per month.
Nothing else matters. Nothing. Not the total cost, not the cost of ownership and absolutely not worrying about the highest cost of all: the cost of lost opportunity.
I see kids in their 20's getting a loan on a car and, in most cases, begin the process of *permanently* indebting themselves and begin the daily grind of monthly obligations. They have volunteered to be lifetime indentured servants or, if you like, slaves for life to a creditor.
**
Of course, in the long run everybody is dead, so you have to worry about the now and here. There is much competition for your place in life (women, jobs and living space) and the hotties* really tend to go for the short game.
I see many young guys take the chance to almost certainly destroy their future by driving nice cars, renting a place on the beach and living large. Nothing breeds success like the appearance of success and occasionally a few are able to pull this off into a real life of riches (ie your basic non-value-adding over-payed CEO). This potential is very alluring and often used by the media as the proper example how it is done.
This whole process sorts out by 30-35 years of age, but by then the hotties are not quite as hot and are laden with baggage. (Which is probably why you see all these old rich guys driving around in their F-cars alone or with 20 year olds
So it really depends what you want to do with your life: A leveraged lottery (with 1:16.9M odds of winning All or Nothing) or delayed moderate success?
I understand the concept of "you can drop dead at anytime", but what happens when you don't?
Drew
/sigh, kinda neg