Paid my car off. /brag

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Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126
It's dumb to be successful to have nice things?

Wha...huh?

I might have misunderstood your post. I thought you stated it was dumb to have a big bank account...I think you meant it was dumb to want a big bank account JUST to brag on ATOT. If that's the case, my apologies.

Ah yes, ATOT: Where everyone has 850 FICO scores, 100k jobs, but doesn't spend it on anything :p

LOL. FICO close to 800, less than 100K although, with OT, have made it a few times....and spend very little money on anything. Have two kids entering college soon so I can't afford to, lol (or loc - Lots-o-Crying).
 

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
27,224
36
91
I might have misunderstood your post. I thought you stated it was dumb to have a big bank account...I think you meant it was dumb to want a big bank account JUST to brag on ATOT. If that's the case, my apologies.

All good, misunderstanding. Having a big bank account definately not dumb.
 

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
27,224
36
91
LOL. FICO close to 800, less than 100K although, with OT, have made it a few times....and spend very little money on anything. Have two kids entering college soon so I can't afford to, lol (or loc - Lots-o-Crying).

Haha....well that is a good reason to not splurge on yourself. That is why I am having a hard time having the SO pop out a kid. The selfish days have to end.

I'm not ready for the vacations to end!
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126
Haha....well that is a good reason to not splurge on yourself. That is why I am having a hard time having the SO pop out a kid. The selfish days have to end.

I'm not ready for the vacations to end!

That's the one thing that we still spend on and that is one or two yearly vacations. Don't spend huge amounts of money on them but we do take a few trips a year, especially if we can find a bargain.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Which is perfectly fine...if you cannot afford to have nice things, or otherwise dont care.


I didn't find a great career path to drive 8 year old Honda Civics.
You wouldn't believe the PhD Engineers, back when I used to work at Lockheed and the 10 yrd old POS honda's and VWs they drove. All made over 200K.

Seems they understood mathematics and compound interest rather than a depreciating asset.
 

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
27,224
36
91
You wouldn't believe the PhD Engineers, back when I used to work at Lockheed and the 10 yrd old POS honda's and VWs they drove. All made over 200K.

Seems they understood mathematics and compound interest rather than a depreciating asset.

I'm sure they had something they spent the money on. Personally I am sitting on a 1.9% interest rate so that really doesnt concern me.

If they made 200k and rented a shitty apartment and drove a crappy car, I would say they didnt understand that you can't take money with you when you die.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Ah yes, ATOT: Where everyone has 850 FICO scores, 100k jobs, but doesn't spend it on anything :p

I have no idea what my credit score is, I make ~$80k a year and my living expenses haven't exceeded $500 a month since I joined the Army. Someone was asking me earlier if I received reimbursement for a trip I took back in January. I said I didn't know. He asked how I could not know if I received a payment of ~$400 and I told him I hadn't looked at my bank account since Christmas. He was flabbergasted.

I'd give up $1000\mo of pay to live in a place where I COULD spend some money. The nearest casual dining restaurant chain is at least an hours drive away. :'(
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,810
126
That's the one thing that we still spend on and that is one or two yearly vacations. Don't spend huge amounts of money on them but we do take a few trips a year, especially if we can find a bargain.

If I'm not working, I want to go on a vacation. If I'm working, I'm dreaming about when and where to go for a vacation. My schedule only allows for extended weekend trips.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,810
126
You wouldn't believe the PhD Engineers, back when I used to work at Lockheed and the 10 yrd old POS honda's and VWs they drove. All made over 200K.

Seems they understood mathematics and compound interest rather than a depreciating asset.

People have different hobbies and interest. For some expensive and fancy cars are a hobby.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
I'm sure they had something they spent the money on. Personally I am sitting on a 1.9% interest rate so that really doesnt concern me.

If they made 200k and rented a shitty apartment and drove a crappy car, I would say they didnt understand that you can't take money with you when you die.

LOL We had this greek guy Lambis in our group who did exactly that. Crazy. There are limits to frugality IMO. But basics such as credit does you no favors were all adhered too.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Where Zebo wins in this equation is that he does not plop down 30 grand for a car to begin with....he takes your car, after you trade it in, and buys it for $3,000 and drives it just as long as you drove it, at 1/10th the cost.

I did that when i was a kid. I even bought a flooded salvaged once pulled engine and tranny rebuild them. Now I buy 1 year old for half. Bought my F350 for half. My town car for half. And boats, well, always buy in the winter when people are hungry and not using them and wife is bitching at them, and 4-5 years old.;) 20% is not unheard of.
 
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Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126

I would agree.

uS001.jpg
 

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
40
91
You wouldn't believe the PhD Engineers, back when I used to work at Lockheed and the 10 yrd old POS honda's and VWs they drove. All made over 200K.

Seems they understood mathematics and compound interest rather than a depreciating asset.

10yr old car is not POS. Especially not ones that outlive 10 yrs in 95% cases
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,886
0
76
I'm sure they had something they spent the money on. Personally I am sitting on a 1.9% interest rate so that really doesnt concern me.

If they made 200k and rented a shitty apartment and drove a crappy car, I would say they didnt understand that you can't take money with you when you die.

One guy I work with is in his 50s, makes probably 80-100k/yr and has forever, bachelor no kids, rents the same 2 bedroom 1950s era house for $350/mo that he has since 87, and drives a clean 1998 durango he's owned since 2000
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
I have no idea what my credit score is, I make ~$80k a year and my living expenses haven't exceeded $500 a month since I joined the Army. Someone was asking me earlier if I received reimbursement for a trip I took back in January. I said I didn't know. He asked how I could not know if I received a payment of ~$400 and I told him I hadn't looked at my bank account since Christmas. He was flabbergasted.

I'd give up $1000\mo of pay to live in a place where I COULD spend some money. The nearest casual dining restaurant chain is at least an hours drive away. :'(

You have internet don't you? Go to slickdeals.com they will teach you how to spend money.
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126
You have internet don't you? Go to slickdeals.com they will teach you how to spend money.

I love slickdeals, and I agree, they do tend to get you to spend the money that you would not normally.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
You have internet don't you? Go to slickdeals.com they will teach you how to spend money.

I hit slick deals about 10 times a day. Got my living room TV off there, and loads of coffee k-cups, toilet paper, cereal, paper towels, canned & dried goods, gummy bears, etc. I guess I could buy TVs for my garage and bedroom... but I only watch my current TV between 2 and 5 hours a week, so it doesn't really seem worth it. I just feel like I have all the "stuff" that I want.
 

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
91
Tell me you paid way less than sticker.

There was no sticker. Bought it from a private party.

I could have gotten one from a dealer but they all refused to go lower than sticker price so I just said, "well, I'm leaving. Bye."

They're like, "Whatever."

They could tell I was a smart shopper. :awe: