I'm Well Off But I'm Still Cheap

I would do all of the above.

Ooooh ...

I've actually done four of them.

But I rent out the vacation home, bought it for cash right at the bottom the market (I hope!), so it was more an "investment", arguably. And the car was old, not new (and "ought to" hold its value, though I admit that's only a "justification", really, for a very extravagant buy ).

Where I live, never paying $50 for a meal would really be very restricting. That's only £29!

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But you are paying a fortune for ALL those things *****NOW*****! Don't believe me? In less than 20 years, at the current rate, a new car likely WILL cost $50,000. It will likely be smaller and not go as far. You will be PINING for cars like we have now. WHO KNOWS about the meal, but in some places with some people, $50 is CHEAP!

$300 for a hotel room? YEP! I know how you feel! ***I*** have HAD to do that. Try staying in a popular upscale area without a car at a VERY busy time. $300 can seem CHEAP!

Why won't you buy a motorcycle? They DO cost less than cars! And BOATS? I know a guy that consults only around the coastline! WHY? YEP! He SAILS there! He LIVES on the boat. They are NOT cheap! I KNOW, as I went out to some places my father went when HE was buying a boat. YOU KNOW, LARGE, with a cabin underneath that sleeps several people with a stove, sails, engines, etc... You are EASILY talking 6 figures, even for USED. We even saw one specially made for little people! On the outside it looked normal, but the cabin was short. IT was over $100,000. BTW this WAS over 20years ago, so it is likely more expensive now.

HOME? At 4% for the average home in LA, last I knew, you are talking $1000 just in INTEREST! GRANTED, it keeps falling, but it would take an average of 15 years to drop to like $500. So why don't you RENT? It sounds like it is right up your ally!

Steve

Guilty on all counts, apart from the boat; although I haven't owned a motorbike since I was in my teens.

As others have said, some of this is a factor of location. $50 isn't very much for a meal in London - and I'll eat out probably two or three times a week (excluding coffees and breakfasts).

These days I prefer spending money on experiences rather than acquiring more stuff. I've largely weaned myself off my gadget addiction, but I'll splash the cash on restaurants, theaters, sporting events, concerts and travel.

And I'm with Sal on the importance of fine food. I'll always pay for quality ingredients - it's one area in which I'd never compromise, even if it meant eating (and drinking ) less.


Frank

Almost did that. After losing my dog after 13 years and crying every day for over a year I decided that it was time to assuage my sadness by ordering that BMW Z4 that I have been lusting over for a decade or longer. Went to the dealer that has been emailing me enticements for almost that long and filled out the paperwork for a lease. I figured that I was making half the payment by no longer paying for dog food, treats and toys, pet insurance, vet visits, etc. I slid (squeezed) into the cockpit and was instantly transported to another world, sporting the face and body of someone else. It was so breathtaking that I almost got a woody (again - no damn room). I decided to sleep on it over night. Instead, the next morning I got up and drove to the local SPCA where I rescued a beautiful Pit Bull puppy named 'Honey.' She is the new joy of my life and I haven't regretted the decision for a single minute. That, said (sniff)



For as often as I eat out, I don't give it a second thought and usually pay that for the accompanying bottle of wine. There are few pleasure in life that can top a truly excellent meal.
I don't get out much, but can you say, 'Motel 6?'
Well, I don't know if this qualifies but I did buy a 10-acre farm at the same time that I had the lake house. That should be illegal.
Motorcycles have been a life-long passion, though a part of my past. I did purchase a Donzi Sweet 16 with a 327 Chevy to go along with the purchase of the lake house, but I ran out of lake before I ran out of boat. A few years of that was plenty. Never, again.



A boat is nothing more than a hole in the lake into which one pours money.

The only thing I spend money on know is audio/video gear and computers. Getting ready to upgrade my Mac Pro. The configuration I'm getting is $10K with the new 4K monitor.

Hey, I don't smoke, drink, gamble, do drugs or chase women. I'm entitled. Besides the last rig was $6K and has paid for itself, many times over. There are far worse things that a man can do with his money.

Cheers. - Frank

Three days ahead of schedule. I win the pool.
No one is doubting you, Claude, :-)

Cheers. - Frank