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The author makes a lot of claims about renting, but then backs them up with points that aren't specific to renting at all. For example: Speaking of which, havi
by bconway 16y ago
The author makes a lot of claims about renting, but then backs them up with points that aren't specific to renting at all. For example:
Speaking of which, having a car is convenient (and sometimes necessary), but is a monetary black hole and a source of stress if it’s having problems. My old Subaru got me from A to B but probably raised my blood pressure by more than the mileage as I worried about what would go wrong next.
And? How is that any different than leasing a car for X years?
The bigger issue is that the author goes on to talk about the stress of owning things vs the happiness of not doing so. But at the end of the day, knowing that a.) you don't owe money on an item (it really belongs to you) and b.) you are the only one that needs to be answered to for the status/condition/usefulness of an item brings a helluva lot more piece of mind than holding other people's property.
That being said, don't waste your time collecting junk, either.
- steveklabnik 16y ago> And? How is that any different than leasing a car for X years? It's not, but it's certainly different than using public transportation or biking.
- philwelch 16y agoBikes are awesome. For a month or two worth of gas, or probably less than a month of expenses (amortized, all-things-considered) you can buy a used bike. It's not as convenient, and is harder work, and it sucks going uphill unless you're in great shape, but on the other hand you can completely total your bike twice a year and still come out hundreds of dollars ahead compared to driving. (What sucks about bikes is the infrastructure, at least in the US. "Bike friendly" means the city gives you a lane right next to the parking lane, and expects you to run headfirst into opening car doors and cars turning across your lane.)