3 ms·

Do editors publish things like this specifically to tick off people? There's not one reasonable item on the chart. Their _yearly_ car expenses could purchase

Do editors publish things like this specifically to tick off people? There's not one reasonable item on the chart. Their _yearly_ car expenses could purchase 2 decent used cars in any part of the country. Their out-of-pocket yearly medical expenses suggest numberless boob jobs. Their clothing bills (well above what I have spent in my life) are reasonable only if they are participating in several bridal parties per month. Their utility bills exceed what I have paid on rent+utilities+food at different times in the past. If they're living in the Taj Mahal, well who's fault is that? Etc.

mgkimsal 16y ago
I'm reminded of the "millionaire next door" and "stop acting rich" (thomas stanley and the other guy!). $600/month lease payments on one car is not unheard of but truly rich people don't do that sort of thing. It seems the this article is using "aspirationals" as their ideal family, then bemoaning the fact they don't have enough spare cash. A $10k used car could cart them around just fine for a couple years - the equivalent of $400/month - 3 years would be $277/month. If the 'high status' jobs require a 'high status' car, let the employer pay for it.
- yummyfajitas 16y ago
  If the 'high status' jobs require a 'high status' car, let the employer pay for it. Much as I'd like to agree with you here, this just isn't correct. In many high paying jobs you do need to engage in some status seeking. Women with bad hair (read: $150 hair cut/assorted chemicals every 2 months) and men with cheap shoes (read: $100) are simply less likely to be promoted. It's not an official policy and your employer won't pay for it. It's just what happens. (Incidentally, I'm not talking about media or fashion.) [edit: I have no idea how much the necessary status seeking actually costs, and I'm not claiming this article focuses only on that. I'm just pointing out that it exists and is probably bigger than you think.]
- fr0sty 16y ago
  And don't forget that the $10k car can be sold for $4-5k in three years so your net outlay would be closer to $150/mo. Also, it is quite possible that the 600/mo is a three year lease on a new Mercedes/BMW so at the end of the term you don't even own the car.
seanalltogether 16y ago
On top of that they are spending $430 a week on food and $161 a week on gasoline.

mgkimsal 16y ago

I'm reminded of the "millionaire next door" and "stop acting rich" (thomas stanley and the other guy!). $600/month lease payments on one car is not unheard of but truly rich people don't do that sort of thing. It seems the this article is using "aspirationals" as their ideal family, then bemoaning the fact they don't have enough spare cash. A $10k used car could cart them around just fine for a couple years - the equivalent of $400/month - 3 years would be $277/month. If the 'high status' jobs require a 'high status' car, let the employer pay for it.

yummyfajitas 16y ago
If the 'high status' jobs require a 'high status' car, let the employer pay for it. Much as I'd like to agree with you here, this just isn't correct. In many high paying jobs you do need to engage in some status seeking. Women with bad hair (read: $150 hair cut/assorted chemicals every 2 months) and men with cheap shoes (read: $100) are simply less likely to be promoted. It's not an official policy and your employer won't pay for it. It's just what happens. (Incidentally, I'm not talking about media or fashion.) [edit: I have no idea how much the necessary status seeking actually costs, and I'm not claiming this article focuses only on that. I'm just pointing out that it exists and is probably bigger than you think.]
fr0sty 16y ago
And don't forget that the $10k car can be sold for $4-5k in three years so your net outlay would be closer to $150/mo. Also, it is quite possible that the 600/mo is a three year lease on a new Mercedes/BMW so at the end of the term you don't even own the car.

seanalltogether 16y ago

On top of that they are spending $430 a week on food and $161 a week on gasoline.