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First, the idea that the only way to spend 150k (post tax in CA) is expensive watches and cars is pretty ridiculous. A half decent accommodation will run you 30

First, the idea that the only way to spend 150k (post tax in CA) is expensive watches and cars is pretty ridiculous. A half decent accommodation will run you 30k if renting, or more like 60k for a mortgage at todays rates for a median cost SFH. Add in various insurance payments, car and home maintenance, the odd medical bill, etc. and you can spend the 90k remaining without any “luxury” purchases at all. Certainly you don’t have to but… Second and more importantly, they are spending on whatever the fuck they want. You do realize you’re going to die, yes? There’s no way in which saving more than your neighbor is “good”, morally or otherwise. Maybe by saving more “now” you have a more comfortable “later”, maybe you don’t — the former may be more likely but isn’t guaranteed, and you should not judge someone for having a different risk profile than you.

IMTDb 4y ago
Singe Family Homes are the huge luxury here. Never in the history of mankind have people lived in single family homes, or they did when the family. consisted of 10 to 15 people including elders, not when the family is roughly 4 people (parents + 2 children). The square foot / person is huge and leads to lots of issues around transportation (hello cars !), so the cost on society is massive, especially if you factor in private gardens, which are basically private pieces of land that cannot be used for anything - and aren't that ecologically beneficial. Lower you housing expectations to a 1500 sq ft apartment with no private garden (but with a park nearby) on a 10 story building and you have something that actually allows for efficient public services and is economically viable for an average person. Of course, rich people will still be able to afford private houses, but that should be the exception, not the norm. The median SFH shouldn't be the reference. Housing is usually the biggest expense someone has. Asking for luxury here means that you'll have to compromise on everything else. Being reasonable will free budgets for a lot of other things.
tekla 4y ago
> A half decent accommodation will run you 30k if renting, or more like 60k for a mortgage at todays rates for a median cost SFH. Add in various insurance payments, car and home maintenance, the odd medical bill, Disregarding medical bill, yes, if you spend your money on luxuries, you will have less of it. > Second and more importantly, they are spending on whatever the fuck they want. You do realize you’re going to die, yes? Ok, so, clearly people are spending their money, which is why they are paycheck to paycheck?

IMTDb 4y ago

Singe Family Homes are the huge luxury here. Never in the history of mankind have people lived in single family homes, or they did when the family. consisted of 10 to 15 people including elders, not when the family is roughly 4 people (parents + 2 children). The square foot / person is huge and leads to lots of issues around transportation (hello cars !), so the cost on society is massive, especially if you factor in private gardens, which are basically private pieces of land that cannot be used for anything - and aren't that ecologically beneficial. Lower you housing expectations to a 1500 sq ft apartment with no private garden (but with a park nearby) on a 10 story building and you have something that actually allows for efficient public services and is economically viable for an average person. Of course, rich people will still be able to afford private houses, but that should be the exception, not the norm. The median SFH shouldn't be the reference. Housing is usually the biggest expense someone has. Asking for luxury here means that you'll have to compromise on everything else. Being reasonable will free budgets for a lot of other things.

tekla 4y ago

> A half decent accommodation will run you 30k if renting, or more like 60k for a mortgage at todays rates for a median cost SFH. Add in various insurance payments, car and home maintenance, the odd medical bill, Disregarding medical bill, yes, if you spend your money on luxuries, you will have less of it. > Second and more importantly, they are spending on whatever the fuck they want. You do realize you’re going to die, yes? Ok, so, clearly people are spending their money, which is why they are paycheck to paycheck?