4 ms·

Don't have kids before 30 and well esrablished financially or get credit cards (ever!). avoid driving or owning cars as much as possible (city with subway, remo

by _8j50 3y ago

Don't have kids before 30 and well esrablished financially or get credit cards (ever!). avoid driving or owning cars as much as possible (city with subway, remote work and biking,etc...). Avoid illegal drugs. I have seen people pay a hefty price for all these things. For all the complaints americans have, especially to our EU friends certain things should be clarified: if you get sick you can get treated for free in a timely manner and get worldclass care, if you can't afford the bill (which is assuming the insurance company will pay, so the amount is always insane) you can ignore the bill and you will be fine, I have seen people do this without a problem, you don't even have to give your real name unless you have a gunshot wound or a stabbing. You have to try hard to lack so much food that you become malnourished in the US, even if you have no job and you are living on the streets. Even in expensive places you can have three meals a day with less than $10 (povery line is like $20k/yr, $10/day is $3600/yr). Shelter is what is usually hard, especially if you're picky (reasonable) but the US is so big there are many choices but even as a homeless most go to california for the year round nice weather so they can camp there. I only stated this because it might sound like people are living this way to meet basic needs and in some cases like when they have children but not enough income or fall for the scam that is credit cards and pay day loans they fall into a trap. Cars have a crippling effect economically but smart people get used/cheap toyota/honda and never drive them outside of commute and grocery shopping, but still just your car parked costs insurance, maintenance, parking fees,etc... A nationwide problem I have seen is how easy it is for americans to get complacent because all their needs are met. Especially if you have a drug problem (including nicotine and alcohol). It's only a problem if you have a solution I guess, and obligatory: it's expensive being poor. How can I put it? You know how in the military they say "if you get shot, don't die", it's sort of like that, "if you're poor living pay check to paycheck, don't get broke" (liquidity trumps all!).

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
Larrikin 3y ago
Not having credit cards is a silly mistake that naive people make instead of properly planning their budget. A proper mix of credit cards will get you at a minimum a 2 to 5 percent discount on every single thing that you buy. With certain deals and smart usage of points, this can jump to 10 to 50 percent. I literally get thousands of dollars in cash back on my normal spending every year, not even counting things like discounted flights and hotels that don't directly show up on my year end report. And that is only discussing one single benefit. Things like charge backs and flagging fraud operate much more smoothly when using a credit card instead of a debit card. Problems arise when you spend money you don't have, or even worse spend money you will never have. The savings completely disappear once you start carrying a balance and start getting interest fees. Just treat your credit card like a debit card and have a budget. Paying with cash and especially your debit card is just a poor move.
- _8j50 3y ago
  > Problems arise when you spend money you don't have Not everyone has that much discipline. Do you think credit card companies give free cash for no reason? It's like when every smokers tells themselves: "the problem is when you smoke regularly, I only smoke when drinking" or something like that. It's addictive! Can you be disciplined if there is an emergency of some sort? Most can't. Let me avoid being dramatic: let's say you get a flat tire and have to be at work the in a few hours, will you stop by a name brand place and put new tires on the credir cars or find a low end no name hole in a wall that charges $30 for used tire because you only have $50? Most will keep their $50 and put it on the card. One becomes two becomes a thousand. > Just treat your credit card like a debit card and have a budget. Paying with cash and especially your debit card is just a poor move. There are doctors and lawyers living paycheck to paycheck but not because they don't know how to budget. I know in the short term debit cards are worse bur my allergy to paying interest of any kind has protected me too much! And the millions that ruin their lives because of credit card also knew budgeting exists. Don't play with fire, run with scissors or pay with credit cards!
- ac29 3y ago
  Those high reward cards are only available to people with good to excellent credit, which probably doesnt apply to most of the people living paycheck to paycheck. Also, given that you make thousands in cash back per year, this must equate to $100k/year in card spending or close. Not sure if you were posting to brag about your high income, but this article is not about people in the top 10% of income earners.
diob 3y ago
I didn't even realize a life without cars was possible (and still doubt it outside of some very specific metro areas in the USA) until I was well into my late 20s. The environment I grew up wasn't conducive to anything beyond trying to attain the lowest levels of maslow's hierarchy of needs. Around age 28 I was finally able to think beyond those levels. I wouldn't be surprised at the number of folks in a similar situation. Anyways, my point is these aren't really useful bits of advice. I am in shock you're claiming no one needs a car, and simultaneously asking them to not live somewhere expensive (which is usually where one doesn't need a car). I guess if they have a good home environment they can live with their parents, but a lot don't unfortunately, myself included. And the medical stuff. I'm well established at the moment, but know I'm about one medical emergency (cancer, getting shot in a mass shooting, who knows) from losing my wealth. Then there's the folks clawing their way out of poverty. They'll be from poverty and any gains they make are going to be expected to be shared with their family (father, mother, grandmother, etc.). It's extremely tough. Especially as those aging folks need medical care (both in terms of money and attention). At this point I'm definitely planning to try and head to a country with a better social system in place, despite "making it".
- _8j50 3y ago
  > from losing my wealth If you decide to pay. If you don't use credit you will be ok. I have used credit maybe a handful of times and regreted it. I have gotten loans, car rentals, apartments,etc... without credit (how do you think illegal immigrants survive?) > I didn't even realize a life without cars was possible (and still doubt it outside of some very specific metro areas in the USA) until I was well into my late 20s Not everyone can do it. Uber, buses and bikes have allowed me to be car free in probably the most car dependent and unwalkable city in the world. I am saving thousands a year and honestly for me it isn't even about the money, I love cars but the hassle of dealing with mechanics, insurance, cops,etc... got too tiresome, it's truly liberating but the important bit for me is I get to WFH 2-3 days, not everyone can. I would have to move next to my office, switch jobs and/or move if that changes! > Then there's the folks clawing their way out of poverty Yes, my family lived in such a way when I was living at home before i started working. > They'll be from poverty and any gains they make are going to be expected to be shared with their family (father, mother, grandmother, etc.). It's extremely tough. Especially as those aging folks need medical care (both in terms of money and attention). Yes, and even the most unfortunate get to join the army, get free college and start helping out that way. My advice which you think is bad is stop playing by the rules of a system designed to keep you down. Don't get credit cards or credit, max out medicare/medicaid/stamps. Let me add one more: don't liver in a mortgaged house, rent unless you have good liquidity and a growing savings account that can handle a mortgage! The free hospital in my city, when I took one of my parents for treatment, the guy who checked us out literally told us if we get a bill we should throw it in the trash. And i know people who don't even give their names when being treated! > At this point I'm definitely planning to try and head to a country with a better social system in place, despite "making it". That's another thing that drives me nuts! America is better than any country in europe by far! You people (and by that I mean HN and redditors) just don't know how to give the system a middle finger in my opinion. Have you looked for a tech job there!? It pays total crap by compaison. Many jobs are like that. You need a degree for everything (i ditched college - another middle finger to the system!) and everyone has one so it comes down to wealtn and connections. They have a lot of problems there and it's a nightmare if you even remotely look like an immigrant or a gypsy lol. America had a ton of problems and I have faced many of them but i have also see how other countries are and see how I am living now. There is no country better than america, the grass in fact not greener on the other side. I distinctly remember being in my early 20s, making $9/hr and thinking how I have the exact apartment i want (bad neighborhood but never had issues), eating the food i like as much as I like, consuming any movie and music i want (piracy), learning whatever I want (turns out to be tech/security stuff) and driving a crappy car (didn't care, got me to work) and thinking how good I had it. Now I am so grateful, I order stuff from amazon, just about anything and get in a day or two, any food, grocery, enetertainment, vacation almost anywhere and I am so grateful. I am not self made, many people helped me but my point is that the system was rigged, the house always wins if you play by the rules. You have to hack the system. Say no to debt as much as possible even if that is what everyone recommends (see: mortgage and building equity or credit cards and building credit). Sorry, my quality of life has been great because I said no to many of these things. I might get a credit,mortgage, pay hospital bills, finish college,etc... when the money makes sense! Not while i am struggling for money or have responsibilities. I will say it again, nothing beats liquidity! 1k cash is better than 50k credit. 1k rent is better than 2% apr mortgage. I don't have all the answers and never made such a claim, i merely pointed out the common traps and scams people fall i to and waste lifetimes in stress and desperation.
willcipriano 3y ago
35 years old on the day of birth is considered a geriatric pregnancy. A little over a 4 year window to have kids is pretty tight.
- _8j50 3y ago
  If you can afford a baby earlier, nothing wrong with it. For women, hate to say it but they can get an older/richer spouse to afford babies earlier or independently make something like 150k/yr these days (thanks to covid inflation). Basically, it is society's fault. Kids in developing countries living in slums and dumpster diving daily love their parents just fine and can turn out ok. But in the US at least when your baby grows up they will think they're life has been rough and have other issues (absent parent, etc...) if you are struggling financially. Affording a baby without undue financial stress means a combined income of close to 150k. Most adults if at least one spouse has a degree and live in big city can reach that but it is uncommon before their 30s, and even then they get into debt with houses, cars, student loans too early -- that's baby money they're giving to uncle sam and corporate america, it won't get easier until their mid 30's typically. Or they can avoid debt, rent an apartment in are with crime issues and bad schools be thrifty and teach their kids different valued and they will be fine in my opinion but most will get into more debt/mess trying to get out if such situations.

by _8j50 3y ago

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

Larrikin 3y ago

Not having credit cards is a silly mistake that naive people make instead of properly planning their budget. A proper mix of credit cards will get you at a minimum a 2 to 5 percent discount on every single thing that you buy. With certain deals and smart usage of points, this can jump to 10 to 50 percent. I literally get thousands of dollars in cash back on my normal spending every year, not even counting things like discounted flights and hotels that don't directly show up on my year end report. And that is only discussing one single benefit. Things like charge backs and flagging fraud operate much more smoothly when using a credit card instead of a debit card. Problems arise when you spend money you don't have, or even worse spend money you will never have. The savings completely disappear once you start carrying a balance and start getting interest fees. Just treat your credit card like a debit card and have a budget. Paying with cash and especially your debit card is just a poor move.

_8j50 3y ago
> Problems arise when you spend money you don't have Not everyone has that much discipline. Do you think credit card companies give free cash for no reason? It's like when every smokers tells themselves: "the problem is when you smoke regularly, I only smoke when drinking" or something like that. It's addictive! Can you be disciplined if there is an emergency of some sort? Most can't. Let me avoid being dramatic: let's say you get a flat tire and have to be at work the in a few hours, will you stop by a name brand place and put new tires on the credir cars or find a low end no name hole in a wall that charges $30 for used tire because you only have $50? Most will keep their $50 and put it on the card. One becomes two becomes a thousand. > Just treat your credit card like a debit card and have a budget. Paying with cash and especially your debit card is just a poor move. There are doctors and lawyers living paycheck to paycheck but not because they don't know how to budget. I know in the short term debit cards are worse bur my allergy to paying interest of any kind has protected me too much! And the millions that ruin their lives because of credit card also knew budgeting exists. Don't play with fire, run with scissors or pay with credit cards!
ac29 3y ago
Those high reward cards are only available to people with good to excellent credit, which probably doesnt apply to most of the people living paycheck to paycheck. Also, given that you make thousands in cash back per year, this must equate to $100k/year in card spending or close. Not sure if you were posting to brag about your high income, but this article is not about people in the top 10% of income earners.

diob 3y ago

I didn't even realize a life without cars was possible (and still doubt it outside of some very specific metro areas in the USA) until I was well into my late 20s. The environment I grew up wasn't conducive to anything beyond trying to attain the lowest levels of maslow's hierarchy of needs. Around age 28 I was finally able to think beyond those levels. I wouldn't be surprised at the number of folks in a similar situation. Anyways, my point is these aren't really useful bits of advice. I am in shock you're claiming no one needs a car, and simultaneously asking them to not live somewhere expensive (which is usually where one doesn't need a car). I guess if they have a good home environment they can live with their parents, but a lot don't unfortunately, myself included. And the medical stuff. I'm well established at the moment, but know I'm about one medical emergency (cancer, getting shot in a mass shooting, who knows) from losing my wealth. Then there's the folks clawing their way out of poverty. They'll be from poverty and any gains they make are going to be expected to be shared with their family (father, mother, grandmother, etc.). It's extremely tough. Especially as those aging folks need medical care (both in terms of money and attention). At this point I'm definitely planning to try and head to a country with a better social system in place, despite "making it".

_8j50 3y ago
> from losing my wealth If you decide to pay. If you don't use credit you will be ok. I have used credit maybe a handful of times and regreted it. I have gotten loans, car rentals, apartments,etc... without credit (how do you think illegal immigrants survive?) > I didn't even realize a life without cars was possible (and still doubt it outside of some very specific metro areas in the USA) until I was well into my late 20s Not everyone can do it. Uber, buses and bikes have allowed me to be car free in probably the most car dependent and unwalkable city in the world. I am saving thousands a year and honestly for me it isn't even about the money, I love cars but the hassle of dealing with mechanics, insurance, cops,etc... got too tiresome, it's truly liberating but the important bit for me is I get to WFH 2-3 days, not everyone can. I would have to move next to my office, switch jobs and/or move if that changes! > Then there's the folks clawing their way out of poverty Yes, my family lived in such a way when I was living at home before i started working. > They'll be from poverty and any gains they make are going to be expected to be shared with their family (father, mother, grandmother, etc.). It's extremely tough. Especially as those aging folks need medical care (both in terms of money and attention). Yes, and even the most unfortunate get to join the army, get free college and start helping out that way. My advice which you think is bad is stop playing by the rules of a system designed to keep you down. Don't get credit cards or credit, max out medicare/medicaid/stamps. Let me add one more: don't liver in a mortgaged house, rent unless you have good liquidity and a growing savings account that can handle a mortgage! The free hospital in my city, when I took one of my parents for treatment, the guy who checked us out literally told us if we get a bill we should throw it in the trash. And i know people who don't even give their names when being treated! > At this point I'm definitely planning to try and head to a country with a better social system in place, despite "making it". That's another thing that drives me nuts! America is better than any country in europe by far! You people (and by that I mean HN and redditors) just don't know how to give the system a middle finger in my opinion. Have you looked for a tech job there!? It pays total crap by compaison. Many jobs are like that. You need a degree for everything (i ditched college - another middle finger to the system!) and everyone has one so it comes down to wealtn and connections. They have a lot of problems there and it's a nightmare if you even remotely look like an immigrant or a gypsy lol. America had a ton of problems and I have faced many of them but i have also see how other countries are and see how I am living now. There is no country better than america, the grass in fact not greener on the other side. I distinctly remember being in my early 20s, making $9/hr and thinking how I have the exact apartment i want (bad neighborhood but never had issues), eating the food i like as much as I like, consuming any movie and music i want (piracy), learning whatever I want (turns out to be tech/security stuff) and driving a crappy car (didn't care, got me to work) and thinking how good I had it. Now I am so grateful, I order stuff from amazon, just about anything and get in a day or two, any food, grocery, enetertainment, vacation almost anywhere and I am so grateful. I am not self made, many people helped me but my point is that the system was rigged, the house always wins if you play by the rules. You have to hack the system. Say no to debt as much as possible even if that is what everyone recommends (see: mortgage and building equity or credit cards and building credit). Sorry, my quality of life has been great because I said no to many of these things. I might get a credit,mortgage, pay hospital bills, finish college,etc... when the money makes sense! Not while i am struggling for money or have responsibilities. I will say it again, nothing beats liquidity! 1k cash is better than 50k credit. 1k rent is better than 2% apr mortgage. I don't have all the answers and never made such a claim, i merely pointed out the common traps and scams people fall i to and waste lifetimes in stress and desperation.

willcipriano 3y ago

35 years old on the day of birth is considered a geriatric pregnancy. A little over a 4 year window to have kids is pretty tight.

_8j50 3y ago
If you can afford a baby earlier, nothing wrong with it. For women, hate to say it but they can get an older/richer spouse to afford babies earlier or independently make something like 150k/yr these days (thanks to covid inflation). Basically, it is society's fault. Kids in developing countries living in slums and dumpster diving daily love their parents just fine and can turn out ok. But in the US at least when your baby grows up they will think they're life has been rough and have other issues (absent parent, etc...) if you are struggling financially. Affording a baby without undue financial stress means a combined income of close to 150k. Most adults if at least one spouse has a degree and live in big city can reach that but it is uncommon before their 30s, and even then they get into debt with houses, cars, student loans too early -- that's baby money they're giving to uncle sam and corporate america, it won't get easier until their mid 30's typically. Or they can avoid debt, rent an apartment in are with crime issues and bad schools be thrifty and teach their kids different valued and they will be fine in my opinion but most will get into more debt/mess trying to get out if such situations.