[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by Sara504

I was taught to never ask people, what religion they are, who they voted for, or how much they make. Its none of anyones business.

So was I. What is your point?

[Alpha_Zulu]

I'll admit it. I live paycheck to paycheck. Literally. None of this "oh I have less than 3 months salary saved". Not that it's bad, I just don't make that much.

How can I afford a BMW? Easy, I work for a dealer. My previous car a Scion TC had monthly payments of $327. I traded it in and I'm paying $417 for a 2011 Z4 35is. It's a little bit more but I can manage. I was paying $327 for a car that had a value of <$10,000. I pay $90 more and I'm driving a $71,000 car.

Sounded like a no brainer to me.

[AU335i]

Originally Posted by Sara504

I was taught to never ask people, what religion they are, who they voted for, or how much they make. Its none of anyones business.

lols no one is forcing anyone to answer the question or putting anyone in an awkward situation... if somebody wants to tell a public forum how much they do or do not make, so be it xP

[ScaredOnce]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

I'll admit it. I live paycheck to paycheck. Literally. None of this "oh I have less than 3 months salary saved". Not that it's bad, I just don't make that much.

How can I afford a BMW? Easy, I work for a dealer. My previous car a Scion TC had monthly payments of $327. I traded it in and I'm paying $417 for a 2011 Z4 35is. It's a little bit more but I can manage. I was paying $327 for a car that had a value of <$10,000. I pay $90 more and I'm driving a $71,000 car.

Sounded like a no brainer to me.

How did that work out??

[335i101]

Originally Posted by just4kickz

this

This again, not ripping on those who are paycheck to paycheck, but set yur priorities. U can buy fancy cars later in life...think of the cool options then ....BMW 395 with 9 turbos...

[Alpha_Zulu]

Originally Posted by ScaredOnce

How did that work out??

Money is a little tighter before I got the Z4. However, it's not like "OH MY GOD I'M BROKE!!!! "

I would've been an idiot to pass up the opportunity. I'm currently looking for a new job. When I land it, I'll be saving a ton since I'm locked into the lease payments.

Edit: I was also driving a 2008 Toyota that was out of warranty. Now I'm in a car that's got a warranty and since I work there I can easily get help if I need it. Long after I leave I've got contacts at the Dealer to help me out if needed.

[DarkRider23]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

Money is a little tighter before I got the Z4. However, it's not like "OH MY GOD I'M BROKE!!!! "

I would've been an idiot to pass up the opportunity. I'm currently looking for a new job. When I land it, I'll be saving a ton since I'm locked into the lease payments.

Edit: I was also driving a 2008 Toyota that was out of warranty. Now I'm in a car that's got a warranty and since I work there I can easily get help if I need it. Long after I leave I've got contacts at the Dealer to help me out if needed.

How much did you insurance go up? How much more are you using on gas every month now?

[jaadoogar]

Originally Posted by 335i101

This again, not ripping on those who are paycheck to paycheck, but set yur priorities. U can buy fancy cars later in life...think of the cool options then ....BMW 395 with 9 turbos...
__________________
M3 Ashtray, M3 Windshield Wash Fluid, M3 Seatbelt buckle...have I impressed you yet.....and all these modds are from the 2017 model M3....

@ 335i101 - Love your sig... Especially cuz I have the M-sport!

[rac1]

Liquidity is key right now...paying down debt is all well and good, but interest (assuming we're not talking near usurious rates and you don't hit up the neighborhood hard money dude) can be carried. Payments can't be if you're not liquid.

Me?

Bought car CPO cash w/ 12k miles on the clock and damn near mint condition aside from rear bumper scrapes (was getting m sport anyway). Was an 07 purchased in late 2010, and I plan to keep it for 7-8 years. IMO the only way to depreciate a car. I've crunched #s for biz leases and deductions and don't like what I see as much as my route-its in my name and will be till its worth nothing...suv/pickup would've been better with the guv but I hate driving them. Could've gone far upmarket in brand/car, but why? I like NA cars, and in the traffic I'm often in, an m3 or 997 ain't gonna get me there any faster and will cost more to maintain. 328i is all I need.

Rent a 1 bedroom in an extremely downscale complex in one of the wealthiest towns in the country (zip code helps for pulling in investors more than you can imagine) cause i work long hours and am rarely home. Housing market aint going anywhere but down. Don't listen to the brokers and yes men-we aint seen nothing yet.
I spec on FC related paper for a living...if I don't hit the upset price at auction I'll unload it at firesale figures and take a deduction for my trouble. 1099-c is my biggest weapon and the deadbeats biggest enemy.
The notion of this being a buyers market because of interest rates is music to the ears of distressed asset peeps.

Have a few nice material things (bunch of watches and a couple half decent TVs and a bunch of audio equipment, etc) cause I work too hard not to splurge a little bit.

Half the time I wear custom suits and made to order shoes, the other half I wear paint splattered t shirts, workout pants and speedcats. The latter has its benefits when it means you are overlooked.

Also eat almost all my meals out at decent places by my standards because it costs me more if I to cook myself in terms of opportunity cost...and I'm a damn good cook. I almost never go out socially unless it is business related.

Other than that I live like a pauper...doom and gloom, blah blah. I'm prepared for any eventuality.

Sitting here right now watching a panny 1080p plasma thats on the floor of my pad. Why? Cause I don't want to spend a few hundred dollars on a media stand. I also have to get my rear bumper realigned because I thought it was a good idea to save the $80 on a $1200 tv to bring it home myself instead of paying for delivery. Can't win em all...

Had a guy earlier today tell me that 9% on 10g doesn't excite him during a discussion about buying tax liens. At the end of the day, money is money, and people all to often forget that fact. If I can save 80 cents on my morning coffee, I do it by going to the deli instead of dunkins. Remember Sam Walton drove a station wagon.

I can maintain my standard of living however shitty it may be through the rapture, mayan apocalypse and a zombie invasion.

It's cool to look poor right now. Don't mind my pontifications-just got done with approximately 3 weeks of 20 hour days on a massive project and am letting loose with Bombay on the rocks by myself at home

I ain't gonna be buying anything for my troubles tho no matter how much the last month nets me...

[rac1]

Originally Posted by Magic-Man

That would make you an idiot.

An idiot...or a genius. And a genius is a mark.

Just make sure to secure the modding loan with the car itself. That will make it extra super duper financially responsible!

Originally Posted by Sara504

I was taught to never ask people, what religion they are, who they voted for, or how much they make. Its none of anyones business.

Sara, you make a good point. For all intents and purposes that is what is interposed in the form answers to collections complaints by the BK schmucks who get a grand in cash they aren't declaring to take food off my proverbial table. They think they make a good point also, but get blown out on SJ every time.

The larger point here is the traditional notions of propriety with regard to these questions have gone out the window when I start having to pay other people's bills. Its no one's business how much anyone makes, unless they owe you money. Right now most people owe someone or some entity money while living the good life on the gravy train...

[MediaArtist]

What a sad way to live.Too many young people live at the limit of their financial means buying cars they can't afford, wheels they should not buy, and for what? To impress other dudes, most of the time.