We buy nice cars and homes because that is where we spend most of our time…in our home and in our car. Same logic we used in not buying a vacation home – we’d spend very little time there for the $$ it would cost us.
We don’t care what others think of our home or cars. We like them and that’s all that matters. They make us smile when we use them and are very fitting for our lifestyle.
Weekends are made to be out and about, so we left enough budget so we can do that. That’s the main reason we didn’t make ourselves house poor and buy a big place in RSF or Carlsbad or Encinitas. No, we bought a few miles inland in a nice quiet off the beaten path neighborhood where we can get away from everything and relax. And still have enough money to play.
We really enjoy our lives, and have always only purchased what we can afford when it comes to everything–our homes–cars–travel, etc., etc.
Imo, many people are stressed out about their finances and their lives (especially in CA) because they are living way beyond their means–and they know it–and this fact becomes abundantly clear to them when they try to retire. Not a healthy or happy way to live.
[quote=moneymaker]I agree sdsurfer. I’m proud that I have greater than 50% equity after only 7 years, I’m proud I can pay my taxes this year without resorting to putting it on a credit card. I am also glad that all my cars are in running condition with no bad tires on them. Walked the dogs this morning and was somewhat shocked at finding 2 nice cars in the neighborhood with flat/old tires.[/quote]
People put taxes on credit cards? is that even allowed?
[quote=FlyerInHi][quote=dumbrenter]
People put taxes on credit cards? is that even allowed?[/quote]
I paid my property taxes last week. I hate, hate, hate it.[/quote]
Ha, ha, I always go in in person and pay a few days before they’re due to get a receipt and avoid the lines (I live very close to an assessor branch).
In front of me in line last week was this tall, early 70’s dude who walked up to the counter with a $$$ western hat on and $$$$ western boots on and opened up a zipped leather portfolio. Inside was a business checkbook with 3 long checks to a page. He pulled a sheaf of tax bills out of the right-hand pocket (abt 3/4″ thick) with a “master check” and “itemized” list prepared by his bookkeeper attached to the front of the bills to pay the whole collection of them and handed the whole mess over to the clerk. The clerk said, “Sir, can I get your name, phone number and e-mail address? We’re going to have to have someone in the back personally take care of you and e-mail you with a receipt for each bill.”
He pulled out a business card, gave it to the clerk and was on his way.
He was probably paying in the neighborhood of $150-$200K just for his second FY ’15/16 installment. Just like in the casinos, the “high rollers” get “special treatment” at the assessor’s office :=D
Seems like a waste of time, and old fashioned, to go pay in person. You can pay online using your bank account, or mail one check and include all the bills.
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