Re: Why do people spend so much time and money on cars?
Kurosh,
I know exactly the people you're talking about.
They are very common in Las Vegas. People like this couple I know:
He drives a SAAB and she drives an SUV. They both work two jobs to keep up with the payments. They sold their house rather than downgrade their cars. They now rent their house from the new owners (weird). He is addicted to video poker and won't bother to learn what machines he might actually have an advantage (or get comps).
They bounced a check to their kid's PTA and had to borrow $150 to cover it.
They like to *look* rich, but they can't keep up with the bills. They are horrible at money management. If you gave them a plan of how to get out of debt and stop working two jobs, but they'd have to drive a 5 year old Honda to do it, they'd freak out and wouldn't do it.
The poor kids (they have 4) are going to grow up feeling rich and used to the rich lifestyle. They won't have any money management skills and they will continue to cycle of debt because they won't know how to live without the luxuries they're used to. It's so sad...
Yeah, anyway, I know what you mean, Kurosh. I don't think you're talking about the people who are car fanciers and can afford it. You're talking about the people who want to keep up with the Jones. You're talking about the ones who finance their plastic surgery, the ones who spend half their income on watches and jewelry, the ones who make the American economy go 'round.
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