Author Topic: Personal Stuff  (Read 55736 times)

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Offline BC_cheque

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1620 on: June 12, 2021, 04:52:33 pm »
I just don't get it. 

It just seems like a ton of money.  Like if everybody wore $600 sneakers and I was just wearing my Costco nylon kickers...

I mean, good for you if you love it, but to me you're all dupes, kinda... sorry...

Life isn't about things, but experiences.  A car can very much be an experience.
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Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1621 on: June 12, 2021, 05:07:42 pm »
I just don't get it. 

It just seems like a ton of money.  Like if everybody wore $600 sneakers and I was just wearing my Costco nylon kickers...

I mean, good for you if you love it, but to me you're all dupes, kinda... sorry...

Meh….  Everyone has different priorities and different likes and dislikes. 

Hell, smoke cigarettes, and there’s a car payment for a Toyota Corolla right there….
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Offline BC_cheque

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1622 on: June 12, 2021, 05:28:15 pm »
Meh….  Everyone has different priorities and different likes and dislikes. 

Hell, smoke cigarettes, and there’s a car payment for a Toyota Corolla right there….

This is so true.  I worked with a woman who made 60K/year and had a thing for really expensive purses.  Out of genuine interest I asked what she likes about them and she explained how they're like pieces of art and that they're an investment since their value increases.  I'd never thought of it but yeah, I can see it.

At the time I had a collection of very expensive bikes and my family never understood.  Everyone has a thing that others don't understand... and don't really need to.
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Offline eyeball

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1623 on: June 12, 2021, 07:15:20 pm »
Some expensive things are good investments, others are money pits, like most cars.
Try a boat....Bring On Another Thousand
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Offline wilber

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1624 on: June 12, 2021, 07:37:10 pm »
I've been interested in EV's but one thing that has put me off is the current wild west state of charging infrastructure. Different adaptors and charging rates, brand restricted stations like Supercharger etc. Every time I look at stations on something like Plug Share, its depressing how many comments there are like, "out of service"," my card or phone app wouldn't work" . I think they would be great if I was just using it in my area and could always charge at home but if I was taking a road trip to somewhere like kim city I would probably take my 1T diesel just to avoid having any fueling hassles, which kind of defeats the purpose of having an EV.

If EV's are to be taken really seriously people need to be able to use any charging station anywhere and be able to pay with with the same options they have at any gas station.
"Never trust a man without a single redeeming vice" WSC
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Offline Black Dog

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1625 on: June 13, 2021, 10:25:05 am »
My partner has a job opportunity that could take us back to Vancouver. But between real estate prices and the fact we have a kid now (read: daycare and schooling), it's simply impossible. Even mid-sized Canadian cities like Calgary or Edmonton are getting insanely expensive.

I guess I should consider myself lucky that we both have jobs in a place that's relatively affordable. The flip side of that is wages are so low here that we're just as broke as we would be making more money in a more expensive city. But being broke in a more expensive city might actually be worth it for having some access to culture and not having to deal with the rednecks and rampant public drug use here.

Offline wilber

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1626 on: June 13, 2021, 02:18:12 pm »
This is so true.  I worked with a woman who made 60K/year and had a thing for really expensive purses.  Out of genuine interest I asked what she likes about them and she explained how they're like pieces of art and that they're an investment since their value increases.  I'd never thought of it but yeah, I can see it.

At the time I had a collection of very expensive bikes and my family never understood.  Everyone has a thing that others don't understand... and don't really need to.

Exactly.

We have a topic here called "Watch This". Why would anyone spend thousands on a watch when they can buy a very accurate perfectly serviceable quartz watch for under $100? Well I would buy several if I had the money.
"Never trust a man without a single redeeming vice" WSC
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Offline wilber

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1627 on: June 13, 2021, 02:43:12 pm »
My partner has a job opportunity that could take us back to Vancouver. But between real estate prices and the fact we have a kid now (read: daycare and schooling), it's simply impossible. Even mid-sized Canadian cities like Calgary or Edmonton are getting insanely expensive.

I guess I should consider myself lucky that we both have jobs in a place that's relatively affordable. The flip side of that is wages are so low here that we're just as broke as we would be making more money in a more expensive city. But being broke in a more expensive city might actually be worth it for having some access to culture and not having to deal with the rednecks and rampant public drug use here.

It's sad that our cities used to be livable for the average person starting out. Now it's more a matter of survival.
"Never trust a man without a single redeeming vice" WSC

Offline wilber

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1628 on: June 13, 2021, 03:03:22 pm »
I had my house paid off for the last few years (bought into the market cheap!), so I can afford a few luxuries.  And exactly because things are changing like crazy in the auto industry, I went out and bought my dream-car a couple years ago….  A Ford Focus!   This particular focus is the RS model, built in Germany….  AWD…. Sportier looks…. Sportier engine…. Sportier everything.   The quintessential ’Hot Hatch’!

I’ve always been a ‘car-guy’.

But I can see getting an electric runabout in the next few years….  As soul-sucking as that might be…. Haha

The Focus RS is a cool car. You don't see a lot of them around which makes them even better.
"Never trust a man without a single redeeming vice" WSC

Offline Michael Hardner

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1629 on: June 13, 2021, 04:19:21 pm »
Even spending thousands on a watch makes more sense to me than spending tens of thousands annually for transportation, effectively for status

Offline wilber

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1630 on: June 13, 2021, 04:38:34 pm »
Even spending thousands on a watch makes more sense to me than spending tens of thousands annually for transportation, effectively for status

Not necessarily for status except to the knowledgable. To most, squid's RS is another Ford Focus when it is anything but. An Audi RS3 doesn't look much more impressive than many Civic or Corolla four door sedans to anyone who doesn't know what it really is. That's one of the best things about cars like those.

"Never trust a man without a single redeeming vice" WSC
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Offline Queefer Sutherland

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1631 on: June 13, 2021, 04:48:57 pm »
Even spending thousands on a watch makes more sense to me than spending tens of thousands annually for transportation, effectively for status

Well it depends on the intent of the person buying.  Some people buy for status, other people just want a nice car.  A Hyundai doesn't drive like an Audi.  A nice car is a definite upgrade and nice to drive, but for me personally it's not an upgrade worth like 40k+, unless I had that money to burn.  People who buy simply for status are morons and have insecurity issues.

I think a good general rule is that if you can't afford to buy your car upfront with cash then you probably can't afford it.
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Offline BC_cheque

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1632 on: June 13, 2021, 05:57:48 pm »
My partner has a job opportunity that could take us back to Vancouver. But between real estate prices and the fact we have a kid now (read: daycare and schooling), it's simply impossible. Even mid-sized Canadian cities like Calgary or Edmonton are getting insanely expensive.

I guess I should consider myself lucky that we both have jobs in a place that's relatively affordable. The flip side of that is wages are so low here that we're just as broke as we would be making more money in a more expensive city. But being broke in a more expensive city might actually be worth it for having some access to culture and not having to deal with the rednecks and rampant public drug use here.

When things began getting stupid I kept thinking it's not sustainable and it's a bubble like previous ones in history.  We're going on close to 20 years now and even though I was a bit optimistic when the NDP took over BC (and made some strides) I don't think there will be a solution until the feds step in and they don't seem the slightest bit interested.  Between high immigration, low interest rates and adequate support to diversify economies, everyone will continue to flock to the cities for work. 

The one good thing that may have come out of the pandemic is the shift to remote work within a many industries.  I'm hoping it really takes off and people move away to the suburbs and smaller cities.  Also, a lot of commercial spaces can be revamped to residential increasing supply.

Unfortunately, it does seem like the new normal unless we get a proper left-leaning federal government.

Offline BC_cheque

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1633 on: June 13, 2021, 06:06:59 pm »
A Hyundai doesn't drive like an Audi. 

I've had two Hyundais and I think they're great.  Reliable and a tonne of luxury at bargain prices, but you're exactly right, they drive horribly.  When you step on the pedal it just makes more sound. 

My dad's last car was a Lexus and driving that thing was like floating on air.  So smooth, quiet and strong.  Yes, both get you from point A to point B but the experience is nothing alike.


Offline Omni

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Re: Personal Stuff
« Reply #1634 on: June 13, 2021, 06:51:02 pm »
I've had two Hyundais and I think they're great.  Reliable and a tonne of luxury at bargain prices, but you're exactly right, they drive horribly.  When you step on the pedal it just makes more sound. 

My dad's last car was a Lexus and driving that thing was like floating on air.  So smooth, quiet and strong.  Yes, both get you from point A to point B but the experience is nothing alike.

when I first went to Russia to work I had to rent a Lada. Yuk. Many times I could get only half way to the airport before the damn thing quit. Turned into a long term contract so I got sent a Chevy 4x4. Then I got to work on time.