#46 President Joe Biden

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  • mace1229
    mace1229 Posts: 9,825
    mrussel1 said:
    mace1229 said:
    I found the last page funny. JB made some claims, was asked to provide evidence. He does, then is poked fun at for using Google search and for being conservative while citing CNN.
    But as far as the economy, it just defines how you define a strong economy. If your metrics are employment and wages, then it looks good. Employment is way down, wages are up.
    But if you consider other factors, it doesn't look as good. More Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, many of the raises haven't kept up with the record inflation we had last year. More Americans can't afford to buy a home. Workers will not be able to afford to retire until later.
    It seems to me the upper class has done well, the lower-middle class hasn't; and the gap has gotten wider.
    The housing is insane. If you don't own a house now, I don't see how you ever will unless you inherit one or come from an upper class family. Houses that sold for 200k 5 years ago are now selling for 500k, with 3 times the interest rate. 
    One data point is not evidence.  We all know that too many Americans live paycheck to paycheck.  But that's been the story for years.  Show the trendline over 20 years.  Were things really good until 2021 and now suddenly 10% of the population living P2P jumps from 10 to 50%?  I would seriously doubt it.  We're all capable of applying critical thinking.  Second, if you are going to criticize the president for that situation, then presumably there are legislative ways out of it that he isn't taking.  Well what are they?  What has the GOP led House done to abate inflation?  Do you know?
    I couldn't find anything that showed for the last 20 years. But every source I saw cited it increasing anywhere from 2% to 10% in just the last year.
    This one claims 6%. I'm not familiar with this source, so can't comment on them specifically, but was right in the middle of what I've been seeing.
    https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-reveals-six-percent-increase-in-americans-living-paycheck-to-paycheck-in-just-one-year-301928853.html
  • Gern Blansten
    Gern Blansten Mar-A-Lago Posts: 22,177
    mace1229 said:
    mrussel1 said:
    mace1229 said:
    I found the last page funny. JB made some claims, was asked to provide evidence. He does, then is poked fun at for using Google search and for being conservative while citing CNN.
    But as far as the economy, it just defines how you define a strong economy. If your metrics are employment and wages, then it looks good. Employment is way down, wages are up.
    But if you consider other factors, it doesn't look as good. More Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, many of the raises haven't kept up with the record inflation we had last year. More Americans can't afford to buy a home. Workers will not be able to afford to retire until later.
    It seems to me the upper class has done well, the lower-middle class hasn't; and the gap has gotten wider.
    The housing is insane. If you don't own a house now, I don't see how you ever will unless you inherit one or come from an upper class family. Houses that sold for 200k 5 years ago are now selling for 500k, with 3 times the interest rate. 
    One data point is not evidence.  We all know that too many Americans live paycheck to paycheck.  But that's been the story for years.  Show the trendline over 20 years.  Were things really good until 2021 and now suddenly 10% of the population living P2P jumps from 10 to 50%?  I would seriously doubt it.  We're all capable of applying critical thinking.  Second, if you are going to criticize the president for that situation, then presumably there are legislative ways out of it that he isn't taking.  Well what are they?  What has the GOP led House done to abate inflation?  Do you know?
    I couldn't find anything that showed for the last 20 years. But every source I saw cited it increasing anywhere from 2% to 10% in just the last year.
    This one claims 6%. I'm not familiar with this source, so can't comment on them specifically, but was right in the middle of what I've been seeing.
    https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/survey-reveals-six-percent-increase-in-americans-living-paycheck-to-paycheck-in-just-one-year-301928853.html
    Do you support increasing the minimum wage?
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,369
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,369
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • The Juggler
    The Juggler Posts: 49,594
    edited October 2023
    mace1229 said:
    I found the last page funny. JB made some claims, was asked to provide evidence. He does, then is poked fun at for using Google search and for being conservative while citing CNN.
    But as far as the economy, it just defines how you define a strong economy. If your metrics are employment and wages, then it looks good. Employment is way down, wages are up.
    But if you consider other factors, it doesn't look as good. More Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, many of the raises haven't kept up with the record inflation we had last year. More Americans can't afford to buy a home. Workers will not be able to afford to retire until later.
    It seems to me the upper class has done well, the lower-middle class hasn't; and the gap has gotten wider.
    The housing is insane. If you don't own a house now, I don't see how you ever will unless you inherit one or come from an upper class family. Houses that sold for 200k 5 years ago are now selling for 500k, with 3 times the interest rate. 
    What?
    He started off by asking questions and then either ignored the answers or didn't like the answers...hence his random google searches.
    www.myspace.com
  • mace1229
    mace1229 Posts: 9,825
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
  • The Juggler
    The Juggler Posts: 49,594
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    He was given answers, by multiple people, for the reason these things are happening. He just wasn't happy that the answer wasn't "Joe Biden."
    www.myspace.com
  • Gern Blansten
    Gern Blansten Mar-A-Lago Posts: 22,177
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    There are upper class people that live paycheck to paycheck you know? Some people just are not good with money whether they make $25K/year or $250K/year. 

    You wouldn't believe how many people I see that make $250-$400K and have no investment income whatsoever.
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 31,576
    Well Trumpolinni did pass that great tax break package that is supposed to trickle down to middle class has it? 
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • Gern Blansten
    Gern Blansten Mar-A-Lago Posts: 22,177
    edited October 2023
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    Another sign of a hot economy. Mechanics are doing great. I used to be able to call my mechanic and get my truck in for maintenance/repair within 1-2 days. Now it's like 10 days. Their prices have increased because of supply and demand. 

    Our economy ebbs and flows. Gas prices will decrease, food costs will decrease....and at the same time our economy will slow down. Then the GOP will scream about that. But again....they offer NO LEGISLATION to fix anything that they complain about.
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,473
    edited October 2023
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    There are upper class people that live paycheck to paycheck you know? Some people just are not good with money whether they make $25K/year or $250K/year. 

    You wouldn't believe how many people I see that make $250-$400K and have no investment income whatsoever.
    when I complained to a buddy about our disparity in income, he said "I just have more debt than you". true enough. (he's not bad with money, he was referring to bigger house, more cars, etc)
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • Gern Blansten
    Gern Blansten Mar-A-Lago Posts: 22,177
    edited October 2023
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    There are upper class people that live paycheck to paycheck you know? Some people just are not good with money whether they make $25K/year or $250K/year. 

    You wouldn't believe how many people I see that make $250-$400K and have no investment income whatsoever.
    when I complained to a buddy about our disparity in income, he said "I just have more debt than you". true enough. (he's not bad with money, he was referring to bigger house, more cars, etc)
    I have so many examples of people that look like they live under a bridge but have a million $$ in the bank. It's amazing.

    One of my wealthiest clients lives in a very modest home, rarely if ever goes on vacation, and drives modest vehicles. He complains about taxes constantly but his struggle right now is whether or not he wants to buy another commercial building for $8mil. Never stepped foot in college.

    I really can't put my finger on what it is about people that either makes them financially responsible or not. 

    Not that we argue much but I have had some arguments with my wife about some of this stuff. She has the "you can't take it with you" attitude and I'm more about making sure we'll be comfortable until we die. I did cave and put in a pool a few years ago so I'm hoping that keeps her happy for awhile but now she's starting to complain about remodeling the kitchen.
    Post edited by Gern Blansten on
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,808
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    There are upper class people that live paycheck to paycheck you know? Some people just are not good with money whether they make $25K/year or $250K/year. 

    You wouldn't believe how many people I see that make $250-$400K and have no investment income whatsoever.
    when I complained to a buddy about our disparity in income, he said "I just have more debt than you". true enough. (he's not bad with money, he was referring to bigger house, more cars, etc)
    One could argue more debt means that he is indeed not good with money.  Lots of info goes into what that evaluation could look like.

    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,473
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    There are upper class people that live paycheck to paycheck you know? Some people just are not good with money whether they make $25K/year or $250K/year. 

    You wouldn't believe how many people I see that make $250-$400K and have no investment income whatsoever.
    when I complained to a buddy about our disparity in income, he said "I just have more debt than you". true enough. (he's not bad with money, he was referring to bigger house, more cars, etc)
    One could argue more debt means that he is indeed not good with money.  Lots of info goes into what that evaluation could look like.

    I'm talking about assets though. not credit card debt
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,369
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    There are upper class people that live paycheck to paycheck you know? Some people just are not good with money whether they make $25K/year or $250K/year. 

    You wouldn't believe how many people I see that make $250-$400K and have no investment income whatsoever.
    when I complained to a buddy about our disparity in income, he said "I just have more debt than you". true enough. (he's not bad with money, he was referring to bigger house, more cars, etc)
    I have so many examples of people that look like they live under a bridge but have a million $$ in the bank. It's amazing.

    One of my wealthiest clients lives in a very modest home, rarely if ever goes on vacation, and drives modest vehicles. He complains about taxes constantly but his struggle right now is whether or not he wants to buy another commercial building for $8mil. Never stepped foot in college.

    I really can't put my finger on what it is about people that either makes them financially responsible or not. 

    Not that we argue much but I have had some arguments with my wife about some of this stuff. She has the "you can't take it with you" attitude and I'm more about making sure we'll be comfortable until we die. I did cave and put in a pool a few years ago so I'm hoping that keeps her happy for awhile but now she's starting to complain about remodeling the kitchen.

    happy wife. happy life.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,473
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    There are upper class people that live paycheck to paycheck you know? Some people just are not good with money whether they make $25K/year or $250K/year. 

    You wouldn't believe how many people I see that make $250-$400K and have no investment income whatsoever.
    when I complained to a buddy about our disparity in income, he said "I just have more debt than you". true enough. (he's not bad with money, he was referring to bigger house, more cars, etc)
    I have so many examples of people that look like they live under a bridge but have a million $$ in the bank. It's amazing.

    One of my wealthiest clients lives in a very modest home, rarely if ever goes on vacation, and drives modest vehicles. He complains about taxes constantly but his struggle right now is whether or not he wants to buy another commercial building for $8mil. Never stepped foot in college.

    I really can't put my finger on what it is about people that either makes them financially responsible or not. 

    Not that we argue much but I have had some arguments with my wife about some of this stuff. She has the "you can't take it with you" attitude and I'm more about making sure we'll be comfortable until we die. I did cave and put in a pool a few years ago so I'm hoping that keeps her happy for awhile but now she's starting to complain about remodeling the kitchen.
    I'm terrible with money. always have been. ever since money came into my life in the form of an allowance. would spend it all instantly. I'd go to the toy store and I'd be disappointed if I didn't find something to spend my money on.

    for me, it's filling the happiness hole. I've been struggling with the cycle of "fuck, I have to stop spending" and I'm responsible a good while. then I fall back into it. Buying Lost Dogs on vinyl for instance. No WAY I should have forked out $450US on that. or that stupid Pearl Jam baseball bat. or most of the records and posters (and all merch really). It's just a personality flaw. 
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,879
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    You're smarter than this.  You can't say "interest rates are way up" and then say "inflation is way up".  It's like you're living in the moment with no context.  Interest rates are intentionally up to cool inflation.  And it is clearly working.  YOY inflation is way down from the peak.  It doesn't happen overnight.  And we all know that inflation sky rocketed world wide when demand for good and fuel exploded before the supply chains were ready post-pandemic. You know all of this. 

    And housing prices are NOT up because of inflation.  Housing prices exploded because people were de-leveraged on debt coming out of the pandemic and flush with cash.  Interest rates were still historically low and so bidding wars ensued.  Much of this has to do with the lack of affordable housing in this country.  But unless you are arguing that the federal gov't should start building houses for people, this is a market issue, not a gov't one.  
  • I’d be willing to wager that the majority of those folks living paycheque to paycheque have the latest iPhone, with the unlimited data plan, 60” flat screen tv, with the premium cable package, live well outside of where they work and drive a car or truck with all the bells and whistles and shitty mpg, and maybe a few kids. Just a guess. Whatever happened to “personal responsibility?”
    09/15/1998 & 09/16/1998, Mansfield, MA; 08/29/00 08/30/00, Mansfield, MA; 07/02/03, 07/03/03, Mansfield, MA; 09/28/04, 09/29/04, Boston, MA; 09/22/05, Halifax, NS; 05/24/06, 05/25/06, Boston, MA; 07/22/06, 07/23/06, Gorge, WA; 06/27/2008, Hartford; 06/28/08, 06/30/08, Mansfield; 08/18/2009, O2, London, UK; 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Philadelphia, PA; 05/15/10, Hartford, CT; 05/17/10, Boston, MA; 05/20/10, 05/21/10, NY, NY; 06/22/10, Dublin, IRE; 06/23/10, Northern Ireland; 09/03/11, 09/04/11, Alpine Valley, WI; 09/11/11, 09/12/11, Toronto, Ont; 09/14/11, Ottawa, Ont; 09/15/11, Hamilton, Ont; 07/02/2012, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/04/2012 & 07/05/2012, Berlin, Germany; 07/07/2012, Stockholm, Sweden; 09/30/2012, Missoula, MT; 07/16/2013, London, Ont; 07/19/2013, Chicago, IL; 10/15/2013 & 10/16/2013, Worcester, MA; 10/21/2013 & 10/22/2013, Philadelphia, PA; 10/25/2013, Hartford, CT; 11/29/2013, Portland, OR; 11/30/2013, Spokane, WA; 12/04/2013, Vancouver, BC; 12/06/2013, Seattle, WA; 10/03/2014, St. Louis. MO; 10/22/2014, Denver, CO; 10/26/2015, New York, NY; 04/23/2016, New Orleans, LA; 04/28/2016 & 04/29/2016, Philadelphia, PA; 05/01/2016 & 05/02/2016, New York, NY; 05/08/2016, Ottawa, Ont.; 05/10/2016 & 05/12/2016, Toronto, Ont.; 08/05/2016 & 08/07/2016, Boston, MA; 08/20/2016 & 08/22/2016, Chicago, IL; 07/01/2018, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/03/2018, Krakow, Poland; 07/05/2018, Berlin, Germany; 09/02/2018 & 09/04/2018, Boston, MA; 09/08/2022, Toronto, Ont; 09/11/2022, New York, NY; 09/14/2022, Camden, NJ; 09/02/2023, St. Paul, MN; 05/04/2024 & 05/06/2024, Vancouver, BC; 05/10/2024, Portland, OR;

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  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,369
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,879
    mace1229 said:
    But paycheck to paycheck was just one point. Housing is crazy. Houses have doubled in 5 years, causing rent to go up as well. Interest rates have been way up in the last year. Inflation was way up. Cost of cars are way up. I read an article a few months ago that because more people can't afford new cars, the used market has gone way up and people are driving older cars much longer. Which makes repairs and maintenance more costly because auto shops are slammed try to keep older cars running longer than before. Good if you're a mechanic, bad if you're everyone else.  It shouldn't be a surprise that more Americans are finding it harder to live on what they make compared to a few years ago.
    There are upper class people that live paycheck to paycheck you know? Some people just are not good with money whether they make $25K/year or $250K/year. 

    You wouldn't believe how many people I see that make $250-$400K and have no investment income whatsoever.
    when I complained to a buddy about our disparity in income, he said "I just have more debt than you". true enough. (he's not bad with money, he was referring to bigger house, more cars, etc)
    I have so many examples of people that look like they live under a bridge but have a million $$ in the bank. It's amazing.

    One of my wealthiest clients lives in a very modest home, rarely if ever goes on vacation, and drives modest vehicles. He complains about taxes constantly but his struggle right now is whether or not he wants to buy another commercial building for $8mil. Never stepped foot in college.

    I really can't put my finger on what it is about people that either makes them financially responsible or not. 

    Not that we argue much but I have had some arguments with my wife about some of this stuff. She has the "you can't take it with you" attitude and I'm more about making sure we'll be comfortable until we die. I did cave and put in a pool a few years ago so I'm hoping that keeps her happy for awhile but now she's starting to complain about remodeling the kitchen.
    I'm terrible with money. always have been. ever since money came into my life in the form of an allowance. would spend it all instantly. I'd go to the toy store and I'd be disappointed if I didn't find something to spend my money on.

    for me, it's filling the happiness hole. I've been struggling with the cycle of "fuck, I have to stop spending" and I'm responsible a good while. then I fall back into it. Buying Lost Dogs on vinyl for instance. No WAY I should have forked out $450US on that. or that stupid Pearl Jam baseball bat. or most of the records and posters (and all merch really). It's just a personality flaw. 
    I would suggest unloading that Lost Dogs to me for a hundo.  The reissue is coming and you're going to get stuck with it.  Make the right call now... you know my PM.