How do people afford all of the cars and boats and extra stuff that they have?

Question

This may seem more of a rant than a question but when I drive around town I cannot help but to notice people with F350 diesel ford trucks, a boat, jetskis, a harley, 4 wheelers and the wife drives a BMW. I know that these people are not doctors or lawyers as they are the "Get r Done" type with the standard issue TreeBark t-shirts and cutoffs. I work like a dog and I cannot even pay my bills half the time! What the hell is going on in America, when I cannot go to the bank for a loan to buy new tires for my 15 year old Honda that I drive to work, and I get passed by the LivingEasy Family on their way to buy their son an Escalade!
Just thought it was enough and wanted your thoughts on it......

Answer 1

It's called Credit.

Americans are putting themselves into debt in record numbers for record amounts.

Example?

Nurse goes and spends $265,000.00 on a house she absolutely cannot afford. Has a mortgage of $2500.00 a month (she only makes 3k a month) and ends up having to leave the state to take high paying contracts just to keep the house which is draining everything she has.

Now multiply that example by about 1/3 of the population and you've now got a good understanding of how these people operate.

Only an American would think that a $600.00 a month car note (not including insurance) was reasonable.

It's rediculous. America's materialistic mentality has gone way too far and will be our downfall. Because ultimately most of the money we spend now goes out of the country to places like Japan, South Korea, China, etc.

There's a reason why we've been on the edge of another depression for the last decade.

My wife and I are part of a growing trend of people who are choosing to dump the cards and live within our means. It means giving up a lot, but it also means no outrageous debts, and financial security later on in life.

Answer 2

It's simple enough - there's only two possibilities that I can think of:

1. High-paid professionals don't really make that much money (most not even $200,000/yr), but a lot of them buy big houses, boats, etc to make them feel rich and all. Or, they think they DESERVE it, but really, it's just an illusion. A lot of them have the "keeping up with the Jonses" attitude. In the end, they don't know much about money and end up retiring on a skimpy income, usually.

2. Real rich people CAN afford big houses, luxury stuff, and the whole deal b/c they know how to make money. They buy assets to pay for their things instead of working for somebody else all their life. These pple you're talking about don't sound like they know anything about making money, but they might. It's not like it's hard to make money if you know what you're doing - if you want to know how to be a rich person and not a phony like the ones in #1, read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money that the Poor and Middle Class do Not!"

Before I read it, I felt bad, too, 'cause my income wasn't that great - we had old cars and were struggling to pay for our house and stuff - but now, it's much easier to deal w/ things financially b/c I know how to make money through way more things than just my job. Anyway, good question!

Answer 3

Of course, everyone's circumstances are different, but I'm willing to bet that those people have chosen to buy lots of expensive toys today on credit, and make payments for years, rather than save for their future. I'm willing to be that many have even refinanced their homes or gotten home equity loans to pull that equity out of their home. They are probably spending all their disposable income on making payments on their loans and credit cards.

You can bet they'll be the ones scraping to get by when they are retired, or having to work until they die. They'll have little in savings and little equity in their home.

Maybe you'd earn a better living selling these idiots their boats and Harley's, then whatever you are doing now.

Answer 4

People who seem to have everything often do not. They create a fantasy world where they are living high off the hog and their neighbor's are all seeing and believing them! I have taught many of these people privately in their own homes and here is what i know about them: Many of these people are living on credit cards and lines of credit, home equity loans and many have been given money from their families. There are also those who have TAKEN money and posessions from their family.I have seen while I was there, people go through a nervous breakdown, some have abused their husbands or wives or children. Many of these people broke down and confided in me about their financial problems. Trust me there are people who do have money but reality is not what it appears!

Answer 5

They have good credit, and have tons of credit cards, car loans, and are in massive debt. It's an illusion. They're probably struggling more than you know to pay off all their toys! People with lots of toys tend to really live on the edge, physically and financially. Everything is not as it seems.

You're paying your bills and being responsible. You're living within your means. People with toys typically don't live within their means. There are a fortunate few that are wealthy, but I would bet the majority are in debt and paying installment loans and credit cards.

Answer 6

i have the money now to live "comfertably", BUT, instead i live week to week scrapeing up what i can for bills. My man and I, we put 200$ a week into the bank, and DONT touch the money. Within time we will have saved ALOT of money. SO for now I will struggle and wish... but in a few years, ill have all i want. (think about it, 200 a week is over $8,000 is a year.... let the interest on that grow, and keep adding to it.... its gunna take a long time, but ill have all i want in a few years).

Answer 7

You can make money without being doctors or lawyers so maybe they are doing something else to make this money. Also, look at your credit and history. What are you doing that you can't afford $200 in tires when needed. Sounds like you need money management skills or a better job which you only get with skills.

Answer 8

We work , save and have credit scores in the high 700s . That is basically how we do it . The good old american work ethic and the discipline to save also helps .

Answer 9

That's just Natural Selection at work.

Answer 10

Why on earth would you even be worried about what someoneelse has got,or is doing?Mind your own business And go to work!!1