Yes, you have good points.

As well, for example to add, lots of people making double of that can't afford anything. I've seen it and occasionally work with people just like that. It has to do with how much you "must" maintain as a lifestyle. Many people "must" make and lead a "lifestyle" that has all kinds of implied expenses and responsibilities, many of which "appear" to be "beyond control."

For example, lots of wealthy doctors cannot afford anything more than what they already have, and many cannot afford that either. Often the larger your title or position, the more you need to project this profession's "level" to your peers and clients. You don't want to be seen driving a 8 year old VW Jetta if you're making $500,000/yr. You want to be seen driving a brand new Bentley or SLR McLaren or something along those lines.

You are then a member of a golf or country club, and the memberships can run beyond $10,000/year. You must drive and wear to work a certain level of fashion to project success and power. And you must appear at certain places and pay certain premiums to be seen appearing there to maintain a veneer of status; perception is nearly 100% of everything.

wucifer...

i get the name, i missed it before, funny

yeah, no one would hire a lawyer driving a $hitty car

First off, I am not close to being "Most people" and never would wish that on myself. That said, I guess you can say I'm "self made", but it wasn't without the helping hand of people who doubted my abilities growing up--discouraging me, because I wasn't the best student. Anyway, I didn't want this post to focus on my income, but I know it's sort of inevitable. All I wanted was advice from older GT-R fanatics (who perhaps have been through a situation like mine)...which I guess isn't too wise in its own right now that I think twice. I was really tired last night--and perhaps secretly wanted someone to say "just keep your job!" Wishful thinking...but the fact is, I'll still have a boss. By the way...I recently moved home to pay for my mother's mortgage since she spoiled me growing up. That's $5k/mo so I guess now you can dwindle that down to $90k spending (after taxes). It just seems quite a bit...working an entire year to pay for 1 car and a mortgage. Well 1 SUPERcar--automobile of the century--sheer perfection in machine form. Sitting in one made me so anxious. I even go to press the start button! Interior was nicer than expected. Not on par with Audi/BMW/Lexus, but bounds over the Corvette. Anyway...cheers to no more bosses. :yumyum:

5k/mo mortgage? wow the mortgage must be over 1million dollars?

1:3 monthly expenditure to monthly income...this to me seems like a safe number. right now i'm actually pretty close to 1:2 as it is...getting rid of one of my car payments and adding a gt-r payment would probably put me closer to 3:5, though. wow that puts things into perspective! thanks bud.

yea...one point two...anaheim hills...my mother is crazy but i love her the same.

if i had my way, i would pay half that for a nice condo and really nice toys. but whatever makes her happy. :uppydown3

haha, nope. and since you asked before: bank card industry

That actually is a great observation and some great advice!:smilie_th

-Nate

Yes. Case in point, retired, superstar athletes. It's also interesting...I'll do business with plastic surgeons making millions and when I pull their credit you'll see a sub-500? Yikes! And I thought my credit was poor. :nsboxing: