I spend way too much money

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Drogue

Sounds scarily like my parents! Luckily, their attitude towards saving for the future and keeping cars until they don't go anymore means they support me well through uni

Well I am a parent. We are tossing 2K into an educational savings plan each and the government adds 400. So 2400x18 years = 43200 plus growth. So that would be the start

As for driving a cheap car, we also have a year old minivan. We both make good money and could have two expensive cars but budgetting is about choices. I don't see any need that our family's second car be anything other than reliable and safe. I'm just not a car guy . . . we're not particularly frugal though in that we have a more expensive home, eat out whenever we want etc.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by dejon
Want my secret? Before I buy everything I ask myself, "Can I make do without it?"

I could never be that strict with myself. My question is simpler. If I have money left for "miscellenaous spending" or if I have budgetted for the item, I buy it if I want it.

So my purchase decsison is always limited by available funds, no matter how much I want the item.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by dejon


And that's why most people don't until they're 65, or older. I'm aiming for 45 - I'll enjoy travelling the world while you're still slaving away.



Doesn't matter, start maxing out your RRSP contributions as young as you can and the rewards will be huge.

45 is optimistic for most people since that means saving enough in 20-25 years to see you through 30-40 years as a reasonable estimate. I gave up any thought of retiring that early when we decided to have a family.

Also I like my job most of the time and don't know if I would want to stop working that early. My current career plan is that within 5 years I will be taking 5 weeks of vacation and by the time I am 50 I might be thinking about a 70-80 % workload. I might even try the approach of a guy I know . . . he "retired" in his 50s and then started "consulting" whenever work came up that he considered convenient (it could not interfere with salmon fishing)

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Last Conformist

Then you can also have ridiculously Calorie-rich specialty coffees when you work.

Starbucks's most energetic coffee is 710 kcal/cup.

is that the coffee or the the drinks (like mochas or what have you)

I thought coffees were pretty low.. while I know that mochas and lattes are pretty high

JM

[Last Conformist]

That's a coffee drink with cream and icecream in it; the name escapes me.

A cup of regular black coffee is ~7 kcal.

[DanS]

Originally posted by Drogue
It's an hour's drive or train from London

That's what I meant. Thanks. Does Oxford have building restrictions or something that depresses new supply and thus elevates prices?

[DanS]

I think being able to retire by 45 is an unrealistic goal for myself. I'm trying for 55 or 60 and I'll be happier with achieving my goal. For one, I'll likely enjoy my current job(s) better, since I may be able to settle for a little less money for a job that is a better fit for me and any future wife/family. And besides, I probably will work in one capacity or another until the day I die -- it's more a matter of being able to retire or take some time off, as I wish.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by DanS


That's what I meant. Thanks. Does Oxford have building restrictions or something that depresses new supply and thus elevates prices?

The whole of South East England is very expensive. There is a reason for inflated prices - and it is the decades-old dogma of the 'green belt'.

Basically, it has been very difficult to build new housing because of the non-development policy. There is room to build more housing, but 'nimby-ism' (not in my back yard) is rampant. This pushes housing prices up, and living standards down.

[Ecthy]

@ Jon's "I'm broke but I want a laptop" attitude

It's like "my life is sad and I have no money but if I did I'd buy THIS and my life would improve"

Bull****. Get a personality, get laid.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

You've got a personality, haven't you Ecthy?

It's not one I'd want, however. I'd rather not be thought of as an obnoxious little turd.

[Last Conformist]

What makes you think we don't think of you as one?

Jon's "poverty" appears to be a rather relative phenomenon ...

[Immortal Wombat]

Originally posted by Cort Haus
The whole of South East England is very expensive. There is a reason for inflated prices - and it is the decades-old dogma of the 'green belt'.

Which wouldn't be such a problem if the whole centre of Oxford wasn't listed buildings and so also undevelopable.

[Drogue]

Well, not only listed buildings, but no room in the centre. Other than Christ Church Meadow, and they're not going to give it up for building.

But at least I have a room with character, in a great location

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Originally posted by Last Conformist
What makes you think we don't think of you as one?

Because it's clearly untrue. I'm an obnoxious ****ing colossal turd. You ****.

[Provost Harrison]

And that's why we love you Laz. C**t.