The Official 2023: All of you grumpy young and old son of a guns!! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!!

[Jettech1]

1 hour ago, txab said:

Happy New Year to all!!! Hope 2024 is an improvement over 2023

Dear lord in heaven, I hope so too!!

[KARNUT]

1 hour ago, Jettech1 said:

Dear lord in heaven, I hope so too!!

Well unfortunately we have several more months of the same old same old. If people have wised up maybe that will change.

[Jettech1]

13 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Well unfortunately we have several more months of the same old same old. If people have wised up maybe that will change.

I know that to be true.  I'm hoping for a lot of change, like back to making America great again, not build it back better of which was and is a total dumpster fire.

[OnTheReel]

Not sticking my head in that buzzsaw again.
 

Hope everyone has a happy new year, and congrats on all of our trucks getting a year older overnight. Wonder how much money we lost.

[Donstar]

Happy New Year everyone!  I know this year will be an improvement for me because I'm going to make it better.  There are things most of us can improve that are totally within our control. 

[KARNUT]

I’ve said this before but it doesn’t hurt to remind the young of the secret of life fulfillment. Number one find a good partner. Number two buy a home. Number three if no 401 is available get an Ira. Kids are optional, I have 3. Really think about are got to haves. There’re not as important when you’re wondering where the money went. Buy a house that’s affordable enough that you can make extra payments. I paid my first one off in 12 years. Then upgraded. My monthly payments never changed because I rolled my profits into the next one. I never paid more than 12 years in payments. My wife didn’t start working until the kids were in school. Her money was for investing. I never made 6 figures sometimes my wife made more than me. She only worked 10 years. She traveled with me for my work. I wear clothes that are very well made from a resale shop. I only buy appliances new. I have very expensive furniture all used. We only had three new cars in fifty years, most were CPO. One we still have, it’s a collector car. You probably say wait a minute you always bring up new trucks you got every two-three years. Company vehicles. Even those were leftovers. If it’s possible get a place that’s not controlled by a HOA with property. That usually comes with higher taxes. This will make it possible to live on SS. That’s only possible if you were successful in life rule number 1. Find a good partner. Of course I enhanced my portfolio by having 3 acres that I built a second home on. Play money from that one. It wasn’t hard if you have reasonable priorities. I even had lots of car toys. I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty. 

Edited January 2, 2024 by KARNUT

[Jettech1]

5 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I’ve said this before but it doesn’t hurt to remind the young of the secret of life fulfillment. Number one find a good partner. Number two buy a home. Number three if no 401 is available get an Ira. Kids are optional, I have 3. Really think about are got to haves. There’re not as important when you’re wondering where the money went. Buy a house that’s affordable enough that you can make extra payments. I paid my first one off in 12 years. Then upgraded. My monthly payments never changed because I rolled my profits into the next one. I never paid more than 12 years in payments. My wife didn’t start working until the kids were in school. Her money was for investing. I never made 6 figures sometimes my wife made more than me. She only worked 10 years. She traveled with me for my work. I wear clothes that are very well made from a resale shop. I only buy appliances new. I have very expensive furniture all used. We only had three new cars in fifty years, most were CPO. One we still have, it’s a collector car. You probably say wait a minute you always bring up new trucks you got every two-three years. Company vehicles. Even those were leftovers. If it’s possible get a place that’s not controlled by a HOA with property. That usually comes with higher taxes. This will make it possible to live on SS. That’s only possible if you were successful in life rule number 1. Find a good partner. Of course I enhanced my portfolio by having 3 acres that I built a second home on. Play money from that one. It wasn’t hard if you have reasonable priorities. I even had lots of car toys. I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty. 

Excellent words of advice!!  

[OnTheReel]

10 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I’ve said this before but it doesn’t hurt to remind the young of the secret of life fulfillment. Number one find a good partner. Number two buy a home. Number three if no 401 is available get an Ira. Kids are optional, I have 3. Really think about are got to haves. There’re not as important when you’re wondering where the money went. Buy a house that’s affordable enough that you can make extra payments. I paid my first one off in 12 years. Then upgraded. My monthly payments never changed because I rolled my profits into the next one. I never paid more than 12 years in payments. My wife didn’t start working until the kids were in school. Her money was for investing. I never made 6 figures sometimes my wife made more than me. She only worked 10 years. She traveled with me for my work. I wear clothes that are very well made from a resale shop. I only buy appliances new. I have very expensive furniture all used. We only had three new cars in fifty years, most were CPO. One we still have, it’s a collector car. You probably say wait a minute you always bring up new trucks you got every two-three years. Company vehicles. Even those were leftovers. If it’s possible get a place that’s not controlled by a HOA with property. That usually comes with higher taxes. This will make it possible to live on SS. That’s only possible if you were successful in life rule number 1. Find a good partner. Of course I enhanced my portfolio by having 3 acres that I built a second home on. Play money from that one. It wasn’t hard if you have reasonable priorities. I even had lots of car toys. I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty. 

Agree with everything. Kids were a must to us. Never had anything bring me as much joy. Obviously it’s not in the cards for everyone but I think a lot of younger people are really screwing this up by willingly swearing off children and living selfish lives. I mean some of these people literally never grow up and it’s pathetic.

[Jettech1]

10 minutes ago, OnTheReel said:

Agree with everything. Kids were a must to us. Never had anything bring me as much joy. Obviously it’s not in the cards for everyone but I think a lot of younger people are really screwing this up by willingly swearing off children and living selfish lives. I mean some of these people literally never grow up and it’s pathetic.

I had a child with my first wife.  Best son ever.  My current wife can't have children so she got totally gypped in this life.  It bothers her everyday, so sad.  

[OnTheReel]

39 minutes ago, Jettech1 said:

I had a child with my first wife.  Best son ever.  My current wife can't have children so she got totally gypped in this life.  It bothers her everyday, so sad.  

Yeah, when someone wants kids but can’t have them that’s really tough. Especially these days when so many people have kids and seemingly don’t want them.

[Donstar]

I agree that marriage leads to a life of a fulfillment. I believe your chances of a successful life are at least doubled!  I remember having this discussion with a much younger close relative several years ago.  He argued that  living together in an agreed upon monogamous relationship is advantageous, especially from a financial perspective.  I argued that there will be times in a healthy committed relationship when it feels like a signature on a marriage certificate is the only thing holding the two of you together.  Sadly, this relative found this out over Christmas when his "roommate" of 15 years resolved their financial struggles by leaving.  The major debts are in his name and "her" money belonged to her.  I know this is a grossly oversimplified example but sharing your life with someone is a major commitment to one another.  Why wouldn't you want to put it in writing?  

[KARNUT]

35 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I agree that marriage leads to a life of a fulfillment. I believe your chances of a successful life are at least doubled!  I remember having this discussion with a much younger close relative several years ago.  He argued that  living together in an agreed upon monogamous relationship is advantageous, especially from a financial perspective.  I argued that there will be times in a healthy committed relationship when it feels like a signature on a marriage certificate is the only thing holding the two of you together.  Sadly, this relative found this out over Christmas when his "roommate" of 15 years resolved their financial struggles by leaving.  The major debts are in his name and "her" money belonged to her.  I know this is a grossly oversimplified example but sharing your life with someone is a major commitment to one another.  Why wouldn't you want to put it in writing?  

There seems to be an epidemic of people who live together that separate once the fairer sex starts earning more. There seems to be a trend that the money stays separate with an account for paying bills. It’s not a partnership there’re roommates. I don’t know how a commitment can be established without complete trust. Men aren’t raised anymore to cherish a woman, to give support. Women aren’t raised anymore to be cherished or supported. They have a gift to have children. That’s where support from a man comes in. It’s just natural. Maybe it’s part of evolution. All I know when a man decides to be a woman and plays sports the real women suffer. That should give people a clue.