Did you all work hard for your F car?

What's the problem in admitting to having inherited money anyway? Somehow I missed the memo.

I love my work but would much rather have inherited the money than earned it the hard way.

 

Unless you're an orphan, raised by wolves, everyone is subsidized to some extent, at least through their teen years. During college, in the 90's my Mom sent me $100 a month, and my Dad sent me $100 a month. So, while I brought in more than half of my income, I didn't do it on my own.

Some of my friends, I imagine, may not contribute as much to their 401k's because they will inherit more than enough on which to retire. That's another subsidy of sorts. There are so many of these sorts of invisible subsidies, that many people don't even realize they have them. An example: The same friend buys a 3 year old truck, for a little less than trade in value, every 3 years from his Dad. This guy, is one of the hardest working guys I know, and drives very ordinary cars. He will one day be the wealthiest guy I know. Doesn't really care though.

I have a 355, not a 458. I spent 10 years of savings buying mine. Cost more than a year's gross income.

There was a great episode of Top Gear where they poked fun at how incredibly frugal and sensible moneyed families in England can be. Pointing out how every item (even a Subaru wagon) has a plan for how it will benefit the next generation.

Everyone's situation is different. The key is making the best of the situation you've got!

For example, I have leukemia, which is not curable, but I'm the happiest person my wife has ever met.

 

We are not either born equal or have equal opportunities. Attitude is everything, change it and you change the world. Best of luck to you.

 

Paul // You have your head screwed on right. Enjoy the 355.

 

Thanks guys. Just so I don't over-state my point. I have no intention of dying from leukemia. Leukemia and I are sort of like North and South Korea, except that if I can make the stand-off last another 50 years, I win!

 

God bless you in your fight! Kick its ass!

 

Growing up, my family was relatively poor. We owned a house but couldn’t obviously afford it. How we got by was constantly refinancing the home’s mortgage in order to pay off food expenses, credit cards, etc.

I’ve worked very hard to be where I am today; however, there were times where I hardly worked at all and earned just as much, if not more. So, I’ll tell you this, at the end of the day, it does not matter. It doesn't matter if you’ve busted your balls for days, months, or years. Money is money at the end of the day. It does not discriminate between those who have worked hard and those who have not. It is all about timing and making critical decisions. Most don't advocate this, but it has to be said: don't be afraid to do 'dirt'. There is a difference between those who can afford one exotic and those who can afford a dozen. Just keep that in mind.

That said, if there is one I would want to say to my younger self, it is to stop being a dreamer – stop fantasizing, start doing. Once you begin fantasizing day in and day out, you start to lose your sense of reality; you’ll be trapped in a world which you’ll find very hard to escape. You’ll spend an unfathomable amount of time imagining, and at the end of the day, you're still nothing but a dreamer. It took me many years to stop fantasizing about all the houses I would own, all the cars I would buy. I would go through magazines and cut out all the latest cars, the latest gadgets. I even drew up a floor plan for my imaginary house... So, don't do that. Figure out and accept the situation you're in and strive for a place you want to be.

The funny thing is that when the time came, that house plan did become quite useful, but my imagination was clearly not big enough.

Anyway, be safe. Even though I said all this, don't rush. You're probably still quite young, so you have many years ahead of you. So long as you truly desire money, it will eventually come to you. I personally rushed a bit, but it was only to ensure I attained the wealth I wanted while my parents were still alive and kicking because half of my 'drive' stems from them.

Good luck and all the best,
Kevin

 

There are some great answers on this thread. I don't have the time now to write a longer answer, because I'm working. The short answer -- I busted my butt to create and maintain a successful career and firm that would afford me the resources to order an Fcar.

 

Great thread all,

Inspirational threads are what makes F-chat more enjoyable and productive to all of in between work Internet surfers.

Paul, your 355 is one helluva car for one helluva a person. You deserve that car and all the rewards it brings. Bless you, brother

 

Chronic is relatively OK. I have a good friend with AML. He is much older. Not good.

 

Great post. Thanks for sharing.

In a related vein, my wife and I occasionally talk about whether our current state of relative success was mainly the result of luck or good decisions. (Hard work is assumed). I say there was a strong element of luck; she says it was almost all smart choices. The argument goes on from time to time.

 

So sorry to hear about your friend. CML is really not that bad, in the post Gleevec age. AML is a whole different ballgame. Unfortunately, a transplant is the only way out for AML, and it's not really an option for older folks. I'm very fortunate, to have CML.

 

+1 for the trust fund kid!

 

+1

 

+1

Below is a variation of a common inspirational quote which I read many years ago and it stuck with me.

"On the shores of hesitation lie the bleached bones of countless millions who sat down to wait and while they waited they died."

Cheers to all,

RPM

 

Good for you, keep moving forward. I am 7.5 years into chasing this carrot....every dollar I can put away I do.

 

People saving for YEARS to buy a CAR.

OK, I'll be the first to say it: this is just nuts.

 

Some believe you should not finance your toys.

 

Truer words were never spoken.

Those who don't know what they don't know are just envious of others success.

 

And I'm one of those, however, if you have to save up for YEARS just to buy the car you are no better off IMO.

 

Nothing wrong in saving years to achieve your goals or dreams. You only live once. Better to achieve the goal than giving up before you even start.

 

This is a very interesting thread! I am one of the many who have worked hard for what I have. I remember making the sacrafice of going to college then Law school then the bar exam then working for a firm to learn my trade and paying my dues, all the while my friends are having fun going on vacation relaxing not working clubbing. But sacrafice giving up today for a better tomorrow is where it's at. It's funy cause others who are envious only know how to make excuses for themselfs by saying that you got lucky or I should have gone to school... It's called discipline and sacrafice!!!! Congratulations to you all for who have worked for what you have!!!

 

+1

 

The way I look at it, if I add up the money my friends spent going out drinking during the last 20 years, they drank their Ferrari. I get to drive mine. Hanging out in bars never appealed to me.

Who had more fun. Most likely, my partying friends. But if I ever sell my Ferrari, I'll get some change back.

 

I agree completely. I was able and fortunate enough to experience both lifestyles, at 37 now i look back and see so much wasted time and money from partying in my mid 20's to early 30s. i would be a billionaire (not that money is everything to me) if i had been more FOCUSED. Too much partying is a WASTE OF TIME and money.