I don't make much...and I know I'm stupid with my money when it comes to cars. Hopefully my FI nightmare was a lesson learned and I don't deal with this BS again. I'm 26, own a 2/2 townhome (mortgage), no credit card debt, and am not upside down on the Z.

this thread is awesome.

we need to play lotto more. :D

I don't understand how people can consider income to be such a personal topic...especially while anonymous on a car enthusiast forum

Wow, I have no idea how you manage this but props to you for making it work

was directed at a few posts before yours....

It's not necessarily that income is a personal topic, but perhaps its more on the tacky side to ask, that's all. That's more of an American perspective, and maybe you don't abide by it, which is fine; but I think that asking specific people to disclose of their finances is basically inviting a downward spiral of discourse. It would be different if you had a poll or something, but this is basically people responding with their individual info (even if they're cool with it, it could make other people uncomfortable). And this isn't a totally anonymous forum - I think many people on the site know each other in person and whatnot. Besides, as kielbasa mentioned, everyone's situation differs...

Just admit it, your post was a personal attack directed at him.

I'm not surprised at all. I have several friends that are that guy. Whenever I see someone spending a ridiculous amount of money on something and I know what they do for a living can't possibly cover it, I think of that commercial.

:icon18: I didn't know that there was anything anonymous on the Internet. I certainly understand why most people would be taken aback if asked questions about their incomes; wouldn't you be annoyed if a total stranger (anonymous) accosted you on the streets and asked you how much money you make?

I was fortunate enough to finish school with no debt thanks to my parents' hardwork, fortunate enough to get into a very lucrative, rewarding & soughtafter career, fortunate enough to get one of the best money advice from a relative when I first started working and most importantly fortunate and blessed to have a spouse with the same money values and goals (more important than many my age tend to realize). I max out 401k/IRAs/Mutual Funds/Online Brokerage contributions.

My spouse and I live comfortably on a 1/3 of my salary, living under our means, exploring the beauty of the world as we please and socking away/investing the remainder of my salary and hers. Mortgage can be paid off right now but still enjoying Uncle Sam's deductions until they get taken away. Currently working hard at saving up for up to 50% downpayment for our next house to be built hopefully 4 years from now...GOD willing.

Still one is an accident away, a disease away let it be oneself or loved one, a new job-taking cutting edge technology from losing a very comfortable middle-class lifestyle; as such we do our very best to always plan for the worst and hope for the best. GOD BLESS AMERICA, many of us don't realize how good we have it here.:tup:

I get paid in Trident Layers.

:usa:

I wish people paid me in gum. :(

I've never had an issue telling someone about my salary if they ask, but that has mostly to do with the fact that I'm proud of landing a job with a salary 10K over the average for my major right out of school.

That being said there is a guy I work with that has been with the company for 2 years and makes as much as I do (while all the other guys that hired on around the same time have gone on to promotions and pay raises) and I could tell he felt uncomfortable when I mentioned how much I made. But hey, he asked.

I try not to discuss salary with other people (outside of the forums) only because there are a lot of haters out there. People who do not want to see you do well and then those that are just jelous. They might not reach into your wallet to steal or ask for money, but they sure as hell will run their key across the side of your car. My answer usually is, "not enough".

Then again, I live in NJ. This state is full of haters. It might be different elsewhere.