Why is it that some guys (and I’m assuming gals are out there too) just never outgrow the age of 17? A guy who works for me - and let’s put it out there he’s a pretty hard worker for the most part, especially considering his pay - but he can’t get his act together. He’s 37 years old.
Yesterday he got pulled over for expired tags. And he asked for an advance in pay, which couldn’t happen, because he asks for an advance in pay every week. Literally. No exaggeration. So I asked him why he didn’t just go get new tags when they expired? And he said he couldn’t afford it. And I said, but you have to afford it now! And the fine! And he got mad and said he just didn’t have the money at the time. And I said, but you always have the money for cigarettes! And when you go out to the bars I’m assuming you are paying your way there, too!
I know a guy that couldn’t afford to replace the bald ass tires on his car during the winter and ice storms. He road around with them for 6 months. Last week he bought a BMW that goes 0-60 in 6 seconds. Matched spec tires for his new car are $260 each.
He’s a good guy in as far as I like him well enough for the most part (he can get on my nerves some … a lot) but he’s a f##&ing idiot in as far as I have a 22 year old kid working for me who is more mature and responsible than he is. Hell, my own 16 year old son is more responible.
Some people just have that priority for partying that comes along with an attitude that everything else in life will fix itself. Unfortunately it fixes itself through the welfare of others.
I met a lot of people like that in my 20s hanging out in clubs and picking up gals. Lots of fun but not the kind of people you want to trust to bring into your life or worse, have them develop reliance on you as another source of dealing with their real world problems. I made that mistake exactly once with a gal I ended up dating for far too long. She would under-budget for bills and necessities and take the rest of the money shopping. Then after a week or so she was out of cash and would ask me for money.
Sometimes I look at friends buying boats, or taking lots of vacation, and I wonder how they do it all on the same income I have. Then I remember I have no debts and I’m maxing out contributions to my 401(k) and IRA every year plus saving and investing on top of that…
I’ve never understood how everyone in my town has the newest iPhone, and all the other tech gadgets. I was talking about this with a friend of mine who is like this, and turns out I was right. She has a ton of credit card debt. My old stupid phone just fine, and I also get to take vacations now! Saving money, it works dangit. It’s really not that hard.
What really sucks is when you have a boss like the person Major describes. 40 yrs old, and unable to take responsibility for anything. Constantly complaining about the absurd money problems he got himself in, and still spending his money on expensive toys (actual children’s toys). God, I hated that guy.
with me it’s the friends who have the boats and other luxury possessions, and then give me **** for going on vacation. “You just went on vacation last month too…Must be nice”
My brother-in-law was saying the same things last month when we visited. He recently bought a new Harley and was being chided by his coworkers about getting such an expensive bike. His first thought was “and what about your boat and jet skis and cabin on the lake?” His house, car, pickup and new bike are all paid for. The guy is in his low 40’s and debt free. His buddies can’t say that.
Heck! I can’t say that and I’m 10 years older. (I have 4 kids and 4 times the house so my debts are tad larger. 8^) ) That said my wife and I still have substantial savings, 401k, 403b and investments.
The problem with many people is lack of discipline and no long term thinking skills.
+1. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve known over the years who made roughly the $$ I made, lived beyond their means on credit cards and big purchases, and ended up losing their butts (and homes, in some cases). It’s crazy. A little self discipline never hurt anybody that I’m aware of.
Yeah, well this guy makes $10 an hour, no insurance and no house and crashes on peoples sofas or whatever gal he is hooking up with at the time. He does have an iPhone though and lots of debt I’m sure to go along. But I’m not sure how you get to be 37 years up in life and still live like you just flunked out of high school.
+2 - People see my house and make snide comments about how nice it must be to be loaded, even though we’re making the same kind of money. Meanwhile, they’re driving a new BMW every 2 years, paying craploads of credit card debt, living in an overpriced apartment, etc. Here I am driving an 11-year old pickup, and have the house I do because I’m not stupid with my money and was able to pounce when the real estate bubble popped.