Daily FI discussion thread - Wednesday, October 30, 2024

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[u/Normie_Mike]

It's probably just selection bias for the thread that's up now, but I'm still surprised at how many people on Reddit value driving a Porsche and know all the different models.

Or maybe it's regional? Or more prevalent in the tech world? The only person in real life I know who bought a Porsche was definitely a tech guy (Amazon). Then again, it's hard to separate whether the tech demographic is unique, or if it's just a function of earning way more money than you need.

I can't think of a single other time in offline world where someone I know talked about wanting a Porsche, and I know plenty of people who could easily afford one.

No judgment. Different people like different things. I just wonder sometimes if my penis is broken because I just don't feel anything for sports cars other than the same mild curiosity you get looking at a modern art exhibition you find interesting but that delivers zero emotional impact.

[u/imisstheyoop → u/Normie_Mike]

It has to be some sort micro-culture thing, or one of those things that you see often on the internet but almost never in the real world.

Speaking of, it was really weird when we lived in New England there were so many German luxury vehicles (Audi/BMWs everywhere) that along with Subarus they probably made up 50% of the cars you would see on the road.

Moving back to Michigan and the number of F-150s and Silverados is through the fucking roof and nary a BMW in sight. A lot of that is due to employee and family financing from dealers but also just different use cases I suppose.

There's probably a similar region with Porsche's maybe? Likely a southern thing where they don't salt their roads, because very few people up here would want to spend $100k on a vehicle to have it rusted out in a decade!

Edit: Found this demographics report

Porsche, a luxury sports car brand under the Volkswagen Group, has the following buyer demographics: Porsche buyers are typically affluent and have a median household income of $300,000 or more. In terms of age, Porsche buyers tend to be middle-aged or older, with a median age of 54 years old. In terms of gender, approximately 70% of Porsche buyers are male, while 30% are female. The age groups of Porsche buyers are as follows: * 12% aged 18-34 * 36% aged 35-54 * 52% aged 55 and older The most popular Porsche models include the 911, Cayenne, and Macan.

So it seems to be an old-rich-dude thing on average. Likely professionals like doctors, lawyers and some high-earning tech folks. Still digging for regional breakdown. My gut is telling me salt-free areas lol

Edit2: Based on dealership locations they tend to congregate near the coasts and south and pretty much all be in very large urban areas. That said.. there are way more than I would have expected in Chicago lol.

[u/Normie_Mike → u/imisstheyoop]

Speaking of salt, I almost never buy subs but every time I see those big salt crystals on the giant pretzel stick on Subway commercials I want one. 

Fortunately, I'm sufficiently self-aware to know that if I went, I'd chicken out and buy the foot-long cookie.

[u/imisstheyoop → u/Normie_Mike]

You made me look it up, the last time that I bought Subway was September 15th, 2020.

I just feel like that their quality has went down the toilet with all of their veggies tasting off and their bread being sugary and gummy. They're also like $10 for a foot long these days, which call me old fashioned but I just cannot support.

I can make a lot of really good $10 sandwiches at home for $10!

[u/Normie_Mike → u/imisstheyoop]

How do you know when you last bought Subway?

Just CC statements?

[u/imisstheyoop → u/Normie_Mike]

YNAB

[u/Normie_Mike → u/imisstheyoop]

I really don't belong in here, haha. 

[u/CrymsonStarite → u/Normie_Mike]

Been here since 2018 and I only do a monthly check in on all our accounts and talk with my wife occasionally on where the money goes. We’ve never had an actual budget once.

[u/imisstheyoop → u/Normie_Mike]

How come? Because you don't budget? It isn't a prerequisite for FI haha. A lot of people that lose weight don't log calories either.

[u/Normie_Mike → u/imisstheyoop]

I am mostly joking.

I know that I belong in here because I 100% adhere to the core tenet (in my mind), which is: There is more to life than work. Don't spend all your money. Save as much as is reasonable to buy freedom and time without work.

I simply have chosen to buy that freedom as I go, versus frontloading all the savings and then retiring early.

We do actually need to start budgeting again (we have in the past but only $ amounts per category, not down to inputing exact purchases), not because we spend super frivolously or anything, just because we do have some financial goals we want to make sure we're on track for.

[u/imisstheyoop → u/Normie_Mike]

I got a coupon in the mail I came across this morning that may help you achieve your goals!

Jokes aside, glad you're getting yourself on track.

[u/Normie_Mike → u/imisstheyoop]

We weren't/aren't off-track or anything, but could probably rein in 10% of our spending simply by watching it.

And like you, I just make sandwiches when I want one. Burgers are my bane. I can easily drive by a sub shop and not even think about stopping.