View Full Version : NY Times Magazine: "What We Spent in a Month"
I hope there's no paywall. I love reading these kinds of articles. This is about six American families and what they spent in one month. It's always very revealing to see what people find their life energy is worth in different areas.
I have to say, the article made me feel better about my spending, even though I feel my monthly number is way too high.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/05/18/magazine/money-diaries.html
happystuff
5-23-21, 9:09pm
Interesting read. Thanks for sharing.
Fascinating:
"Brittany: For me, tithing to church ($1,200) is very natural, because I saw my parents do it. The way we view it is, like, our money is not our own. God blessed us with the money, right? I’m not adding up exactly what we make and taking 10 percent; it’s more of a rounded ballpark number, because our income fluctuates month to month. My husband didn’t grow up as a Christian. It did take a little bit of explanation."
Brttany's occupation is listed as "lawyer/Youtube vlogger".
"Brittany: I wouldn’t say it was a dream since I was a little kid. I graduated, took the bar exam, passed, and I’m like, “Well, I guess I’m a lawyer now.” I didn’t think of the future, how long I’d have to pay these off. When I first graduated from law school, because my salary was low, the six-figure loans were more daunting. I have four years left. I don’t notice them as much."
I am stunned at the monthly costs for so many things but I may simply be out of touch with today's families and their priorities.
ToomuchStuff
5-23-21, 9:56pm
Unfortunately, there is a paywall.
Unfortunately, there is a paywall.
Often right-clicking and "open in incognito window" does the trick.
Simplemind
5-23-21, 10:16pm
I'm always fascinated by how people prioritize their spending. Especially when they feel they don't have any money.
Teacher Terry
5-23-21, 10:35pm
You can sign up to read some articles for free which is what I did. Some of those expenses made my head hurt as well as the guy that hasn’t paid his child support in 19 years.
the guy that hasn’t paid his child support in 19 years.
If I was dating someone and found that out the relationship would likely be over.
I’m confused. Huy said he liked having a heater car so that they wouldn’t worry as much parking places in San Francisco. (A valid concern). But in the expense list it shows car payment $694. That doesn’t seem very beater at all.
Pretty interesting. I don't know how representative the families are relative to any cross section of America. They seem like cherry picked NYT image of things. Plus, being a frugal person I was surprised at how much all of the families spent, and apparently made as income. (Plus, they seem to have awfully messy homes.) I assume most of them have employer provided health insurance or go without.
I will have to try the Bae thing and see if I can get beyond the paywall. I love this kind of article, and it comes at a good time, as I have been having zero luck with recording spending, and our spending is wildly out of whack with what it should be, since we have come to Maine, and everything is more expensive, and we have been in a total crisis mode, and now we have to stop, and get back to caring for ourselves.
Thanks, I will report back if I can read it.
I have been having zero luck with recording spending, and our spending is wildly out of whack with what it should be, since we have come to Maine, and everything is more expensive, and we have been in a total crisis mode, and now we have to stop, and get back to caring for ourselves.
I know you know this. Recording spending isn't luck, it is a decision. How I got into the habit back in 1999? We have a designated "money drawer" in the kitchen. It's where any receipt gets tossed and our monthly cash is located. Every night when I got home from work, I came into the kitchen (before I did anything else), pulled out any receipts and recorded them on my excel grid (simple single page with my chosen categories). Then receipts went into the envelope for either CC or bank account. When the CC statement came, I reconcile it and the bank account for accuracy. Done on a routine basis it takes 0-2 minutes daily to record. The monthly reconciliation takes maybe 10 minutes?
22 years later I still do it even though money isn't an issue anymore. I simply like to know where our money goes.
Thanks, I will report back if I can read it.
I have also used a browser refresh to read a limited number of NYT articles per month. I subscribe now so don't know if that is still the situation.
Teacher Terry
5-24-21, 9:27am
When we were moving my son and I were eating out daily for a few weeks but as soon as the stove came we went back to just once weekly. He is frugal also. It’s easier to get off track if you are stressed out. I did a anticipated budget before moving but now have all the actual expenses. It looks like my regular expenses are within budget and my extra ones come from savings.
I subscribed to the NY Times for $1 a week several months ago as I like the personal interest stories with photos like this that they do. Morning coffee thing. The article didn't seem to show a huge variety of incomes. I am always amazed what people spend on cell/internet service.
happystuff
5-24-21, 10:01am
I know you know this. Recording spending isn't luck, it is a decision. How I got into the habit back in 1999? We have a designated "money drawer" in the kitchen. It's where any receipt gets tossed and our monthly cash is located. Every night when I got home from work, I came into the kitchen (before I did anything else), pulled out any receipts and recorded them on my excel grid (simple single page with my chosen categories). Then receipts went into the envelope for either CC or bank account. When the CC statement came, I reconcile it and the bank account for accuracy. Done on a routine basis it takes 0-2 minutes daily to record. The monthly reconciliation takes maybe 10 minutes?
22 years later I still do it even though money isn't an issue anymore. I simply like to know where our money goes.
I do the same re: reconciling charge receipts against statement every month. I actually record each credit card charge in the checkbook. This allows me to know whether or not we can afford to charge things based on our actual bank balance. As you say, easy to do and not that time-consuming at all.
happystuff
5-24-21, 10:04am
I am always amazed what people spend on cell/internet service.
I am as well! We pay under $50 for cell phone service for two phones and internet is under $60. (No cable or pay/streaming tv)
I am as well! We pay under $50 for cell phone service for two phones and internet is under $60. (No cable or pay/streaming tv)
I was the same for years. Cell with no data, phone VOIP version inc long distance and internet for a total of around $100/mth. THEN, the internet speed slowed down to less than the expected 5kps and often my connections timed out so I broke down and got cable internet this January. I now can connect and stream stuff at 350kps, which includes my VOIP phone with long distance is $200 and my separate cell with unlimited Canada long distance and 5G data is $45.20 tax inc. I never thought that I would spend that amount.
It seems to depend where one lives to obtain access to reliable internet and cell phone which may impact charges.
Well, this article definitely provided more context for evaluating my own spending, which I thought was insanely high, but clearly is more moderate than is the norm for the day.
My top-n ongoing monthly expenses are:
$1800 college loan payments
$1200 property taxes
$600 food for dog and myself
$500 property/auto/boat insurance
$250 electrical power ($500/month in winter, $0 or a profit during the sunny months)
I try to keep my total spending at ~$6000/month
ApatheticNoMore
5-24-21, 1:22pm
I am always amazed what people spend on cell/internet service.
definitely, cable internet is $60 a month (this is no t.v.), I gave in and got it because of work from home.
Surprised at how little they are spending on housing though, except that one couple in mountainview.
Evaluating one's spending in the context is only really worthwhile in a comparable context. If someone around here is paying way less in rent or someone is spending less on food it might matter (but food really depends on what you buy). But if someone was paying $100 a month to see plays before the 'rona, and I hate plays say, there is really nothing to compare.
I assume most of them have employer provided health insurance or go without.
anything other than employer provided (at least until 65) is a complete nightmare
Well, this article definitely provided more context for evaluating my own spending, which I thought was insanely high, but clearly is more moderate than is the norm for the day.
That's what I thought, too, although my monthly spending is even higher than yours, bae. You guys should kick me off the forum. My personal spending is inflated by the house payment to my NJ house which my son covers for the most part in rent but that will disappear in October, and also the AT&T Family plan, which the kids also contribute to, and also a boat (which DH insisted we got when we moved here.) Other major expenses are health insurance (540), and the cable/internet/phone bundle (230), but I have the phone for business, so I write that part off.
I get angry when I see that my monthly expenses are what they are. I don't buy clothes much at all, I don't do mani-pedies or massages or belong to a gym. My house is very small and I clean it myself. I own a paid-off 2007 car and a paid-off 2004 truck We hardly ever go out to eat. And I still need to cut my expenses in half before I retire. Targeted places for cutting expenses are boat, entertainment, gifts, mortgage payoff, and DH's smoking (he swears he's going to quit).
iris lilies
5-24-21, 1:53pm
In the year 2020 we spent $80,000. That does not include a purchase of real estate. That is about what our income is from government sources.
Since others have listed their monthly expenses, mine, for a solo household, include:
- $300 - property taxes
- $200 - house and car insurance
- $400 - food for self and dog
- $250 - internet, phone and cell
- $300 - water, electric, gas for heat and hot water and hot water rental
- $250 - subscription/donation to online services
I live comfortably for $2000/mth.
iris lilies
5-24-21, 2:21pm
I have never looked at our expenses in terms of monthly. I suppose that’s because I’m not the one with the checkbook who pays the bills. I want the executive summary, an annual report.
There was a discussion over on the Mr. money mustache some months ago about budgeting. I was delighted to see several people say that they’ve never budgeted. I have never budgeted. My tribe.
others who budget say well of course you people in the tribe are budgeting you just call it something different.
But I hold firm to the opinion that spending only that which is necessary according to your values is different from “budgeting.”
Now we spend a lot of money, but back decades ago we did not.We spent according to our values and according to what was clearly identified as necessary, and that is all we spent.
ApatheticNoMore
5-24-21, 2:25pm
Honestly the first family did seem rather wth, massive credit card debt and unpaid child support. The seconds main expenses were they lived in mountain view and had student loans. I don't find it even surprising she did get a law degree without thinking about it too much, and since it's almost paid off, it's probably a net win, if taking out debt when young actually leads to a good income and paying it off latter, that's an investment. From my bfs private school half the school seemed to end up in law school. Now nothing of the sort was true for my much poorer public schools. Besides you get a bachelors in political science or philosophy and what the heck do you do with that. But then people start saying: consider law school ...
The person spending it all on therapy just had psychological issues, which they are trying to deal with the ways they can in this world (through therapy etc.). And honestly with the pic of that it's meant to be self-depreciating humor (lying on a bed with 5 books about psychological problems and trauma looking overwhelmed). It's played for self-depreciated humor, but the interwebs are cruel. Would I work 3 jobs to afford therapy? No, the 3 jobs would make me more crazy than therapy could ever make me sane!!!
The other people's spending wasn't even out of line, the black couple was investing a great deal of it, the beadmaker lived quite reasonably etc.. The last family did spend a lot on horses ...
I have never looked at our expenses in terms of monthly. I suppose that’s because I’m not the one with the checkbook who pays the bills. I want the executive summary, an annual report.
There was a discussion over on the Mr. money mustache some months ago about budgeting. I was delighted to see several people say that they’ve never budgeted. I have never budgeted. My tribe.
others who budget say well of course you people in the tribe are budgeting you just call it something different.
But I hold firm to the opinion that spending only that which is necessary according to your values is different from “budgeting.”
Now we spend a lot of money, but back decades ago we did not.We spent according to our values and according to what was clearly identified as necessary, and that is all we spent.
I think it helps that you and your DH were/are on the same page in many ways in terms of values and where you want your life energy to go. I think budgeting helps as a communication tool for some people who are not aligned. Sometimes you need a shoehorn to get the money to fit into the "shoe" available and if you have to negotiate on various ways to get things to fit, having a budget/spending plan will help.
I think in many cases, couples are not aligned, which is why money is the #1 cause of divorce, supposedly.
Our largest expense (after savings) is insurance - house, car, DHs health insurance. Property taxes used to be our largest expense in Tx but here they are only $1300 a yr for a 2000sf house. Groceries remain around $425 a mo regardless. I no longer budget but do track about ten categories monthly just because I like to do that sort of thing.
Teacher Terry
5-24-21, 4:02pm
As a couple we spent 55-70/year depending if we traveled. Now alone I spend 2k/month but doesn’t include travel.
ApatheticNoMore
5-24-21, 4:19pm
Of course the biggest expense is rent, still it's under $1300. I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. :)
We did not really do monthly but had an annual budget to talk about so we could agree on our values and goals. Early in our marriage, we checked in often and talked perhaps monthly or quarterly. Each bigger expense was discussed. In 48 years this is ingrained and we now only talk over pretty huge expenses and at least an annual review of our financial status. I get an income statement an net worth statement for the year from hubby.
We have met all our goals probably 4X what we thought was what we needed.
We spent just shy of $80k in 2020. That includes hubsters $1100 truck payment (interest rate is too damn low so I didn't take Roth $ to pay cash. It continues to enjoy significant growth returns). And of course, there was no travel>:(
Housing all in for both: $1864/month. All in includes taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance and improvements.
Vehicles all in: $1506/month. All in includes insurance, gas, car washes, servicing, parking
Food: $800/month. We buy mostly organic and support a CSA every season offered. This also includes all the garden expenses to grow/preserve for winter.
Health: $350/month. Insurance, meds, supplements, copays and my monthly massage.
Pets: $110/month. Food, vet visits, meds.
The rest of our expenses are hobbies, pocket cash, clothing (very little), our football tickets, ski passes, charity contributions etc.
I consider our budgeting to be zero based. It's been our MO for decades.
Some of those expenses just seemed unnecessary to me. And almost all the homes were cluttered with so much stuff....I dunno. I guess it's easy for someone else to see where they can save money. It's no wonder people are in debt when their expenses are over $5000/mo.
The family with the horse needs to keep their horse elsewhere. He was much too skinny.
I shouldn't be all judgy-pants considering how much I spend on my own horse.
Some of those expenses just seemed unnecessary to me. And almost all the homes were cluttered with so much stuff....I dunno. I guess it's easy for someone else to see where they can save money. It's no wonder people are in debt when their expenses are over $5000/mo.
The family with the horse needs to keep their horse elsewhere. He was much too skinny.
I shouldn't be all judgy-pants considering how much I spend on my own horse.
Pony mom, I got into the article and I was going to say the same thing about the horse, those ribs. Of course I had to look at the horse family first because that's an expense we don't have now but I'd like to have again, and I'm trying to figure out how to afford it again. That family and the bead family seemed closest to our level of spending and our choices.
happystuff
5-25-21, 10:22am
Some of those expenses just seemed unnecessary to me. And almost all the homes were cluttered with so much stuff....I dunno. I guess it's easy for someone else to see where they can save money. It's no wonder people are in debt when their expenses are over $5000/mo.
The family with the horse needs to keep their horse elsewhere. He was much too skinny.
I shouldn't be all judgy-pants considering how much I spend on my own horse.
Yes, I thought the same thing about the horse! I read these articles and, in a way, I have a bit of a hard time relating. Way less income, so definitely way less expenses. It is interesting how other people live.
ApatheticNoMore
5-25-21, 11:12am
Of course I'm not going to "relate" that well, it's families with kids, of course their lives aren't going to look like mine (and their living rooms are going to be cluttered with a bunch of toys maybe).
They spend a lot on their kids, then again I had activities as a kid too, swimming lessons, summer camp, art classes, even ballet briefly, a couple of years of little league and expensive music lessons as a teen. It does seem to have mostly been less expensive then, and no horses or pets, pets got a hard "no".
Useful reminders come from the commentators, stuff like "have some things you enjoy (or give your kids some activities) but put something aside for retirement, remember this country is not kind to the old". Oh yea no kidding, easy to forget but totally true (and no your kdis won't necessarily bail you out). And it may not beat the alternative of dying youngish, but it's generally more likely. :~) Of course the Mountain View and the black couple were already doing serious investing of the sort I don't make the salary to match (the mountain view couple much in real estate). But some of the others less so.
My idea of budgeting is making sure I have more money than outstanding bills at any given time. There were years when that didn't quite work, but that's what credit's for, I guess.
iris lilies
5-25-21, 1:13pm
My idea of budgeting is making sure I have more money than outstanding bills at any given time. There were years when that didn't quite work, but that's what credit's for, I guess.
There was never a time that I had more bills than incoming money.
And some could say “well you must have made a lot of money” but the truth is I had VERY simple tastes, and a car that was paid-for. If you g people starting out have no car debt and no educational debt, it isnt hard to keep expenses under income.Throw in one or the other, it gets tight. Throw in both—they have put themselves in a box.
I was in the box of "retired with no plan," foolishly. It all worked out in the end.
My house and car were paid off.
DD married into a family that doesn't seem to have a check on spending. They both have very solid incomes and benefits, but I have no clue how they are able to afford all that they have. I hope it's not on credit cards. When you are in your 30s, saving for old age is an abstract concept.
When I first got out of college I had no debt. But I was only bringing home $313/week after tax and living in an expensive area. My problem was that the 7 year old car I’d been gifted by my parents started needing a repair a month which I just couldn’t afford even while eating a lot of beans and spaghetti (not together…).
Eventually I decided to get rid of the car amd move to a more expensive apartment where I wouldn’t need one. (In NYC). From that point on I was able to make things work financially.
iris lilies
5-25-21, 2:07pm
When I first got out of college I had no debt. But I was only bringing home $313/week after tax and living in an expensive area. My problem was that the 7 year old car I’d been gifted by my parents started needing a repair a month which I just couldn’t afford even while eating a lot of beans and spaghetti (not together…).
Eventually I decided to get rid of the car amd move to a more expensive apartment where I wouldn’t need one. (In NYC). From that point on I was able to make things work financially.
yes, I should have said I had a paid-for car that, while old, was low miles. Didnt need repairs. I traded in my cute expensive convertible, with payments, to buy an AMC Gremlin. They last a long time.
I’ve seen many low income people buried by the debt of keeping an old car running.
yes, I should have said I had a paid-for car that, while old, was low miles. Didnt need repairs. I traded in my cute expensive convertible, with payments, to buy an AMC Gremlin. They last a long time.
I’ve seen many low income people buried by the debt of keeping an old car running.
One thing that Dave Ramsey hammers on about is the foolishness of leasing vehicles, and I've always agreed. One of our neighbors here works in a food production plant. He rolled up in a brand new red truck a couple of weeks ago and when we asked him about it he admitted that he always leases--every couple of years turns it in and gets the newest model.
The thought that I would NEVER be out from under car payments is not appealing to me. Making payments instead of owning outright is bad enough, but just assuming you'll have a few hundred dollars going to the car dealership every month for something that's not yours doesn't make sense to me.
But someone like him, who has to drive an hour to his job and doesn't make much money, might believe it makes a lot of sense. To each his own.
Teacher Terry
5-25-21, 2:59pm
My Toyota Corolla is 13 years old and has 61k miles. Probably my last car. I am the third old lady owner.
I just renewed my Tracfone days of service. 90 days for 19.95. When I upgraded to their out dated but new Galaxy S7 for a hundred dollars or so they boosted my talk time and messages in a way I didn't quite follow, and with the unused roll-overs for several years I now have 45,000 minutes of talk time and 500 messages, the unused of which which will roll over again if I reup within the next 90 days. Internet is not a lot at about 4 MB, but I use my tablet and laptop for most of my internet use.
So yes, the cell phone expenses seem like a lot.
] I traded in my cute expensive convertible, with payments, to buy an AMC Gremlin. They last a long time.
.
I’m sure there’s someone out there that thinks gremlins are cute…😆
iris lilies
5-25-21, 4:22pm
I’m sure there’s someone out there that thinks gremlins are cute…
I now look back and think they are funny cars, but at the time they were very reliable and very cheap. And that’s just what I needed.
early morning
5-25-21, 5:30pm
I’m sure there’s someone out there that thinks gremlins are cute As someone who tends to remember past boyfriends by the cars they drove, I can say I dated a gremlin, and it (and he) was cute!
My brother drove a Pinto and we had a Hornet. A couple of the ugliest cars ever. But they ran, they were cheap, and they were reliable. I have never been a car snob and would freak out driving an expensive car.
My brother drove a Pinto and we had a Hornet. A couple of the ugliest cars ever. But they ran, they were cheap, and they were reliable. I have never been a car snob and would freak out driving an expensive car.
I always liked the look of the Pacer. Especially with a whip antenna on top for the CB radio.
iris lilies
5-25-21, 7:13pm
As someone who tends to remember past boyfriends by the cars they drove, I can say I dated a gremlin, and it (and he) was cute!
My boyfriends were almost always car guys.
early morning
5-25-21, 7:51pm
My too, IL. I think that growing up in the 70s - at least in the midwest - teen/young adult culture was peculiarly car driven. I don't think I knew many guys that weren't car guys. At reunions, even now, cars are integral to memory. "Do you remember the guy that drove the 68 Camaro ragtop? The blue one? What was his name?? " That sort of thing. My kids, OTOH, barely remember what they, or anyone else, drove to school.
Few in the rural community could afford any vehicles for years. Usually the first one was a 1/2 ton that served many purposes and was thus justifiable.
Anyone who didn't grow up dragging Main in HS, hasn't lived:~)
We've been car nuts since we were 17. Oh how I wish I hadn't sold my 69 Camaro straight 6 250 on the column for a new stupid S10 pickup. Young people are dumb!
iris lilies
5-26-21, 10:27am
Anyone who didn't grow up dragging Main in HS, hasn't lived:~)
We've been car nuts since we were 17. Oh how I wish I hadn't sold my 69 Camaro straight 6 250 on the column for a new stupid S10 pickup. Young people are dumb!
Many people would date you because of that car.
our neighbors in Herman, the people across the street, are quite a bit younger than we are but they have a fleet of cars because they have multiple young people in their house. But in addition to that the dad is a car guy. So he just most recently got an old truck and they’re very very popular right now. But he also has a blue muscle car that I think it’s a Camaro? Or some thing of that ilk. Of course it’s not as old as our Camaros would be, but to him it’s very very cool.
happystuff
5-26-21, 11:05am
I’m sure there’s someone out there that thinks gremlins are cute…😆
I actually feel this way about corvettes. I don't understand the desire to own one... big, only seats two, low to the ground, expensive to buy/own/repair, etc. And I prefer the look of a gremlin over a corvette - but that's just me. LOL.
I actually feel this way about corvettes.
I drool over a 63 split window and there are quite a few that have been restored. If had a space, I'd have one in the garage for Sunday drives.:cool:
Many people would date you because of that car.
LOL. We were already married when I bought it from the original owner. Hubster was driving a 70 Chevelle. We had a great looking garage! Stupid pickup.
I'm glad I could read the article. I also like reading the commentary and learn a lot from that. What I liked what that the values were so different for each family, and that brought home how much I need to work to make my spending more in line with my truest values. I need to get to work with my husband and a budget.
In car-related news, I apparently provoked a bidding war amongst local dealers over my 4-year-old silly muscle car, and tomorrow will journey to the mainland to sell it to one of them for basically what I paid for it new. The pandemic has produced a shortage in new and used cars, especially specialty vehicles.
Sell 'em if you've got 'em.
I need to get to work with my husband and a budget.
Try our starting method? We did a "starvation" month with money. If it wasn't' an absolute necessity, we didn't spend. Bills got paid first and extra applied to debt. Essentials for getting to work. Food-we ate what we had on hand. If we wanted something and couldn't make it for lack of ingredients, we ate something else. We went to the store when we were out of options.
30 days is a great trial. We had a clear picture of NEED vs WANT. From there, we were able to begin our mindful spending journey, ala "Your Money or Your Life" where each item considered for purchase was categorized prior to purchase.
iris lilies
5-26-21, 12:26pm
I actually feel this way about corvettes. I don't understand the desire to own one... big, only seats two, low to the ground, expensive to buy/own/repair, etc. And I prefer the look of a gremlin over a corvette - but that's just me. LOL.
I think most Corvettes are not attractive but those 1960s versions are great.
I’m not very much into American cars, I prefer European lines.
But I always say that if we won the lottery get out of the way car collectors because both DH and I would run out and buy in our collectible area of interest. He likes German cars and American muscle cars. I like funny little cars like Metropolitan Nash but also European sports cars.
rosarugosa
5-26-21, 12:40pm
Cars just don't interest me at all. I'm driving a 7-year-old Ford Focus with a couple of dents and the faint aroma of cat pee inside (after multiple attempts to deodorize, it's good enough). With any luck I will be driving it for at least 7 more years.
DH is absolutely in love with his new Bronco Sport and watches videos and reads articles online constantly since buying it. I told him he was a much more interesting conversationalist before he got this new vehicle, lol.
catherine
5-26-21, 12:47pm
I think most Corvettes are not attractive but those 1960s versions are great.
I’m not very much into American cars, I prefer European lines.
60s Corvettes were cool, but I hate 70s, 80s, 90s Corvettes. I would never date a guy who drove a Corvette. To me they're a p_n_s on wheels. Too much testosterone for me.
That said, when my DH got out of the Marines he took all of the money he sent his mother and bought a Porsche convertible. That's when I met him. The car was a piece of crap, but he made a statement in it. Whatever statement he made, I read the whole book.
38123813
iris lilies
5-26-21, 12:58pm
60s Corvettes were cool, but I hate 70s, 80s, 90s Corvettes. I would never date a guy who drove a Corvette. To me they're a p_n_s on wheels. Too much testosterone for me.
That said, when my DH got out of the Marines he took all of the money he sent his mother and bought a Porsche convertible. That's when I met him. The car was a piece of crap, but he made a statement in it. Whatever statement he made, I read the whole book.
38123813
a sporty fellow! There is a Porsche collector around the corner from me who has one of those models tho probably not quite that old but it’s pretty old. To me that always looked like a poor imitation of the ultimate sports car which is a Triumph TR6. Not a fan of Porsche here
Gosh, he IS cute-- a bit like Redford there.
I would never date a guy who drove a Corvette. To me they're a p_n_s on wheels. Too much testosterone for me.
I've noticed over the years that a fairly high percentage of Corvette owners sport bad comb overs, pinkie rings and gold chains. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
iris lilies
5-26-21, 1:26pm
I’m gonna tell you all a recent car story. I think I might’ve already told this story but it’s something that is kinda funny for car people.
We sold one of our tiny houses last year. We immediately drove over to a branch of our Hermann bank to deposit the check. DH had that checkbook with him for the purpose of depositing.
On the way home we drove by one of the dealers of vintage luxe cars. In their window was —-the ultimate car of my dreams, a 1964 cream colored Mercedes Benz convertible. I tugged on DH’s sleeve and said hey let’s just stop in and look at that car, let’s put our hands on it, let’s suck in The awesomeness of that car.
We went into the show room and put our hands on the car. I didn’t sit in it because I felt that was too forward. But I sucked in the loveliness of it, I ran my finger over it, I touched its restored leather seats. We did open and close one door do that I could hear the heavy thunk of a real metal close. I looked at the price and was shocked that I could afford it, in fact it was $10,000 less than that check. If that’s not a sign from Above then I don’t know what is! Haha.
I have long said that DH and I may never go car shopping together, at the same time, because we end up with a car. My frontal lobe knew how extremely dangerous this little sojourn into Luxe auto Land was.
But apparently a higher power was looking out for me because there was not one salesman in the room. We must’ve stayed there 15 minutes and at no point did any human come out and talk to me about the car. We never saw a human being in there.
And that, Dear Reader, is how I ended up with no Mercedes Benz vintage car of my dreams. No one in Auto Luxe Land could be bothered to push us ever so gently into ownership.
Many people would date you because of that car.
our neighbors in Herman, the people across the street, are quite a bit younger than we are but they have a fleet of cars because they have multiple young people in their house. But in addition to that the dad is a car guy. So he just most recently got an old truck and they’re very very popular right now. But he also has a blue muscle car that I think it’s a Camaro? Or some thing of that ilk. Of course it’s not as old as our Camaros would be, but to him it’s very very cool.
60s Corvettes were cool, but I hate 70s, 80s, 90s Corvettes. I would never date a guy who drove a Corvette. To me they're a p_n_s on wheels. Too much testosterone for me.
That said, when my DH got out of the Marines he took all of the money he sent his mother and bought a Porsche convertible. That's when I met him. The car was a piece of crap, but he made a statement in it. Whatever statement he made, I read the whole book.
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That outfit with the yellow beret certainly makes a statement!
Love these stories which are really cute and funny as well.
That said, a car for me usually means something with 5 wheels that goes - four with tires and one to steer. My Prius V also was very fuel efficient with a large trunk area.
I may have mentioned this story once before. Sometime after DH's passing, I finally sold his !/2 ton. Coming from the garage after having it safetied for selling as required by law, I put a Johnny Cash cd in the player and cranked up the volume with the windows wide open as I drove it home through the countryside. It was wonderfully freeing to do just once and I understood why others do it. Surely everyone would love to hear Johnny Cash!
My first car was an inherited 1957 Studebaker, which was a geezer car at the time, but it was free. It had a V-8, dual exhausts, and was deceptively fast in a few amateur contests. Not quite the chick magnet of the muscle cars or more modern vehicles, but the large bench seats were a plus.
I don't know why but my mother always bought brand new cars with cash. When I turned 17, she bought me a cute little Austin Mini-Cooper that was totaled within a few months when an old lady ran a stop sign and hit me. In its place, my Mom bought me a brand new Mercury Capri (junk). Purchasing new cars continued after we got married until I wised up about buying used instead. I drove several used Volvo 240 sedans for years.
I don't know why but my mother always bought brand new cars with cash. When I turned 17, she bought me a cute little Austin Mini-Cooper that was totaled within a few months when an old lady ran a stop sign and hit me. In its place, my Mom bought me a brand new Mercury Capri (junk). Purchasing new cars continued after we got married until I wised up about buying used instead. I drove several used Volvo 240 sedans for years.
Had friends who swore by their Volvos, the solid construction and the strongly built engines. One couple used them for years in the antique business hauling stuff. Their mechanics were able to keep them going for unbelievable mileage and limited rust damage. Then Volvo "modernized" and joined the rest of the auto manufacturers and their quality dropped to that level.
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