• Dyskolos@lemmy.zip
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      1 year ago

      I was self-employed right after school, did well, pay no rent. I’m fortunate. But i also don’t need much except my one expensive hobby (gaming and smarthome). I’m also a cheap fuck who doesn’t need big houses or fancy cars or silly branded clothes.

      Also: no kids… Biggest saver.

      • klemptor@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        Same here. I’m in my early forties and retired. Small house, no kids, and we don’t carry debt beyond our mortgage, which will be paid off in 3 months. Not a fancy or flashy lifestyle by any means. It’s possible, it just takes sacrifice and living well below your means during your earning years.

        • Dyskolos@lemmy.zip
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          1 year ago

          Probably also highly depends on WHERE you live though. But still. The “living below your means” is probably hard for the most. Because we (especially we dudes) are judged by our financial status. And hence we need to appear more flashy than we actually are. Like peacocks. I’ve seen sooooo many people living way over their means who spend more on clothes monthly than I do on a car. And they’re still poor. But poor in fancy clothes. Cars are even worse. The amount of obviously leased or heavily financed cars here is grotesque. Recently read the average (north-)American spends 1000 a month on a car. And 1/3 of those are 60days lacking in payments. Jeez. For what? Appearing richer?

      • HeyJoe@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Those hobbies don’t even need to be that expensive these days either… Just stay single, or if you do find someone make absolutely sure they align with your way of life otherwise I can guarantee your hobbies will look like nothing compared to what a partner can do. And absolutely never have kids… as someone who is now 40 with both those things I honestly don’t know how I will make it work even with working. I regret most of my life choices…

        • Dyskolos@lemmy.zip
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          1 year ago

          Oh right. Never have kids was on my list too. I have none. That alone probably saves tons of moneyz. And if I’d been single i would have saved a lot too. But a soulmate is the most precious thing to have.

          But hey. Don’t we all regret most, or at least many, life choices? In hindsight it’s always easy to say what we could’ve done better or should’ve avoided. If we would do all things right all the time, that would be highly suspicious 😁