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"you will own nothing and be happy" These are the words our so called elite whisper in our ears, the very words I know we all hate but I find it ironic that yeah, trying to adopt a minimalistic life style can create less mess, less things, and cleaner more organized home. You eventually come to find you don't need a large lavish home to happy life. But I can't seem to get out of this mindset. I want a bigger home. I want to have that bad ass muscle car that was once an affordable dream of mine now seems almost unachievable. I e been priced out. Hobbies of mine I've fallen out of because it's too expensive. I've ultimately decided to try and create this minimal lifestyle in hope I can have more freedom. Or is this a way I have to now justify things because I can't get what I thought was once achievable. What are your all's thoughts? I'm trying to get out debt but I find it hard nowadays. I have a stay at home wife and two kids. Drive to paid off older cars, live in a garage less 1200sqft house single level on about half an acre. Barely contributing to a retirement.

"you will own nothing and be happy" These are the words our so called elite whisper in our ears, the very words I know we all hate but I find it ironic that yeah, trying to adopt a minimalistic life style can create less mess, less things, and cleaner more organized home. You eventually come to find you don't need a large lavish home to happy life. But I can't seem to get out of this mindset. I want a bigger home. I want to have that bad ass muscle car that was once an affordable dream of mine now seems almost unachievable. I e been priced out. Hobbies of mine I've fallen out of because it's too expensive. I've ultimately decided to try and create this minimal lifestyle in hope I can have more freedom. Or is this a way I have to now justify things because I can't get what I thought was once achievable. What are your all's thoughts? I'm trying to get out debt but I find it hard nowadays. I have a stay at home wife and two kids. Drive to paid off older cars, live in a garage less 1200sqft house single level on about half an acre. Barely contributing to a retirement.
[–] • 3 pts last month

Some of us like the comforts of a home and things around us.

Some of us are gypsies that only need what we carry in our backpack.

I've met both, and both were happy.

[–] • 1 pt 29d

It's all about the peace of mind

[–] • 1 pt 29d

It is. Something that most people can never understand.

[–] • 2 pts last month

I want to have that bad ass muscle car that was once an affordable dream of mine now seems almost unachievable. I e been priced out.

I have had a lot of toys in my life. I can honestly say wanting is often times far better than having. I've wanted things in the past, worked hard to get them, was often disappointed once I had them. Between sales tax, registration fees, excise, insurance, wear and tear, maintenance, rust, depreciation, gas, etc ... every new toy bleeds your time and money. Some seem well worth it, others not so much.

I don't get too excited over buying new cars, hot rods, toys that go like hell anymore. I think of that list of negatives and my new-car-itis or new-toy-itis subsides. I <smdh> when I see a young guy buying a monster quad for $20K+.

Put your extra money into appreciating investments that will make money. Upgrades to the house, yard improvements, big vegetable garden. If you come across some extra cash, maybe invest in raw undeveloped land in a great location (do all the homework first). You can sustainably harvest the trees, split off a house lot or two (must have ROW or road frontage) to recoup some of your up front costs, and/or if there is enough land create a subdivision. I worked 24 years as a CS/EE in podunk Maine where engineers generally don't get paid as well as other areas and felt like you do by my 10th year. I continued working hard, got great reviews and the usual promotions but felt like I was just getting by. I had a real estate dream to acquire wealth, I studied RE, did all the homework, bought some undeveloped land, quit my job and put everything I had into it. It was a grand slam home run success, I've been retired ever since. If you don't have much RE background or knowledge, maybe becoming a part time real estate agent would teach you the tricks of the trade and reward you well for the time you devote to it. It would put you into the know of what your local market looks like and any properties in the area that meet your needs, and you will be aware of land coming up for sale or about to.

What I found after 24 years of CS/EE is that there were easier ways to make significantly more money if you put your engineering mind to it. Real Estate has made more millionaires than any other occupation. Most realtors made it through Algebra and that's about it ... yet they can make 6 figures and more selling real estate.

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[–] • 1 pt last month

You're not wrong. I think it's being consistent or trying to find other ways to generate more income so you can buy more assets faster. Time is what we will never get back and I try not to live in the past because I know it will hold me back. It's easy to say harder to do. Hell, trying to declutter I've found is extremely hard to do. You justify why you hold on to things you haven't even used in 2 years.

[–] • 0 pt 29d

My son bought a Tran Am with primer body and a brand new 400cc engine last summer for a grand. Put a wrap on and he's got a muscle car

[–] • 1 pt 29d

400cc? Also sound slike your son got extremely lucky. I have an 86 f250 with a 351w I've been trying to hold onto but I just don't have time and money to get it road worthy. Holes in floor pan, rusty suspension, etc. I rebuilt the c6 almost 5 years ago that only has 3 miles on it. Long story it worked great just haven't done much due to becoming a father and other needs first. It's rusting away in my driveway as I just can't get the time to fuck with it. She'll start up just ain't road worthy. It's one thing to have a project but a project you can't drive is an entirely different game. It sucks ass.

[–] • 1 pt last month

Try to eat the bugs and then you'll be happy.

[–] • 1 pt last month

Closest thing to a bug I'll eat are crawdads. Them mfs are delicious

[–] • 1 pt last month

It's time to get a new hobby. Working actively on removal of the jews from White lands to make sure your children don't end up living in hell on Earth. Sounds like a good way to spend your free time.

[–] • 1 pt last month

I'll say this, my new job I am 10 minutes from my home and have been exercising and lifting weights 3-4 days a week now because I don't spend time driving an hr or more in my day. That right there is a huge blessing. I am starting to fully realize that being strong and healthy is also just important as wracking up a bag.

[–] • 0 pt last month

It absolutely is. That's a good use of extra time.

[–] • 1 pt last month

More things means more hassle and upkeep. You have a limited amount of time.

I've found as I grow older that making due with less can be more peaceful and enjoyable. The less stuff you have to deal with, the more time (and money) you have to spend doing things that actually matter.

The worst thing you can do is aquire a bunch of expensive toys which bring you enjoyment for a short period of time. Which after you're board with the toy.. you either have to sell it, or let it collect dust and take up space.

Mechanical things require maintenance whether you use them or not, and a large house requires a lot of cleaning and expensive repairs over time.

Anytime I think I might want to pursue a new hobby, I try to get the least expensive equipment. Reason being.. I get a taste of it to see if its something that I actually can enjoy long term and if I can.. I'll invest in better equipment.

Its also a good idea to invest as much as you can while you're young. Sports cars will still be around when you reach retirement and you'll have more time and money for them.

[–] • 0 pt last month

I try and keep this in mind. It sound slike we all go through these emotions, some more than others. I guess I need to step back and look at where I've been and where I've come from. It's just depressing at times.

[–] • 1 pt last month

Individuals want to own less so they can have more options and control over their future. Elites want you to own less so you're more dependent on them. Polar opposites in outcome.

[–] • 1 pt last month

That's what I need to keep in mind. But it also feels like I scrape by sometimes trying to get that breathe of air to just keep above water. I tell myself it'll be okay and I'll get through it. Call it what you want I suppose, I think I've been a bit better trying to control lifestyle creep the more I make. I'll keep the ship moving forward. Feels good to vent with people who do understand. My family on the other hand can't understand why I feel the way I do. They don't understand and judge me for not being happy or not feeling satisfied in life.

[–] • 0 pt last month

I think that a sense scarcity can drive excess material acquisition, so poor people tend to have more junk that they're attached to (more well-off people can accumulate junk but it's just stuff to them, a practical matter of benefit versus storage costs).

[–] • 1 pt last month

I don't mean to be rude but it seems to me that you are doing little to improve your station in life. What are you doing to improve your situation? If you're just getting up and going to work every morning and doing the grind then you will never get ahead. You need to get more or better skills. You need to get better educated or work harder to get where you want to go. You can't just dream about doing better and hope to win the lottery. If your job isn't getting you what you want then why are you not pursuing something else? Something better? Are you the best at whatever it is you do? If you can't say yes then you need to do better. Be the best or find something else that you enjoy doing that you are better at.

I commend you on the stay at home wife taking care of the kids. I consider that a success right there. Build on it.

[–] • 2 pts last month

I carry a bachelor's in mechanical engineering making about $83k a year. Guess that ain't shit nowadays.

[–] • 0 pt last month

My 'salary' is only 20k less and I didn't need to spend a boat load of money on 4 years of college to get it. I say 'salary' because I get time and a half pay for overtime (which I typically work a lot of).

Last year I made over 90k, so yes.. I would say $83k for any engineering job is trash.

I do have a crazy work schedule, but I don't have to travel.

You should probably ask for a raise or shop for a new job in my opinion. I have a relative who is a civil engineer, he was offered about 85k with no experience, and fresh out of college about 10 years ago. He turned the offer down and found a better offer.

[–] • 0 pt last month

Well I think it depends on the area too? I know there are positions that pay very handsomely but it's usually in higher cost of living areas.

[–] • 0 pt last month

Are you the best at your company? Are you keeping up with changes in the field? Can you take more courses to elevate your skills?

If you can't look in the mirror and say I'm the best fuckin engineer at my company then you need to do better. If you ARE the best, then you might want to move to a new company for better pay. 83K isn't bad at all. Seems like you should be able to afford those things you want since you said that you have very little debt.

[–] • 2 pts last month

I can afford it. But I just feel like it's just barely skipping by. Maybe I'm not giving it my all. I will be taking on a side hustle this year in hopes that will make me happier.

[–] • 0 pt 29d

you will be happy, in their parlance means that you will be drugged so as to not care for your predicament, and then they kill you

[–] • 0 pt last month

If you would like to test that theory. You are free to give away everything you own, and then see how life is.

[–] • 0 pt last month

Student loan and mortgage is all that I have in debt.