That's because you just dragged this thread down that road.

The "mess" were in is not because of politicians, government, or big business. It's on our shoulders to take the blame. Myself and previous generations created this monster and now we have to keep it on a leash.

 

I only paid 33,500 out the door for my truck, I am not sure your "savings" numbers all add up here...

 

My buddy bought the same truck a few months before I did and he paid right about 40 for his.
Even if the same truck was $33,500 the point is, you have to not only shop wisely but live within your means. If I had to pay what you paid for your truck I would not have bought it. Not saying you make a mistake, i'm just saying that would have been out of my price range.

 

Some banks are too willing to let you have money. When we traded the Durango for the LeSabre I went to get pre approved for 3 grand because I knew I because of the higher gass prices the value of the SUV was not that high anymore. Without asking for it they gave me $35,000. When she told me I looked straight at her and told her there was no way I could make that payment. We didn't want to borrow the $3000 but the durango was getting 14 mpg and she drives over 450 miles a week now. The Buick is pulling down 25 mpg with close to 30 mpg on the highway. With the money saved in gass and her starting to get paid in Nov. we have it planned that the 3 grand will be payed off by Feb 08. Now if we could just get rid of that school loan.

 

Either way, we both are happy with our trucks

 

Now on the cost of housing, the national average then also included about 20 acres, roughly. A lot more farmers then. Every notice when you ask someone from the city ( I live in the country) about their house they say something to the effect "This house cost me X,XXX,XXX"? My uncles both bought houses "worth" about $250,000+. Our 13 acre farm that my parents live on "only" cost about $170,000 We have the same amount of sq ft BUT people in the Burb's and city are willing to pay for something like that. Houses have become ICON's and not ways of actually being a part life. They are now considered needs instead of wants. I need at least 1500 sq ft for me, my wife and 2 kids. Now back in the day, all it housed was a place for the cooking, bedrooms, a living room for when guests were there, and maybe a basement but at least a cellar. Now we "have" to have a playroom, nursery, 3 car garage, etc. COME ON PEOPLE! You get what you pay for! If you are willing to pay xxx,xxx for a cheaply built, high priced structure, go ahead!

 

Inflation isnt to blame, people are to blame.

You can buy a house for $100,000 still. And you can make a $100,000 a year wage.

Its all in personal preference. People choose their jobs and choose their houses.

Averages do not take into consideration that standards of living have increased greatly and there are tons more job opportunities.

 

my house is too big i dont even use half of it. but i got a good deal on it and i do not want to spend the rest of my life paying for a house. so i figured i would get the biggest expense out of the way early in my life so i can do what i want later in life