I truly wasn’t saying you shouldn’t have bought it or that you aren’t being wise with your money, just pointing out that something like a Rolex was not for me. Different folks just place different values on things. The Gates’ thought that coupon thing was really funny by the way. But they are good friends and probably weren’t surprised by it. Quick pop psychology on me. I grew up money insecure. We lived an outward middle class or upper class lifestyle but at home there was usually worry. When I was in my mid 30’s I realized I was heading down a similar path, and turned into a heavy saver, which coincided with some nice salary increases and when the market took off. So I found that “super saving” gave me joy for a whole bunch of reasons. It provided me long term financial security, freedom to quit a job if I wasn’t happy, it took away some vanity in having to keep up on the “nice things” front. I can help family out now a bit when they need it. And as the bank account grew there was a nice sense of accomplishment. And amidst all that, I realized I didn’t need or even want many of the things others seemed to. I am not rich and am not trying to claim a magic bullet to get there, but I am now comfortable. And the habits have just stuck with me. I think Buffett is similar. Money for me (and seemingly him) is a means to a larger set of ends. Not the destination. Sounds like you are somewhat there as well. Jmo.
kinda neither here nor there, but I am 56. I bought this in HS @ a thrift store on Edgewood ave in Jax. It was $2, but they were having a 20% off sale, so $1.60. I still wear it.
My wife is on board with saving money on clothes. She came home the other day with a new dress and promptly told me she saved me a 100 dollars by buying the dress. She said it was regularly 200 dollars that since it was 50% off, she saved me 100 dollars. She was going to buy it either way. Lol I said thanks.
Cars are utilitarian to me. My coworkers give me grief because my car isn't new or "sexy." Ac blows cold, interior is nice and it's been rock solid with no car payment. My motorcycles are "sexy" for a fraction of the cost. I can't imagine throwing hundreds a month to a car payment. When my car kicks the bucket I will pay 5 to 10k cash for a used car again.
I cringe when I watch friends drop 10 bucks or more on a few energy drinks and a snack. Rock star energy went up from $1.25 up to $2.50 and up at times. I don't want to stress over small stuff but inflation has helped me drop snacking and frivolous spending. I have no problem skipping the drink or the snack food that went from .99 to $1. 30 and up suddenly. I can afford it but I can't get passed the principle of it.
My story is somewhat similar to yours. Now have the money to afford the kind of clothes, cars, luxury items, etc. I wanted when I was younger. Instead, I buy my clothes at Costco & Target, drive a solid but not super nice car, and frequently eat PB&J sandwiches for lunch unless I have a meeting. Younger me wouldn’t recognize older me based on my tastes in that kind of stuff. Older me does, however, love expensive guitars and audio equipment. That can make up for savings in other areas very quickly.
I love things that last a long time and still work/look good. Especially things that didn't cost a lot to acquire.
I'm like that. Most of my stuff isn't expensive. I have a couple of choice items that are somewhat expensive, but that's about it.
IMO there’s 10 times as much happiness in those choice items and growing old alongside them than there is in all the other material stuff combined
A couple of years ago when having a family dinner I recall telling my kids (in response to a Q that I don't exactly recall) that I have been wrong my whole life about what I thought I wanted/what would make me happy 10 years down the road. Good guitars typically gain value, right? A buddy of mine from TX visited last month. He brought his 53 Gibson. He paid 7500 for it & sez he could probably get 15k for it now.
You reminded me of my dad many years ago sitting around with a group of guys. One of them started bragging about his brand new expensive watch. Another guy jumped in and then a third, also bragging on their expensive watches. Finally my dad said this is what my watch can do and rattled off about 10 different functions, more than any of the expensive watches. He then said it’s a $10 Timex from Kmart.
for the most part yes, although I’ve been the beneficiary of a few guitar transactions where the instrument was a work of art but didn’t have much of a market because of the type of guitar or the maker being obscure. And styles of guitars come and go enough that it really depends on when you buy and when you sell. So yes a good guitar is potentially a good investment for the long term but there are a lot of factors in whether the owner can cash in. your friend is probably right about his Gibson. Those generally hold their value, and based on my experience old Gibsons beat new Gibsons hands down. There’s no bigger brand name in guitars than Gibson, despite some really boneheaded decisions that company has made in the past 20 years or so. I have a couple Heritage guitars that were built in the original Gibson factory on the same machines, and they’re incredible. If per chance your friend’s guitar is an L-5 and he’s interested in selling, please send me a DM!
Guitars…….. I knowKNOW that a 5k prs doesn’t really sound or play any better than the 1k PRS. I know that Fender Custom shop tele is going to sound an awfully lot like the MIM tele …. But still… Now Amps. Amps are different!
I totally agree where solid body electrics are concerned. My 3 main solid body electrics are an unknown origin Asian strat, a Mexican Jimmy Vaughn strat, and a beat to hell Japanese slime-green Charvel superstrat. The Charvel was by far the most expensive of the 3 at $500 used. But I play them thru a 1976 Marshall super lead and a hot-rodded early 2000s Marshall super lead with a selection of pedals and TBH it feels like the construction of the guitar has the least to do with the sound, other than the pickups. IMO it’s a very different story for hollow body guitars (which I usually play) and kind of a middle ground for semi-hollow guitars.
I know this is tongue-in-cheek but plz never equate/confuse God’s wishes for us with the frailties of man.
Agree about the hollow and semi hollow bodies. Love your Amps. Haven’t played in a while but my kid wants to get into it so… about to start back up!
awesome. Enjoy that journey - I hope you both stick with it. It’s an endless source of joy (if you don’t have to make a living by it)!
Do you change the hardware and pickups in the cheap guitars you play? Just curious. I need a beefier guitar than my single coil American standard strat and Ibanez talman with lipstick tubes but don't want to break the bank right now.
I’ve changed out pickups before, but I looked the other day and good high end picks ups are almost as expensive as a decent guitar.
Likewise, we should never spiritualize our political preferences. I have contended for years that Christians need to use the Bible to define our political views, not use the Bible merely to defend our political views.
