All Things Economic

Cameltow Harris was asked if Americans were better off now than 4 years ago. Its an economic question. She didn't answer it. Just said she grew up middle class

Just don't blow the hookers.

"Hookers and blow "

A man after my own heart...

"But I will question my priorities if I win a major settlement or small lotto."

I'm sticking with my Rav 4. My priorities remain unchanged: Hookers and blow.

"But I will question my priorities if I win a major settlement or small lotto."

I'm sticking with my Rav 4. My priorities remain unchanged: Hookers and blow.

@Scamp,

The market didn't react well because core inflation, the Fed's preference, was higher than expected at 3.6 annualized. The market was hoping for 50 basis points. No way it will be higher than 25 based on that data. Oh well.

Inflation continued its downward trend to 2.5% year-over-year in August, the latest consumer price index report showed, reaching the lowest level since February 2021 and approaching the Federal Reserve's 2% target. The data solidified market expectations the Fed will lower interest rates when it meets next week.

~Scamp

My very first new car was a 1993 Mitsubishi Galant S (5-spd manual). Got about 28-32 city and 35-39 highway. Loved that car. Next new car was 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic (Patriot Blue)... which I loved and kept from 1999-2021, until this idiot hit me. Until the day it died, ppl offered to buy it.

Just parked my mother's old 2008 Nissan Altima Sport coupe over the summer when I got my '24 Lexus. Only the 3rd new car I've bought. And I'll probably inherit my father's Camry.

That's why I said Toyota, Lexus or Honda only for me.

But I will question my priorities if I win a major settlement or small lotto.

"I will probably be a Toyota guy too tilll the casket drops. I'm going to cry like a little baby when my 2018 Rav 4 dies."

Our fleet is all Toyota and Lexus except for an old car or two for cruise night.

I buy them at or near the bottom of the depreciation curve, drive them for a few years and sell them for about the same money.

IMO the "Toyota Tax" is worth paying.

An interesting article fron Phys,org on an economic study of the impact of the business tax cuts contained in the Trump tax cut. Titled:

"Lessons from the biggest business tax cut in US history"

Refreshingly apolitical and pragmatic given the season. For me it was a good reminder that the corporate tax rate cut, now very much a political topic, was driven by external (international) politics more than internal. Good read I think.

@8-inch

I could find the means to buy pretty much whatever car I want, I will probably be a Toyota guy too tilll the casket drops. I'm going to cry like a little baby when my 2018 Rav 4 dies.

"And that is why you should do your homework and research before heading to the store."

--------

Exactly. What made the experience pleasant was that the cashier beat me to it, so I didn't have to tell him about the 'price guarantee'. I was ready. The item price match guarantee was not limited to Best Buy, but to any store, even Costco.

Yeah, what threw me off was finding a recliner chair in clearance that eliminated the need for the chair on my website order.

The totals didn't match because the in store was not exactly identical to my internet shopping basket.

They adjusted the store price to match online prices and then applied my 30%
and an additional 5%.

I have no complaints since they dropped the $500 before taxes.

And that is why you should do your homework and research before heading to the store.

"I bought a living room set from La-Z-Boy yesterday only to come home and find cheaper prices on their website."

-------

That's terrible customer service. The last time I experienced a similar situation, the Salesman checked the online price at the register and adjusted the price before checkout. That's the minimum effort I'd expect. It was Best Buy by the way.

Word to the Wise....

When shopping from furniture or big box stores, always check their online prices.

I bought a living room set from La-Z-Boy yesterday only to come home and find cheaper prices on their website.

So, I went back to the store today and got it adjusted. It cost me about 2 hours round trip and in the store, but... I ended up saving $540 after the adjustment of price and taxes. That's a coach tkt and rental car on my next trip.

Hold their feet to the fire for the full 30 days after the purchase or delivery,

I had a 1995 1/2 Audi S6, which had the perfect combination of stability, speed, and maneuverability, plus it masqueraded as a mom car unless you looked at the tires. I loved that car.

I also had an Audi TT for a few years and can attest that it was comfortable even on 4000 mile road trips.

Must have just been you, @current. ;)

"Why do some people share their spouses with others?"

Nice guys are the salt of the earth. The pillars of the community. And their wives are insatiable. Sometimes they wanna watch with the option to join. The list is longer than John Holmes' dick.

" Why do some people pay $8 for a cup of coffee that they can make at home for $.25?"

They like that pumpkin spice and sugary shit. Too lazy to find the beans they like and brew at home or at the office? They haven't realized that tea (especially green) is better for their heart and blood pressure and their dicks.

Beyond just basic survival, one reason to work is so that you can afford to do the things you enjoy. If driving an expensive sports car is what makes someone happy, it doesn't matter if that's the only other thing they can afford to spend their money on beyond necessities. So long as they're doing it because they enjoy it and not just to impress people.

I worked with a guy that got a big promotion and raise when he graduated college. While at work, he made it a point to do a phone call in an open area and in a loud enough voice so that everyone around could hear he was inquiring about buying a Mercedes SLK 500. While good for the economy I suppose, it changed my opinion of him in less favorable way after that stunt.

Also, it's great if you can find a job that you get paid for doing something you love. The only catch is that making a job out of something you enjoy can take some/all of the fun out of it when it becomes something you HAVE to do.

Scamp,

It was a general statement about ppl that can't afford a $200-300k Aston Martin and the like. The cars you mentioned, you obviously could afford.
So they were not a stretch for you. .

"I was thinking about the Audi R8 with the V-10 engine which produces one of the sweetest sounds of any automobile."

Agreed. I never owned an R8 but had the opportunity to drive three of them. Interestingly enough, even though Audi is well known for their Quattro system, the most fun one I drove was rear wheel drive.

~Scamp

"I don't get why some ppl stretch and stress their finances for overpriced cars for an image."

Why do some people share their spouses with others? Why do some people pay $8 for a cup of coffee that they can make at home for $.25?

To each their own, different strokes and all that.

FWIW, I never stretched my finances to buy any of the sports cars I've owned. I prioritized a fun car because I'm a car guy and I didn't have any other vices like drugs or gambling sucking up my disposable income.

~Scamp

"I took a road trip with my Dad in an Audi 2000"

Sorry, I didn't have your ass in mind when I made that statement.
I was thinking about the Audi R8 with the V-10 engine which produces one of the sweetest sounds of any automobile.

Amen. The insurance and maintenance on the Aston Martin and worrying about accidents, theft or vandalism checks all the wrong boxes

I'm probably driving Toyota, Lexus and Honda til the casket drops unless I win a major lawsuit or lottery.

I just think the Asian car makers have the exact balance of durability, luxury and price. I don't get why some ppl stretch and stress their finances for overpriced cars for an image.

Sorry to hear about your experience with your dad Current but I’ve owned several Audis, including an RS5 and found them to be quite comfortable and lots of fun to drive.

Perhaps not on par with a Porsche or Ferrari, which I’ve also owned, but certainly far superior to a Yugo.

To be fair, I never drove a 2000 so as the saying goes, YMMV.

~Scamp