First Steps to Solvency

Sun_Addict

Just been reading through your diary and finding it really interesting. It certainly sparks some lively debate 🤣 You’re getting some sound advice on here and you’re making a good start on sorting yourself out. Even if you don’t think it, you’re still young with a great future ahead of you. You’ll realise in 10 years 40 isn’t old. I don’t know anything about cars so won’t comment, if you enjoy them and can afford them, why not have the best. When my OH was well and working he earned a decent income and we frittered a lot of it away on eating out and expensive stuff we didn’t really need. I regret that now. Better to spend it on experiences, you just don’t know what’s round the corner. 

alt80

@monetxchange not you also haha, no one seems to believe me when I say I’m not interested in the Love Island rejects lol. Ok I was when I was younger but believe it or not I’ve always been faithful and not looking to part company. I care about her very much (no one believes that either) and don’t want to live the rest of my days alone with or without the odd tryst with a Love Island reject haha. I know I’ve been a bad husband too wrapped up in my own life/ business/ finding little highs. Really trying to work on that.

I think she wants to make it work too I regret some of the things I’ve done and wouldn’t blame her for moving on tbh. 

@gingeremmie not really sure what to say to your post but yes my self worth/ identity etc I’ve always derived from what I’ve got and as you point out I’m not very good at the who I am. 

@DayDreamerandGeneralWaster ha yeah I need that lifestyle change doesn’t mean I’m going to be driving a Kia and getting excited about mpg or moving to an eco house to save a few pennies on electricity. 

@Sun_Addict The whole turning 40 thing is strange for me, I’ve no doubt in normal times I’d be doing some really self destructive stuff leading up to it. Can’t do that and I’m really glad actually but I still feel like my life is ‘over’ and I’m now officially not young anymore/ won’t achieve my goals/ old/ will need to slow down. Hate it 100% probably because I’d thought I would have it made by now.

I was shocked to read about your husband especially as you live so close- no idea why that’s relevant in my mind but it is. Didn’t really know what else to say other than ‘sorry’ which I know doesn’t help. I’m terrified I’ll be that 50 year old who has a heart attack or something I know no one knows. Still childish enough to want to live forever, no bounds, have it all and then some. Even struggle with seeing my son grow up as I know it means I’m getting older too. 

All that definitely contributes to the massive spending binges - need to have it whilst I can mentality. Thought of life ending having never had an AM is devastating to me sure everyone on here will laugh at that but it’s true lol.

woahsoah

@alt80 You can't pick up some 10 year old AM for like 30k? Rather than blowing 200 or buying on finance? I'm all for bangernomics but if you are a 'car guy' I don't see why that needs to be coupled with the newest and shiniest. My dad has a immaculate MG collection and isn't spending a fortune on them.

alt80

Is Boris not going to be happy until he’s wrecked the whole economy for all of us and the smaller towns and cities are totally dead? Just seen Gove saying we could have further lockdown. This is absolute madness now. Going to wreck it for us all. Wife gone out for walk can’t stand me ranting about it told her I’ll stand for PM and get it sorted haha. 

Wife and I are actually thinking about putting some Christmas decs up next weekend need something to look forward to right now lol. If they extend are we even going to get a tree delivered or should we go and buy a plastic one??? 

Probably have a meal out Tuesday / Wednesday last days of freedom (again lol).

Tbh with all this uncertainty I’m really concerned there’s going to be a severe and sustained recession. So many people are going to lose their jobs and businesses I think now. Actually feel sick thinking about it and whilst my business is likely to be affected by recession it won’t be affected as badly as some. Last thing I want to do is be a position of making staff redundant etc wish Boris would stop interfering in our livelihoods now. 

alt80

@woahsoah I haven’t got £30k right now unless it’s going on cards lol. That would buy me a nice 2005 V8 Vantage, not going to come down much further and they’re one of the best looking modern Astons imo. I’d love one. 

Recently been looking at a lot of older cars that won’t depreciate or not so much as the newer stuff. Made a bit of a list before it sent me on a massive downer because I can’t get anything. 

strawb_shortcake

My Son, he is 17 now and has been adamant he is going to buy an AM one day. He initially thought he was staying at home until he had saved enough...
If he is successful in getting into his first choice career, he'll be on £33k at 19 rising to £55k pa by 25/26, but he has spent some time working out how much he needs to save to be able to buy one outright though I I don't think he's taken into account real living costs and considered a wife and children. 
But as my Son, I'm sure you'll get to AM ownership status at some point 

alt80

@annabanana82 can’t say I get the whole living with parents for significant proportion of adulthood lol seems common amongst younger people also they seem to want little in the way of fun. 

Who knows re AM. 

strawb_shortcake

alt80 said:

@annabanana82 can’t say I get the whole living with parents for significant proportion of adulthood lol seems common amongst younger people also they seem to want little in the way of fun. 

Who knows re AM. 

Yes that's not going to be happening here either.
If things go to plan he'll be leaving home in less than two years to join the Navy, I know if he gets the right niche as his speciality then his future income could be phenomenal. 
We all need something to aim for. 

A girl I went to school with drives a Bentley, it's about 15 years old but with private plates you'd never notice. 
Another local had a Chrysler with the Bentley body kit, that just looked ridiculous! I could never work out if she knew it was Lexus or if she was just pretending to everyone else it was a Bentley.

ryanm8655

alt80 said:

@woahsoah I haven’t got £30k right now unless it’s going on cards lol. That would buy me a nice 2005 V8 Vantage, not going to come down much further and they’re one of the best looking modern Astons imo. I’d love one. 

Recently been looking at a lot of older cars that won’t depreciate or not so much as the newer stuff. Made a bit of a list before it sent me on a massive downer because I can’t get anything. 

When you’re debt free I think that’s a very sensible and reasonable aim. 2000s astons still look amazing. Always loved them. A uni mate has a DB9, beautiful car and can be had surprisingly cheap. That and the fact lots of newer cars are going down the hybrid route makes it justifiable from a status point of view as well.

I think that’s the route I will go eventually. Older cars that are cool and won’t depreciate. Can justify it financially then ha.

I’d like an Aston (DB7 was my dream car growing up). But first goal is a £20-30k 997 911 once I’ve bought a place.

alt80

Quiet day. Did get out for a 5km run. Wife’s got me back on the boot camp lol. £0 spent. Keep thinking about going to JL to get a few Christmas presents for wife before full lockdown.

Son’s 7th birthday tomorrow so might try to get out for dinner again - need to make most of it whilst we can.

@annabanana82 didn’t realise it was possible to earn well in armed forces tbh. 

Re Bentley - anyone who knows their cars will be aware of it’s approximate age. Even the general public will have an idea as styles change etc. The Chryslers pretending to be Bentleys are just tragic imo. Mind I don’t like body styling kits on cars generally nothing quite says doorman more than an aging diesel RRS with the Overfinch kit lol.

@ryanm8655 yeah just years away which tbh really gets to me. Thought of being 45 before I get my first AM makes me quite angry. Bad life choices and paying the price for it. Joy. And as much as I love my RR for everyday it’s hardly a car to go for a drive in. If I could add a brand new DBS I’d feel like I had it made but no chance. Wouldn’t personally pick a DB9 unless it had the manual ‘box which is rare but they are gorgeous cars. Driven a few AMs - V8V with the manual is a brilliant sports car. 

Not going to lie I’d rather buy new whilst we can still get V8s and V12s. Had plenty of used cars and never really liked the idea that you don’t know what the previous owners have been doing in it. Could be known on the dogging scene for all I know lol. Seriously I mean if they’ve been drinking coffee in it or had a series of small bumps that have been repaired well etc. 

I swapped a 997 in for the F-Type, it was a good car - watch out for ones around the 70-80k miles mark though (inherent issues). How are you so chilled about it? Appreciate I’ve got a few years on you but you (presumably) won’t be looking for a while with it being after house from what you say.

DB7 is a very good looking car - good value too. I had a 10 car dream garage growing up, can remember them all and exactly where they’d go in the underground garage of the house I’d have built in the South of France ha - DB5, MG SA, Diablo, ‘88/89 V8V, Ferrari 348/355, XJ220, Bentley S1, Jaguar Mk.VII, Series I E-type and an XK120 FHC. Still my dream garage but would add a few more newer cars too. No way did I think I’d be 40 without a car collection and just about hanging on to a RR. FML.