This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
They will only lead you astray
You should buy a new luxury car.
Why haven’t you bought a house yet?
Do you have any other clothes to wear?
Why do you still drive the same car year after year?
Why are you still renting?
Why don’t you enjoy your money more?
Why do you live the way you do?
If I had listened to these people over the years, I would not be in the same financial position I’m in today and would have a similar-looking portfolio (bleak) to those who had something to say about how I live.
Broke People Aren’t The Best Financial Advice Givers
The best people to learn about finance from are the people who are living the lifestyle and managing their resources in a way that aligns with your values.
NOT the people who finance new cars every couple of years, max out their credit cards, don’t prioritize investing or paying off debt, and aren’t financially sound.
Even if they have good intentions, when you know better, you do better.
I’ve ignored many comments, thoughts, and questions from people who didn’t know any better.
The only way I could sift through lousy information was by educating myself, which is something you must do to improve your financial situation.
Most People Try To Keep Up With Societal Standards
Do you make financial decisions based on how others perceive you?
Something average people do too frequently is judge other humans by what they drive, where they live, how they dress, and how much they spend.
A few questions pop up in my mind when I see someone driving an expensive or new vehicle:
Is their net worth positive?
Did they pay for their car in cash?
How much financial stress did that car add to their budget?
I love it when people tell me they paid cash for their car or still have considerable savings and investments in the bank after car purchases.
Because, as most of us already know, cars are quickly depreciating assets, they usually never add value but detract from our financial portfolios.
How Much Are Your Living Arrangements Costing You?
Many people live above their means. The most significant expense most of us have is housing. In a society addicted to having more than necessary, people frequently buy homes too big for their families and budget.
“You can afford it” is a common denominator behind home purchases, but people tend to overstretch their budgets more than needed, which puts strain on them mentally, emotionally, and financially.
The average person spends more money than they have and invests more in their appearance than their financial portfolio.
It feels better knowing you can buy a car than having a car that could be repossessed or is financially straining your budget every month. But broke people would ignore this and encourage you to buy the car anyway. Because that’s the world we live in: Society is addicted to appearances and ignores the consequences.
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.