Are people really that financially busted?
 

I was reading some other thread where the guy was like "I did not have $5 so I ran out of gas". Credit cards maxed out? No cash? Heck, no change under the drivers seat?

Not to single anyone out, but I see more and more people really running it down to the wire (money-wise). I pulled up to fill up my car last week to see the last person pumped in $3 and some change.

The last time I left my house with no money in my pocket, I was too young to drive.

I grew up pretty poor, and am by no means rich by any standard, but I never had a problem putting gas in my car, or paying my bills for that matter.

Have you guys noticed what I have noticed? Is it just the sign of the times, or irresponsibility ?

............but I call M/B roadside assistance when I run out of gas............even when I have no money.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

The average person is a moron.

Inflation is pinching. You can thank Zimbabwe Ben-Shalom for that...

Is it pinching you?

I used to live in San Leandro. CA. right when I got out of college. Just north of there, on e.14th Street, just over the border, (near the General Motors assembly plant, by 103rd,) was a really bad part of East Oakland.

I used to laugh when I would see the poor blacks that would wheel these huge new Cadillacs into the cut-rate gas stations and put $1.00 of gasoline into them.

This was in 1970, though.

So, I guess the poor will always be with us.

LOL

There was a dude broke down at the gas station near by that, when I pulled up, asked me did I have a quart of oil he could have. All I mess with is Mobil 1, 0W40 or Truck and Turbo Diesel and he did not look like the type that realizes the benefit of running synthetic on an extended oil change interval. I told him they sold oil in the store we were at and he said he did not have any money to purchase any. I'm thinking he was probably slightly below average but you do have to keep in mind that you have to set the bar a little lower around these parts;).

You will never be mistaken for a Mensa member yourself.

Not significantly, since I own my apartment and bought below market a few years back. Plus the local suburban (NJ) property market is still very depressed even in ok areas, and I have the ability to buy. Plan to be basically free of housing expenses and then some inside of a year ... that's what tenants are for :)

I also live frugally. Paid a few grand for my car, don't take on any debts I can't pay off.

I normally put in $5 or $10 in NY if I'm low on diesel and headed into NJ. Diesel seems to be about a buck cheaper per gallon on the other side of the river and it burns me to pay $15 extra for a tank of the same juice.

I'm trying to understand how someone gets into such a pickle.

Hard times usually show up unannounced. Forbid that understanding arrives in a humbling way.

I understand how hard times show up. I remember clearly in late 2007 when signed my life away for my new box truck to the tune of $1300 a month. Earlier that year I bought a home.

The economy contracted pretty severely and I remember life being very difficult. I had to work very long hours, and also had to work more days. I made some descisions about some excess vehicles, because I realized they would not be any financial benefit.

Even then during those very difficult times, I still had enough money to keep gas in my car.

That thread was everyone else's fault, don't be ridiculous

Several times a week I see these people wanting to buy a car. Most of the time they work and make decent money, but any credit they were given was just a rope to hang themselves.

They are always quick to want to buy a car. We pull their credit and the fun begins.

0 money down. Of course, give them a dollar they'll find a way to spend 2 and finance the rest.

Maxed out credit cards. "I just made a payment. I don't know why its not showing yet"

Uh huh...

Payday loan with 6 million percent interest rates in collection? "I paid that off months ago!" '

Yes, the original amount you paid back months ago but you were too stupid to realize how much interest that money cost you.

Previous reposession? "Oh no I gave that car back, it had problems."

Yeah, because that's how used car dealers work. Good job making those first 4 months payments.

Medical collections? Of course, you go to the ER when you fart too much. Student loans? Of course... didn't finish up that lucrative psychology degree, eh?

Let's see, where's my broom...

The only time these people have more than 2 cents to rub together is when they get their tax return. They all go car shopping at the same time and get furious when they can't find anything decent at 2-4 grand. They also balk when they have to pay sales tax. I raised all of my prices on my cheap cars because they expect me to pay their sales tax for them.

Precisely why cash talks so loudly. Show me the money and it's fair game :)