It’s been a few weeks, but rather few busy weeks with work and life. Which has not given me the opportunity to share some of my favorite reads, so here we are today, April 29/30, the day of the Royal Wedding and I will share with you some of my favorite reads over the past week. Personally I’m not into the hype over this “Royal Wedding”, but can’t beleive how some people are taking it seriously.
There are plenty of websites that share with you the latest coupons to save you a few bucks and even get you some freebies too. If you call your self “Frugal” or are trying to become more “Frugal”, you must follow these sites religiously. Since there are so many sites, which one’s are the best you ask? There’s an answer for that, my friend Young over at Young & Thrifty , has put together; The Ultimate Guide to Canadian Deals Websites.
Another great post I read deals with a complexity. I’m sure we all know someone or a friend of a friend, who’s climbed the social ladder via earning more money, but has it changed them? or are they still the same people, with the same frame of mind as before? It’s an interest discussion nevertheless, so FB @ Fabulously Broke took it upon her self to dig a little deeper and discuss; Do poor people have a complexity when they climb the social ladder?
Often we wonder or get confused what actually middle class is. Truthfully, everyone has a different perception on what it truly is. I know I grew up in a middle-class family. Mother and father both worked, their combined income was less than what I make alone today, but they made it happen. Both, my brother and I graduated school and are finding our own success in the working world. We each had a car, at a ripe young age of 16. There was always food on the table, enough clothes and happiness all around. My parents bought their first home 15yrs ago, sold it and bought a bigger home from their first investment. They don’t carry any debt, never have and always pay with cash. That’s middle class. Jonathan Chevreau of Financial Post wrote an article on; TFSAs and Middle Class. A reader decided to write in and shared with us a true example of a middle class family; Who’s middle class? Here’s a great example!
Next, let’s take it up a notch and ask your self; Are You a Financial Dumb Ass? We’ve all made our share of financial mistakes, stupid purchases and dumber investments. Sam writes a great post in response to a guy buying a $60K luxury car, with only a net worth of $55K. Now that’s dumb!
Sometimes being too frugal can cost us too. Frugality is good, but like anything, it’s meant to be used in a normal way, not pushing the risks. Buck @ Buck Inspire share with us his experience using the Metro and why sometimes pushing frugality is too risky.
Kevin, the funny man @ Thousandairetalks about car leasing, the benefits, the downsides and everything else associated with it. As you all may or may not know, I’m not for car leasing, it’s a waste of my personally. That initial down-payment, is just giving the dealer free money, which you will never get back. You are restricted to how much you can drive and obviously pay extra in mileage fees, if you go over your agreed yearly mileage allowance. In the article; Lease Your Car & Fleece the Dealer, you get the breakdown (yes, including the math!) on leasing versus financing. Great post Kevin , but no thanks! leasing is not my forte!
Thanks for the link back to the article :) I agree that most of us are considered middle class as long as our needs are covered, but within that middle class I think there are varying levels as well. Upper, mid, lower…
Well it’s hard to say, depends how you look at it. Like in the article, can the guy who wrote in be looked at as upper-middle class? Probably, because his combined income with the wife, is more than the average Canadian household.
Thanks for including me here. I definitely get buying a used car over leasing a new one. It’s the buying a new car over leasing a new one that doesn’t make sense to me.
My pleasure for the inclusion! As for the car lease, it makes sense if you have a business and you can write part of the lease off, but only if you’re going to stay under the mileage. Personally, I dont find leasing a new car worth it at all. You’re limited on mileage, you put a downpayment (free money to finance company) which you will never see and plus you got a buy-out at the end. So your buyout will take you another 2-3 yrs to pay, so it’s really 7yrs before you rightfully own the car? Nah, I’ll pass!
Thanks for including me! Too much of a good thing can be bad, too. I’m finding more often than not, the happy medium is the best place to be. Glad things are slowing back down for you.
Thanks for the inclusion, fox!
Hmm I don’t think they have to worry about a budget– so many fancy cars rolling around (Bentleys, Rolls etc.) in that wedding :) Unless they are having lifestyle inflation ;)