During my daily dog walks, I like stroll through the “rich” part of my neighborhood. The rich section has 4+ bedroom 4000 sq. feet mini-mansions. They have landscaped lots, 2 car garages (usually full of crap) and a fleet of vehicles parked in their expansive driveways.
I enjoy walking through all the parts of my neighborhood. My street (lower middle class) has 2 & 3 bedroom 1500 sq feet patio homes. It’s perfect for young couples starting out, retirees downsizing and solo people like me.
The greenway trails give me a chance to immerse myself in nature and observe the changes of the season while still being just 5 minutes from my front door. Walkers, bikers,, runners and kids of all types abound here
The rich part is occupied by two groups: empty nesters whose kids have gone off to college and growing families that have 2-4 kids still living with their parents at home.
One thing that is striking to me are the number of late model, expensive vehicles in the driveways of the rich homes. A typical house will have a luxury SUV, a huge custom pickup truck and at least one high end luxury car.
A typical home has three vehicles:
Acura MDX – $53K
Lexus SUV – $54K
Ford F-150 Loaded – $60K
That’s over $165K in vehicles in the driveway!
Even the least spendy households have at least two vehicles worth over $100K. Usually this includes a midlevel SUV ($50K+) and a Mercedes, Lexus or BMW midsize car ($50K) or loaded full sized pickup all geared out with maximum man bling.
When I first started working from home back in 2006, I remember thinking how much of a waste it was that I was making $300 monthly payments on my $15K Scion that spent most of its time parked in my driveway. At the time, I wished I had kept my old paid off civic since I rarely drove my car.
I only stopped being frustrated with the cost of my trusty Scion once I paid it off and then drove it for another 10 payment free years.
I cannot imagine looking out in my driveway at $100K-$150K worth of parked vehicles. I’d constantly be thinking “what a waste of money”.
As the neighborhood dog walking guy, I see a lot of vehicles. Some are sinister looking, others sexy, other wickedly sleek and elegant. I can admire them and appreciate looking at them without incurring the downside of owning them.
Then again, maybe I wouldn’t feel this way if I had their money.
I remember walking, biking and busing everywhere before I was able to buy my first car when I was in my 20s. Then as a low paid car owner, I spent a decade living under a constant cloud of anxiety fearing a flat tire or a mechanical issue because I could barely afford gas, much less repairs that cost $50 or more!
That was 30 years ago. Since then, I’ve made a lot more money and have been fortunate to have reliable vehicles for many years.
If I get a flat, a fix is a phone call away. When I need maintenance, I take it to the shop. When a major repair is needed, like a fuel pump or a new radiator, I don’t like it, but I can pay for it.
Compared to the old me, the current me is the “rich guy” with a driveway paved in gold.
I like to think that if I had money to burn, I still wouldn’t own a bunch of luxury vehicles. I kind of take pride and identity in owning what I need, without extravagant excess.
I like to imagine I would use that money to help others less fortunate than me, to make a difference, to do something good.
Regardless, I don’t spend much time thinking about what I would do if I was rich. I’m not and will never be rich. I’ve got better things to worry about.