Community Forums

KSCRUDE · 02-01-2014, 08:20 AM

Yes and debt will kill you. Like Dave Ramsey says, if you can't pay with cash you don't need it. We used to borrow money in our younger days, but not in many years. And never plan on working for the Bankers again.

jmckinley · 02-01-2014, 08:28 AM

You don't have to pay $200k to get a motorhome.

You can get a great gas class a for $70K brand new. If you're not planning to drive 50,000 miles a year (most people average 3,000), it will last you many many years. Oil change on my Ford Chassis unit costs me $30. Not everyone needs a diesel pusher.

MSHappyCampers · 02-01-2014, 08:29 AM

Gerald, that's the reason I bought a 2002 model! I'm not trying to impress anybody, just want something dependable that I can enjoy in my retirement years. I'm sure it will outlast me!

palehorse89 · 02-01-2014, 08:29 AM

Question, what kind of a yearly income bracket does one have to be in for the majority of their working years to afford to pay cash for a 300-400k(or higher) do you think? After raising a family, paying for a home and all life's needs during the 40 year working time frame? 5 digit, 6 digit, when one is in their 50's inherit money from family........ I can't see a working man making 60k per year doing it.........(paying cash)maybe?

OrngTrillium · 02-01-2014, 08:33 AM

Then the obvious a small percentage of those people either inherited it, married into it etc. It's also living within/below your means. There are people who say I want the Nike Air Jordan Shoes they're just $100 more. There are people who need to fly to France/Italy to get custom shoes. It's also where you spend the money you don't invest. Some people spend hundreds/thousands eating out. Others like to throw parties. Other people have 200 pairs of shoes. Maybe trade in cars every year vs. drive 'em till they die. That person who has a $200,000 motorhome may have bought it used, pumped every penny into it etc. Some people worked two jobs to get through college, or where journeymen/apprentices and earned every dollar. Others started life with no student/tool loans, a job arranged by their parents, and a healthy down on their first home. That person is already ahead of the one with a hundred thousand dollar student loan, renting their first home etc. Even if they both start out at identical pay grade. And others are literally born with a silver spoon over that. Some people work 40 hour weeks, other people put in 80 hour weeks in their twenties.

Even something simple like your 401K/RRSP. The earlier you start out the more the investment multiplies. Investing 20k at 20 years does a lot more then investing 60k at 60 years old when both of those people reach 65.

GWDawg1 · 02-01-2014, 09:16 AM

I guess what set me off was I saw where someone posted on another forum they were watching their 45' DP being built at Tiffin MH (40 miles from me). I looked up the 2014 list prices on Tiffin MH, from the Allegro to the Bus. Wow!!!

nforus · 02-01-2014, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palehorse89

Here ya go.........

Why The Rich Pay Lower Taxes - YouTube

The video does help to explain that the person who pays some tax in all of the tax brackets has made more income ( and paid more absolute tax) than the one who paid in a couple of the brackets and therefore may have higher motorhome affordability. Thanks for helping to clear that up!!

R2Home · 02-01-2014, 09:19 AM

I guess that we are some of the lucky ones. Our kids were out of the house by the time we were in our late 30's. Since the DW and I have had good jobs, watched how we spent our money and did some investing, we have a little extra money. Over the years we have gone from a 27' Class C that was very basic to our current 2009 Diplomat. This one is our fifth MH and we upgraded with each one we got. Of all the MH's that we have owned, we only bought one new and that one worked out OK, but not great. Does it cost to owe a MH and play, it sure does, but it is the same with any other endeavor. Being a mechanic by trade, helps on the maintenance and watching where we get parts also helps. While our MH sits unused for several months, we do use it a lot once winter goes away. We know that there are going to be 'extra' cost, so we plan on it and sit money a side for these. A little here and there builds and makes unexpected repairs more manageable.
My take is that we only make this trip once, so might as well enjoy it!

Hikerdogs · 02-02-2014, 01:39 PM

Too many people worry about what others have, and how they got it. If you buy into the "I think I worked as hard as you did and I can't afford it, therefore you must have done something illegal or unethical to get it" mentality you're destined to be unhappy.

What ever happened to getting a good education, finding a job that pays well, saving some of your money, and being satisfied with what you're doing in your retirement?

Don't worry about what others have or how they got it. There's only 1 person that's responsible for what you earned, how you spent it, and where you are in life. That person stares back at you in the mirror every morning.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-02-2014, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

Too many people worry about what others have, and how they got it. If you buy into the "I think I worked as hard as you did and I can't afford it, therefore you must have done something illegal or unethical to get it" mentality you're destined to be unhappy. What ever happened to getting a good education, finding a job that pays well, saving some of your money, and being satisfied with what you're doing in your retirement? Don't worry about what others have or how they got it. There's only 1 person that's responsible for what you earned, how you spent it, and where you are in life. That person stares back at you in the mirror every morning.

Well said.

homeless · 02-02-2014, 01:45 PM

The less you have the less you have to loose!

Quote: Bygeorge

Pepper2 · 02-02-2014, 02:20 PM

Many people practice the they will let me buy it plan (from lenders) , rather than the can I afford it economic plan. That's how you end up in the monthly payment sink hole.

nforus · 02-02-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepper2

Many people practice the they will let me buy it plan (from lenders) , rather than the can I afford it economic plan. That's how you end up in the monthly payment sink hole.

x2 on that. Then the lenders don't get paid, we bail them out, and they start making questionable loans again!!

dms · 02-02-2014, 02:45 PM

Ditto MRUSA14!

I started working at 17 and saved. Bought stock, invested and was frugal with spending. No maxed out credit cards, no cruises and no $4.00 Starbucks. I retired at 45.
I'm now 67 with a paid off house, 9 classic cars and a $350K MH. I decided early on as a young person, that I'd rather spend a lot later than a little now. Now we do what we want until the Emperor takes it all.