Porsche's position on Maslow's Hierarchy?
01-01-2008, 04:40 PM
#46
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Interesting how this thread moved from Maslow, to von Mises, to Marx, to Hofstede, while touching all kinds of other stuff in between... 
Ultimately, different people have different thresholds of financial uncertainty, so I doubt we'll find an agreement on this.
It all sounds very German to me... over there, everybody sticks their noses into other people's business all the time and assumes they have the right to tell the other what they should do, and they get angry if people don't do what they recommended.
I don't think the German way was Marty's or Rick's intention, though. The issues of fiscal responsibility and delayed gratification and need vs want satisfaction (and alike) are relevant topics, particularly given that consumer debt is rated as the second strongest threat to the U.S. economy (ahead of terrorism, by the way).
Most of the people in this forum will never run into any problems paying off their debt and building some kind of wealth. Most wealth components are nonmonetary in nature anyway (e.g., freedom, health, happiness, safety, intellectual growth, etc.).
But we still explain the significance of monetary issues and their impact on monetary and nonmonetary wealth to our business students, even though we'll ultimately leave it up to them whether they follow our advice or not. Most do not, as the rapid increase in so-called $30,000 Millionaires shows. It doesn't matter to me personally, as I have left Germany and its mindset long behind. But one day I might be affected by the macroeconomic implications.
Ultimately, different people have different thresholds of financial uncertainty, so I doubt we'll find an agreement on this.
It all sounds very German to me... over there, everybody sticks their noses into other people's business all the time and assumes they have the right to tell the other what they should do, and they get angry if people don't do what they recommended.
I don't think the German way was Marty's or Rick's intention, though. The issues of fiscal responsibility and delayed gratification and need vs want satisfaction (and alike) are relevant topics, particularly given that consumer debt is rated as the second strongest threat to the U.S. economy (ahead of terrorism, by the way).
Most of the people in this forum will never run into any problems paying off their debt and building some kind of wealth. Most wealth components are nonmonetary in nature anyway (e.g., freedom, health, happiness, safety, intellectual growth, etc.).
But we still explain the significance of monetary issues and their impact on monetary and nonmonetary wealth to our business students, even though we'll ultimately leave it up to them whether they follow our advice or not. Most do not, as the rapid increase in so-called $30,000 Millionaires shows. It doesn't matter to me personally, as I have left Germany and its mindset long behind. But one day I might be affected by the macroeconomic implications.
01-01-2008, 04:43 PM
#47
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This is the exact opposite of RUB. " rich urban bikers" All the hardcore bikers who used to save up there whole life, doing without other needs just to afford a Harley Davidson Motorcycle became very offended when the Harley Davidson name became a status symbol and all the doctors and lawyers started buying them. The real bikers laugh at the RUB spending all the money , dressing the part, paying to have it maintained, and not even put any miles on it!
01-01-2008, 05:00 PM
#48
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About a month ago, there was an entertaining article in a Dallas newspaper: http://www.dallasobserver.com/2007-1...s-in-the-mist/
01-01-2008, 05:28 PM
#49
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This is the exact opposite of RUB. " rich urban bikers" All the hardcore bikers who used to save up there whole life, doing without other needs just to afford a Harley Davidson Motorcycle became very offended when the Harley Davidson name became a status symbol and all the doctors and lawyers started buying them. The real bikers laugh at the RUB spending all the money , dressing the part, paying to have it maintained, and not even put any miles on it!
01-01-2008, 06:02 PM
#50
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The tough part is being unfairly classified as a RUB. I've been riding for 35 years and have owned my Fatboy for 14 years. Last year I criss-crossed the US - 6,000 miles 30 days (sans windshield) – back roads all the way. I did to mock honor the 50th anniversary of the national interstate system.
The "hardcore bikers" still like to generalize white-collar types as RUBs even if they themselves are relative newbies to HDs.
The "hardcore bikers" still like to generalize white-collar types as RUBs even if they themselves are relative newbies to HDs.
01-01-2008, 07:40 PM
#51
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Been driving Porsches way before it became stylish to have one. My rules were simple--have my home paid for first and then another Porsche. I'm amazed at the number of apartment and trailer dwellers who drive 997s.
01-01-2008, 07:47 PM
#52
I am a big believer in the proposition that you are the world's greatest expert on you! Just as I wouldn't dream of thinking I know best how you should manage your personal and financial affairs. You should do whatever YOU think is best for YOUR situation! Why anyone would waste a millisecond of their time worrying about someone elses's finances are beyond me!
01-01-2008, 08:12 PM
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This is a societal issue analogous to the obesity crisis. Why should you worry if your neighbor is fat? [Because all of our health insurance premiums are going up at double-digit rates because of it.]
My guess is that 95% of us on this forum are financial secure, but there is a minority of $100K millionaires (the math doesn't work for $30K millionaire to stretch to a Porsche) out there too.
01-01-2008, 09:35 PM
#54
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01-01-2008, 10:38 PM
#55
Three Wheelin'
01-02-2008, 03:05 AM
#56
Nordschleife Master
Used to be very sound logic, however the sub-prime mess shows how other people's fiscal immaturity can unseat all of our financial well-being.
My guess is that 95% of us on this forum are financial secure, but there is a minority of $100K millionaires (the math doesn't work for $30K millionaire to stretch to a Porsche) out there too.
My guess is that 95% of us on this forum are financial secure, but there is a minority of $100K millionaires (the math doesn't work for $30K millionaire to stretch to a Porsche) out there too.
In other words, maybe your formula needs some tweaking......if this is important to you that is....?
01-02-2008, 06:20 AM
#57
Wow, I guess it's time for me to sell my car, buy a bicycle and move back in with my mommy until I can afford a car, house, etc. Some of the "financial planners" around here need to lighten up a smidge. 
01-02-2008, 11:59 AM
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Very lively dialogue. As I said in my initial post, this might be controversial inasmuch as it may hit too close to home for some people. Based on the swift counterpoints - it just may have (and maybe that’s a good thing). I was hoping that it might be construed as a cautionary message, but it threw some folks in big-time defensive mode.
Okay villagers, put your torches down - this is my last post on the subject.
Let’s get back to more important topics like whether the CAIs really work or whether 5mm wheel spacers are really noticeable.
I truly enjoy this forum, from the controversial subjects to the crazy/silly technical things that we discuss (I’ve been known to weigh in on CAIs myself).
Okay villagers, put your torches down - this is my last post on the subject.
Let’s get back to more important topics like whether the CAIs really work or whether 5mm wheel spacers are really noticeable.
I truly enjoy this forum, from the controversial subjects to the crazy/silly technical things that we discuss (I’ve been known to weigh in on CAIs myself).