this post was submitted on 03 Oct 2023
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[–] meliaesc@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"Just own land and a vehicle outright" I am very happy for your privilege, but this is absolutely unrealistic.

[–] Smokeydope@lemmy.world -2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

You can find a parcel of land in a rural area fairly easily for only a couple thousand dollars, maybe 10-15 k if you want some real acreage. A cheap ass used van from the early 2000s is 3000-7000 depending on how good a deal you get. Most people can get a loan for an extremely cheap van, move into it for a few months and pay themselves the 800-1500 in rent (if not more now), and have it paid off fully after a few months of work, then start saving towards a bigger nicer van or that parcel of land. Not everyone is so fortunate to do so as they have a family and kids or other responsibilities that make this path a non-option but its not privilege its proper planning and a ton of lifestyle compromises. I worked hard and saved up for everything Ive ever had and saw an unusual lifestyle option that works for me, I guess that makes me privileged?

[–] SCB@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

saw an unusual lifestyle option that works for me, I guess that makes me privileged?

Yep that's what that word means.

[–] danwardvs@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

This is dependent on where you live. I live in a rural area and the cheapest plot of rural land is $325,000 and that’s 0.75 acres.

[–] Guest_User@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

People really seem to hate seeing others succeed. Congratulations on your financial stability, sounds like you're in a good spot. I'm working on getting my finances in order and repairing from when I lived above my means.

[–] Smokeydope@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Thank you, I hope that things go well for you and that you find success in whatever you need most out of life.

I always get downvoted to hell whenever I express my experiences and views on this. Many people are just in an absolutely miserable unfair financial situation with no easy way out. Many were goaded into terrible amounts of debt when they were young and dumb. Taking 50k in debt for a useless college degree you weren't really interested in right out of highschool and either paying exorbitant rent or mortgage for years on end just scraping by. It will make anyone bitter and resentful of those who managed to avoid such crushing financial debts and responsibilities.

Its easy to convince ourselves that its not our fault for the choices we make when life doesn't go well. Play the blame game and point fingers at unfortunate personal life circumstances, or a corrupt society, or an unfair economic system designed to make a few very rich and everyone else dirt poor, or whatever else. When the core of someones message is "You are ultimately responsible for your finances and the lifestyle choices you make, with proper planning, open mindedness, and willingness to compromise on some of the conveniences of modern living, you can still avoid crushing financial pressure in todays world" well its easy to see why a lot of people are mad and write it off as the words of the ignorantly privileged.