Burnt out on this

polrbehr

Joey_V wrote: »

Property taxes are terrible in Texas too

I'm looking at over 28k/y on the build

Wow, and I thought we had it bad on LI. (we do)
Mind if I ask how much property you have, as well as sq footage of the home?

Upstatemax

gudnoyez wrote: »

I hear ya Dan, I still got stuff from the 70s and early 80s that still works no problem. If I were you I would stay with what ya got and invest disposable funds on another hobby like Mountain Bikes you got a Fat Boy yet? (Fat Boy = Mountain Bike), for all yuz that have a one track mind. I have found a Giant Dealer that takes trades so hopefully a Fat Boy will be in my future. Enough of this Audio Video stuff.

Shocked you chose mountain biking as a better place to put your money.

Talk about planned obsolescence!

The BS they pulled trashing the 26" wheel standard, constantly adding gears and not supporting even last years stuff, tapered heads, thru axels, wheel spacing...

I had to finally break down this year and start my 29er build as it became too hard to keep my 26" Stumpjumper going.

The mountain biking industry is a hot mess right now.

motorhead43026

Joey_V wrote: »

Property taxes are terrible in Texas too

I'm looking at over 28k/y on the build

What are you building a millon dollar home? My sister just built a 1.3 million dollar home in Georgetown,TX backing up to the Cimarron golf course. She pays $36,000.00 a year taxes. Yet her Husband pays no state tax on his million dollar a year salary. So yes, you pay higher property tax in TX but you get the free ride on state income tax.

No sympathy here......lol.

mhardy6647

tonyb wrote: »

mhardy6647 wrote: »

I'm trying to understand why anyone, realistically, would even want "two big TVs"

You mean you don't want a 65 incher in the bathroom ? C'mon Mark, that's the room we old hats spend most of our time.

Point taken -- but, heck, I still bring my laptop along with me.
We're fortunate to have a timer switch on the vent fan in our inner chambers -- I set it for 10 minutes when I go in to read; when it switches off, it's time for me to go (or stop going, I suppose, more accurately).

Many of my posts are made from... oh...never mind

tonyb

motorhead43026 wrote: »

^^Yep, the local jurisdictions own your home and you rent it from them. I pay $450.00 a month to live in my paid off home.

That's actually not bad, mine is 700 a month for taxes and insurance. The principle and interest on my mortgage is lower than my taxes.

You can't compare to prime real estate on Golf courses, water front, or big houses in gated communities. You are obviously going to pay more.

Also, think about the nut you'd have to fork over to the government every year if you didn't own anything and couldn't itemize deductions. I did that once...once....cost me 10g's, never again. Between the wife and I they took out over 50k that year from our paychecks combined....and I still owed them 10k.

See why some get upset with others who just waltz right in the backdoor and get stuff for free ? I know it's not their fault, but those in positions of power that let it happen.

kharp1

WagnerRC wrote: »

talking about build quality. It seems this slp-05 has left channel xlr not working on both inputs. wtf is up with that. send back a brand new preamp for repair...... cary is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

They left a bad one in mine as well. That's all I'm going to say about this.

charley95

rpf65 wrote: »

Manufacrurers have a tough time building a product that is both reliable and energy efficient. Due to a combination of testing for energy efficiency, staying within government rules and regulations, and most people wanting that energy efficient sticker on the product, it's harder than many think.

The appliance guy that told Tony B to buy the cheapest model he could find was correct. The control boards are what kill most appliances. Washers and driers with the most basic functions will out last the high tech ones.

Same with fridges. Want them to last longer, don't use the built in ice maker or water dispenser, and once a year clean it. Pull it away from the wall and unplug it. Pull that front panel off the front bottom and vacuum under neath it. That's where the coils and compressor are. You'll probably come close to doubling its life. Most important, get the base model. Why anybody needs to control each individual drawer's temperature is beyond my comprehension.

Air conditioning is about to become a nightmare for consumers, all in the name of energy efficiency. The old R-22 is close to being completely gone, to save the ozone layer. They ran at lower pressures, so compressors didn't have to work as hard. That's why it wasn't uncommon to see 20 year old systems. The stuff currently being used, R-410a runs at much higher pressures, causing a higher start and run current. Shortens their lives. At least most manufacturers have gone to aluminum evaporator coils, so they should last longer. Clean your outside coils once a year and you'll probably get a couple of extra years out of the air conditioner. Just make sure you turn the power off at the disconnect or breaker box first.

Between the new rules for component replacements, and somebody, somewhere deciding that R-410a is bad for the environment, there will be another cycle of of the same things we just experienced. Hate it when I have to tell people I could fix it, but we can't get the part. So instead of a $1500 repair, you'll have to spend north of $5000 to replace everything.

Yes, there is builder grade everything. Couple years back a regular customer of mine bought a new A/C and gas furnace from another company, because it was considerably cheaper. A builders grade condenser was installed, and I told her we don't even consider offering them. Same brand, but still an inferior product. Think I've already did about $500 in repairs on that system.

Perfect example is thermostats. I can go to Home Depot, for instance, and buy a Honeywell thermostat for about $50. I could also go to a parts house and buy one that looks exactly the same for about $80, and that's the wholesale price. Difference the cheaper one has a one year warranty, and the more expensive has a 5 year warranty. Better internal parts. Same thing for the Nest products, which I have a particular dislike for.

Plumbing is also an area where you can still get quality products. The American Standard faucet in your local big box store is a completely different animal than at a plumbing store. That's why it's about 25% cheaper.

Not saying that I don't see a decrease in quality in a lot of things out there. Sure manufacturers are using inferior parts on a lot of things to stay competitive. Other times there just trying to get one product to do the job of 3 or 4. Multipurpose things are usually not a good idea. I know there are exceptions, but in general not the best solution.

I know this post started about audio, and I apologize for going off topic.

I'm the one who bought the cheap appliances when doing my kitchen remodel a couple years back. Not only do I pull my fridge out and vacuum the coils, i also use compressed air to clean the remaining dust off. It makes a mess in the kitchen but worth the peace of mind knowing it can breathe underneath. I take my 03 era Crosley/Whirlpool dryer and vent apart annually and blow them out. Luckily my appliance guy always has parts for the washer/dryer and he said to never get rid of those units. I'm more than happy to leave more of a carbon footprint on energy than to have a circuit board appliance.

tonyb

Good post.....^^^

Totally agree with the circuit board stuff. That's why I went and bought a Speed Queen dryer with no fancy circuit boards to replace. Which we don't even replace them because of the costs, and that makes anything with a circuit board a throw away appliance once the warranty is done.

My sister in-law just re-did her kitchen this last summer. Brand new LG fridge, a 2+ k fridge 6 months old and they've been out 5 times to fix the ice maker.

I guess when you buy appliances or any other consumer product, think about what exactly is it you want that product to do. A dryer...I want it to dry clothes, not steam fish. A Fridge....I want it to keep stuff cold, not play tunes when I open the door or surf the internet from a screen, connected to my wifi. I don't want apps in my car, text messages, and the ability to get the weather in China. Lights and buzzers to warn me about everything under the sun.

That's just me though, some like fancy gizmos and shiny things, that's what sells the product. Marketing has become more important than the quality of the product itself. That can be said for audio/video products too.

We moan about this stuff, but I really wish more would understand why it's come to this. The agenda pushers and regulations raise costs to produce products. There is only so much leeway in how much you can charge for a given product. You are then forced to lower quality to stay within certain price points. After all, people are in business to make money, not lose it or trade dollars. Cheap parts from China and other Asian countries help them to those ends.

Take Polk as an example too. We bemoan them to put out higher end stuff, real wood cabinets in nice finishes, better quality drivers, crossover parts....except they already know that would price them way outside their targeted consumer base. They won't sell enough to turn a profit. I'm pretty sure Polk has a hard enough time as is keeping costs in line to stay in business. Trying to find new and inventive ways to offer new products. Which most any company has the same dilemma.....AND given that same dilemma, what do you hear ? Businesses are not paying their fair share. People want free stuff to be paid for by businesses. That will work out in the long run eh .

Does anyone teach economics anymore ?

heiney9

erniejade wrote: »

@motorhead43026 my friend Mark lives in a 1700 sf ranch. He has a good sized yard and his taxes are $11,500 a year.

My mom lives in Crown point Indiana. 2800 sf home in a gated community and her taxes are only 2800 a year. No wonder why people are leaving Illinois lol.

Yep, the taxes in Illinois are crushing and for all the various taxes we pay, I see very little improvement in roads, infrastructure, state benefits, etc. We have the 2nd or 3rd highest fuel tax and we have a Tollway system. Yet our roads, bridges stink. Municipal work rarely gets done. He((. we haven't had a balanced state budget in over 15 years. Most Illinois politicians are crooks or in jail.

H9

Willow

We've somewhat created the situation, always wanting the newest, the best the one with most lights, bells and whistles. Always going out and getting the newest phone every year or two, the newest car every 3 years. Yes there are people who are the exception, but generally this is what we have become. So if I were manufacturing something everyone wanted to change every couple years why would I want to make them last that much longer when they'll sit on a goodwill shelf. We just need to research what it is we are really looking for in the item and buy the one that best suits us.

BlueFox

Willow wrote: »

We've somewhat created the situation, always wanting the newest, the best the one with most lights, bells and whistles. Always going out and getting the newest phone every year or two, the newest car every 3 years. Yes there are people who are the exception, but generally this is what we have become. So if I were manufacturing something everyone wanted to change every couple years why would I want to make them last that much longer when they'll sit on a goodwill shelf. We just need to research what it is we are really looking for in the item and buy the one that best suits us.

While we like to complain about this buying cycle, the fact is that our economy is based on consumption. It is okay for some of us to have cars and TVs for over 12 years, but if many people followed that model then we would be in a depression.

Willow

BlueFox wrote: »

Willow wrote: »

We've somewhat created the situation, always wanting the newest, the best the one with most lights, bells and whistles. Always going out and getting the newest phone every year or two, the newest car every 3 years. Yes there are people who are the exception, but generally this is what we have become. So if I were manufacturing something everyone wanted to change every couple years why would I want to make them last that much longer when they'll sit on a goodwill shelf. We just need to research what it is we are really looking for in the item and buy the one that best suits us.

While we like to complain about this buying cycle, the fact is that our economy is based on consumption. It is okay for some of us to have cars and TVs for over 12 years, but if many people followed that model then we would be in a depression.

Of course we need both

WagnerRC

kharp1 wrote: »

WagnerRC wrote: »

talking about build quality. It seems this slp-05 has left channel xlr not working on both inputs. wtf is up with that. send back a brand new preamp for repair...... cary is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

They left a bad one in mine as well. That's all I'm going to say about this.

Finally received the rma approval and shipped it back yesterday. It will be interesting to what they find.

Dennis Gardner

$700 annual taxes on my 1700 sq ft 3BR 1 3/4 bath home built in the '70s. $130k value. The real estate and taxes are cheap, but you need a 4x4 to overcome the potholes in front of the property where I live.

Dennis Gardner

On the quality of items today, the targeted market 18-45 year olds aren't old enough to remember how long good quality items should last. They are constantly told in the adverts that the newest most updated item is needed and the only consideration to be made is price point and the company that puts out the cheapest item that barely makes it past the warranty is the winner. Most of us on here don't fall into that group anymore and we see quality and length of use as a nice feature.

Quality is for old farts......as they are the only ones old enough to care. My grandpa bought a 67 Chevy 10 pickup new and drove it until he passed 37 years later at 94. The pickup still runs and drives and sits in my dad's driveway and could possibly be passed on down to one of his kids if they have a need for it.

I do understand Dan's concern for the poor quality of items taking its toll on his ability to stand by his work, but consumer quality items are destined to take this upgrade and replace path as R&D is put into improving the number of functions instead of quality.

tonyb

BlueFox wrote: »

Willow wrote: »

We've somewhat created the situation, always wanting the newest, the best the one with most lights, bells and whistles. Always going out and getting the newest phone every year or two, the newest car every 3 years. Yes there are people who are the exception, but generally this is what we have become. So if I were manufacturing something everyone wanted to change every couple years why would I want to make them last that much longer when they'll sit on a goodwill shelf. We just need to research what it is we are really looking for in the item and buy the one that best suits us.

While we like to complain about this buying cycle, the fact is that our economy is based on consumption. It is okay for some of us to have cars and TVs for over 12 years, but if many people followed that model then we would be in a depression.

You mean consumption of cheap throw away Chinese goods. Yes, we are based on consumption, but think about what the general population would consume if they had longer lasting products and didn't have to fork out that coin so often. If they had more money in their pockets they might take more vacations, pay for their own healthcare, put money away for kids college, invest in the stock market or their 401k's, stuff that would actually benefit them in the long run.

However the majority in life don't think like that. They spend close to every nickel they make living paycheck to paycheck. The bean counters know this too and that is why it is made as easy as possible for you to spend so that inventory of goods keeps moving. Pay online, pay with your phone, hand out credit cards like cookies. Directly take payments out of your accounts for services. Yes, consumption makes the wheels of the economy turn, but I don't see how with a population of over 350 million, that's a problem. In my view, how much consumption is happening at people below the poverty level ? They aren't consuming much. Even putting a drag on the economy as takers and not contributors if you drag the welfare recipients into it.

However, that is the beauty and sometimes double edged sword of freedom. Companies have the freedom to wrestle any way they can the money from your wallet. You still have the freedom to let them or not. Many are perfectly happy either way.

cfrizz

Tony it was OUR generation that screwed up our kids, and they are just passing it on down the line.

If we didn't get something growing up it was because the money went to more important things, but we took it as depravation rather than understanding once we grew up, what it takes to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table etc.

So once we grew up, if we didn't have a parent that taught us how to at least save a dollar, we proceeded to get whatever we wanted, especially if we got a credit card and so it began.

Then we had kids, and we didn't want them to be deprived of everything we thought we were deprived of and spoiled them rotten as well as ourselves.

You asked who teaches economics anymore? It wasn't a matter of teaching economics, it was a matter of using self control for ourselves and our kids. It was a matter of US teaching our kids.

We didn't/don't, so naturally our kids don't, and it is our own fault!

My mother always told me that I should have a nest egg of at least $10,000.00 in the bank in case of emergencies. I saw her write out two checks to Visa to pay off the debt before my dad died because she knew she didn't want to be paying it off for the rest of her life. When I spent $2000.00 getting my first real stereo system, she was appalled since I had already had one, and couldn't understand why I wanted to change it.

Once I had the system I was happy with, I stopped upgrading for 15 years. Why? because regardless of what country made it, if treated with care it lasts for years. The same holds true for many gadgets big and small.

All of these little lessons stuck, when I finally moved out, I had twice that amount in my bank account, it was what allowed me to buy into a Cooperative building. When New England Financial started **** around with our pensions and pushing the 401ks in the 80s I paid attention and started investing in mutual funds. Even back then they were grumbling about Social Security running out of money. Well I don't care, because SS was never meant to be lived on, only to supplement what I have saved for retirement. And I plan to get out of the work force in 6 years, and I am on track to do just that.

It helps that I am unmarried and don't have kids, but even if I did, I would have passed on the lessons that my mom taught me. They wouldn't have been given every little bauble that caught their eye, and they damn sure would have been either in school or working if still living in my house. If not they could take their lazy butts out and find their own living arrangements.

We spoiled ourselves and our kids rotten, and are seeing the results of that selfishness.

Joey_V

A thin line. Spoil the kids but teach them the value of money. Tough to do.

I'm just glad I actually had my head on straight. I could've really screwed myself as tony and Cathy alluded to.

BlueFox

I think every generation says that generations after them are useless, at least compared to them, or previous generations. People like to generalize since then they don't have to think.

cfrizz

If our childrens generation is useless, it is because that is how WE raised them to be.

Hopefully most will grow up and out of it, but since some of us never bothered doing that ourselves it will just keep cycling around.

voltz

cfrizz wrote: »

Tony it was OUR generation that screwed up our kids, and they are just passing it on down the line.

If we didn't get something growing up it was because the money went to more important things, but we took it as depravation rather than understanding once we grew up, what it takes to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table etc.

So once we grew up, if we didn't have a parent that taught us how to at least save a dollar, we proceeded to get whatever we wanted, especially if we got a credit card and so it began.

Then we had kids, and we didn't want them to be deprived of everything we thought we were deprived of and spoiled them rotten as well as ourselves.

You asked who teaches economics anymore? It wasn't a matter of teaching economics, it was a matter of using self control for ourselves and our kids. It was a matter of US teaching our kids.

We didn't/don't, so naturally our kids don't, and it is our own fault!

My mother always told me that I should have a nest egg of at least $10,000.00 in the bank in case of emergencies. I saw her write out two checks to Visa to pay off the debt before my dad died because she knew she didn't want to be paying it off for the rest of her life. When I spent $2000.00 getting my first real stereo system, she was appalled since I had already had one, and couldn't understand why I wanted to change it.

Once I had the system I was happy with, I stopped upgrading for 15 years. Why? because regardless of what country made it, if treated with care it lasts for years. The same holds true for many gadgets big and small.

All of these little lessons stuck, when I finally moved out, I had twice that amount in my bank account, it was what allowed me to buy into a Cooperative building. When New England Financial started **** around with our pensions and pushing the 401ks in the 80s I paid attention and started investing in mutual funds. Even back then they were grumbling about Social Security running out of money. Well I don't care, because SS was never meant to be lived on, only to supplement what I have saved for retirement. And I plan to get out of the work force in 6 years, and I am on track to do just that.

It helps that I am unmarried and don't have kids, but even if I did, I would have passed on the lessons that my mom taught me. They wouldn't have been given every little bauble that caught their eye, and they damn sure would have been either in school or working if still living in my house. If not they could take their lazy butts out and find their own living arrangements.

We spoiled ourselves and our kids rotten, and are seeing the results of that selfishness.

nicely spoken Cat!! you don't plan on So-So Security to take care of you, You have to take care of you!

txcoastal1

voltz wrote: »

cfrizz wrote: »

Tony it was OUR generation that screwed up our kids, and they are just passing it on down the line.

If we didn't get something growing up it was because the money went to more important things, but we took it as depravation rather than understanding once we grew up, what it takes to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table etc.

So once we grew up, if we didn't have a parent that taught us how to at least save a dollar, we proceeded to get whatever we wanted, especially if we got a credit card and so it began.

Then we had kids, and we didn't want them to be deprived of everything we thought we were deprived of and spoiled them rotten as well as ourselves.

You asked who teaches economics anymore? It wasn't a matter of teaching economics, it was a matter of using self control for ourselves and our kids. It was a matter of US teaching our kids.

We didn't/don't, so naturally our kids don't, and it is our own fault!

My mother always told me that I should have a nest egg of at least $10,000.00 in the bank in case of emergencies. I saw her write out two checks to Visa to pay off the debt before my dad died because she knew she didn't want to be paying it off for the rest of her life. When I spent $2000.00 getting my first real stereo system, she was appalled since I had already had one, and couldn't understand why I wanted to change it.

Once I had the system I was happy with, I stopped upgrading for 15 years. Why? because regardless of what country made it, if treated with care it lasts for years. The same holds true for many gadgets big and small.

All of these little lessons stuck, when I finally moved out, I had twice that amount in my bank account, it was what allowed me to buy into a Cooperative building. When New England Financial started **** around with our pensions and pushing the 401ks in the 80s I paid attention and started investing in mutual funds. Even back then they were grumbling about Social Security running out of money. Well I don't care, because SS was never meant to be lived on, only to supplement what I have saved for retirement. And I plan to get out of the work force in 6 years, and I am on track to do just that.

It helps that I am unmarried and don't have kids, but even if I did, I would have passed on the lessons that my mom taught me. They wouldn't have been given every little bauble that caught their eye, and they damn sure would have been either in school or working if still living in my house. If not they could take their lazy butts out and find their own living arrangements.

We spoiled ourselves and our kids rotten, and are seeing the results of that selfishness.

You have to take care of you!

Bingo
That's where the nation has lost its way

And letting children have more rights than their parents...IMHO

Joey_V

BlueFox wrote: »

I think every generation says that generations after them are useless, at least compared to them, or previous generations. People like to generalize since then they don't have to think.

Part of it is because each generation is not like the generation before or after it. So it's easy to generalize on the negatives.

BlueFox

Exactomundo. Thinking is hard, let's take the easy route. And make <fill in the blank> great again. LOL.

tonyb

Cathy,
I can agree with all that, and how parents hold the majority of responsibility. Somewhere, maybe in another thread, I made reference to one's "sphere of influence". This trumps parenting after a certain age. You can raise your kids to be the most responsible, most level headed little creatures on earth but when they get into school at around high school level and coupled with the internet.....things change. Their sphere of influence expands greatly, and not always for the better.

I've noticed this change over decades, in families with the most staunch parents even. It happens between pre=teen years and young adulthood under 30. Interesting enough, it's the higher learning years and early career years these changes take place and also happens to be what media aims it's sights on.

I'm not talking about the little things every generation holds against another....your rock and roll sucks, rap music sucks, one generation having it easier or harder than another....that's normal. However the disconnect today has reached extreme proportions between generations. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see it, nor figure out the cause of it. You separate the normal human behavior from the extreme.

I have a variety of nieces and nephews, from various parenting styles. Even within one family of 4 kids, all raised the same good or bad, the differences as young adults is astounding. Asking simple questions, one can trace this turn of events right to the front door of the colleges they attended. One is a teacher, within 4 years of being in the workforce, has her school loans almost all paid for, while living on her own and supporting herself. Her sister....only a few years younger, different college, has a degree in junk, is still lost and believes everything should be free. Still lives at home too. Christmas morning I had a group of kids and young adults at my house. 6 of them sitting at my Kitchen table ranging in age from 8 to 25, 4 of which were texting each other when they are literally 2 feet away....and one was the 8 year old with a new IPhone 7 she got as a present to replace the 5 she had. A few never even looked at their phones the whole time and I applauded them for it, let them know how proud I was they had priorities in place.

Sure, you can blame parents for some of those differences, lack of correction when they see them stray off the beaten path, but parents at this stage do not hold the sway as they once did. That child is being influenced by a much larger entity than 2 parents. Kids today don't even need to have the parents money, they hand out school loans like candy to anyone with a heart beat.

Many other ways too parental authority is being subverted. In some states you don't need a parents authorization to go on birth control, have an abortion, or even have a sex change. Ever try and spank your kid in a public place ? You can even go as far to say authority in general is under attack. If your a teacher, ever try and take away a kids phone during class ? Punish them for not doing homework ? How about Cops, are they not under attack ? Any corporation with rules one may not like, under attack.

Gets to a point you have to start asking yourself questions on where all this originates from....who's starting this upheaval against authority, against our culture in general.

cfrizz

Tony, while I agree with what you said, to me it all starts at home. Take control of your kids and keep control, and it starts when they are babies.

Yes kids have more outside influences bearing down on them then we ever did, but that really doesn't change things. If you start when they are young, they will know when not to push. So that by the time they get to where they are at that age, they will know there are boundaries that they should not cross regardless of peer pressure.

Do you know how many times my brothers and I came home talking about one of our friends can do, and what they have, and our parents told us they are not our friends, they are not going to allow us to do what they don't want us to do, so just leave the attitude outside the door, or you will feel a belt once you are behind it.

It is up to you to monitor/control what your kid has access to. Why did an 8 year old have a cell phone? You want them to have a phone, fine buy them some cheap phone and tell them its for emergencies only. And if the school has a no phone policy, then DON'T send the kid to school with a phone!

Will this solve everything, no of course not. And you are right even with good parents sometimes the kids still go off the deep end. Nothing is perfect.

The point is you can't have it all, and there have to be limits, and those limits should be respected.

How many times on here has Ken shut down a thread because it went over a clearly drawn line, and some start moaning about their right to free speech and heavy handed oversight. Polk owns this site and has the right to determine what they will and won't allow. You don't like it feel free to leave.

If the mostly middle age members of this board feel that the simple rules don't apply to them on here, I have to wonder what they taught their children about rules.

Sorry Tony, but the way I see it, it still comes back to us.

mantis

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

On the quality of items today, the targeted market 18-45 year olds aren't old enough to remember how long good quality items should last. They are constantly told in the adverts that the newest most updated item is needed and the only consideration to be made is price point and the company that puts out the cheapest item that barely makes it past the warranty is the winner. Most of us on here don't fall into that group anymore and we see quality and length of use as a nice feature.

Quality is for old farts......as they are the only ones old enough to care. My grandpa bought a 67 Chevy 10 pickup new and drove it until he passed 37 years later at 94. The pickup still runs and drives and sits in my dad's driveway and could possibly be passed on down to one of his kids if they have a need for it.

I do understand Dan's concern for the poor quality of items taking its toll on his ability to stand by his work, but consumer quality items are destined to take this upgrade and replace path as R&D is put into improving the number of functions instead of quality.

it goes further then that. Failure rate out of the box is way to high. You basically whenever you install anything today , you just hope if works. Even tried and true trusted brands you take a deep breath and hope for the best.

mantis

cfrizz wrote: »

Tony it was OUR generation that screwed up our kids, and they are just passing it on down the line.

If we didn't get something growing up it was because the money went to more important things, but we took it as depravation rather than understanding once we grew up, what it takes to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table etc.

So once we grew up, if we didn't have a parent that taught us how to at least save a dollar, we proceeded to get whatever we wanted, especially if we got a credit card and so it began.

Then we had kids, and we didn't want them to be deprived of everything we thought we were deprived of and spoiled them rotten as well as ourselves.

You asked who teaches economics anymore? It wasn't a matter of teaching economics, it was a matter of using self control for ourselves and our kids. It was a matter of US teaching our kids.

We didn't/don't, so naturally our kids don't, and it is our own fault!

My mother always told me that I should have a nest egg of at least $10,000.00 in the bank in case of emergencies. I saw her write out two checks to Visa to pay off the debt before my dad died because she knew she didn't want to be paying it off for the rest of her life. When I spent $2000.00 getting my first real stereo system, she was appalled since I had already had one, and couldn't understand why I wanted to change it.

Once I had the system I was happy with, I stopped upgrading for 15 years. Why? because regardless of what country made it, if treated with care it lasts for years. The same holds true for many gadgets big and small.

All of these little lessons stuck, when I finally moved out, I had twice that amount in my bank account, it was what allowed me to buy into a Cooperative building. When New England Financial started **** around with our pensions and pushing the 401ks in the 80s I paid attention and started investing in mutual funds. Even back then they were grumbling about Social Security running out of money. Well I don't care, because SS was never meant to be lived on, only to supplement what I have saved for retirement. And I plan to get out of the work force in 6 years, and I am on track to do just that.

It helps that I am unmarried and don't have kids, but even if I did, I would have passed on the lessons that my mom taught me. They wouldn't have been given every little bauble that caught their eye, and they damn sure would have been either in school or working if still living in my house. If not they could take their lazy butts out and find their own living arrangements.

We spoiled ourselves and our kids rotten, and are seeing the results of that selfishness.

I see a lot of truth in this, very good response.

mantis

I'm at the point right now that I don't want to keep getting the new thing. As much as I love NEW, I'm actually getting tired of it. New isn't always better. My iPhone 7 Plus isn't better then my iPhone 6s Plus. I actually liked my 6s Plus better.
My 2014 Pathfinder I really liked my 2008 model better.
The New Pioneer Elite SC-99 isn't really anything to get excited over with you owned the SC-68. The amount of money you spend to upgrade, then sell off your older model for pennies on the dollar sucks. The difference you spent I don't see the value. If I had to do it over again, I would have just kept my SC-68 and the cash rather then have the SC-99. There is nothing wrong with the 99 but it doesn't seem to really be any better. I've had it for awhile now and I would be totally cool to get my money back and have my SC-68 as old as that would be now.
The Truck, don't even get me started.
Everything I even think Apple is starting to lose quality. I see more bugs in the software now then ever before.

cfrizz

Wow Dan, this is a shock. You are practically the king of upgrading to the latest & greatest!