Our ignorant society has been brainwashed for a century that anything "socialist" is a Commie threat to our love it or leave it USA. No nuance, no quarter given to progressive ideas to use government to serve its constituents. We must educate the citizenry, as all the while fascist billionaires tear down the Dept of Education. Now who would want to keep citizens ignorant about the greater benefits of social democracy over pure capitalism? Who could be so selfish and so malevolent? You know who.
I completely agree with you. Currently working on moving to the EU in a few years and enabling kids to move there.
Here is something that I think about regularly on cars vs public transportation: The opportunity cost of the money needed to invest in cars.
I am going to completely ignore maintenance, gas, repairs, insurance, etc which is a substantial additional sum, and just focus on the opportunity cost of the purchase of cars. Specifically my wife's and my car using this S&P 500 calculator: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/sp500-calculator/
My wife's car was purchased for $46,000 in January 2016 and is now worth $14,000 per Edmunds. My car was purchased for $55,000 in February 2018 and is now worth $24,000.
Let's check out what we would have now if the purchase price *alone* had been invested in the S&P 500.
Wife's car:
Nominal Price Return: 250.83%
Annualized: 13.74%
Investment Grew To: $161,379.81
Nominal Total Return (with dividends reinvested): 313.37%
Annualized: 15.67%
Investment Grew To: $190,149.58
My car:
Nominal Price Return: 148.82%
Annualized: 12.63%
Investment Grew To: $136,850.23
Nominal Total Return (with dividends reinvested): 181.23%
Annualized: 14.45%
Investment Grew To: $154,678.82
So we would have $345K in liquid investments vs $38K in depreciating cars. Cars suck!
Yes, cars really are a bit of an anachronism. I remember reading an analysis that stated that almost all private cars spend over 95% of their time parked (another, often expensive, cost), i.e. idle, not in use. There is no commonly owned item so expensive and so little actually used. Of course they confer a sense of freedom and independence. Personally, I never took my driving test. Living in a city I couldn't justify the expense and hassle; I've been a keen cyclist since the mid 70s and got everywhere quicker than anything except a motorbike: one of the best motorcyclists I knew (a very experienced dispatch rider) stayed over at my place one night and we were both headed to Oxford Circus the following morning, a journey of about six miles. I asked him to time himself, just out of interest. It took him 20' and me 22', so not such a great difference. As I said, he was an exceptionally good rider, so I'm sure it would have taken most people longer.
My sister has dual citizenship with the UK and if it weren’t for her children she’d stay there rather than visit twice a year. I would too but am in a far lower tax bracket.
Our ignorant society has been brainwashed for a century that anything "socialist" is a Commie threat to our love it or leave it USA. No nuance, no quarter given to progressive ideas to use government to serve its constituents. We must educate the citizenry, as all the while fascist billionaires tear down the Dept of Education. Now who would want to keep citizens ignorant about the greater benefits of social democracy over pure capitalism? Who could be so selfish and so malevolent? You know who.
Excellent analogy. I go to Europe every year and spend time with some family who were born and raised there, as well as friends I’ve met while there.
They really are happier and have way less anxiety. They’re healthier and most don’t have the materialistic thirst.
I’ve said it for years….they have more freedom.
Yes and billionaires want to enslave Americans & keep the happiness afforded in our Constitutionfor themselves & their heirs! Shame anti christs!
Evan that was absolutely superb. It’s great to see an American with eyes wide open to the big wide world. You are wonderfully articulate.
You really do have a much better life. I'm glad for you you made the right choice for yourself.
Very Happy for you.
Are you a British citizen? Do you have dual citizenship in the US and Britain?
I completely agree with you. Currently working on moving to the EU in a few years and enabling kids to move there.
Here is something that I think about regularly on cars vs public transportation: The opportunity cost of the money needed to invest in cars.
I am going to completely ignore maintenance, gas, repairs, insurance, etc which is a substantial additional sum, and just focus on the opportunity cost of the purchase of cars. Specifically my wife's and my car using this S&P 500 calculator: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/sp500-calculator/
My wife's car was purchased for $46,000 in January 2016 and is now worth $14,000 per Edmunds. My car was purchased for $55,000 in February 2018 and is now worth $24,000.
Let's check out what we would have now if the purchase price *alone* had been invested in the S&P 500.
Wife's car:
Nominal Price Return: 250.83%
Annualized: 13.74%
Investment Grew To: $161,379.81
Nominal Total Return (with dividends reinvested): 313.37%
Annualized: 15.67%
Investment Grew To: $190,149.58
My car:
Nominal Price Return: 148.82%
Annualized: 12.63%
Investment Grew To: $136,850.23
Nominal Total Return (with dividends reinvested): 181.23%
Annualized: 14.45%
Investment Grew To: $154,678.82
So we would have $345K in liquid investments vs $38K in depreciating cars. Cars suck!
Yes, cars really are a bit of an anachronism. I remember reading an analysis that stated that almost all private cars spend over 95% of their time parked (another, often expensive, cost), i.e. idle, not in use. There is no commonly owned item so expensive and so little actually used. Of course they confer a sense of freedom and independence. Personally, I never took my driving test. Living in a city I couldn't justify the expense and hassle; I've been a keen cyclist since the mid 70s and got everywhere quicker than anything except a motorbike: one of the best motorcyclists I knew (a very experienced dispatch rider) stayed over at my place one night and we were both headed to Oxford Circus the following morning, a journey of about six miles. I asked him to time himself, just out of interest. It took him 20' and me 22', so not such a great difference. As I said, he was an exceptionally good rider, so I'm sure it would have taken most people longer.
“That’s quality of life.” Same here in Canada, thank the Universe.
Hey USA: It can’t always be abt profits.
Sighs in healthcare debt…
My sister has dual citizenship with the UK and if it weren’t for her children she’d stay there rather than visit twice a year. I would too but am in a far lower tax bracket.