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[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Easy to live frugal in a part of the country where houses still cost $100,000.

My first house was a POS 3 bed 1200 sqft 2 car garage previous rent house that had seen major abuse. Bought for in the mid 30’s. Smelled so bad we had to put bleach on the foundation after we ripped the carpet/padding out.

Lived in it a few years, did all updates and sold it for almost double what we paid. Flipping houses can me moderately lucrative, especially if you do a lot of the work.

I’m ok with living here in my 4K sqft house, with land and being debt free. Could not do that in CA. My salary is the same in CA as it is here, just goes a hell of a lot farther here.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

I’m ok with living here in my 4K sqft house, with land and being debt free. Could not do that in CA. My salary is the same in CA as it is here, just goes a hell of a lot farther here.

Mad props to you and your priorities.

My only debt is a mortgage, and to me that's worth it for all the magic of living in SoCal. I've lived in cheaper parts of the country and run away screaming.

[Raazor]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Mad props to you and your priorities.

My only debt is a mortgage, and to me that's worth it for all the magic of living in SoCal. I've lived in cheaper parts of the country and run away screaming.

I was on Pismo Beach Wed evening... what a great place! Then we drove south in to LA... oh **** no!

There are great and horrible places in almost every city and state. But CA is flat out crazy expensive to live. One of my managers out there wants to step down to a sales job and move to NM or West TX. Can't say that I blame him.

Nic, good on your for living the way you do. We have done the same thing also for decades. I've had ONE toy in 27 years of marriage... a Vette I bought used. I've never had a boat, ATV, 2nd home, motorcycle, motor home or trailer... I did join one vacation club that we've used every year since 1997 and made us money since we were going to vacation anyway.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by Raazor

I was on Pismo Beach Wed evening... what a great place! Then we drove south in to LA... oh **** no!

There are great and horrible places in almost every city and state. But CA is flat out crazy expensive to live.

No doubt.

The only way to survive here is to either be uber rich, or to have established yourself back in the early 90s when property was still (barely) affordable.

I'm fortunate enough to be in the latter group.

[Raazor]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

No doubt.

The only way to survive here is to either be uber rich, or to have established yourself back in the early 90s when property was still (barely) affordable.

I'm fortunate enough to be in the latter group.

you will make bank on your investment

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by Raazor

you will make bank on your investment

Already did that once.

Bought our first house in 1997 for $300,000. Sold it 4-1/2 years later for $525,000.

Bought a house in Tucson for $369,000
Sold it later for $469,000.

Moved back to SoCal, bought a house for $500,000.

This house is now worth $900,000+.

Beats the poo-poo out of Wall Street.

[Raazor]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Already did that once.

Bought our first house in 1997 for $300,000. Sold it 4-1/2 years later for $525,000.

Bought a house in Tucson for $369,000
Sold it later for $469,000.

Moved back to SoCal, bought a house for $500,000.

This house is now worth $900,000+.

Beats the poo-poo out of Wall Street.

not everywhere but certainly in CA and good timing during the Great Recession everywhere else.

Well done

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Already did that once.

Bought our first house in 1997 for $300,000. Sold it 4-1/2 years later for $525,000.

Bought a house in Tucson for $369,000
Sold it later for $469,000.

Moved back to SoCal, bought a house for $500,000.

This house is now worth $900,000+.

Beats the poo-poo out of Wall Street.

Agree, if you got in years ago, your equity in your home will save you.


Parts of CA are spectacular, why we visit, but with family here and up and down the E coast, could never see us living there. Plus the taxes and liberals seem to be too much for me to tolerate.

[Hardluck]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Agree, if you got in years ago, your equity in your home will save you.


Parts of CA are spectacular, why we visit, but with family here and up and down the E coast, could never see us living there. Plus the taxes and liberals seem to be too much for me to tolerate.

Plus the worst part, Frek and Adog live there!

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Already did that once.

Bought our first house in 1997 for $300,000. Sold it 4-1/2 years later for $525,000.

Bought a house in Tucson for $369,000
Sold it later for $469,000.

Moved back to SoCal, bought a house for $500,000.

This house is now worth $900,000+.

Beats the poo-poo out of Wall Street.

If this question is inappropriate, I understand. But what is your annual property tax? What is your income tax % and what is sales tax? It’s hard to make your money work for you when CA wants to control so much of it.

[04 commemorative]

If you pay taxes....you are never out of debt

[Raazor]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

If you pay taxes....you are never out of debt

truth

[BOTY]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Easy to live frugal in a part of the country where houses still cost $100,000.

Have you seen pic's of their house ?

[BOTY]

Originally Posted by Raazor

truth

[Raazor]

Originally Posted by BOTY

Have you seen pic's of their house ?

She showed pics when she was working on it

[Egnalf]

all kidding aside, have you looked at, or do you know anything about REIT's. it may be worth exploring since you seem otherwise well sorted.

https://money.usnews.com/funds/mutua...dex-fund/vgsix

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by BOTY

Have you seen pic's of their house ?

I've seen pics of the fence...

[Egnalf]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

If you pay taxes....you are never out of debt

Originally Posted by Raazor

truth

exactly why the pay off your mortgage thing doesn't matter. so long as there is an incorporated town and the bill taxes, you never own it outright. skip a tax payment or two and find out for sure.

[Cool 50th AE]

Don’t ask me.
I’ve kept most of my money in checking accounts and 1.5% CD’s for the last 10 years.

Bought my house 10 years ago and put 150K into it and now it’s worth just slightly less than I paid for it.

I’m a financial genius.

[Raazor]

Originally Posted by Cool 50th AE

Don’t ask me.
I’ve kept most of my money in checking accounts and 1.5% CD’s for the last 10 years.

Bought my house 10 years ago and put 150K into it and now it’s worth just slightly less than I paid for it.

I’m a financial genius.

Don't Porter your money bruh... jus sayin