I like this - but would companies that fail (in being second) not get credit for their work? You could imagine the second place actually having a more effective product at the end.

Wait - can you explain this further?

Why depreciating asset?

Also, they probably aren't selling it right? Just using as a rent-free option after paying mortgage to lower cost of living?

What am I missing?

I think you're also a brilliant fellow human.

I like everyone's answers here.

1a. Definitely take at least some consideration of what your mental health looks like over those periods. It could be a symptom. (Not that you won't sadly still need coping strategies regardless. Mental health issues just suck.)

1b. Do you have a career where there are seasonal variations in workload? Are coworkers or family or friends potentially influencing your spending behavior?

2. You've already heard of YNAB. (And it's like only 10% a cult? 😂) I think it could be a useful tool for you. Since you seem to hate the minutia keep your categories dirt simple. Debt payments, short term fun, fixed expenses. Break them down only so far as they are useful for YOU. YNAB will get pretty good at guessing categories for you these days.

3. Consider what you are working towards when you are in a working hard phase. What makes those savings worthwhile? Afterall - money is only a means to an end. I find it easier to save and consider giving up buying that $800 pair of new powder skis I really don't need if I know it's to go on an epic honeymoon in a year. Personally and maybe not as easily applicable, I've had an issue of saving too much... so I also gave myself the list of goals I was saving for and what timeline I wanted for them and I avoid saving more than I need for those things over that time. (Retirement, wedding, down payment, honeymoon, student loans.) After that set amount... all the money is mine to do what I want with so I can spend it on what makes me happy without guilting over it.

I have a question out of curiosity... Is it supportive in a good way or do the ab and back muscles start to weaken with time if you don't make an effort to strengthen them?

Every time you think it can't get weirder.

I can respect that. But also- set aside money on a regular basis (cash in an envelope for the physical reality or in a budgeting app) until you have enough to get one. And then splurge on that or something else you want more by then!

Agreed.

If anyone wants to further argue, note the issue is that we've built a country where cars are necessary. (And yet not so necessary that someone's license can't be suspended!) However, there is no reason why this can't be changed. Saying it can't is limiting our future to also think cars are necessary. They aren't. They are useful in many places. But you could do without them if as a society we decided to do that. Dream bigger everyone! Have a world where you DON'T need to sit in traffic every day. Where you DON'T wait at red light after red light. Where you DON'T need to be a designated driver for your friends. Where you DON'T fear the day your vision gets so bad you lose your independence. Where you DON'T need to spend hundreds on insurance and car purchases and parking tickets and everything else. If we don't dream it, we can't ask for it. And if we don't ask for it, what we have now will be what we're stuck with.

(And if you want to have a car and have fun - sure! But then it'll be extra fun when it's not a requirement and fewer cars are on the road!)

Yep! Although I'll be over here trying to maintain other points of view.

And posting cute rabbit photos.

Lol. Salt Lake City. 300k for a one bedroom condo - almost not quite bikeable.

A little late here - but I adore YNAB. I'll talk about it all day but at it's base it functions off of a digitized envelope system rather than trying to match projected inputs to projected outputs every month.

YNAB has the automatic uploads of transactions (and does try to guess a category for you but you do have to review and approve).

It is fairly expensive. Although the family plan works if you have anyone you're open about finances with (or simply trust the family "owner" not to peek - like my younger sister decided to trust me not to look.)

Also works - similar reasons. Soap every day can hurt skin more than letting it do it's on thing. But I absolutely adore showers - I just prefer to try and let my hair oils do their thing until appearing professional forces me to shampoo.