Devoted to understanding the basics and fundamentals of investing

Unfortunately, we don't walk around with our net worth stamped on our foreheads, so no one knows, so the pressure to consume may be something that is hard to fend off.

If we had to sport our net worth on our wristwatches, I'm sure we'd be seeing less luxury watches and more savings portfolios.

Being human, I think we're all about the immediate gratification: like if you are hungry, you eat. If you want a nice watch, you go buy it. There's less incentive to think about the future because we're not really hard-wired to think too far in the future.

Your blog is a good reminder!! I signed up for the subscription in the top left so it gets emailed to me.

Thanks! Now go make some money!

A Viper is Chrysler's answer to an affordable Ferrari. It is made to emulate a true sports car, like a Ferrari, not a luxury car loaded with convenient amenities.

For instance, the windows on a Viper go up and down using a hand crank, very similar to the one your dad had to use if he wanted to raise or lower the windows on his old Model T. Imagine driving a Viper from Salt Lake City to Mesa, Arizona in 112+ degree heat with no air conditioning or easy way to put those damn windows down! If you want to adjust the side mirrors for safety's sake, you have to reach out the windows and adjust them by hand. There's no little joystick at your finger-tips to maneuver your side mirrors with automated controls.

Although it has attractive exterior body lines (and is indeed a pretty car to admire) even at $83k, a Viper is exceedingly overpriced vis-a-vis a Ferrari, or a BMW, or an Audi, or a Lexus, or an Infinity. If you're going to spend $83k for a car, at least buy yourself a nice luxury vehicle, perhaps of German or Japanese manufacture (NOT American, and NO LONGER a Mercedes), into which you and your family members can comfortably fit.

Believe me when I tell you that you would NOT be happy either driving or traveling in a Dodge Viper for over 22 hours in one long 3-day weekend, nor for over 11 hours in any one day, regardless of how pleasant the outdoor temperature might be. A Viper is just not ergonomically built for either one of us, Larry, nor are we for it.

Neither are our wallets. (Did you think I missed the meaning of the object lesson behind your June 5th post)?

A Rolex as an dependable time piece and investment? Rolex Daytona purchased in 1978 for $700 currently $15000(USED). A Rolex Submariner purchased in 1995 for $1200 currently $3900(USED) A Rolex Datejust purchased in 2000 for $3600 currently $5750 (USED) Rolex's currently return their purchase price after two years and appreciate there after, for atleast the last 50 years. You can buy a nice used low milage Viper for $35K and just have a ball the first time it snows:>)

A 13kt gold Ebel moonphase chronograph purchased in 1987 for $12,500 is currently priced at $38,000. (Probably not worth even close to the money on either date in history, but that is certainly not the key consideration or motivation to a determined purchaser). Has that watch, like a Rolex, appreciated due to the fact that gold has appreciated in value over the USD, or because the USD has depreciated against gold for the same period?

Kal's Viper may well be appreciated by Kal (and by you and by me), but Kal's Viper clearly hasn't appreciated over time ($83k new,

Drive a Viper in the snow? That's not only courting danger, it's nearly impossible! Hey, where'd all that wonderful traction go which Kal relies upon to stay alive when he's racing his Viper? Compared to a Ferrari, a Viper is as light as a feather. (And is no competiton in a race).

Drive ANY $83k (or higher) car in the snow? That's just heresy to a luxury car buff! (My old S500 has never seen snow, and never will. That's why God made a heated garage for it to rest within on the snowy seventh day of creation).

Apparently both Kal and your neighbor missed reading your excellent blog about the miracle effects of compounding over time, Larry. Knowing how well you address the subject, and how little consideration has been given to it in these commentaries by your readers, it would certainly be worth repeating again, and even elaborating upon, in my opinion. How about it?

Thanks for the comments! It is the best part of blogging. I agree some luxuries appreciate in value. My point isn't to avoid purchasing luxuries. It is to take care of the necessities including retirement first. Also, if you are investing for retirement, you are probably better off investing in more liquid securities.

I like your suggestion Bob and wrote a post on it today. Thanks!