Relatives who just don't get it

[iris lily]

@Metalcat $75 for that actually seems like a good deal if anything.

In the tonier suburbs of St. Louis, there’s a couple storefronts I’m thinking of that purport to offer dinners that you pack up and take home, but I’m not convinced they are are any better than the deli at my grocery stores

[wkumtrider]

My sister-in-law's brother-in-law bought a new car and pays $1300/month.  It is a maxed out Toyota SUV.  Hope it is worth it.

[Purple_Crayon]

My parents redid their sitting room, which they spend zero time in. $9000 for a giant stained glass window, and $11,000 for two pieces of custom made furniture.

Shortly thereafter, they called me while DW and I were on a trip to Hawaii. On the call, they mentioned they wish they had the money to travel, to which I replied "Your window alone could pay for three or four of my vacations."

[41_swish]

My mom has really been on my butt lately about buying an economy sedan instead of a an SUV. For context she drives a Toyota 4Runner and seems to get a new one every three years or so. I bought a used Toyota Camry 7 or so months ago and she still is just on me about driving a tiny little sedan. She says I like to do outdoor activities and should buy and SUV or Truck. News flash, most ski areas are right off I70 in Colorado and the lakes I go to paddle boards don't require any off roading. I have been able to do all the same stuff since buying that car. One of the really old MMM articles about front wheel drive actually convinced me that it's all that I need

[LD_TAndK]

My mom has really been on my butt lately about buying an economy sedan instead of a an SUV.
(snip)

Hah I have a similar experience, our family is growing and my mother suggests we get a Subaru Ascent because we're so "outdoorsy". Nah we're getting a minivan mom.

[zolotiyeruki]

My mom has really been on my butt lately about buying an economy sedan instead of a an SUV.
(snip)

Hah I have a similar experience, our family is growing and my mother suggests we get a Subaru Ascent because we're so "outdoorsy". Nah we're getting a minivan mom.

I've found that such comments are often more about rationalizing the commenter's purchasing decision rather than meeting the comment-recipient's needs.

Minivans are the BEST.  Eight comfortable (if you get the right brand, i.e. Honda) seats, massive cargo space, reasonable gas mileage, comfortable ride and handling...

Out of curiosity, I looked up the Ascent.  You know what I noticed?  There are zero photos of the cargo area with the rear seats upright.  There's a reason for that: It's tiny, like most SUVs.

[41_swish]

You know what the worst part is??? I am single with a roommate and no kids!! What the heck do I need a big suv for? I ride my bike most of the time and drive the car for fun on the weekends to go do all the same activities I have been doing

[Sibley]

You know what the worst part is??? I am single with a roommate and no kids!! What the heck do I need a big suv for? I ride my bike most of the time and drive the car for fun on the weekends to go do all the same activities I have been doing

But you don't LOOK like a successful adult, so your mother can't cope. Successful adults have big SUVs.

[NorthernIkigai]

You know what the worst part is??? I am single with a roommate and no kids!! What the heck do I need a big suv for? I ride my bike most of the time and drive the car for fun on the weekends to go do all the same activities I have been doing

But you don't LOOK like a successful adult, so your mother can't cope. Successful adults have big SUVs.

Successful adults have chauffeurs. (Unless they're Mustachian, in which case they have bikes and professional train/tram/etc. drivers at their service.)

[Turtle]

You know what the worst part is??? I am single with a roommate and no kids!! What the heck do I need a big suv for? I ride my bike most of the time and drive the car for fun on the weekends to go do all the same activities I have been doing

But you don't LOOK like a successful adult, so your mother can't cope. Successful adults have big SUVs.

Successful adults have chauffeurs. (Unless they're Mustachian, in which case they have bikes and professional train/tram/etc. drivers at their service.)

Successful parents have chauffeurs, at least while their kids have a permit but not a full license yet. 

[41_swish]

My parents, and especially my mom, are very materialistic and showy. My mom drives are Toyota 4Runner and my dad drives a Ram 1500. The idea of me driving an economy sedan drives them crazy. They said people will make fun of me. News flash, nobody gives a shit what you drive. I will pay this thing off and drive it until I am 40

[RWD]

My parents, and especially my mom, are very materialistic and showy. My mom drives are Toyota 4Runner and my dad drives a Ram 1500. The idea of me driving an economy sedan drives them crazy. They said people will make fun of me. News flash, nobody gives a shit what you drive. I will pay this thing off and drive it until I am 40

What weird choices if they want to show off with cars though. No one is going to take a second glance at super common vehicles like a 4Runner or RAM truck. For the price of a new 4Runner you could get a nice used Porsche or other prestigious brand. Heck, for the price of a fully loaded 4Runner you could actually buy a new Porsche.

[reeshau]

My parents, and especially my mom, are very materialistic and showy. My mom drives are Toyota 4Runner and my dad drives a Ram 1500. The idea of me driving an economy sedan drives them crazy. They said people will make fun of me. News flash, nobody gives a shit what you drive. I will pay this thing off and drive it until I am 40

What weird choices if they want to show off with cars though. No one is going to take a second glance at super common vehicles like a 4Runner or RAM truck. For the price of a new 4Runner you could get a nice used Porsche or other prestigious brand. Heck, for the price of a fully loaded 4Runner you could actually buy a new Porsche.

“We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.” - Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club)

[Juan Ponce de León]

The thing about working on your own cars is initially, every job you do you're going to spend the savings on some tool you needed.  Also if you only have one car you run the risk of the car being in bits right when you realise you need that tool or tube of gasket maker or whatever it is.  Then suddenly it's 8pm and you need the car for work the next morning and the car is still in pieces all over the garage floor.  It's fraught with danger and you're going to make mistakes.  That said I love working on my cars, it doesn't come naturally to me but I am getting there.  The trick with old cars is to have 2 of them so you still have one to drive while the other is up on jack stands.  Still going to work out far cheaper than that $1300 a month truck payment and it's way more satisfying and rewarding honestly.

[41_swish]

They live deep in the burbs. Driving a big SUV or truck is just par for the course out there.

[Taran Wanderer]

The thing about working on your own cars is initially, every job you do you're going to spend the savings on some tool you needed.  Also if you only have one car you run the risk of the car being in bits right when you realise you need that tool or tube of gasket maker or whatever it is.  Then suddenly it's 8pm and you need the car for work the next morning and the car is still in pieces all over the garage floor.  It's fraught with danger and you're going to make mistakes.  That said I love working on my cars, it doesn't come naturally to me but I am getting there.  The trick with old cars is to have 2 of them so you still have one to drive while the other is up on jack stands.  Still going to work out far cheaper than that $1300 a month truck payment and it's way more satisfying and rewarding honestly.

Ha ha ha, so true!  I changed my own oil, apparently for the first time with this car.  I have a couple different types of oil filter wrench.  I drained the oil and then found I didn’t have the right oil filter wrench!  Not available at either of the local auto parts stores.  Finally, I was able to borrow one from a local dealership (not the kind for my car) because I know a guy who works there. Needless to say, I quickly finished the oil change, returned the special wrench/socket, included some treats as well, and then ordered my own wrench off Amazon.  So yeah, you have to buy tools, but worse, you’re halfway through and you can’t buy the tools you need!

[Smokystache]

My parents, and especially my mom, are very materialistic and showy. My mom drives are Toyota 4Runner and my dad drives a Ram 1500. The idea of me driving an economy sedan drives them crazy. They said people will make fun of me. News flash, nobody gives a shit what you drive. I will pay this thing off and drive it until I am 40

I can't be the only one who actually thinks the opposite is true.

[Talking to myself going down the interstate}: "Brand new fully tricked-out Escalade? Good for you. Good luck working at a job you hate for a boss you hate for the rest of your life."

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

My parents, and especially my mom, are very materialistic and showy. My mom drives are Toyota 4Runner and my dad drives a Ram 1500. The idea of me driving an economy sedan drives them crazy. They said people will make fun of me. News flash, nobody gives a shit what you drive. I will pay this thing off and drive it until I am 40

I can't be the only one who actually thinks the opposite is true.

[Talking to myself going down the interstate}: "Brand new fully tricked-out Escalade? Good for you. Good luck working at a job you hate for a boss you hate for the rest of your life."

Right, and I really admire a nicely maintained older car on the road! And those who drive new cars will never know the rush of the Honda dealer service department admiring what nice condition your 2011 Honda Fit is in.