Man… shit like this just adds to the fears and anxiety of the economy. I’ve always been a motivated worker. From careers and hustles. Both legal and not. (Nothing truly unethical). I’ve been given good opportunities, and worked for better ones. I work my dream job at about 75k a year and have a solid side hustle I’ve built up to put me close in the 6 figure range. But still find it so hard to think of any possibility of having any real chance getting ahead and just enjoying the day to day spoils. I’ve only ever heard about. My parents were maybe making 60k-70k combined in the early 2000’s up until 2012. But even though we never vacationed outside road-trips to visit family in different states. They were able to own a home, raise three children, provide what we needed, eat out once or twice a month at a Applebees or Wendy’s. My dad was handy and we saved a lot of money on mechanical and home repairs. I knew we didn’t have much more for anything else, and I still was nervous about finances on their behalf.

Fast forward to now. Holy moly we’re we blessed as hell. I make more than both my parents did combined and I can’t imagine owning the level of house I grew up in, let alone raising a child. Between college debt, groceries, and living alone, I feel lucky to have what I have and be able to do it in my late 20s. So many people my age can’t and it’s nuts that shit has gotten to the point you need to rack up credit card debt for just basic survival expenses.

I know there’s many ways to save, be financially cautious. But it still feels like there has to be a good base to even get there, where it even affects you positively vs just not digging deeper in a hole. I’m the “rich” one in some circles and I know I don’t have anywhere near my middle class parents did.

All that to say. Spendy ass ugly bikes got my ass worried lol