are pets consider a luxury item ? what about a car...

[Dancing Fire]

at what price range would you consider a car a luxury car? $20K ? $25k and above?

 

[trillionaire]

pets are a luxury if kids are.

 

[musey]

It's all incredibly subjective.

I do consider owning a pet to be a luxury for me, but one that I would never give up once I have one (in other words, I wouldn't adopt one if I were struggling, but I would never give one up once I had it for financial reasons - it's simply not an option. Wouldn't give up my kid, so I wouldn't give up my pet - I'm told this is a california mentality

).

Cars in and of themselves are luxury items if you do not need them for daily life/work (and most people do). There's no possible way to assign an arbitrary number to that, though, as different people "need" different things from their cars.

In my opinion

 

[Miranda]

I tend to think of brands as luxury or not. Not a particular price point. If I HAD to pick a price point it would be $40K - $50K and above. I live in So Cal, though, where cars are all important to our status!

 

[Miranda]

Whoops...I forgot to answer the pets part.

I guess pets could be classified as a luxury (so are kids trill

). Though, I could not live without mine. So for me pets (and kids) are a necessity!!!

 

[poshpepper]

Date: 1/28/2009 7:57:54 PM
Author: musey
It''s all incredibly subjective.

I do consider owning a pet to be a luxury for me, but one that I would never give up once I have one (in other words, I wouldn''t adopt one if I were struggling, but I would never give one up once I had it for financial reasons - it''s simply not an option. Wouldn''t give up my kid, so I wouldn''t give up my pet - I''m told this is a california mentality

).

Cars in and of themselves are luxury items if you do not need them for daily life/work (and most people do). There''s no possible way to assign an arbitrary number to that, though, as different people ''need'' different things from their cars.

In my opinion

Ditto here.

It is unfortunate that many people consider pets as disposable... but that is not the topic of this thread so I will refrain

A car is a luxury in so far that you do not need it to survive, same with pets and kids (in the absolute sense)... however in the practical sense a basic car is a necessity here in southern California. Pets are a luxury but once you have them they are not... meaning its not like a cable bill that you can just get rid of... same with children.

 

[trillionaire]

well, kids ARE necessary if we want to perpetuate our species...

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I think that over at or over $40,000 makes a car a luxury vehicle. Around $40,000 you can get navigation, leather, seat warms...the little luxuries of life...

As far as pets...well, sure...but they are honestly worth every penny...

 

[Haven]

I think both pets and a car are luxury items. I could never live without my pets, though, so for me they are a necessary luxury, so to speak. My car, on the other hand, I''d love to live without. Perhaps if I can find a teaching job loser to home I''ll ditch the car.

I think it''s a luxury to even think that cars are necessary. I know many families who cannot afford to own a car, and they live about 40 miles outside of the city so it''s not as if there is public transportation. They make do. They get rides with coworkers, they ride bicycles, they walk. It''s easy to take it for granted that you own a car, but it is in fact a luxury, in my opinion.

 

[Deelight]

Where I live I would say a car is a neccesity, (I am talking a basic get you to a -z no frills old bomb) because the public transport system here is beyond a joke however if it were better I would live without one.

Pets are a luxury, if you can''t afford them don''t have them but I also think that about children as well.

Musey I am not from California but I agree with you, my pets are in it with me and I with them for the long haul.

 

[musey]

Date: 1/28/2009 9:27:38 PM
Author: Haven
I think it''s a luxury to even think that cars are necessary. I know many families who cannot afford to own a car, and they live about 40 miles outside of the city so it''s not as if there is public transportation. They make do. They get rides with coworkers, they ride bicycles, they walk. It''s easy to take it for granted that you own a car, but it is in fact a luxury, in my opinion.

Generally speaking I agree, but there are certainly some professions that do require a car (usually more like a truck or van). In that respect, that person''s car is not a luxury, it is indeed necessary to their job, which is necessary to make money to get by, so therefore not a luxury for them.

However I do agree that for the vast majority it is certainly possible to get by without a car of their own.

 

[strmrdr]

A car over basic transportation is a luxury.
Around here that is over $2500 tops.

Pets are a luxury.

 

[omieluv]

Date: 1/28/2009 9:51:48 PM
Author: musey

Date: 1/28/2009 9:27:38 PM
Author: Haven
I think it's a luxury to even think that cars are necessary. I know many families who cannot afford to own a car, and they live about 40 miles outside of the city so it's not as if there is public transportation. They make do. They get rides with coworkers, they ride bicycles, they walk. It's easy to take it for granted that you own a car, but it is in fact a luxury, in my opinion.

Generally speaking I agree, but there are certainly some professions that do require a car (usually more like a truck or van). In that respect, that person's car is not a luxury, it is indeed necessary to their job, which is necessary to make money to get by, so therefore not a luxury for them.

However I do agree that for the vast majority it is certainly possible to get by without a car of their own.

What is considered "luxury" is situationally specific. For some a pet is a luxury, for others, pets earn their keep. For instance, the farmer who has a herd of sheep might have a herding dog to help round them up. Pets also have a calming influence for people who have anxiety disorders, or for children with developmental/emotional disabilities. My cat, however, is a luxury.

Cars, again it is a situationally specific argument. If one lives in the country, there is not likely to be public transportion to get them to the store that is 40 miles away and it is really not reasonable to expect that friends/family will always be available to help. For others, a car is necessary to do perform one's job. Not many companies offer company vehicles anymore, unless they offer it as a perk to a candidate they really want for the job (usually high level executive roles). Sure, they will reimburse mileage, but having a car these days is mandatory for many jobs these days, even for roles with 25% travel or less. Still, others might prefer having a car because they cannot be bothered with public transportation, which is not a strong reason to own a car. I do not own a car and I manage to get around using public trans and my own two feet, but having a car is not a requirement for me, so hence, having one would be a luxury.

 

[Octavia]

Date: 1/28/2009 7:57:54 PM
Author: musey
It''s all incredibly subjective.


I do consider owning a pet to be a luxury for me, but one that I would never give up once I have one (in other words, I wouldn''t adopt one if I were struggling, but I would never give one up once I had it for financial reasons - it''s simply not an option. Wouldn''t give up my kid, so I wouldn''t give up my pet - I''m told this is a california mentality

).


Cars in and of themselves are luxury items if you do not need them for daily life/work (and most people do). There''s no possible way to assign an arbitrary number to that, though, as different people ''need'' different things from their cars.


In my opinion

Well put, Musey.

Our cat is definitely a luxury, and he''s well aware of his privileged status...the little brat eats better than we do half the time, and wouldn''t settle for anything less

 

[Haven]

Date: 1/28/2009 9:51:48 PM
Author: musey

Date: 1/28/2009 9:27:38 PM
Author: Haven
I think it''s a luxury to even think that cars are necessary. I know many families who cannot afford to own a car, and they live about 40 miles outside of the city so it''s not as if there is public transportation. They make do. They get rides with coworkers, they ride bicycles, they walk. It''s easy to take it for granted that you own a car, but it is in fact a luxury, in my opinion.

Generally speaking I agree, but there are certainly some professions that do require a car (usually more like a truck or van). In that respect, that person''s car is not a luxury, it is indeed necessary to their job, which is necessary to make money to get by, so therefore not a luxury for them.

However I do agree that for the vast majority it is certainly possible to get by without a car of their own.

I think I''d have to say that I believe having the choice to pursue a profession that requires a car is a luxury in itself. If you can''t afford a car, you can''t have a job that requires one, even if you *want* that job oh-so-badly.

The option to *choose* is where I see the luxury-aspect coming in. I can afford it, so I choose to adopt pets. I can afford a car, so I choose to work 15 miles away from my home. If I could not afford these things, I would be pet-less (

) and I''d have to live within walking or biking distance from my job. Limited options.

 

[qtiekiki]

I think pet is a luxury item because it's not a necessity .

I also don't necessarily associate price point for luxury car. I associate the brands or the little extra options with luxury. If I have to choose a price point, I would say 45K and up. I don't consider my car as luxurious even with the little extra it has because it's a Honda.

ETA: I do use my car for work though, so it could be consider a necessity. =P

 

[Kaleigh]

I think pets are a luxury. We have 3 pets. Couldn''t imagine life without them.

Thinking a luxury car is about 45K? Maybe less. I haven''t shopped for a car in ages.

 

[omieluv]

Date: 1/28/2009 10:15:20 PM
Author: Haven

Date: 1/28/2009 9:51:48 PM
Author: musey

Date: 1/28/2009 9:27:38 PM
Author: Haven
I think it's a luxury to even think that cars are necessary. I know many families who cannot afford to own a car, and they live about 40 miles outside of the city so it's not as if there is public transportation. They make do. They get rides with coworkers, they ride bicycles, they walk. It's easy to take it for granted that you own a car, but it is in fact a luxury, in my opinion.

Generally speaking I agree, but there are certainly some professions that do require a car (usually more like a truck or van). In that respect, that person's car is not a luxury, it is indeed necessary to their job, which is necessary to make money to get by, so therefore not a luxury for them.

However I do agree that for the vast majority it is certainly possible to get by without a car of their own.

I think I'd have to say that I believe having the choice to pursue a profession that requires a car is a luxury in itself. If you can't afford a car, you can't have a job that requires one, even if you *want* that job oh-so-badly.

The option to *choose* is where I see the luxury-aspect coming in. I can afford it, so I choose to adopt pets. I can afford a car, so I choose to work 15 miles away from my home. If I could not afford these things, I would be pet-less (

) and I'd have to live within walking or biking distance from my job. Limited options.

Yes, but there is a difference between wanting and needing. Say you are unemployed and there is a job available in your skill set 15 miles away & there is no public transportation available? Sure, you could apply and get a ride to the interview, but let's say you land that job? What then? hypothetically, the role is located in an area that you cannot afford to live in, so you cannot move. However, the salary is enough to let you live where you are. How does one ride a bike in the snow?

As for pets, generally, they are luxury - execept in cases where they work or serve a medical purpose. My cat has not worked a day in her life and it shows!

 

[pennquaker09]

I think it might depend on the pet. Some pets cost more than others and it might be more of a luxury to be able to afford such pets.

For a car, I think it''s subjective. Some people expect different things in what they drive. From a pure price point of view, I think around 30K is the barrier that many consider entering into the luxury market.

 

[movie zombie]

California''s gov has proposed a 9% tax on all vet bills and medicines........that''s one heck of a luxury tax!

movie zombie

 

[omieluv]

Date: 1/28/2009 10:26:05 PM
Author: pennquaker09
I think it might depend on the pet. Some pets cost more than others and it might be more of a luxury to be able to afford such pets.

For a car, I think it''s subjective. Some people expect different things in what they drive. From a pure price point of view, I think around 30K is the barrier that many consider entering into the luxury market.

Isn''t it amazing how much a purebred animal from a reputable breeder can cost? I know most ethical breeders are not in it for the money, but yikes! My cat would have been $500 had I bought her from a breeder, dogs are even more...geesh.

 

[omieluv]

Date: 1/28/2009 10:27:59 PM
Author: movie zombie
California's gov has proposed a 9% tax on all vet bills and medicines........that's one heck of a luxury tax!

movie zombie

I hope there is an exemption for people who need pets to survive, like service dogs. Though, I am sure an argument can be made that even service dogs are luxuries.

 

[Haven]

Yes, omie, but if you can't afford the car then you just can't buy it. In your hypothetical, the individual would have to take a job that is outside of his "skill-set" because he doesn't have the luxury to take a job within his skill set if it is too far away to get to by foot or by bicycle.

Believe it or not, there are many individuals who take jobs that are outside of their skill-set or training out of necessity. I have a student whose parents are both trained professionals in their home country, yet his father works in a factory and his mother works in a fast food restaurant because that is what they must do to get by. They do not own a car. They are not waiting or hoping for a job within their fields to open up, because they know they don't yet have the luxury of choosing such a job because they don't own a car. Just because you're trained to do something (professionally) doesn't entitle you to have such a job.

ETA: And I'm with you on the cats. Ours are definitely little luxuries, and they know it! And don't even get me started on the pup!

 

[AmberGretchen]

OMG Octavie - LOL! Our cats definitely know they are luxury kitties as well

I agree with those who said that both pets and cars are luxuries. That said, once I''ve adopted a pet, that pet becomes a top priority for me, and I feel really strongly that I then have an obligation to make sure that pet is cared for for the rest of its natural life, no matter what happens to my financial situation.

 

[omieluv]

Date: 1/28/2009 10:35:43 PM
Author: Haven
Yes, omie, but if you can't afford the car then you just can't buy it. In your hypothetical, the individual would have to take a job that is outside of his 'skill-set' because he doesn't have the luxury to take a job within his skill set if it is too far away to get to by foot or by bicycle.

Believe it or not, there are many individuals who take jobs that are outside of their skill-set or training out of necessity. I have a student whose parents are both trained professionals in their home country, yet his father works in a factory and his mother works in a fast food restaurant because that is what they must do to get by. They do not own a car. They are not waiting or hoping for a job within their fields to open up, because they know they don't yet have the luxury of choosing such a job because they don't own a car. Just because you're trained to do something (professionally) doesn't entitle you to have such a job.

ETA: And I'm with you on the cats. Ours are definitely little luxuries, and they know it! And don't even get me started on the pup!

I am well aware that people will take jobs outside of their skillset to survive. My father is a lawyer & once he had to take a job at a major retailer when he was unemployed, just to make sure we all had health insurance (yes even health insurance is a luxury these days). As for the concept of entitlement, I do not think that just because someone is qualified for the job means that they should automatically get it, they will of course have to earn it via job interview(s). However, if that same person lives 15 miles away and can earn enough to get himself a really cheap car, the car is a necessity for him to get to the job.

AG, I understand you believe that its a luxury to think a car is necessary, but what is the luxury, the car or the ability to think? What isn't a luxury then?

Have you posted recent pictures of your pup?

 

[lyra]

Some of this, which is just subjective, depends on where you live. Pets are a luxury. Cars may or may not be a luxury in the generic sense. Perhaps having more than 1 car per family is a luxury. Where I live, a Toyota Rav4 can run over $35K. Is that a luxury? Certainly not to my friend who lives in TX, where one can buy the same car for many thousands less. From my POV I''d say a luxury car is over $50K. Can''t think of a price for a luxury pet really, since you get what you pay for there too.

 

[purrfectpear]

To me a luxury car is any car that costs more to insure than the average person spends on a car itself.

My pet is not a luxury, he''s family

 

[Linda W]

Date: 1/29/2009 12:15:00 AM
Author: purrfectpear
To me a luxury car is any car that costs more to insure than the average person spends on a car itself.

My pet is not a luxury, he''s family

Yes PP I agree!!! Our pets have always been family too

 

[TravelingGal]

To me a car is a luxury, period.

I lived without a car (because I could not afford it) from age 24 to age 28. I live in Los Angeles. I found a job near home, walked to work or got rides. Walked to the grocery store. And if people wanted to hang out with me, they had to come and pick me up.

When I bought my first car at 28 years old, I just drove around randomly. WHAT a luxury.

 

[Elmorton]

I live in an area where a car is definitely needed to get to work, etc (public transportation exists, but not so great). I don''t see that as a luxury. But I drive a relatively new car, and even though it was as basic as it gets, I do see driving a new car off the lot as a HUGE luxury.

Pets - not a luxury (though a person certainly could make it one). There are so many feral and unwanted animals out there, and tons of programs to help out owners, too. The closest vet to our house is a low-cost vet, and it costs literally $14 to have a cat checked out and given shots (good for I believe 3 years).