[John 070]

with the end of the payroll tax holiday? How about with the tax increase to some here? One should think so, but I have a feeling the answer is NO.

[Bimmer84]

I will mod 2% less than I was before. lol

[AndyR83]

Nope. It's fairly inexpensive in the grand scheme of things

[SilverII]

no..

[cmyk]

Originally Posted by AndyR83

Nope. It's fairly inexpensive in the grand scheme of things

+1

If money is really that tight for some people that a tiny decrease in take-home pay makes that much difference, it may be time to reevaluate your priorities and budget. IJS

[AndyR83]

Indeed. Most people budget a certain portion of their income for entertainment, going out, etc. I basically just do that, with the understanding that some of my fun money can be spent on car stuff.

[thenewrick]

When I got the car a month ago I planned out all the mods I wanted to do. Now I just wait for all the stuff I want to go on sale or sold used on the forums. It's all about patience and knowing what a good deal is. In the end I'll get to the same place as everyone else and pay half as much.

[cmyk]

Originally Posted by AndyR83

Indeed. Most people budget a certain portion of their income for entertainment, going out, etc. I basically just do that, with the understanding that some of my fun money can be spent on car stuff.

I do something similar, although I have a dedicated "car budget." I have a spreadsheet of all of my planned mods (including maintenance that needs to be budgeted for -- things like intake valve cleaning, replacing coils, etc) so I always have a good idea of what expenses are coming up, and can reorganize my mod budget if a maintenance or repair item pops up sooner than anticipated.

[tigermack]

That's like telling me to stop eating rice, hell no!

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

I will mod 2% less than I was before. lol

That's a good way to deal with it! Complete, and total, fiscal responsibility!

[Dark_Knight_335]

How about that fiscal cliff huh!

[Amini77]

No, there will never be an end

[Devils Advocate]

Modding is a way of life!

[e92_Mack]

I've had the car for only a few months now and bought a bunch of mods already, most of which I'll wait for Spring to install (NY winters smh). I'm almost done picking everything up I need to complete the look I'm shooting for and Im def looking forward to seeing it all come together. Too late to go back now so screw a tax

Originally Posted by cmyk

I do something similar, although I have a dedicated "car budget." I have a spreadsheet of all of my planned mods (including maintenance that needs to be budgeted for -- things like intake valve cleaning, replacing coils, etc) so I always have a good idea of what expenses are coming up, and can reorganize my mod budget if a maintenance or repair item pops up sooner than anticipated.

I do this too! Nice to know that I'm not the only one and I don't have OCD lol.

[NoTempoLimitN54]

Originally Posted by John 070

with the end of the payroll tax holiday?

Thanks for the reminder! I bet 99% of Americans are clueless about this and will be bitching when they notice that their paychecks are reduced this month (if they are not too busy tweeting and status updating to notice).

The Payroll Tax Holiday was the current President's only significant tax cut. An action I supported, although I think he could and should have done more in light of the horrible economy (don't believe those idiot talking heads on T.V.)

Also, in the PRC (People's Republic of California) our sales tax is going up because our voters are so damn gullible they voted themselves a tax increase. And the State didn't even have to threaten Police or Firefighter cuts to get it passed. Instead, State public employees and college students were enough to push it over the edge.

And in our state, there is a sales tax on gasoline (in addition to the federal and state gasoline tax). So in CA gasoline is double-taxed. Part of the reason gas is so costly here.

BTW, days after the election LA County began asking for another sales tax increase and using the time-honored tactic of threatening to "cut the police" if voters don't agree. It would push our sales tax in LA county to a full 10%

Regrettably, until I find some expenses to cut, mods are going to have to wait. Because more debt is not an option. I can't print monopoly money. Unlike the government, when faced with reduced income I cut expenses, delay purchases and sell off unused assets (anybody need some E39 parts?).

The one thing I am going to try to stretch to get done is an oil catch can. After seeing how much better my car ran after getting my intake valves cleaned I want to keep them clean.

[thenewrick]

That's the price you pay for living in such a nice place. I bet the taxes are lower in Antarctica

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

That's the price you pay for living in such a nice place. I bet the taxes are lower in Antarctica

This.

[AddictedToBavarian]

I've only slowed down because I feel corny driving around a very cosmetically modded car now that I'm getting older. I'm more into subtle OEM mods now...

[NoTempoLimitN54]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

That's the price you pay for living in such a nice place. I bet the taxes are lower in Antarctica

Actually the price I pay for living in a place where I can make my living as a specialist and when I can get paid enough to own a fairly new BMW...

But... if they keep going like this they are going to ruin this state. It's come close before.

[thenewrick]

I'm not sure that makes sense lol. I'm all about raising taxes on the wealthy though. I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of flame for that last comment on this forum ^^

I like it when wealthy people buy lots of things and pay lots of taxes. It's when they hoard cash and live a frugal life that they don't benefit the rest of us so much.

[NoTempoLimitN54]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

I like it when wealthy people buy lots of things and pay lots of taxes. It's when they hoard cash and live a frugal life that they don't benefit the rest of us so much.

If that's what you believe, then you should be in favor of the Fair Tax which replaces the income tax with a 22% consumption tax, and a rebate to everyone up to the poverty level (so you are untaxed until you exceed the poverty level). It's the only solution that would accomplish your stated goal above. It would also tax the "shadow economy", in other words, criminals would pay taxes (on the things the buy with their cash).

If taxes are increased on 2% or less of the population (and only on the part of their income that exceeds the threshold), then these high income earners adjust their affairs to pay less of the tax or avoid it all together. I happens every time. Income taxes increased, revenue to the treasury stays at 22% of GDP regardless.

The reason that the wealthy aren't against higher taxes on high income earners is because the wealthy know they won't have to pay the tax.

In the 1950's when the two highest tax brackets were 81% and 91%, less than 250 people in the entire United State paid at the 81% level or above:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...googlenews_wsj

Also, high income earners can just leave the country if taxes on them become excessive. This is already happening in France:

http://www.denverpost.com/nationworl...rard-depardieu

Besides, if the tax on U.S. income earners above $250k were instituted (as it likely will) and they actually pay the tax rather than avoid it, it will raise less money in a year than what the government borrows in a month (about $80 billion).