Welcome to “The Greatest Advice Column” from The Greatest Generation. To submit your own questions to Marty please email Marty@shenanigang.com
Dear Marty,
I currently live with a few roommates from college. Is renting a waste of money? Every article I read is about how millennials are going to be the first generation that never buys houses. Should I be planning my finances to prepare to buy a house?
Most of the questions sent my way are pretty fucking stupid but this one is actually pretty good so I’m going to do my best to give you a well-thought out answer.
Hmmm. I mean I should probably say yes. It is generally conventional wisdom that investing in property is a smart long term decision. And if you asked me this anytime in my 30s or 40s I would have definitely agreed.
But you know what? I think that might just be a load of bullcrap. I used to own a home and it’s just not all it’s cracked up to be. The best day in the life of a homeowner is the first day you have the house. Everything is new and you feel of a sense of accomplishment. You feel like an adult because adults in movies own homes. But that’s basically as good as it gets kid. After day one it’s nothing but complaining. Things start breaking. The sink doesn’t work. The paint on the deck is cracking. Did the floor always creak like this? Now you’re spending your day calling plumbers and painters. Yuck. Even your wife and kids start looking uglier every day that passes in the house you own. You know what, I think that’s it. Owning a house is a lot like getting married. The second you do it you’re jealous of your neighbor’s.
Tired,
Marty
The Greatest Advice Column From The Greatest Generation
Authored By Marty The Mean
Please send all questions to Marty@shenanigang.com
