I saw a post by Tabs dealing with this subject, and I just needed to do this one...
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A few weeks ago I visited my cousin for the first time in a year. I try to get up to the place he lives with his mother. He's a year older than me, and never married, never had kids, I don't think he ever had a girlfriend. Basically the basement of the place is packed floor to ceiling with brand new toy trains. Honestly, he could set up a store in the basement and live off the proceeds for a few years at least. But hey, its his life. He has no debts (that I knew of!!!), has some type of government pension, though he was lowly paid so the pension can't be all that big, and he already is taking social security - he started it ASAP. So whatever, his life and good for him.
Well we arrive at the house and what do we (me and mom) find, but a class A camper parked next to the house. He proudly shows it in detail to us. Turns out he bought it brand new. During our two hours visiting I find out from him that he has never taken it anywhere yet. He never camped before so when it's the two of us I ask how much he paid. He paid list price, $180k. I say (kid really) that he must be doing well to pay for the camper. I mean, I really don't pry with him, or anyone really, and I have no idea if he has any substantial money, but who knows? And... I hear... "Paid? Oh no I am paying it off. I got a loan." Meanwhile my mom finds out that his mother doesn't want to do any camping at all. So he got this camper .... WHY??? He has a brother but doesn't seem to get along with him all that well, and his sister has used it as a guest room, but otherwise I don't know if she is interested either. He doesn't go hunting either, so again, WTF??? And he lives out in the country (think forest) already. So he doesn't really need to travel to be in the woods.
On the trip home I let my mother know I found out the price. She starts guessing, and all I can say is "MORE", over and over again. Not sure how many OMGs she said but it was many.
His health isn't top notch, so I don't know who is the idiot here, my cousin or the company that loaned him the money for this. In a few years he could die (I could see it), the camper is all rusty from sitting outside, and then what happens? He's a good person, but really, I'm just speachless. In no way will I (or my mother) ever let them know how much money we have. Just never...
December 12th, 2025 at 04:17 pm 1765556237
Wish I had that kind of mad money.
December 12th, 2025 at 11:02 pm 1765580543
December 14th, 2025 at 05:54 pm 1765734862
December 19th, 2025 at 07:38 am 1766129910