Croat in Germany Earns 2,600 Euros
An anonymous man shared his dilemma about leasing a 70,000-euro car, and the reactions on Facebook revealed a divide between the desire for status symbols and pragmatic investment in real estate.
An anonymous man shared his dilemma about leasing a 70,000-euro car, and the reactions on Facebook revealed a divide between the desire for status symbols and pragmatic investment in real estate.
Working abroad for a better income has been a goal for many people from these parts for years, but over time, the image of what life should look like for someone who has "made it abroad" has changed. A luxury car, a house, and expensive things have become almost mandatory for some to prove their success. This issue sparked a heated debate on Facebook when an anonymous man living and working in Germany admitted that his colleagues have been urging him for months to make a financial move that many consider insane.
His monthly income is 2,600 euros, and he currently drives a 12-year-old car. The vehicle is fully paid off and, according to him, still serves its purpose flawlessly. Despite this, peer pressure has taken its toll. "They say I live in Germany, earn 2,600 euros, and it makes no sense to drive a 12-year-old car," he wrote. Due to constant comments from those around him, he began to question whether he comes across as someone who hasn't achieved anything in life. "Is an expensive car really a sign of success today, or just the most expensive way to impress people who don't care about us?" he asked.
His post triggered a flood of reactions, with most users trying to dissuade him from spending a significant portion of his income on four wheels for years. "Only crazy people buy 70,000-euro cars, leasing, a monthly payment of 1,000 euros, 1,500. You can get a car for up to 40,000, with payments of 300, 400 euros," one commenter wrote, emphasizing that there is a limit to reasonable spending on a car. Another was even more direct: "Get a grip... if you don't have your own 'self,' no one will tell you what to do if you're normal."
Some participants turned the whole story into irony. "Double that 70, get something for 130-150,000 euros so they think they haven't achieved anything," one user suggested. "What's 70,000? Buy something more expensive," added another, while some joked that 70,000 euros is too little if the goal is to impress colleagues.
A large number of those who joined the discussion believe there are far smarter ways to spend or invest money earned abroad. Real estate was the most frequently mentioned alternative to an expensive car. One user wrote that with a salary of 2,600 euros, he would rather drive a car worth around 15,000 euros and try to channel the extra money into buying an apartment or a house.
A man for whom the age of a car is clearly not a priority also shared his experience. "I drive a 15-year-old Dacia Duster. But I built a house in Belgrade and bought an apartment by the sea in Italy. I maintain a weekend cottage in the countryside. An 800-square-meter building plot on the Danube by the water," he wrote, vividly illustrating his own life choices. Another commenter shares a similar view, not seeing a car as a measure of financial success. "A car is transient; you buy it, drive it, and eventually it ages and you sell it, and in the end, you have nothing. You're left broke, but if you have a house or an apartment, that's different," he said.
Some even specified the amount they believe would be reasonable to spend on a car. "10,000 to 15,000 euros max, and better to take a loan and buy an apartment or commercial space in the Balkans, rent it out, and there you have it," was one piece of advice reflecting a highly pragmatic approach to investment.
People who have lived abroad for decades also joined the discussion. One female user wrote that she has lived in France for 20 years and wouldn't dream of going into debt just to maintain a certain standard of living in front of others. Particularly amusing was the comment from a woman who joked about what daily life looks like after buying an expensive car on credit. "Just get it. I did, and I have eight more years to pay. But my figure is top-notch! Argeta and oatmeal are the best; I didn't even know that until I bought the car," she wrote, hinting that after buying on installments, serious saving on everyday groceries follows.
