Payroll tax increase: How many will be ditching mods this year?

[FatalBert]

I am on the younger side of the S4 driver community. I did not go in over my head to purchase this car, and have since made a few little mods here and there.

However, with the recent payroll tax cut expiration leading to increase of 2% across the board for all and things not getting much better in the workplace (for most) how many of you will be forced, or will choose to, ditch any or all of your mod plans this year?

[MailmanOdd]

If a 2% tax increase was going to put me in danger of having to give up this car or any mods I would not have purchased it. :) Probably going to get tune and intake this year.

[FatalBert]

If a 2% tax increase was going to put me in danger of having to give up this car or any mods I would not have purchased it. :) Probably going to get tune and intake this year.

Strictly mod plans. If you have to give up the car because of a 2% increase you obviously went in over your head. I personally only have so much disposable income at the end of the year which a big portion of will be eaten up by this years increase (or expiration of cuts) in SS tax. Making me rethink my investment plans in mods. So yea, strictly speaking mods for this poll.

[MailmanOdd]

Gotcha! I've been on the fence about getting tune/intake not due to money but out of concern for reliability.

[FatalBert]

Gotcha! I've been on the fence about getting tune/intake not due to money but out of concern for reliability.

Ah, I've already done those. Was on the fence about an exhaust/suspension this year. But definitely wont be doing both now [:(].

[motionneon]

Government just cut my income by 15-20%. So mods will have to wait. Sucks

[b4a41point8t]

This is a joke, right?

[Blackhawk878]

The tax increase, however slight, will not affect the future plans (BBK, wheels).

[ayz]

tax increase isn't a big deal except for the massive annoyance of giving more money to the government to squander on welfare handouts

[E. Brown]

This is a joke, right?

+1

[Vandalrg]

The 2% Social Security hike won't change my plans. As others before me have stated my discretionary spending is all gravy after bills and savings. With that said the economy hasn't had the detrimental effect on my career that others have experienced and that 2% has been offset by gains in other areas.

Now if there were a 2% hike for me and no other changes... well then I'd eat out less and still mod. =)

[RickFLS4]

This is a joke, right?

+2

[moyenecorniche]

Ist...This thread is Ass-in-Nine.....[rolleyes]
2nd ... A 2% increase for those of us with our own business is minimal, I'm more concerned with Congress trying to remember why they are there in the first place....Which is getting things done for the country by compromising.... Not Stalling....[:/] ( Just Ask the people ( who used to ) living in Seabright N.J.
3rd.... Take a median income of $45,000 that would be an increase in about $900 for the year which is about $75.00 per month which further reduces to around $18.75 per week...
Most of us spend more than that per week at Starbucks, so this is really an inane topic.

As Audizine members and not to point out the obvious.....We are not poor in the strictest sense of the definition...Or we certainly would not be driving ( Period ) let alone Audi's. Modding an S4 or A4 or whichever Audi we own is a luxury many can only dream of. It certainly isn't the norm...

If OP...... You wish to have a political discussion on " Fair implementation of the Tax Rate " I suggest you think about the topic and refrain from a thread and a stupid poll which paints all of us ( Audizine members ) as arrogant, selfish jerks who cannot think past the inconvenience of not being able to mod their $35,000 cars.

( Perhaps if you sought the advice of a financial advisor you might be able to offset that - 2%.......[>_>]

I am actually quite concerned with taxes and efficient spending of this immense revenue..... It's not that the country is in the red because of inadequate taxes, it is rather cause and effect of mismanagement on the part of all of us who keep voting an incompetent group of people to handle the books and where to spend the revenues....

My apologies to other A-zine members for the slight rant, BUT this Forum really isn't well suited for political debates.....
I prefer to be on here debating Audi or Vag matters, I get enough on a day to day basis of keeping connected with Life's real issues.... Not an inconsequential $20.00 less per week to torpedo [;)] my modding plans....

Really..... Thanks for pointing out your life's priorities......

[westwest888]

I'm game for stage 3. I should have $7k laying around in April.

[QuattroRocket]

Making me rethink my investments plans in mods. So yea, strictly speaking mods for this poll.

LOL you said "mods" and "investment" in the same sentence [:p]

Indeed, while I am not a US citizen, I am Canadian, I am in the Financial Planning industry here in Canada and if a 2% drop in your income is wiping out your "disposable" income you are living FAR too close to the soup kitchen line and are in need of rethinking much more than your mod plans ! We (North Americans) got ourselves into this jam partly as a result of significant personal over spending and dangerously low savings rates. Everything in moderation, its a balancing act of doing the right thing and then rewarding yourself with a small selfish and/or bad decision.

[phillips2024]

This is gonna be a fun thread once it really gets going!! Ill start: i hate obama and his goons!!

:)

[E. Brown]

I
Ist...This thread is Ass-in-Nine.....[rolleyes]
2nd ... A 2% increase for those of us with our own business is minimal, I'm more concerned with Congress trying to remember why they are there in the first place....Which is getting things done for the country by compromising.... Not Stalling....[:/] ( Just Ask the people ( who used to ) living in Seabright N.J.
3rd.... Take a median income of $45,000 that would be an increase in about $900 for the year which is about $75.00 per month which further reduces to around $18.75 per week...
Most of us spend more than that per week at Starbucks, so this is really an inane topic.

As Audizine members and not to point out the obvious.....We are not poor in the strictest sense of the definition...Or we certainly would not be driving ( Period ) let alone Audi's. Modding an S4 or A4 or whichever Audi we own is a luxury many can only dream of. It certainly isn't the norm...

If OP...... You wish to have a political discussion on " Fair implementation of the Tax Rate " I suggest you think about the topic and refrain from a thread and a stupid poll which paints all of us ( Audizine members ) as arrogant, selfish jerks who cannot think past the inconvenience of not being able to mod their $35,000 cars.

( Perhaps if you sought the advice of a financial advisor you might be able to offset that - 2%.......[>_>]

I am actually quite concerned with taxes and efficient spending of this immense revenue..... It's not that the country is in the red because of inadequate taxes, it is rather cause and effect of mismanagement on the part of all of us who keep voting an incompetent group of people to handle the books and where to spend the revenues....

My apologies to other A-zine members for the slight rant, BUT this Forum really isn't well suited for political debates.....
I prefer to be on here debating Audi or Vag matters, I get enough on a day to day basis of keeping connected with Life's real issues.... Not an inconsequential $20.00 less per week to torpedo [;)] my modding plans....

Really..... Thanks for pointing out your life's priorities......



And with that said, moderators please close this thread ASAP!

[PaperishPlastic]

I voted for ditching mods so we can atleast have one vote for that column, WOOHOO.

[MrFunk]

This is a joke, right?

+ whatever number we're at now

[Blackhawk878]

Bump to keep it on top and annoying people....

[motionneon]

Anyone else (with kids) ever feel guilty modding? I mean, I can afford the car and mods but sometimes feel it is gratuitous. S4 without mods = kids go to private college/university. Keep modding and they are state school bound ha ha.

[DLAB]

^ Wow man, that should not even be a question...

Mod that sh*t and send those little rascals to community college :)

[Screwly]

^ Wow man, that should not even be a question...

Mod that sh*t and send those little rascals to community college :)

Lmao!

[motionneon]

^ Wow man, that should not even be a question...

Mod that sh*t and send those little rascals to community college :)

Nice! I think I'll send my son to diesel mechanic school. After all, I'm a doctor and get paid less per hour. Will save on college. Bring on the stage 3 SC!!

[NWS4Guy]

It's not even a 2% hike, it's a repeal of the 2% BREAK you have been getting the last 2 years. How did you ever make it before if you can't after the fact?

If you haven't lost/changed jobs, and gotten zero pay increases the last 2 years, I really don't understand this at all. Who doesn't get at least a 1% per year pay increase (yes, I mean 1 % each of the 2 years the break was in, so you have 2% more income now)?

I have to think that people complaining about this are not even funding their 401K at the bare minimum, or at all. Do you really think social security will either A) be around or B) if it is be able to support your living expenses when you retire?

[BzzzBom]

Please close this stupid thread. OP - please post your address so we can send you money for mods.

[dlev91]

This is gonna be a fun thread once it really gets going!! Ill start: i hate obama and his goons!!

:)

+1

[motionneon]

Who doesn't get at least a 1% per year pay increase?

ANSWER: Doctors. We fight tooth and nail every year just to NOT lose 27-30% income. Just had reimbursement on my major procedure cut 60%. Don't get me wrong...done fine up to this point but in another few yrs I won't be able to afford this forum.

Edit: At the same time all of my employees make their >1% increase. This doesn't work

[Screwly]

ANSWER: Doctors. We fight tooth and nail every year just to NOT lose 27-30% income. Just had reimbursement on my major procedure cut 60%. Don't get me wrong...done fine up to this point but in another few yrs I won't be able to afford this forum.

Edit: At the same time all of my employees make their >1% increase. This doesn't work

I'm in medical sales and here this from every doctor I work with. I'm sure I make more than a good chunk of them

[motionneon]

I'm in medical sales and here this from every doctor I work with. I'm sure I make more than a good chunk of them

Not surprising. Have good friends in medical sales and they live nicely. Well, I'm only 37 so still time to jump ship when it goes down. All still good for now.

[BlueByU]

I voted for the American again this election, but he lost!!

[skeelo]

ANSWER: Doctors. We fight tooth and nail every year just to NOT lose 27-30% income. Just had reimbursement on my major procedure cut 60%.

Something here doesn't compute... CMS typically tries to push through 5-10% reimbursement reductions on groups of CPT codes each year (considering there are ~7k of them) and typically reductions of that magnitude don't happen. Insurance providers typically index their contracted reimbursement at 115-150% of CMS (some, like UHG have proprietary fee schedules). I happen to work for a radiology practice and know we pay fairly well ($500k+ before productivity bonuses) for 26-30 weeks of work per year (correlates to $860-$1M on a 52 week scale). Not too bad...

[GeoJoe]

IBTL!

...and I plan more track days in 2013

[B8 S FOR]

This is a joke, right?

+ . . . . yeah....uh huh . .exactly . . . . 2% really? Let's do the math... Say if you make $50K a year...that's $1,000 a year. Hopefully "somebody" doesn't make $50K a year and own a S4....just sayin' unless you live at home or something...

[S4 00 2.7]

This is gonna be a fun thread once it really gets going!! Ill start: i hate obama and his goons!!

:)

Haha! I always said this- I don't like Obama one bit.

[ayz]

more than 2% though, since income tax is also going up 5%

not a big deal but still a pain in the ass because you know how much is going into the bottomless pit

[mkato13]

Originally Posted by motionneon
ANSWER: Doctors. We fight tooth and nail every year just to NOT lose 27-30% income. Just had reimbursement on my major procedure cut 60%. Don't get me wrong...done fine up to this point but in another few yrs I won't be able to afford this forum.

Edit: At the same time all of my employees make their >1% increase. This doesn't work


I'm in medical sales and here this from every doctor I work with. I'm sure I make more than a good chunk of them

Im a Physician Assistant and while I can do most, if not almost all of what an MD does I dont get paid anywhere near what they do(and our salaries have been cut/decreased every year). I do make a nice living but I have not gotten a pay increase in 5 years(and most places we have gotten pay cuts and changed insurance to crappier and crappier plans so much to the point that my Girl who makes 1/4 of my salary(social work) has benifits that blow mine away. With Medicare cuts and other issues the field is decreasing in ay steadily. Dont get me wrong...Im not complaining(maybe a little) and not living out of my means but my last Xmas bonus was $50(3 years ago) and the last 2 was a thank you card. The tech/EMTs I worked with laughed when I told them It could always be worse but it could also be better. In the end its high class problems :)

[B8 S FOR]

Haha! I always said this- I don't like Obama one bit.

+3!

[ilspazzaneve]

Im a Physician Assistant and while I can do most, if not almost all of what an MD does.....

No disrespect, but for engineers, this is usually the point where it gets really ugly...:-)

Props for the sig quote, though, I agree

[mkato13]

No disrespect, but for engineers, this is usually the point where it gets really ugly...:-)

Props for the sig quote, though, I agree

Im not following what I should not feel disrespected at. I think any MD who has worked with a good PA(or any patient who has been treated by us) will agree with what I said but if not its not the first time I've had some one disagree with more nor will it be the last:-)

Thats one of my favorite quotes

[Screwly]

Im not following what I should not feel disrespected at. I think any MD who has worked with a good PA(or any patient who has been treated by us) will agree with what I said but if not its not the first time I've had some one disagree with more nor will it be the last:-)

Thats one of my favorite qutoes

I've seen PA's do most of the surgery in some cases :-/

[mkato13]

I've seen PA's do most of the surgery in some cases :-/

I've been doing it almost 9 years and 6 has been in ER the rest in Orthopedic surgery and when I was doing ortho surgery some of the PAs I worked with did do the bulk of the work sometimes and other times not. I have buddies from school who have been doing orthopedic surgery the whole 9 years plus first assisting prior to PA school and do the surgery better then some of the docs I have seen(had some awful referrals back in the day. All depends. When it comes down to it its not the tittle but the skill you posses. Our first few years working are equivalent to residency only we get paid a little more and generally know more. Again these are just my experiences and opinions and WAYYYYY off topic. Sorry.

[Newgrad11]

I'm lucky enough to be blessed with a decent salary. It was not given to me by any stretch. I was poor growing up, and was lucky to get help along the way. And I have found out that tax time sucks, but I am ok with paying it to help the next guy make the best of it. I would like to dictate where my $ is spent tho, send everyone a paper with their total $tax and every program the govt has, then give to the programs u feel are important. I think we have enough bombs to defend us against every other army on earth, at the same time. So I put 1% there etc

But to answer your question, no it will have no effect.

[mkato13]

I'm lucky enough to be blessed with a decent salary. It was not given to me by any stretch. I was poor growing up, and was lucky to get help along the way. And I have found out that tax time sucks, but I am ok with paying it to help the next guy make the best of it. I would like to dictate where my $ is spent tho, send everyone a paper with their total $tax and every program the govt has, then give to the programs u feel are important. I think we have enough bombs to defend us against every other army on earth, at the same time. So I put 1% there etc

But to answer your question, no it will have no effect.

Agree with all of that accept I grew up in a middle class family however raised myself from 12 on up and paid for almost all of undergrad and all of PA school myself. The harder I have worked, the more I appreciate what I have and also the more willing I am to help someone in need weather or not I know them. i would be much more likely to give more money then 2% increase(or whatever it really turns out to be) if I could chose where it went to. That will never happen though.

[ilspazzaneve]

Im not following what I should not feel disrespected at. I think any MD who has worked with a good PA(or any patient who has been treated by us) will agree with what I said but if not its not the first time I've had some one disagree with more nor will it be the last:-)

Thats one of my favorite quotes

Ha...just did a bit of reading thanks to you, now have a ton more respect for your profession...interesting...next time I need help I may be asking if there's a PA in the house instead.

[S4 00 2.7]

Same here- didn't have everything handed to me and that gives you a different perspective. X3 I would also like to dictate how and where my money is spent.

[mkato13]

Ha...just did a bit of reading thanks to you, now have a ton more respect for your profession...interesting...next time I need help I may be asking if there's a PA in the house instead.

Thanks. The "Assistant" part leads people to think same S medical assistant and it couldn't be further from the truth(although I do move patients, help change and clean them and anything else I can help with). I explain it as the training of a doctor who finished residency but isn't in-charge yet mixed with the compassion and compassion and desire to educate as an Nurse does. Best of both worlds.

I'm not certain if there are more then. Handful of PAs in Canada yet but it's on the top ten list of growing professions and top 2-3 of medical ones. Always happy to shed light on my profession. I look at it as a calling rather then a job.

[ilspazzaneve]

Just to put in perspective, all of us in Canada laugh at you, you who are worried about this.

We get screwed to the tune of almost 50% income tax for any income over 80K or so, depending on your deductions, and no, mortgage interest is not a deduction here.

We get screwed on premium gas, at around $1.40 or more a liter currently ($5.30/gal)

Sales taxes are 13% here in Ontario, worse in some other provinces...

And in general, we make less (including you MDs).

But we make it work, and some of us drive S4s!

I won't even start to talk about the fiscal and social status of the US right now, but obviously the time has come to pay...don't get me wrong, I love the US (I'm here right now stealing your Florida sunshine as I type) but like a lot of people, I worry...

[ilspazzaneve]

Thanks. The "Assistant" part leads people to think same S medical assistant and it couldn't be further from the truth(although I do move patients, help change and clean them and anything else I can help with). I explain it as the training of a doctor who finished residency but isn't in-charge yet mixed with the compassion and compassion and desire to educate as an Nurse does. Best of both worlds.

I'm not certain if there are more then. Handful of PAs in Canada yet but it's on the top ten list of growing professions and top 2-3 of medical ones. Always happy to shed light on my profession. I look at it as a calling rather then a job.

Yeah, in the engineering world it may be a little different, the Tech may do a ton of the work on the specific project, but the engineer assumes the liability, financially,and professionally...interesting to see that your profession may assume liability...that alone made the 'assistant' tag confusing to me until I learned more.

[jedirocker]

There are so many themes in this thread, I don't know where to start. Maybe I shouldn't.

But I will.

Being financially responsible means positioning oneself for unexpected budget fluctuations, whether it be a change in the tax code (2% increase), hospitalization of a child for which insurance pays only 70% ($3K for our part), major car work, replacing the A/C unit for the house ($8K), or <insert your own experience here>...one should strive to have a financial cushion so that such fluctuations don't impact one's way of life. If a 2% tax increase is causing crunching on mods, then maybe the priority should be focus on reducing debt so as to provide a better cushion.

Just sayin'

[dii]

The entire time reading this thread thinking of a response of my own: http://i.imgur.com/XzPsd.gif


There are so many themes in this thread, I don't know where to start. Maybe I shouldn't.

But I will.

Being financially responsible means positioning oneself for unexpected budget fluctuations, whether it be a change in the tax code (2% increase), hospitalization of a child for which insurance pays only 70% ($3K for our part), major car work, replacing the A/C unit for the house ($8K), or <insert your own experience here>...one should strive to have a financial cushion so that such fluctuations don't impact one's way of life. If a 2% tax increase is causing crunching on mods, then maybe the priority should be focus on reducing debt so as to provide a better cushion.

Just sayin'

I agree with this 100%. One should always be prepared for fluctuations before indulging in a luxury such as modding your luxury car. If some unfortunate accident were to happen (unexpected medical expense, for example) and the money that could be used was spent on car mods, it's pretty obvious what happened there. So for a minor % increase in the tax, I don't think any of us should be worried about it.

That said, I voted hell to the no. The mods will keep a-flowin' [wrench].

[Chestlock]

Just to put in perspective, all of us in Canada laugh at you, you who are worried about this.

We get screwed to the tune of almost 50% income tax for any income over 80K or so, depending on your deductions, and no, mortgage interest is not a deduction here.

We get screwed on premium gas, at around $1.40 or more a liter currently ($5.30/gal)

Sales taxes are 13% here in Ontario, worse in some other provinces...

And in general, we make less (including you MDs).

But we make it work, and some of us drive S4s!

I won't even start to talk about the fiscal and social status of the US right now, but obviously the time has come to pay...don't get me wrong, I love the US (I'm here right now stealing your Florida sunshine as I type) but like a lot of people, I worry...


This thread is weird...

While it's mildly amusing listening to our American friends whine about the state of their taxation, their "entitlements" and their rotten elected representatives, don't let schadenfreude allow you to giggle for too long - our politicians aren't any better. But when the mathematically illiterate down there who figure that borrowing (over the next 5 years) another $3.8 trillion instead of $5 trillion is "saving money", and sink the whole ship because world markets have decided to call in their bets similar to what's happening to Greece, Spain, etc, we'll be goin' for the ride too as 70% of our economy still depends on trade with the US. It's no wonder Canadian fed and prov gov'ts are suddenly hell-bent on trade missions to Asia. Specifically communist Asia... scary huh?

Besides, you forgot the most important part - that we pay about 300% more for a case of beer than they do. It's OK though, you're forgiven - you're from Toronto, which is basically America... [:p]

[IanVr6]

Nice to see some health professionals around here.

I finish my fellowship in 6 months and can't wait to start making some decent money.

[ayz]

Im a Physician Assistant and while I can do most, if not almost all of what an MD does I dont get paid anywhere near what they do(and our salaries have been cut/decreased every year). I do make a nice living but I have not gotten a pay increase in 5 years(and most places we have gotten pay cuts and changed insurance to crappier and crappier plans so much to the point that my Girl who makes 1/4 of my salary(social work) has benifits that blow mine away. With Medicare cuts and other issues the field is decreasing in ay steadily. Dont get me wrong...Im not complaining(maybe a little) and not living out of my means but my last Xmas bonus was $50(3 years ago) and the last 2 was a thank you card. The tech/EMTs I worked with laughed when I told them It could always be worse but it could also be better. In the end its high class problems :)
Oh god, here we go again

PAs and nurses are taught algorithmically. If A, do this, if B, do this. Doctors receive more training, are expected to keep up with research and new procedures/ideas, and when shit hits the fan, they are expected to figure out how to fix it and are ultimately liable of something goes wrong. You can probably cover 90% of what needs to be done, but when that 10% goes wrong...

PAs and nurses complain all the time about how they do all the work and don't get paid the same. If the world worked that way, the Mexican construction worker would be the richest man alive. If you want to get paid like a doctor, go to medical school, do residency and become a doctor. There are no shortcuts in life.

[mkato13]

Oh god, here we go again

PAs and nurses are taught algorithmically. If A, do this, if B, do this. Doctors receive more training, are expected to keep up with research and new procedures/ideas, and when shit hits the fan, they are expected to figure out how to fix it and are ultimately liable of something goes wrong. You can probably cover 90% of what needs to be done, but when that 10% goes wrong...

PAs and nurses complain all the time about how they do all the work and don't get paid the same. If the world worked that way, the Mexican construction worker would be the richest man alive. If you want to get paid like a doctor, go to medical school, do residency and become a doctor. There are no shortcuts in life.

That's more the inane ramblings of an uninformed person I was expecting. . You are 100% right and the 100 hours if continuing education every 2 years plus havin to recertify every 6 years(which is about 3-4 times the amount of continuing education nurses need and no recert) is obviously so I can force myself to stick to the algorithms I learned 11 years ago and stay far behind technology. I couldn't have put down myself and my profession any better. I hope you never need to be treated in an ER but if u do I'd love it to be mine. As_hole!

Point was missed. Have a great day

[ayz]

point is, if you think you deserve to get paid like an MD, nothing stopping you from going and getting an MD

[phillips2024]

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/c0.70.843.403/p843x403/320970_525645734112607_988169745_n.png

tax free baby

[mkato13]

I didn't say I deserve to get paid like an MD. I didn't appreciate you saying that what I do an what a nurse does is same thing and that both of us are only robots running a program. Far from the truth. I deserve to get paid what I make and most of the time I'm more the. Happy with it. Some days the docs I work with take 4-5 lunch/coffee breakes 20-30 mins long and I haven't had time to piss. Those are the days when the discrepancy isn't fair but still not saying I deserve their salary. They do assume more liability(not all though) and do have more training initially.

Moonshine looks better and better with every episode. Lol.

[ENV²]

I bought a condo. That is what has put a hold on my mod plans. That takes a lot more than 2% out of my disposable income. If it was just this tax hike I would probably still be modding as usual

[ayz]

I didn't say I deserve to get paid like an MD. I didn't appreciate you saying that what I do an what a nurse does is same thing and that both of us are only robots running a program. Far from the truth. I deserve to get paid what I make and most of the time I'm more the. Happy with it. Some days the docs I work with take 4-5 lunch/coffee breakes 20-30 mins long and I haven't had time to piss. Those are the days when the discrepancy isn't fair but still not saying I deserve their salary. They do assume more liability(not all though) and do have more training initially.

well in that case my apologies, I misread. I do have a little bit of PTSD since my wife is an anesthesiologist, and I'm currently working with a healthcare client, so all I encounter and see are nurses that constantly bitch about how they think they're underpaid and should make doctors' salaries

[NWS4Guy]

No disrespect, but for engineers, this is usually the point where it gets really ugly...:-)



Hah! Love you man [;)]

Not to step into the middle of the Dr debate, but I would argue that anyone will learn infinitely more with HANDS ON work than from a book or school. You learn by doing and knowing, the training only gets you so far. In most everything complex, be that a human life or an engineering problem, there is the way the book teaches you to do, and there is the way it works in reality.

The books and courses want you to be methodical and turn over every rock to ensure the most complete answer, but when a human life is at stake, or there is a system down that is costing the company millions of dollars in lost income per hour it's offline, you go for the most likely solutions, THEN backtrack, rather than following the book. This is on thing that makes the difference between a person who is doing a job, and someone who is a professional.

[name.goes.here]

2% Social Security increase will be of little consequence as copmared to the general lousy state of the economy in general.

[xtrema]

How would 2% adjustment would stop mods on a $50K car is beyond me.

This isn't a $20K Civic.

[ayz]

Hah! Love you man [;)]

Not to step into the middle of the Dr debate, but I would argue that anyone will learn infinitely more with HANDS ON work than from a book or school. You learn by doing and knowing, the training only gets you so far. In most everything complex, be that a human life or an engineering problem, there is the way the book teaches you to do, and there is the way it works in reality.

The books and courses want you to be methodical and turn over every rock to ensure the most complete answer, but when a human life is at stake, or there is a system down that is costing the company millions of dollars in lost income per hour it's offline, you go for the most likely solutions, THEN backtrack, rather than following the book. This is on thing that makes the difference between a person who is doing a job, and someone who is a professional.

architect or civil engineer vs mexican construction worker

or basically any corporate setting, high level execs and excel monkey analysts

more hands on work != more valuable insight/experience

[NWS4Guy]

architect or civil engineer vs mexican construction worker

or basically any corporate setting, high level execs and excel monkey analysts

more hands on work != more valuable insight/experience

Well that is where interviewing comes into place isn't it? The equation works just as well the other direction.

Education != ability

[ilspazzaneve]

This thread is weird...

While it's mildly amusing listening to our American friends whine about the state of their taxation, their "entitlements" and their rotten elected representatives, don't let schadenfreude allow you to giggle for too long - our politicians aren't any better. But when the mathematically illiterate down there who figure that borrowing (over the next 5 years) another $3.8 trillion instead of $5 trillion is "saving money", and sink the whole ship because world markets have decided to call in their bets similar to what's happening to Greece, Spain, etc, we'll be goin' for the ride too as 70% of our economy still depends on trade with the US. It's no wonder Canadian fed and prov gov'ts are suddenly hell-bent on trade missions to Asia. Specifically communist Asia... scary huh?

Besides, you forgot the most important part - that we pay about 300% more for a case of beer than they do. It's OK though, you're forgiven - you're from Toronto, which is basically America... [:p]

Hahahahah...agreed on all points, except Toronto - still, it's not the same city I grew up in anymore...

But about the possible fall of the US, like I said...I worry...a little. Still, the company I work for survived a two-year export ban to the US, and my family's business is mostly tied into provincial healthcare spending.

[ilspazzaneve]

Hah! Love you man [;)]

Not to step into the middle of the Dr debate, but I would argue that anyone will learn infinitely more with HANDS ON work than from a book or school. You learn by doing and knowing, the training only gets you so far. In most everything complex, be that a human life or an engineering problem, there is the way the book teaches you to do, and there is the way it works in reality.

The books and courses want you to be methodical and turn over every rock to ensure the most complete answer, but when a human life is at stake, or there is a system down that is costing the company millions of dollars in lost income per hour it's offline, you go for the most likely solutions, THEN backtrack, rather than following the book. This is on thing that makes the difference between a person who is doing a job, and someone who is a professional.

Yeah, I picked out the offending statement...but more than education, though, my thinking was more about professionalism and liability...which is typically what sets the professions apart from the trades. The job is never done for us.

[jdwk]

I found that the amount of money I make has very little effect on the perceived value of the goods or services I purchase. For instance, I don't go out to eat very often because $20+ for a meal just doesn't make sense. It's nice to do every now and then, but I don't think I go out any more now than I did when I was in college and had very little income. I stopped paying for cable about six years ago because it just didn't seem like it was worth $60/mo.

I used to think that if I save X amount of dollars, I could spend the rest on mods and not feel guilty about it, but it never works like that. If $10k were to magically fall on my lap it wouldn't change whether or not I spent money on mods for my S4 this year. I'll spend the money on the mods if I decide they are worth the money, not because of any tax increase or decrease.

[lmmike]

I just want really, really, fast windshield wipers! Now, my dream is being washed away 2% at a time.

[motionneon]

I bought a condo. That is what has put a hold on my mod plans. That takes a lot more than 2% out of my disposable income. If it was just this tax hike I would probably still be modding as usual

For me, it was purchasing a new home (fortunately but not planned) since starting my lease 2 years ago and suddenly, unexpectedly knocking up my wife again (for the third time....doh) that has halted my mod plans.

[FatalBert]

Ist...This thread is Ass-in-Nine.....[rolleyes]
2nd ... A 2% increase for those of us with our own business is minimal, I'm more concerned with Congress trying to remember why they are there in the first place....Which is getting things done for the country by compromising.... Not Stalling....[:/] ( Just Ask the people ( who used to ) living in Seabright N.J.
3rd.... Take a median income of $45,000 that would be an increase in about $900 for the year which is about $75.00 per month which further reduces to around $18.75 per week...
Most of us spend more than that per week at Starbucks, so this is really an inane topic.

As Audizine members and not to point out the obvious.....We are not poor in the strictest sense of the definition...Or we certainly would not be driving ( Period ) let alone Audi's. Modding an S4 or A4 or whichever Audi we own is a luxury many can only dream of. It certainly isn't the norm...

If OP...... You wish to have a political discussion on " Fair implementation of the Tax Rate " I suggest you think about the topic and refrain from a thread and a stupid poll which paints all of us ( Audizine members ) as arrogant, selfish jerks who cannot think past the inconvenience of not being able to mod their $35,000 cars.

( Perhaps if you sought the advice of a financial advisor you might be able to offset that - 2%.......[>_>]

I am actually quite concerned with taxes and efficient spending of this immense revenue..... It's not that the country is in the red because of inadequate taxes, it is rather cause and effect of mismanagement on the part of all of us who keep voting an incompetent group of people to handle the books and where to spend the revenues....

My apologies to other A-zine members for the slight rant, BUT this Forum really isn't well suited for political debates.....
I prefer to be on here debating Audi or Vag matters, I get enough on a day to day basis of keeping connected with Life's real issues.... Not an inconsequential $20.00 less per week to torpedo [;)] my modding plans....

Really..... Thanks for pointing out your life's priorities......

Wow, judgmental much?

You're the one that brought up politics and then suggested to keep them out of the forum [facepalm].

If you don't like the topic then don't post in it and give a self-fulfilling critical opinion, simple as that.



LOL you said "mods" and "investment" in the same sentence [:p]

Indeed, while I am not a US citizen, I am Canadian, I am in the Financial Planning industry here in Canada and if a 2% drop in your income is wiping out your "disposable" income you are living FAR too close to the soup kitchen line and are in need of rethinking much more than your mod plans ! We (North Americans) got ourselves into this jam partly as a result of significant personal over spending and dangerously low savings rates. Everything in moderation, its a balancing act of doing the right thing and then rewarding yourself with a small selfish and/or bad decision.

Mods are least priority on my list of expenditures, so they are the first to go in any situation. If my paycheck is getting crunched at all, and anything needs to be reduced, mods will be first. Investment doesn't necessarily mean a financial return, utility obtained could also be a measure of returns on an investment.


It's not even a 2% hike, it's a repeal of the 2% BREAK you have been getting the last 2 years. How did you ever make it before if you can't after the fact?

If you haven't lost/changed jobs, and gotten zero pay increases the last 2 years, I really don't understand this at all. Who doesn't get at least a 1% per year pay increase (yes, I mean 1 % each of the 2 years the break was in, so you have 2% more income now)?

I have to think that people complaining about this are not even funding their 401K at the bare minimum, or at all. Do you really think social security will either A) be around or B) if it is be able to support your living expenses when you retire?

I bought the car 2 years ago and yes company wide salary freezes for the last 2 years means this guy and all the people he works with did not even get a 1% increase (not everyone is in the same boat). That coupled with other increases in cost/living expenses and now a crunch in pay due expiring tax holiday means the first thing to go are mods. For me it is only a portion of my mod plans. I was just curious how many others were in a similar situation.


There are so many themes in this thread, I don't know where to start. Maybe I shouldn't.

But I will.

Being financially responsible means positioning oneself for unexpected budget fluctuations, whether it be a change in the tax code (2% increase), hospitalization of a child for which insurance pays only 70% ($3K for our part), major car work, replacing the A/C unit for the house ($8K), or <insert your own experience here>...one should strive to have a financial cushion so that such fluctuations don't impact one's way of life. If a 2% tax increase is causing crunching on mods, then maybe the priority should be focus on reducing debt so as to provide a better cushion.

Just sayin'

The cushion is for necessities. Mods do not fall under necessities I would use a cushion for. Everyone budgets money differently, I could have only 5% of my income be disposable and still be living well within my means. i.e 50% saved, 30% to living expenses, 15% misc, and 5% disposable. The 2% reduction would eat nearly half of the disposable income which does not even touch the cushion and for some of us may lead to less modding this year. I wasn't really looking for a lecture on how to budget my finances, just tried to make a friendly poll to see who would be dropping some mods they were on the fence about in the first place because of tax changes of 2013, didn't think it would turn into such a lecturing bashfest.





Perhaps this topic is not related enough to cars to be here and I should find some kind of other forum to pose such a question. My apologies to all of those I may have offended.

[Chestlock]

Hahahahah...agreed on all points, except Toronto - still, it's not the same city I grew up in anymore...

But about the possible fall of the US, like I said...I worry...a little. Still, the company I work for survived a two-year export ban to the US, and my family's business is mostly tied into provincial healthcare spending.

In true Canucklehead fashion, I sincerely apologize about the Toronto barb, but telling Leafs jokes is just getting old [:D] Haven't been to T. in 10 years - not much coulda changed other than greater sprawl and more random gang violence, could it?

Perhaps I worry too much, and the state of the economy in no way affects my salary, but it does affect my investments and the general happiness of North Americans. Maybe companies will bring back last-minute booking business travel too where it costs $7000 to fly from YYJ to YYC!!!

I'm also really starting to like this random talk-about-anything thread.... I'm this close to making male nurse jokes


I'm also getting a 3.5% increase in 2 more weeks. We'll probably lose our pension entitlements come April, but for now, nah nah nah nah boo boo

[Chestlock]

Oh, what does this != mean?

[mkato13]

Education does correlate with higher or greater ability most times and I agree that there is no substitute for hands on experience. While in school I rotated with students who memorized the lessons and medical books and knew they were looking for disease xyz but didn't know it when they saw it. I also was with students who didn't memorize every word in the book but knew when a physical finding wasn't right and knew where to look it up. I think a mix is important. I think its important in all jobs and all fields. Didn't want to cause drama or imply that I deserve someone else's salary.

Having said that it looks like ill be putting off mods cause the little woman and I are saving for a house in the next year or so and moving into a rental. Plus I have to slowly save for stage 3 which will be too much for the next few years. Need to put away for house, kids, Headers, clutch, engagement ring....Priorities...lol

[s4buckeye]

2% Social Security increase will be of little consequence as copmared to the general lousy state of the economy in general.

That is too many generals in one sentence, son.

[wwhan]

This recent tax deal in USA is not that aggressive nowhere near what it was in the 1960s or 1970s. Unless one is living the edge of paying bills, this tax increase should have very little affect.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5OGpm1XLu14/UJ06yJ0K0DI/AAAAAAAAVPE/TI5XLXO40V0/s1600/TopTaxRate.jpg

[jedirocker]

ROFL...lecture bashfest, he says

[BRENZ06]

I've read through this thread and it really is a good thread that could go on for pages, but does it belong in the S4 section? No offense, but the fact that most of us in this section have the ability to own or lease an S4 make this whole thread a closed discussion. I come to the S4 section for info on our passion and tech hints or solutions. Lets keep it that way guys.

Mods please move or close.

[Can_I_Haz?]

What an interesting post. Before reading the first response, was sure this was going to deteriorate to a BS political battle between the brainwashed left and right but I'm so proud of you guys keeping it real.
To quote South Park, we had a Douche and a Turd. Damned either way.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_6gz5RnKjw

To sum up my opinion on the 2% social security tax hike. I would like to say, are you for cereal? How the hell am I gonna afford to super size my extra value meals let alone buy mods.

[ilspazzaneve]

I've read through this thread and it really is a good thread that could go on for pages, but does it belong in the S4 section? No offense, but the fact that most of us in this section have the ability to own or lease an S4 make this whole thread a closed discussion. I come to the S4 section for info on our passion and tech hints or solutions. Lets keep it that way guys.

Mods please move or close.

You, go move yourself or close this page...it's a wildly popular thread and obviously a huge insight to the mind of the S4 owner in a forum pretty heavily trolled by sponsors, who I'm sure are delighted that thus far, 86% are going to spend anyways.

Its pretty clear 2K or so to those in the lower income bracket of s4 ownership, isn't really a make-or-break deal, and even less of an issue to those in the upper income bracket, who will take an even bigger hit. Needs vs wants become pretty blurry these days when the cost of food, gas and basic accomodation is a drop in the bucket where we live. Heck, I'm sure less thought was put into checking the boxes on the option sheet over the amount we're talking about here.

[NWS4Guy]

Oh, what does this != mean?

Coder/programming speak for "Does not equal"

[FatalBert]

ROFL...lecture bashfest, he says

Tis true [:D]


I've read through this thread and it really is a good thread that could go on for pages, but does it belong in the S4 section? No offense, but the fact that most of us in this section have the ability to own or lease an S4 make this whole thread a closed discussion. I come to the S4 section for info on our passion and tech hints or solutions. Lets keep it that way guys.

Mods please move or close.


Well seeing as I was trying to get a cross section of just B8/8.5 S4 owners I don't see it being all that irrelevant. Especially when this thread is revealing how many are unmoved in their passion for modding. I assume if this was started in the A4 section instead, it would be a little less than 87% saying no change to their plans.

[BRENZ06]

Didn't mean any harm in my post. Like I said it a good thread. Just thought this might fit better in the chatterbox section or in a general section. To your point on the poll results, the numbers do suggest its slightly irrelevant. Its a 50K+ car and has a strong mod following. Most people even if they took a huge hit would still somehow find a way to mod since they are such car nuts. I don't think anyone is surprised by the numbers. A more interesting number would be the same poll across all audi models?

No harm done.

B

[FatalBert]

Didn't mean any harm in my post. Like I said it a good thread. Just thought this might fit better in the chatterbox section or in a general section. To your point on the poll results, the numbers do suggest its slightly irrelevant. Its a 50K+ car and has a strong mod following. Most people even if they took a huge hit would still somehow find a way to mod since they are such car nuts. I don't think anyone is surprised by the numbers. A more interesting number would be the same poll across all audi models?

No harm done.

B

I agree, but I am interested to know the differences between models as well.