30K Millionaires

[gc]

Coming soon to a theater near you....


http://www.30kmillionaires.com/

[shawndb]

I just saw this and was about to post. I LOVE IT, because it's so true. I'll be clued to the TV set every week.

[Agnus Dei]

Ha. Looks promising.
I love that they use "National Anthem" for the trailer.

I believe that the music supervisor, Paul Salfen, used to --or still does-- work for the Dallas Music Guide.

[Columbus Civil]

huh..directed by Channel 11 reporter Jay Gormley. Looks good.

[Tnekster]

How does one lease a BMW on 30K/year? Not to mention the apartment and furniture?

[Columbus Civil]

By putting everything else on a credit card and only paying the minimum balance each month.

[drumguy8800]

... That's the second time I've seen a production use clips from the Dallas promotional video. (first being Weather Channel tornado story here (http://whatifweather.com)). Not to mention the entire thing (except for the five guys walking) was ripped from something else.. but they acknowledged that at the beginning, right..?

It's sort of funny, I always thought Dallas' local film talent was awful, but while visitng Los Angeles.. I have to say that their local newscasts / local reality shows / independent film stuff is all at about the same caliber as it is here. Save, of course, the Benefactor. The logo for the Benefactor appeared to have been made in MS Paint.

[Geaux Tigers]

I'll be clued to the TV set every week.

Looks like this is going to be a full-length movie and not a reality show ala Dallas SWAT. It's ashame because I think this could be a great reality TV series.

[gc]

How does one lease a BMW on 30K/year? Not to mention the apartment and furniture?

I think it is just a figure of speech pal.

[Columbus Civil]

I think this could be a great reality TV series.

Agreed. I thought this was what it was at first.

[Geaux Tigers]

Hell, they could set up a fixed camera in the parking lot of Mia's on Lemon on any given Saturday night and get hours and hours of footage.

[Columbus Civil]

The margaritas were really bad there last time we went :(

[VectorWega]

How does one lease a BMW on 30K/year? Not to mention the apartment and furniture?

True, that's tough even for the 30k millionaire. Generally a 30k millionaire lives in a crappy apartment with no furniture...but they definitely have the leased BMW.

[Texan#1]

i like the trailer! i cant wait to watch this!

[KBilly]

"It's not what you make, it's what you fake."

Brilliant! Dragonfly bar should be a #1 shooting area... :guns:

And the MySpace site is trippin' pretty good already... http://www.myspace.com/30kmillionaires

[Geaux Tigers]

The margaritas were really bad there last time we went :(

We just go for the brisket soft tacos. All you need with those is a cold beer.

[VectorWega]

We just go for the brisket soft tacos.

Mmmmm...Mia's Brisket Tacos ***drool***

[Columbus Civil]

Yeah..always get the brisket tacos too. Man I'm hungry.

[aceplace]

Yeah, I also like the original question... how can somebody qualify for a $1,200 Uptown apartment, a $50,000 leased BMW, the clothes you need to dance in the clubs, and the cash to flash to the chicks... on a job that pays $30,000 per year?

A further question... do we need any more derogatory stereotypes about our city?

[rjlevins]

^If any stereotype about Dallas is true, it's this one.

[gc]

http://www.30kdm.com


Talk about URBAN HIPSTER....don't think I won't buy one of these shirts for fun...

[Columbus Civil]

giggle

http://www.30kdm.com/images/products/10002/verticalpic.jpg

[Boredkid]

Yeah, I also like the original question... how can somebody qualify for a $1,200 Uptown apartment, a $50,000 leased BMW, the clothes you need to dance in the clubs, and the cash to flash to the chicks... on a job that pays $30,000 per year?

A further question... do we need any more derogatory stereotypes about our city?

You can get a cheap apartment in uptown for as little as 800. You can lease a base 3 series or c class for as little as 400 a month. Leaves the rest of their income for going out and clothing.

[VectorWega]

Yeah, I also like the original question... how can somebody qualify for a $1,200 Uptown apartment, a $50,000 leased BMW, the clothes you need to dance in the clubs, and the cash to flash to the chicks... on a job that pays $30,000 per year?

A further question... do we need any more derogatory stereotypes about our city?

They probably sublease a couch from someone living in uptown. It's not as cheap as living in your parents basement, but since we don't have basements in Texas it's the next best thing.

[VectorWega]

It's been a couple of years, but the last time I was over in Fleetwood Oaks (fleetwood Oaks and Hudnall) I noticed a mixture of very crappy cars and BMWs. No offense to those that live in that area, but those condos are very old and were in so-so condition. They were going for around 35k (for a one bedroom place). And on each end of the street there are pretty run down apartments (rental rates starting at around $300 a month. I guarrantee you that area has it's share of 30k millionaires (that term may need to be revised to 40k millionaires due to inflation).

[aceplace]

^If any stereotype about Dallas is true, it's this one.It isn't true for me... maybe it's a true description of you?

I don't see GC fitting that stereotype, and CC doesn't look like a party animal living beyond his means... neither of the Trolleygirls impress me as being attracted to that kind of flash... Haretip, most definitely not. Jsoto is a hard working architect, and Geaux is happy with his brisket and soft beer.

So if it's untrue for so many people, how is it true?

[VectorWega]

Our society is a spend spend spend society, and Dallas is worse than most places. This is why we lead the nation in foreclosures. People here love living above their means.

[Columbus Civil]

I'm not entirely convinced that overspending is worse here than in other places. What societal influences would cause this to happen more in Dallas?

Aren't a large portion of the foreclosures associated with layoffs in the telecom industry? I thought I remember hearing that a few years ago.

[Agnus Dei]

It isn't true for me... maybe it's a true description of you?

I don't see GC fitting that stereotype, and CC doesn't look like a party animal living beyond his means... neither of the Trolleygirls impress me as being attracted to that kind of flash... Haretip, most definitely not. Jsoto is a hard working architect, and Geaux is happy with his brisket and soft beer.

So if it's untrue for so many people, how is it true?

Nobody said it applies to every single person in the city, just many. And it does. Having lived in D/FW my whole life (and people-watched in Uptown for writing inspiration), it's very much a reality. It's not exclusive to Dallas but "we" seem to do it in a ballsier manner than most.

[shawndb]

It isn't true for me... maybe it's a true description of you?

I don't see GC fitting that stereotype, and CC doesn't look like a party animal living beyond his means... neither of the Trolleygirls impress me as being attracted to that kind of flash... Haretip, most definitely not. Jsoto is a hard working architect, and Geaux is happy with his brisket and soft beer.

So if it's untrue for so many people, how is it true?


It's a stereotype!!! That's means it standard or conventional image, a preceived idea, or cliché. Which means it's most likely true for many people not all. How do you think the stereotype came along in the first place.

[Dallasite]

I can't wait to watch this! It reminds me of just being out of college and meeting these kind of men that were trying to live up to some kind of image. Now that I'm older, it seems kind of stupid. It will be fun to watch.

[VectorWega]

Aren't a large portion of the foreclosures associated with layoffs in the telecom industry? I thought I remember hearing that a few years ago.

I'm sure most foreclosures are due to one losing their job (or going through a divorce). However, if people live below their means there is absolutely no reason their home should be foreclosed on because they have been saving money to withstand such an event. Economic downturns occur, and people lose their jobs. However, some people are too stupid to prepare themselves.

One measure of what one's net worth should be is:

A person's age multiplied by their annual pre-taxed income divided by 10. This less the individuals inherited wealth is how wealthy the individual should be.

[Columbus Civil]

Yeah, I guess you're right. They probably bought a house they could barely make the payments on.

I've never seen that wealth rule of thumb before. I'm a little behind :\

[VectorWega]

I've never seen that wealth rule of thumb before. I'm a little behind :\

Well, I stole that rule from the book "The Millionaire Next Door".

Personally, I feel that rule is skewed based on age. Most college graduates go into the real world with little to no wealth. So if a guy is 23, makes 44k a year, he is expected to have 100k in wealth already. However, I still think it's a good mindest to have, and most younger people are going to be behind a bit (or a lot) and have a number they can strive for.

[Dallasite]

I've never seen that measure before. Thanks!

[VectorWega]

The Millionaire Next Door recommends that in order to be well positioned you should have double that number (calculated above). My brother lives by that book. He was able to retire at the age of 31 because he is a cheap bastard.

[Lakewooder]

Hmm, a renter next door to one of my rentals once called me a cheap bastard (he didn't like that I wouldn't trim some limbs hanging over the property he RENTS -- never mind that a year or two prior I had spent over $2,000 on tree trimming at that property). In fact, the guy would regularly come over and cut down things on my property...

Anyhow, being raised by a Depression Daddy, I consider 'cheap bastard' to be a compliment!

I thought of this neighbor when I wrote my tax to David Childs/Dallas County earlier this week --- perhaps I should send him a copy, it was enough to buy a new Mercedes (the cheap one).

Cheap indeed!

[hookbilledkite]

True, that's tough even for the 30k millionaire. Generally a 30k millionaire lives in a crappy apartment with no furniture...but they definitely have the leased BMW.

Very true, when I was living in the Rio Grande Valley, I would make trips out west towards Rio Grande City and would always see these pimped out Chevy trucks with airbrushed murals on the tailgate, fancy rims, neon lights, etc.. parked in front of a small deteriorating 2 bedroom wood frame house with a gravel driveway. Some people feel having a $35,000-45,000 vehicle is important when you live in a house that costs the same.

[KBilly]

I like that rule of thumb... I'm close to spot on it.

But then, I was chasing the ladies who finally "grew up" and were left behind by the "millionaires" due to their suddenly losing the ability to communicate with said grown-ups.

Locally, the group is also known as the Fickle 500.

[Lakewooder]

And then their conceited consanguinities, the chosen of the beautiful room:

http://www.thebeautifulroom.com/login.php?l=1

[tamtagon]

consanguinities

I love it when you use big words.

[FoUTASportscaster]

I love the big words too.

[aceplace]

Nobody said it applies to every single person in the city, just many. And it does. Having lived in D/FW my whole life (and people-watched in Uptown for writing inspiration), it's very much a reality. It's not exclusive to Dallas but "we" seem to do it in a ballsier manner than most.A stereotype paints everybody with the faults of a few, as in ... "Irishmen are brawlers and drunks". The statement stereotypes all Irishmen... The usual counter is... "I know a lot of peaceful, sober Irishmen, so you must be a liar".

You don't know if your generalization fits 5% of the Uptown demographic, 50% or 1/2 of a percent, no matter how much you hang around uptown. You'd better sign up for Sociology 101. And then again a metro with 6 million people will have more playboys than most of the small cities in America, that is true. Also a lot more of everything than most of the cities of America.


It's a stereotype!!! That's means it standard or conventional image, a preceived idea, or cliché. Which means it's most likely true for many people not all. How do you think the stereotype came along in the first place.Apparently it is not currently a stereotype on a national level... the movie trailer is asking us to forget about the cowboy boots and pickup trucks stereotype and replace it with a cafe society stereotype, heretofore unknown... which is not currently the national image of Dallas... it's no better than a movie that portrays African Americans as pimps and thugs instead of Stepin Fetchits and shoeshine boys...

How do stereotypes arise? Ignorance, hostility and deliberate attack. As in "California is the Granola State... the land of fruits, nuts and flakes".


I'm not entirely convinced that overspending is worse here than in other places. What societal influences would cause this to happen more in Dallas?

Aren't a large portion of the foreclosures associated with layoffs in the telecom industry? I thought I remember hearing that a few years ago.Right on CC. Dallas took a telecom and IT industry hit and people lost their homes when they were laid off... kinda cold to accuse them of being profilgate spenders. And no, there's nothing in the Dallas air or Dallas soil that makes people here more profilgate than other places... foreclosures are an historical coincidence.

Dallas writes more mortgages than do coastal cities, houses are cheaper, and Dallas (and Atlanta) have the highest absolute volume of growth due to inmigration... a high foreclosure rate when we take an economic hit is a direct consequence of being such a popular place to move to.

[VectorWega]

A stereotype paints everybody with the faults of a few, as in ...

I don't think anyone here thinks that everyone in Dallas is like that. We are simply commenting on the type of people that are not financially stable yet drive fancy cars, and spend a lot of money. Do I know how prevalent this type of person is in Dallas? No. Do I care no? Does it exist? Clearly.

I'm really sorry to blow you cover buddy.


Dallas took a telecom and IT industry hit and people lost their homes when they were laid off

1. That was several years ago and home foreclosures are still incredibly high.
2. You don't lose your home because you are laid off. You lose you home because you are laid off AND are not financially secure enough to maintain your current lifestyle level for a period long enough to find a job.

It's not like this is Flint, Michigan and GM has left town with noone to pickup those jobs. This is DFW and there are tons of opportunities. If you can't weather a storm you can point fingers all you want but really that finger should be pointed squarely at you (the dumbass that lived above his means and didn't have enough money to keep their home for a year or more without a job).

[shawndb]

Apparently it is not currently a stereotype on a national level... the movie trailer is asking us to forget about the cowboy boots and pickup trucks stereotype and replace it with a cafe society stereotype, heretofore unknown... which is not currently the national image of Dallas... it's no better than a movie that portrays African Americans as pimps and thugs instead of Stepin Fetchits and shoeshine boys.

Whoever said that the Dallas 30K Millionaire was a national stereotype. I think if you asked anyone in the state of Texas about that stereotype they would agree. After reading the responses on this board, the responses from friends and non-friends alike through email and other outlets on the internet I think the stereotype is true enough to make the movie at least a mild if not tremendous success. I also think someone once said any press is good press. Who knows, maybe we'll get even more tourism because of this movie. People will want to come to Dallas and see the 30k millionaires for themselves.

[I45Tex]

"Dallas took a telecom and IT industry hit and people lost their homes when they were laid off"



1. That was several years ago and home foreclosures are still incredibly high.
2. You don't lose your home because you are laid off. You lose you home because you are laid off AND are not financially secure enough to maintain your current lifestyle level for a period long enough to find a job.

It's not like this is Flint, Michigan and GM has left town with noone to pickup those jobs. This is DFW and there are tons of opportunities. If you can't weather a storm you can point fingers all you want but really that finger should be pointed squarely at you (the dumbass that lived above his means and didn't have enough money to keep their home for a year or more without a job).

I don't think this is the part of aceplace's statement to pick at. The use value of that is not very high; people also know that the kind of person who chooses the "30K millionary" lifestyle cannot be respected (What about the kind of selfishness that cares who's who and wants to talk about the cool clubs in Uptown and Oaklawn? Should we be more okay with that kind of selfishness? Isn't the little stuff that we allow ourselves even more corrosive in life than the blatant advantage-taking irresponsibilities? Should we be living with taking advantage of anything in mind, or does integrity have nothing in common with that set of assumptions? ). However, if we "write more mortgages than do coastal cities, houses are cheaper, and Dallas (and Atlanta) have the highest absolute volume of growth due to inmigration", which is true, and if "... a high foreclosure rate when we take an economic hit is a direct consequence of being such a popular place to move to", then that is interesting and let's go talking from there.

[VectorWega]

One of the big reasons for foreclosures in DFW (and across the country) is due to home owners buying as expensive of a home as they qualify for. Of course, I think some blame should go to the lenders, particularly those working with new home builders. However, these are adults we are talking about and they should be able to do simple math and have personal accountability.

I know of DFW neighborhoods built in the last 5 yrs where at least 1/2 of the homes put up for sale are foreclosures (probably more like 3/4). You would think these would be prime areas to buy pre-foreclosures except for the fact that these people have no equity in their homes and generally, they owe much more than the home is actually worth (perhaps because they couldn't qualify for a home loan anywhere else so they were willing to pay the price, or more likely because they were stupid buyers).

As for 30k millionaires, I was driving south on Hampton today and saw an H2 coming out of an apartment complex in West Dallas. I didn't think to pull him over and ask if he lived there and was a 30k millionaire but such an occurance is not that uncommon so I'm sure I'll get another chance.

[aceplace]

I think the stereotype is true enough to make the movie at least a mild if not tremendous success. .There is no such thing as "true enough"... characterizations are either true or false. If the characterization is supposed to be "everybody in Uptown", then it's neurotic bullbleep.

Do some Dallas people in the 20-35 age bracket live beyond their means? Probably. Do some people in every city live beyond their means? Again, yes. The problem comes from characterizing the 6 million people in Dallas as living beyond their means... is this a way for losers in other less popular or prosperous cities to salve their civic egos?

Dallas has lifestyle choices and urban adventures that other Texas cities can't afford. This weekend we have 20 indie/specialty/foreign films playing in the art houses, we have a vast choice of musical performances, visual arts, and other things to see and do. Our infrastructure includes our airport connections, our DART systems, our water supply... our population growth is driven by the national consensus hat Dallas is a good place to migrate to and live in, for whatever reason... in virtually every urban category, there is DFW, and then the rest of the Texas cities (except for Houston to some degree) as distant runners up.

So do people in other Texas cities have a motive to try and diminish our stature and feel better about their own towns? Sure, some of them... the insecure and neurotic... others don't care, they're happy with their homes and their communities. But the ones that are not really want and need to see us as defective, somehow.

Should we cooperate with this self-disparagement?


As for 30k millionaires, I was driving south on Hampton today and saw an H2 coming out of an apartment complex in West Dallas. I didn't think to pull him over and ask if he lived there and was a 30k millionaire but such an occurance is not that uncommon so I'm sure I'll get another chance.The phenomenon of expensive cars in the ghetto has been going on longer than we have been alive and exists in every city. Pimps in Pimpmobiles, drug dealers in luxury cars, these are a staple stereotype of every gangsta movie in the multiplexes and have nothing to do with Dallas, Texas in particular.

[VectorWega]

in virtually every urban category, there is DFW, and then the rest of the Texas cities (except for Houston to some degree) as distant runners up.

Perhaps Austin doesn't win the "Urban" categories, but it's widely regarded as the best city to live in or move to in the state of Texas.

[aceplace]

Perhaps Austin doesn't win the "Urban" categories, but it's widely regarded as the best city to live in or move to in the state of Texas.Not by as many people as so regard DFW. That's why more people move to DFW and live in DFW than live in Austin.

When somebody moves to a particular city in Texas, or anywhere else, it's because they've determined that the move is in their best interests, all things considered. If they choose Dallas over Austin it's because they've decided that Dallas is better for them overall, even if Austin has some features they like.

The most important thing to measure is what people actually do. Anything else just measures hypocrisy, or lack of real knowledge.