You're a good man. I completely turned my life around by getting into cars, I was spinning my wheels at a help desk for years until I decided to quit the mind numbing job and go back to school, my professor showed us all how great your repair videos are and how you pay attention to detail while explaining the system you are repairing and how those systems work. You really helped me out back then, you have an infectious personality that caused me to love to explain things. It led to me graduating from college and now I operate as an all around mobile mechanic and couldn't be happier about it. Im also close to completing another associates in computer science this time. I can tell how hard all of this was to say and I'm sure it brought up some deep emotions and memories from the past. Just know that you have helped people in more ways than you can possibly imagine. You deserve the best.
Thank you very much for sharing that. Sometimes it's easy to get wrapped up in the 'haters' and forget that what I do also has a positive effect on people. Thanks for taking the time to comment and remind me of that very thing. I really appreciate it. Good luck with your career and thanks again.
ETCG1 You're most certainly welcome! That therein lies the problem of being a stand-up guy, people will always want to knock you down. And thank you, being the sole-proprietor of a SMLLC, I'm going to need all the luck I can get. lol
+RiaRadioFMHD773 If I could just wipe out these student loans I'd be on the same boat. Nothing like having a positive Net Worth no matter how little that number is.
MAN_ON_WHEELZ Don't eat in restaurants when in debt, always pay cash, NEVER spend tomorrows money today. Just keep in mind: "if I don't have the money right now on me, I CAN'T afford it". Do that until you are "broke" (at the zero point), then keep doing it to get onto the positive side. :)
RiaRadioFMHD773 Oh I'm already there with you on that. I only spend what I've got and keep extra "untouchable" money on the side. When my spending money is at zero, ramen noodles it is. The only debt I have is $62,000 in student loans lol
+RiaRadioFMHD773 Feels terrible not having my job that I used to anymore, but at least there was a good reason behind it and I wish to go ahead with finding another job. I need to overcome my fear of fucking up without becoming a lazy ass...but I honestly hate how many times I've hesitated and become fearful of fucking up again anyways. I gotta head to bed right now so I have energy for tomorrow...but I pray I can actually keep my ass in gear this time without forgetting my goals. Too many times I've made myself depressed by playing video games and feeling bad about not having any money to spend or any way of fixing one of my prized possessions, my tiny little beat-to-hell Suzuki Swift.
Well that quote is a lie, I don't care who you are once you become rich you change as a person. it's a fact you can say no always you want but its true. Some change in good ways and some change in bad ways, but one thing I will say is people who become rich look down on the people who don't have shit usually not all cases, But I will say this, I do get upset when I see people my age 22 years old driving fucking lambos and try being a dick because they think there the shit because they comb there hair back and wear button up shirts.
I find it easy to make sure I have no money. Be it when I was working for min wage to now where I am making $20/hour in a low cost of living area :P Cars are an addiction.
I remember the very first time I saw "Eric the car guy" on the UA-cam carrosel. I was thinking, who does this guy think he is labeling himself this? But, once I saw you underneath a car, in the middle of a cold night, in a little garage, singing and laughing, you truly won me over! It humbled me to see you so real and not a fake guy, pretending to be someone your not. Ever since then, I have tried to and watched every video you've put posted on UA-cam! "Best of Perseverance, in your future endeavors and May God Bless you Always! Thank you for being "eric the car guy! - Roy
I thought this would be a balanced rant on how some financially exceptional persons are good and some bad, but it turned out to be more of a wake up call for me...while you were talking about having to keep your chin up and work hard towards your goals and dreams, I realized something...my own fear of screwing things up has been reason I've screwed up two times now. I lost my job at KFC because I let it grow onto me and overcome my sanity, I lost my job at Tim Hortons because karma caught me doing it again and bit me in the ass hard...and now I sit here with the realization that it's applied to even more smaller screwups in my life as well, and every time that fear is absent, I have a phenomonally better chance of holding something together for much longer. I've never been afraid of messing up computers except in the very beginning of my hobby, and it's the whole reason I kept my tried and true electronic warlord healthy, for example. What I'm saying is, while I only clicked on this purely for entertainment, it turned out to be so much more than that and I didn't even finish the video yet. I thank you for helping me so much.
+Andy Shay I understand your concern, but my topic is intended to focus on a completely different point than yours and I thus do not wish to talk about it.
Well said Eric! I come from a wealthy family, where my grandfather built a company and lifestyle out of absolutely nothing. He worked extremely hard to earn what he had. He was a great man, someone that I've always idolized. He taught me all about hard work, discipline, morality and humility. I didn't mooch off of his success or expect any hand outs from him, but the things that he did give me, turned me into a very successful person (minus the wealth). The one thing that I remember him despising the most were wealthy folks that looked down on people of lesser financial status. He came from nothing and knew the life. He always stressed to me "Remember where you came from". I always have and I always will. I will work my fingers to the bone to earn what I have. These are just some of the lessons that many wealthy folks that have came from nothing can teach you.
Hi Eric, 7 years later and I just had a chance to watch this. Sound advice and really made me think about my attitude. I just started watching your videos last week, I am so hooked on your work ethic, talent, and sense of humor. I hope things keep going well for you and the videos keep coming. Thanks for all the hard work you do for us.
***** Man i seen a lot of rich people rich family members too most of them wait for others to start kissing there asses and i seen a lot of people who are willing to shine there ass, money comes and ago but you can't buy pride,When i started getting in the used auto business i met a lot of successful people who earned it and boy those guys are different they don't brag and helped me out a lot in business some of them just call and give me advice, and when i call a rich family member to say hello they think that i want to barrow money or something lol
Mike D The opportunity to make large sums of money is handed to some but not to others.. Race, ethnicity, place of birth, family circumstance, time etc...
Mike D I agree, though there is a 3rd wealth - those who stole it. Someone like Warren Buffet earned his wealth, someone like Donald Trump inherited his, and Bill Gates stole his. Bill Gates may not have literally taken the money from anybody's hands, but a lot of what he and his company did was indirectly stealing from others, including his own employees. Also, as for your comment about the Kardiashians - I'm not too familiar with them, but based on what I do know, they did earn their wealth. But to be *very* clear on the wording of that, it was *earned*, not *deserving*.
I love this channel because you're humble! I used to be a service advisor at several different dealerships, so I know how hard one has to work in the automotive industry to make ends meet. There's something about you that makes me want to watch and learn more. Although I'm no longer in the automotive field, I'm blessed to have a job I wanted to work because I love it. Thank you for being you!
Eric, you really got it right about weather or not you should be resenting the wealthy and basically finding your own path to happiness. I have to throw my own 2 cents into the mix though. When I was young I was a "Domino's pizza" delivery driver. The delivery radius covered a large area that included a mainly blue collar neighborhood but also an upscale wealthy neighborhood. I raked in way more in tips from the "blue collar" customers than the wealthy. The wealthy people were also more rude and treated you like a piece of garbage.
Research shows that the rich are less charitable to the rest of us than the rest of us are to the rest of us. In other words, poor folks help out their own because they know what it's like to be poor. But the rich mainly help themselves. Yes, there are those that are very philanthropic with their wealth, but that's a small minority.
@@lordvolvo9801 I have a younger brother whose wife became a pharmacist. As soon as she completed it she poisoned him from everyone in our family. I don't know this for a certain but I feel this was her plan all along. The weird thing is if she had a very humble upbringing but she had no problem adopting the snotty personalities that wealthy people develop. I suppose I divide naturally happens between family members when you have some that earn disproportionately more money because their interests are going to be different based completely on income.
Absolutely right Eric. There are some really nice, compassionate, and generous wealthy people, and there are some really horrible poor people. I've met and been around both. The former gave me a job in the career I love today.
Great video Eric! You could not have said it better! Also, I want to say thanks for all of your videos. You are great at what you do so keep up the good work.
Best advice I ever received from a wealthy individual -- (I, myself --Grew up in a middle class family, now retired heavy equipment mechanic --I am not rich.)I asked this wealthy individual around the time I was about 22 "How does one get into the money??" He replied "I'm glad you asked me that question, most people NEVER will !!! "Picture an eight lane freeway packed with traffic, bumper to bumper, going the speed limit, You are born on one side and the rich people are born on the other. All you have to do is get across the freeway without getting yourself seriously injured or killed and you will be RICH !!!" That little talk stuck with me .. The older I get the more I can see how TRUE.. You can be middle class and content or you can roll the dice and try to get across knowing your chances of making it to the other side are slim to none. Hope you get across Eric.
My dad is a plumber and we have stepped into million dollar houses to unclog their drains or whatever they need. All of them I've met so far are really humble and treated us nice, talking and giving advices. I go to college and I usually find some pretty good advices from them, guess I'm lucky enough to have met those ones and not the ones who just like to brag around.
Eric I was a technician for a Lexus dealership. And I love how you put this video. Thank you for all your videos. you have inspired me in many ways. Keep up the great work.
Hello eric, I have been watching you for a while, you are a good man. I have just retired after 37 years in the auto repair industry. Started out in a one man shop, now I am finished with my career. I always kept my customers well being before my own. I always told my employees, you can earn more than you can steal. Be fair and nice to everybody, charge enough to make money, but don’t over charge. Do everything as good as you can, it will always benefit you, as well as the customer. Always do the right thing. I am sure you have figured these things out. Just continue being a class act, you are an asset to your profession!
You're a humble person which i really like, I'm not a mechanic, I don't know allot about fixing cars, actually i don't know anything about fixing cars, i found your channel couple days ago by friend after watching your videos it makes me want to become a mechanic, that will never be which is fine but i do just enjoy watching how parts of a car work and how it gets fixed. Sorry the comment wasn't about the video but had to spread the love
Just discovered your videos and have thoroughly enjoyed them.Old saying..." Money makes the happy people happier, while conversely, money makes the unhappy people unhappier". I've found that to be a true in people I've come across.
I was just beginning high school at the time and the whole family was home having dinner. We got a knock at our door and my Dad answered it. It was a black gentleman selling magazines. My Dad was a bit put off as it was dinner time. But the young man told my Dad that he was doing this to afford college. Of course no one believes that so the young man actually produced his I.D and Grades from his high school. They were all in the B+ to A range. This impressed my Dad very much. So, He invited him in and they sat in the den and my Dad got to know him. After a little bit my Dad told him "I am going to make you an offer. If you get the same grades in college your getting getting now I will pay for your room and board at College". My Dad ended up paying for his college costs. My Dad spent a lot of time saving the local Hospital from shutting down. This would have forced everyone to travel 20miles for medical attention. It meant a lot of long nights and hard work. When all was done we still have a great hospital in our community and everyone can be assured of medical attention especially in a life and death situation. My Dad constantly loaned money to people when they were in trouble. My Dad was instrumental in saving the industry in our small city. He sat on may boards and had to make some pretty rough decisions that eventually benefited the whole community. Many times my Dad would not charge for some services as he knew they could not afford it. My Dad was born in the great depression. He lived in a house with no doors. They had sheets over the door ways. They were so poor that my Dad was embarrassed to have anyone come to the house. My point? Well, Its not that you have money or are poor that influences your attitudes towards others. Its actually the way you are raised and the role models in your life that you clung too. I have met both good and bad in both rich and poor. To me, I dont care what money you have. What I do care about is how you treat others. I know what its like to be poor and I know what its like to be rich. In my life I have experienced both sides. So, the next time you see someone dont just look away. Just smile and look them in the eye and give them a good "Hello". If they snub you its not really that they are being rude, Its because they are scared of others in one way or another. Its your job to prove that your on the "Good Guy" team.
+Phunker1 Good you say that, I was gonna add what he said. There are people with money, be it children or what not, who are just raised well and treat people around them well.
Money just gives people the opportunity to be more of what they are, if someone is an ass and an employee they have to keep it in check or lose their job but if they own the company then they will make many people miserable.
***** Mind you, it's not as simple as just "getting off your ass" and there are many factors at play here.You can work as hard as you can at Burger King but you'll probably still earn squat. You can't advance to higher wages or a better socioeconomic status because of certain laws (e.g.drug laws) that prevent you from doing so. Also, rich people, those really really rich, should pay more taxes than they already pay. But instead, the public(mostly middle class) is paying for them....
Eric, your comments about good frends and family is 100%, when my life shattered into bits, my frends jumped in to help me, i didnt expect it, i thought i was alone. My frends are not rich, but there frendship is gold, i will allways help them if i can. Some rich people are just misers, money is all that matters. You are a kind man eric, being rich would not turn you bad, i know this.
Thanks for the great talk, Eric. I was just getting by for most of my life (always worked, just didn’t make much) but 18 years ago (at age 37 and as a single parent) I took out a big loan and got a business degree. Had the loan paid off in 2 years. Worked very hard in school and ever since, but am in good shape financially now. A good idea/plan will get results, as long as a you put your head down and just get on with it.
well said, eric! reading thru some of the comments it looks like you have had an effect on forming & shaping the lives of several younger "upstarts" -that is the kind of "riches" no amount of money will buy.
Honestly that comes as a surprise to me. Lets face it, it's not often a UA-cam video can change someone's perspective. I'll take whatever wins I can get though. Thanks for your comments.
This is why I respect you Eric. You are inspiring in the most upright of ways. My family used to live in the slums of Asia. We are now what would be considered upper class. I am always ready to financially support good people and good ideas so that others too can climb the ladder.
Wise advice Eric. I appreciate hearing someone on UA-cam saying things that I and others have said for years. So many don't understand how rich they really are. If you count your riches by how much cash you have in the bank or the model of car you drive, you're missing a lot. I know many working people who find they're rich, not because their accounts have seven or more figures, but because they've counted their blessings and are happy with what they have. Folks, be happy with what you have, not with what someone else has, and strive to be wealthy through being successful in what you do. I went from a blue collar job to a lay-off to retraining and a career that I genuinely loved until disability changed things. Am I bitter that life's changed for the worst? Not at all. I know God has blessed me and made me rich in ways that go beyond what's found (or not found) in my wallet, and He has taught me much through it.
Thanks for this video. You are so correct. Wealthy people, just like every other group of people, can be good or bad, caring or indifferent, kind or snobby. It really comes down to the person. I also like to remind myself (and others) that if you are living in the USA and have the means to watch this video, then chances are, you are in the top 2% of the world's wealthy individuals. Any time I feel like I am poor, I remember my time spent in a third world country and I'm reminded of how truly blessed I am.
3:41 "I've got this disadvantage, I've got that disadvantage..." This part reminds me of my grandfather. "Can't" was the word that he hated. He's pure Sicilian; he was from Tickfaw/Independence in Louisiana and moved to New Orleans before he was 10. Shored up his mom's house (or so I think it was. He fixed something at least!) despite his brother telling him not to. He never told his brother. lol He worked in a ship yard throughout high school. Didn't say "can't" at the opportunity to learn to weld on the spot (a certain type of metal I think?) when the worker whom he was watching decided to go to doze off in the middle of a job (got a promotion from it too!) (I don't remember this story as wel as I used to however), didn't say "can't" to quitting that job immediately after he graduated from high school in order to go learn carpentry, and, shortly thereafter, he DEFINITELY didn't say "can't" to starting his own carpentry business which was later inherited by his 3 sons. He never stopped asking/bugging his dago-coonass grandchildren about hard work/what they're gonna do/don't say CAN'T. Ask any of his 6 kids: "What's Grandpa's least favorite word?" "CAN'T" Everyone in the family knows it. Huh, I guess I've got a lot to say about my grandfather.
Thank you Eric, positive people like you is what is helping me get through things, started watching your videos a while back, at first it was all about the repairs, and your channel helped greatly, now I like you even more because you are such a good person, now I find you help me get through not just repairs of a mechanical nature but in mental health too, the way you explain things, to me is refreshing and down to earth and lastly, you rock
Im very happy to hear that my work has helped you. It was always my intention to help people with my videos. It's always nice to hear when that happens, especially if it's on multiple levels. Thanks very much for your comment.
It may sound cheesy, I don't know. But I once heard Adam Carolla say that a person that is really good at what they do will always have a person willing to pay money for it. And I can tell you that, based on my experience, that is absolutely true. Don't be lazy, don't be comfortable. Strive to work hard and people will value that. Not only the work but your character as well. Cheers, Eric. I'm really happy for you!
I was brought up in a family that didnt have much, but we had what we needed. I appreciate the hard work and the payoff at the end of the day. My family and friends have been there through thick and thin and I could not have made it without them. I'm at a point where I can go back to school and learn a new trade. I'm not rich. I have wealth in intangible things.
ETCG, great job on your videos. You've always had a positive and well-balanced outlook on many topics, and that is worthy of great respect. You set a great example. Keep up the awesome videos!
I love your videos. You're very thoughtful, intellectual, and just generally informed and neutral/unbiased. I draw a lot of inspiration from you and others of the like. It's refreshing to hear such a positive and undiluted perspective. You obviously form yourself and your views from a genuine and honest perspective and that's something that's hard to find in today's world of groupie mentality and political correctness. Thank you for all of the insightful videos you do and your keen ability to convey information so precisely. I'm a huge fan and look forward to your videos every weekend. P.S. I'm flat broke trying to run my own business, and I agree with you completely.
Eric, AGREE 100%. I grew up poor, my mom had a hard time keeping shoes on us and food in our bellies. My grandmother told us that when would come over to visit the first thing we would do is head for the kitchen table. My mom worked hard my dad had left, not his fault, and he worked hard. He was a garage mechanic in the cold Idaho air. Yep I learned how to work on cars from him. I moved into his house as a young teenage boy. We bought our stuff from the Good Will or Salvation Army Stores. Heck before I was 10 yrs old we lived on the second story floor of a appliance junk yard and my night light was the Neon Advertisement sign for the place shinning in the window at night. I can honestly say and this my quote, "Poor people don't want to be poor, they choose to be poor, by the choices they've made in life and the friends they hang out with." "The rich are rich because of the choices they've made in life and the friends they hang out with." Now of course this doesn't apply to their children, kids don't have a say anymore than I did, but their parents did. I'm far from rich by American standards but I meet my bills monthly with a little left over. I have had wealthy friends, 10 million dollar homes, restaurants etc, they never blamed me for being poor and I never blamed them for being rich. At first they were suspicious of me as to be expected, but they soon came to trust my character & honesty. I never once asked them for money even though they knew I needed it and they never asked to buy my friendship by insisting I take it. If I had asked they would have gladly gave it to me and never missed it, but knew I was to proud to take it, I appreciated that in them. Most almost all are very decent people who have worked very hard for what they have, most barely have a life as they put so much into their businesses and employees. I love rich people, not because I want their money but because they provide jobs in the businesses they own. This provides money to families for food and other things they need. Poor people are decent in most cases, I know I grew up poor, but they can't, in most cases, provide businesses because of the lack of money. I really wanted to puke every time I saw those stupid folks at "Occupy Wall Street". If the government really wanted to help the poor, cut businesses taxes, highest in the world, so they can expand their businesses and create more jobs for the poor. Instead I see the president, an economic idiot, saying the rich are to blame and they need to pay their, "Fair share", Wow! Class envy should have no place in the White House or the Government. It should be about protecting peoples rights as laid out in the Constitution, and creating an environment to help our countries businesses grow to create more jobs, not punish the wealthy and blame the poor's lifestyle on the wealthy. Anyways Eric God Bless ya and I truly hope your business takes off. Best Wishes n Blessings Keith
Well said Eric. Although some people are viewing what you said in a harsh light, I can definitely relate on a personal level. As a broke student, nothing agitates me more than a rich peer that doesn't have to lift a finger for the same things I work so hard achieve. It's a completely natural feeling, but it's unfair in every right. Most of the wealthy individuals I've come to know are actually quite humble, kind, and philanthropic. I've come to think of the situation in a different light. If my children are as well off as my rich peers are now, would I want their less off peers judging them solely on their level of income? At the same time, those that are wealthy, and do relentlessly talk about their constant vacations, new cars, and what not, deserve the judgement they receive. Jealously is difficult to control when things are flashed in your face constantly. Like you said though, it's one hell of a motivator. Keep the videos coming, eh!
I don't have any wealthy friends, and only a few acquaintances who'd fit into the category, but in the last ten years or so in my field, I've noticed something with customers... There's a big difference between people who are genuinely financially wealthy, and people who are just flashy... There's a HUGE difference in fact... I'm a locksmith who specializes in antique lockwork, repair, and custom fabrication, so a fair amount of my customers are ACTUALLY wealthy. There are a few of them I don't personally love, but by in large, my wealthy customers (actually wealthy, not just flashy) are some of the nicest, hardest working people out there. Wealthy customers have brought me lunch or a cold drink on a hot drink when I'm working outside (always appreciated), invited me to stay at their guest homes (this one I decline, just because I don't want to take advantage, but the offer is always nice) and never try to rush me when I'm in the questioning phase to make sure I understand EXACTLY what they need and want, as well as any concerns and or conditions that may come up. They don't mind paying me for my time AND they don't try to change it after the job is done... Many of them drive regular cars as their daily driver, dress nicely, but not over the top, and don't really live extravagantly considering what they COULD buy with their money. In fact, rarely, do they even talk about money... Probably because they don't think about it much... They don't have to... They have it and don't have to prove anything to anyone... Least of contractors they hire. Some of my less wealthy customers, especially the "flashy" one's (huge home, fancy car, huge expensive showy watch, and they'll be paying on it till the day they die because it's all on credit, none of it is actually theirs) are a nightmare... They want what they want, and they want it NOW, and they have no time to listen to the person they're paying to be an expert on it.... and THEN... they want to set their own price... and THEN they try to talk me down after the jobs done... Ironic, considering, they're CONSTANTLY telling me how important they are or how much money they have, or how much they paid for things... It's honestly gotten to the point where I can "spot" the "flashy" ones in the initial phone conversation. The customer with non emergency work who INSISTS they need it done TODAY... but they only have a one hour window, in spite of my insistence that the job will most take longer and that I'm willing to work around whatever schedule they need, but that I need at least two to do the job properly. The customer who cuts me off as I'm explaining what is involved in the job... or says things like "I don't need to know all of that..." Well, Sir, considering the fact that option 1 is a $300 job, option 2 is a $1000 job, and I'm trying to explain the difference and give my recommendation, I feel that you do... 98% of the time, these things never come up with my customers who are actually wealthy...
I agree with what you have to say Eric, there's no point of being jealous or upset about the fact that some people have more or things that we can't afford, rather those who feel down about it need to set goals and just work towards them. We can't all buy a $1m car just because we are working hard but we can still have SOMETHING.
Eric - Wow... I never thought I would watch one of your videos and feel inspired about life and goals in general. You should think about public / motivational speaking - you're very good at it. And, I completely agree about what makes you truly wealthy. Nice video.
Hey Eric, I'm currently a student at Rosedale Tech. I love your videos and you are a huge inspiration to me. I'm in the diesel program in the new building, if you ever come for a visit again it would be an honor to meet you. I hated high school and struggled so much, at rosedale I can't wait to get to school and have all A's. it's funny in your old video you showed some of the instructors, all of them are still there. Tim is who is in charge of the diesel buildings tool room which we are now building a welding lab next to. Thanks for all the videos look forward to seeing you make many more.
It is now July 2017 and Eric is just now completing that tan car in the background (his hot rod). So typical of us with cars that are a hobby. Get the car and have big ambitions but priorities change the time line.. Glad you finally getting it together Eric. Hope your documenting the workyour doing.. I know you dont want to spend the time time doing the edits but just film it so when the rainy day comes you can get to it.. Thanks for all inspiration and help you have given us folks who have less mechanical skills.
First and foremost, thanks Eric, you have saved me some money over the past few years! And with this video you've patched up my psyche a little bit too! I agree with you, its about perception! Thanks again.
I do not know your last name, so thank you Mr. Eric, this was a great video. I also want to let you know how awesome your videos are and how much I learn from them, both on ETCG1 and ETCG. I really really appreciate them!
"If you say 'well I got this disadvantage, and I got that disadvantage... I'm not able to bring myself up to that level'... that's what's holding you back." FANTASTIC video, Eric. Great message to people who bitch at their own shadow more than doing something for their life.
You are a very wise person, and your life experience is paying off, the good and the bad. I just want to say how much I enjoy your channel(s) and appreciate what you've taught me. I'm on the way down from a career in tech - been there, done that, sort of thing. But you're a huge inspiration. And I have a lot of experience with wealth: gaining it, and losing it. The main thing is what you hit on - you can have more money than Caesar and still be miserable - as the roles of the suicides point out. Money can enable your dreams, but in of itself, it's just stuff, and having more stuff won't stop you from catching the flu or coming down with cancer. But as you so wisely point out - truly feeling rich where you are standing right *now*, not at some hazy point in the future, with what you have built for yourself - that's the great reward of life, no matter how many zeros there are in the number in your bank account. Thanks for all your effort and I wish you continued fame, and increased fortune. - Cheers, Joe
Eric, you are so right! I tell people this same story all the time! If you blame your situation on disadvantages in life etc etc, you are holding yourself back. This is America. We have the freedom to change our situation and our lives with hard work, good attitude, good decision making and perseverance. THAT is the American dream, not a house and car and pretty wife. I've been divorced, bankrupt, worked at shitty jobs, and clawed my way out of the hole to being a supervisor and making good money by busting my ass! ANYBODY can do it! Try!!!
I'm new to Eric's channel, but thus far, I can't see any bad advice so far.......including this video....He speaks good practices and anecdotes from his life, and I'm almost as long in the tooth as he is, and I tend to almost always agree with his philosophies... Hell, I always agree...
I work as a massage therapist in a very well off suburb of Austin, TX...like "I take my Rolls Royce to shop at Whole Foods" wealthy. Most of the folks I deal with are great people who have done well financially but about 5% are pushy, entitled and demanding beyond reason. When dealing with this crowd I in mind that they will be a p.i.t.a. no matter where they go and their attitude is not my fault. Also, it helps to deflect them with kindness and not get rattled, that either calms them down or gets them comically pissed off.
Hi Eric, I have been watching your videos for four years now, and it's only fair that I subscribe to both your channels (I know, four years and barely subscribing?). Whenever anyone of my friends ask about where to learn about cars, I direct every one of them to ETCG. I don't know how else to say it, but thanks for always staying humble and for giving such detailed videos. Very good videos, keep up the good work. Not trying to bash other mechanics, but I get the feeling they give instructions in such a manner that does not make sense to the novice mechanic; "Remove the fuel filter. NEXT we remove...". I don't know if you are reading this or not, but I am happy things are going well for you. I remember years ago when you were in the old shop, I got a vibe that you were stressed in some of your videos. Fast forward to 2014 (2015), your speech is more cheery, as in you sound more happy and not stressed like your older videos. You have easily become my favorite mechanic, and I never get tired of watching your videos. ETCG1 has also become one of my favorite channels on YT. Again, thanks for all this great information you give us, and for making two channels that are so informative that unfortunately put many others to shame. Keep up the good work, Eric. You deserve many good things. -Jorge
I used to work at a bank and had a unique view into the wealthy and the poor. The happiest couple I met lived in subsidized housing. The ugliest couple brought in 5k per week and divorced over money. I met wonderful and awful people at all points on the money scale. Wealth is in your mind, it is the appreciation of people and experience over things. live life, be open to people and wealth will find you.
Well said man. That is such a healthy way to look at the topic of wealth. Jealous and envy abound in this area, and misery loves company! Money is like a brick. It can build a children's hospital or it can be thrown through a window. Thanks for sharing!
Damn straight Eric. I've been homeless, jobless, and broke my leg while out of work with no insurance. Now I make well over six figures per year. As far as rich people go I've known some that were ass hats with spoiled rotten kids, but more so that were down to earth and you might not even know they were rich until you saw their mansion and thousand+ acre plots.
Eric u hit it on head there brother.... I work in garages for 10 years then moved on to pool consturtion in a very wealthy area where 95% of my clients were well off ( 1,000,000/year +) and i found that about 50% where decient hard working people, about 5 where a product of nepotisism n the rest (45%) kinda lived in there own bubble and were rly detacted from the world around them or where foriegn or some other thing that might separate u from the norm. But now i work for a guy, owns 2 ferraris, 7 figures all day with a seasonal business and hes relatable, easy to work for and above anything else doesnt see himself as over anyone else, hes at the shop 5am everyday and at the shop at 7pm to close out, pays well and doesnt break balls for the sake of it. His son (24) works withus and hes a good kid willin to learn and his father trusts us to teach him without interviening. And he takes us all 30+ guys to atlantic city every year to chill for 5 days taking cert classes and pays the whole way. So yea some suck n some dont just make sure u dont work for the latter lol
I didn't know what upper middle class or rich people were till I married my wife. She hails from this fairly affluent area called Holladay. We've lived there twice for a total of about 4 years. This was something that I wasn't necessarily accustomed to but adapted fast. Here's an example: one time when we went to Church we sat down and I looked up at the podium area and there to my amazement was our United States Senator (named Bob Bennett). I couldn't believe it! People were sitting around sleeping and talking like it was nothing. I kept nudging my wife but she didn't seem impressed either. Where I came from, you wouldn't get this in a million years (seems the Bishop of the Church was a General in the Air Guard and was gunning for the Adjunct General's position - smart guy, you go right to the top and invite the guy to speak in Church that can help you the most) A couple of weeks later this hot-shot Bishop had a guy from our States' Supreme Court speak at our meeting - again I was dazzled. I now live in another upper middle class area where if I named the Congressman and Senator that live nearby, you all would know them as they frequently appear on Fox News. In fact, I ran into the Congressman at the grocery store and had a bit of a talk with him about national politics - nice kid. I relate this information to you because I want to say I've lived in lower middle class, middle class, and upper middle class (read rich) area's and I'll personally take the more affluent area any day. These well-off people drop their cars and trucks off at my house and I drive them into work and service/repair them. They never complain about the price, they're good for their money, and it's a convenient situation for both parties. RespectfullyRod
I like what you said. I just found your channel and really like it. I've known a few wealthy people and like all people there are some good ones and some bad ones. There are pitiful humana rich and poor but what I found is that the pitiful rich human is tagged more pitiful simply because they have a abundance of something and won't help others. I've always said if I become rich there's a list of people I would help
Finally we hear the voice of someone who gets it! Good job Eric! Way too many people have been convinced (primarily by politicians seeking votes) that they are where they are in life because someone did it to them instead of a lack of individual drive & initiative. Jealously & resentment will never get you anywhere! To answer your question yes I have known, been around and worked for wealthy people. Generally the ones who have earned it are regular people and good friends. The ones who inherited it are often pretty clueless and not ones I would chose to be around.
Hey eric I appreciate you making this and it just rings with me. I am going to keep this with me through my life and weather I do become monetarily rich or not I will always be rich in the freindships and family and health that I have. If i am poor I will remember not to hate on the rich people and to focus on bringing myself up and setting my mind to becoming the best I can be. I will be starting auto school this summer snd hope to open my own restoration/ custom shop and be running by the time I am 30. I am currently 18 and working my butt off in school to get some good grades even though everyone is telling me they dont matter because auto school doesnt care. Well I care and want to be the best I can at everything I do. I plan on finnishing first in my class in auto school and to get some great job offers right out of school then work for a few years to get some experience and make and save some money to open my own shop. Trust me I have done the reaserch and dont plan on making a ton of money and making it big but I do plan on making a steady income to support myself and future family to live a good lifestyle. I know I can do this and this video has strengthened and revived my passion and desire to become the best and do the most I can with my life. Thanks Eric, and God Bless. Have a good year and keep the videos comming!
As a former shop owner, I speak with experience. Wealthy customers can be just like any other category of people...there's the good and the bad. What makes them different, is they occasionally take it to the next level, (extremely nice or extremely bad). Some of the nicest I encountered were rich people. Not just rich in the money sense, but rich in life. They would just open themselves up, and tell me all kinds of wild & amazing stories. Too much to write about; I was on (two) occasions, a shoulder to cry on, both of which had just widowed. Some would bring me bottles of wine, or a gift basket. One of them even gifted me a nice oil painting! On the other side of the coin, there were some, in that there was absolutely nothing I could do to make them happy. There were a small handfull that were real nasties: They were rude, condescending, and outright miserable & going out of their way to make me feel miserable. They were swimming in tons of money, but didn't feel they had to pay anything to get their cars fixed. And that's how some were...I encountered some very wealthy customers that wanted to pay next to nothing in getting their car fixed, and they were very stubborn about it. With that said, I learned this: Money doesn't buy happiness; but, it does buy the kind of misery you choose!
I think the biggest lie that people insist on repeating, is that "You can do anything if you put your mind into it" ... that's complete and utter BS from those who want to paint everything in black and white ... it's not that easy !!! What's more true is "work your strengths". Find out what your potentials are, exploit those and be the best at what you're doing. Also make sure to have fun while doing it, passion is everything!
I'm a single dad working as a cleaner at a school full of rich arseholes who either completely ignore me, or stare in disgust when I walk past. I can barely afford to put fuel in my car, they roll into school in brand new Mercs and Porches and block me in so I can't leave work afterwards to come home and feed my son. I've known rich people who are lovely but sadly the majority I've had contact with have been self-centred, arrogant wankers with enormous egos and superiority complexes. There's something about money that convinces people that they are gods among men and that those without money are beneath them and that pisses me off. I don't care if people are rich, they have every right to be but it's the attitude that comes with it that gets to me.
Good topic Eric...my thoughts on people with wealth, I have met my share and currently work part time for folks that I would consider wealthy,they are just like me and you, they enjoy life,have friends and love their family, some are born into wealth and some have earned it. I think the folks that have earned it appreciate it more than the folks that were born into it but for the most part the folks that I have come in contact with either through having worked for,met through friends or enjoyed a cookout with, are hard working and want to enjoy what time they have left on this earth....just like me. My 2 cents worth.
Love this video. So tried of only the 1% player hating. Many of those ppl started off as broke as you can be, and now finally, have enough to take care of their family. Why can't you be happy for them ?
I love working on rich people's cars (they take care of them), and spending rich people's money. I can't stand being around them though. Not really jealousy, but mostly the attitude I am constantly bombarded with from right wingers who want to take away food stamps (which my family depends on) and slash the minimum wage (so that my family can't house themselves). IN this country the working poor and the super rich don't see eye to eye, and the rich tend to do their best to oppress and hurt the poor any way they can. That's why I'm not jealous. If being rich means being a greedy asshole who exists merely to take money away from struggling families, I don't want to be rich. If I had their kind of income, I'd live on a 60,000 a year and donate the rest to charities and causes. I don't need any more than that. I'd love to be comfortably middle class. I'd hate being rich.
I don't get why this commenter is a "commie". Whatever we all have experiences with the " rich" and with our own lives. Were all the same species, relax.
that is the first relative argument of a communist,.....we are all the SAME,..and we shoud ALL have the SAME. no more, no less. That commenter and a lot more ignorant people have been drinking too much commie koolaide,.....provided by you know who!
Well, the "right wing" would like to see fewer career welfare recipients and if that includes your kin I'm sorry about that. What is this slashing of the minimum wage you are talking about, all I've heard in the news is the burger flippers may be getting a huge increase. You sound bitter and seem to expect entitlements from the government.
146,288th view! Financial wealth doesn't determine the value of a human. One of my very best friends inherited several hundred thousand dollars from her grandfather when he died, and that's as one of several grandchildren. I grew up dirt poor and watched for the utility workers coming to shut off our utilities because we hadn't been able to pay the bill. We're friends because of shared interests and life experiences, and bank statements are a non-issue. I think people think that the wealthy aren't "down with the struggle" but it's not true to a large extent. We still get old, get sick, and die, regardless.
"Money doesn't change you it, just makes you more of what you are." this quote popped into my head while watching this video. Does anyone know where it is from?
Eric, this is a video I'm catching up on late, as I'm somewhat new to your channels (SORRY!, they're good). I'm a dirt poor guy from a long line of dirt poor guys who have a gentle blend of farm jobs and military jobs keeping them and their families afloat. I ran off to college and have skills my peers couldn't have dreamed of. It is a funny thing (naturally not haha funny), where i can rebuild carbs and and press in bearings, and and very basically attempt to explain how fuel injection works and how the digital counter with the oil icon next to it does NOT describe how much oil you have left... But I digress... You provide an invaluable service to explain how automobiles really work. But before I get ahead of myself (which I'm sure I have) thank you for your work, I wish it was on a major cable network so folks would just get it. You're a brilliant educator and I hope more people wish to follow you. Rich people 'get' their cars as much as the clueless masses, keep it up. And yes, we're staying dirty!
+MITCHELL KNIGHT Thanks very much for your comments. I really appreciate it. Thanks also for watching my channels. As for TV, that's come up, but I'd much rather 'run my own show' if you know what I mean. I don't need some producer telling me what to do and say. I'd rather do it my way on YT. Thanks again.
Well said Eric. Don't judge yourself by the size of your bank account. The most important thing is to have honesty and itegrity and enough $ to provide adequatley for your family.
Eric, when I was young , I use to deliver furniture. From doing the I found a difference between real rich people and want to be rich people. The one that are truly rich had no problem when there was a problem with the furniture, but the one that were wannabes, always were very picky about everything.
As a former flooring contractor for Home Depot I've had to deal with extremely wealthy, and extremely.....not wealthy people. And you know what? They're all the same. Some people cannot be satisfied no matter what. And because you're working for a big box retail corporation, it's like you have a bullseye painted on your back. One couple that comes to mind owns a very large car dealership and routinely wines and dines with celebrities. When my dad told them that the ridiculously short time frame Home Depot gave us couldn't possibly happen given the amount of work we had to do, the husband blew a head gasket. Not our fault, it was the fault of the idiots at Home Depot that have no clue what was actually required to complete the job. But the whole week that couple made our lives miserable. Couldn't please them at all. Now the very next customer, who again was a very wealthy couple, not a single problem from them at all. Extremely nice people. Made the job so much easier for us. The same applies to the not wealthy people too. Some people made our job so much easier and genuinely seemed happy to have us there. Others acted like they were being inconvenienced.
You said it man, its perfect. Its the "belief" which is responsible for poverty. B'cos one manifests things which a person believes in. It does not matter what you desire, it matters what your beliefs are about you and this world and both interacting together. Desires don't manifest since they are very thin and belief's are deep rooted. If one believes deeply that rich guys are bad, he indirectly thinks wealth made them bad. And that's why the person cannot be wealthy. In my case, I always believe that I am the child, in the lap of this universe, and I will always be taken care off. And that is what always happens. I work hard, but I always get help when I am in trouble.
I love these videos -- and the repair channel. I also believe in hard work. That said: most wealth is inherited, and tax cuts enable the haves to have more than the rest of us -- on into perpetuity in ways that *are* unfair. That's why we vote. That's why we have representatives. That's why we have laws. That's why we can change all of them (lawmakers, laws, and others). This isn't limited to individuals -- it can be corporations or special interest groups too. Corporate machinery only cares about the bottom line -- people (usually elected officials) regulating industries and corporate boards/company principles that have some degree of compassion -- that's what keeps the corporate machinery in check -- and it too often doesn't. There are too many basic things that too many people don't have -- the inequity is real. I have lots of respect for wealthy or well-off people who are philanthropic -- good on them! Another way of looking at something akin to 918 ownership: in some way, someone has to do it. There have to be early adopters, and then eventually economies of scale pull the price of the technology down.
I worked at a MINI & BMW dealer for a while both as a driver and tech. and one thing that was clear as day is the MINI owners were all very laid back and for the most part seemed almost care free, the BMW owners who spent double or more were almost always unhappy with what they had and either angry, stuck up, or felt like the world owed them. Aside from a grey area in between this showed me more than anything else that financial wealth for the most part did not lead to wealth. I did get a $190 tip from a BMW customer once for delivering their car 100 miles.
AMEN!!!! I worked from the age of 10, and help others when I could. and we got a nice home good trucks their a bit older, and NICE motorcycles ... and we worked our asses off for them and God blessed the work of our hands... And from what I've seen you've worked hard and God is blessing the works of your hands also... That's just the way it works, If you work hard you get blessed!!!
Every thing rich people have, from cars to yachts to mansions to jets provide employment of thousands of technicians, maintenance people, service people, craftsmen, contractors, manufacturers, delivery people, security people...etc. You get the idea. No poor person ever gave me a good paying job!
I agree that for the most part all of us envy the wealthy for what they have. I will also agree that if you work hard and learn to be content with what you have things will be better for you. I will also agree that success starts in believing in yourself. However, having said all that there are barriers that are placed on you the instant you are born in this world that may put a limit on (or at least make it more challenging) what you can do, regardless if you see them or not. Here are some examples: 1. Gender 2. Race 3. Place of birth 4. Parents 5. Health 6. Resources (such as access to food, shelter, health services, good schools) Its important that as a person that you become aware of these barriers so that you can have a more informed view as to why some people are wealthy, and others are poor; why some people are content with what they have, and others aren't; why some people think everything is alright and that everyone has the same equal opportunities, while others disagree with that point of view; and so on.
I'm a tech at AAA. I see a variety of people come in and out of the doors here. Some, are extremely well off. A lot of them are very quiet about their wealth, but it's pretty easy to tell that money isn't a issue. Porsches, even a Mercedes SLS at one point, have come through the doors. Most of the wealthy people I dealt with were kind, but they had an air about them. They were very intelligent, savvy to the industry, and very cost conscious. A lot of them were straight up dicks, expecting footrubs for bring their vehicle into our shop. While they provide a very strong financial backing, their attitudes made up turn away future work, because they would come out into the shop uninvited, and harass the technicians working on their car. Questioning them, and refuting the responses of the technicians. It made for a lot of tension in the customer - business relationship.
Eric, I feel very much the same as you for the same reasons. I used to live in Dallas Texas, did lots of auto body with tons of custom stuff. I made great money working for some greatful peeps. Oh it seemed to me, that I got more greif from the penny pinchers than the high rollers. I did a wreck repair on the front right of a 20 year old prelude once for an old woman. She picked it up then said I was at fault for the driver door window motor going out. Them I did a resto mod using c5 drive train and suspension in a 57 Chevy. The guy picked it up then as it was getting pulled out a large tool fell on the hood and damaged it. I apologized tons and offered to fix it and throw in something for free but he was cool. He paid me $30k for that job and still bought me lunch. I did fix the hood though, that bugged me. I'm Disabled now and dream of the fun days, but I don't hate rich folks even though I'm poor now. My life is awesome even if I'm poor now and I blame no one.
thank you so much for your advice i had a problem with my AC on my Subaru and found out where the leak was and recharged it and it worked better than it did before one of the o rings was not sealing enough the one on the compressor housing
Glad to see Eric happy Not everyone can say that Some are never satisfied Many forget to appreciate what they DO have Also, I have never worked for a poor person ;)
+TheTheeggmann: Really damned well off anyhow. Fuck, that's nearly 4 times more than I bring home. I'm poor as shit right now, and struggling to survive. Hell, I'd give anything just to make $50K/yr, and that's still jack nothing nowadays.
+steelmesh Yep it's so our government can give it to someone who didn't earn it because they can't get a job because businesses can't afford to hire new workers or expand their business because the business taxes are to high. Why because the government needs it to, buy votes via new poor programs, oops sorry, so they can give it to someone who hasn't earned it because they don't have a job. Heck the US has the highest business taxes in the world no wonder the businesses can't expand and hire more poor folks. If you think that's bad try property taxes. Property taxes are the worst because you never really own your property, they government does. You'll always have that NOOSE around your neck. The government Gangsta Protection Money called Property Tax. If you own it you have to pay the government to let you think you own it, or they'll come and take it from you by force if need be. Then they'll let someone else pay them money to get it just so they can turn around to annually and pay them again to keep it. Nice little scam they've got going on there. Wouldn't be nice if you could own land and go live on it, grow you're own food and just live without the government coming around with a gun in one hand and a bill in the other saying, "Pay up or else!" Just like some gangsta's would do a business. Don't get me wrong I'm a FULL believer in taxes, the government needs them, the American people need them. I just have a problem with how and who collects it and where some of it goes. I think every tax should be a sales tax. That does two things: 1. EVERYONE PAYS the same percentage, Rich and Poor. 2. It lets the American People know just how much they government is really taking from them. Think of it no annual property taxes, no annual or quarterly income taxes, no death tax, no business taxes except when you buy things. If you're rich you pay more because you buy more, if you're poor you pay less because you pay less. No more trying to hide money in foreign accounts, or hiding money in ghost companies etc. When you buy something you pay a tax on it, everyone! Well gotta get of my soap box. Best Wishes N Blessings Keith
+Keith Noneya : Well said. You should consider running for office. Seriously. Someone with some financial common sense needs to get in there and make some serious fiscal changes!
The rich rent the government, though. Until that is fixed, there will always be a way for the rich to keep their money at the expense of those people you hate for being poor.
Koenigsegg Regera is the real game changer in the hypercar world. Turbo V8 power, assisted by an electric hybrid system; and eliminating the need for a transmission all together. Christian Von Koenigsegg is a smart man.
I've worked for and socialized with truly wealthy people and for the most part most are decent people . The people i find the most annoying are the middle class people that try to tell you that a successful person has to spend said amount on car notes or mortgages . I'm content in my life with the things I have which isn't a whole lot , but I lack the burden and stress of keeping up with the Jone's. My point is, it doesn't matter what size your bank account is. Being content makes you far richer in the long run, and don't let someone else dictate when you should feel wealthy or happy.
In the Bahamas an artist made a song what said 'dog don't bark at parked car, the only time they start barking is when the car start moving.' Basically saying no one has a problem with u wen u 'poor' like them or hang out on the blocks like them but the second u start tryna do better for yourself or even your family they have a problem with it. People will always b people some will support and others will hinder. U just have to decide what will u do with ur future.
You're a good man. I completely turned my life around by getting into cars, I was spinning my wheels at a help desk for years until I decided to quit the mind numbing job and go back to school, my professor showed us all how great your repair videos are and how you pay attention to detail while explaining the system you are repairing and how those systems work. You really helped me out back then, you have an infectious personality that caused me to love to explain things. It led to me graduating from college and now I operate as an all around mobile mechanic and couldn't be happier about it. Im also close to completing another associates in computer science this time. I can tell how hard all of this was to say and I'm sure it brought up some deep emotions and memories from the past. Just know that you have helped people in more ways than you can possibly imagine. You deserve the best.
Thank you very much for sharing that. Sometimes it's easy to get wrapped up in the 'haters' and forget that what I do also has a positive effect on people. Thanks for taking the time to comment and remind me of that very thing. I really appreciate it. Good luck with your career and thanks again.
ETCG1 You're most certainly welcome! That therein lies the problem of being a stand-up guy, people will always want to knock you down. And thank you, being the sole-proprietor of a SMLLC, I'm going to need all the luck I can get. lol
ETCG1 have you ever worked on a prius and if you did was the owner a rude environmentalists? Hopefully that don't come off as demanding
Being broke yet debt free, with great friends & family is a version of wealthy that few know. I am one of them.
+RiaRadioFMHD773 If I could just wipe out these student loans I'd be on the same boat. Nothing like having a positive Net Worth no matter how little that number is.
MAN_ON_WHEELZ
Don't eat in restaurants when in debt, always pay cash, NEVER spend tomorrows money today. Just keep in mind: "if I don't have the money right now on me, I CAN'T afford it".
Do that until you are "broke" (at the zero point), then keep doing it to get onto the positive side. :)
RiaRadioFMHD773 Oh I'm already there with you on that. I only spend what I've got and keep extra "untouchable" money on the side. When my spending money is at zero, ramen noodles it is. The only debt I have is $62,000 in student loans lol
+RiaRadioFMHD773 Feels terrible not having my job that I used to anymore, but at least there was a good reason behind it and I wish to go ahead with finding another job. I need to overcome my fear of fucking up without becoming a lazy ass...but I honestly hate how many times I've hesitated and become fearful of fucking up again anyways.
I gotta head to bed right now so I have energy for tomorrow...but I pray I can actually keep my ass in gear this time without forgetting my goals. Too many times I've made myself depressed by playing video games and feeling bad about not having any money to spend or any way of fixing one of my prized possessions, my tiny little beat-to-hell Suzuki Swift.
I once saw a quote "money makes you more of who you are", and I really think that is generally true.
I agree
Well that quote is a lie, I don't care who you are once you become rich you change as a person. it's a fact you can say no always you want but its true. Some change in good ways and some change in bad ways, but one thing I will say is people who become rich look down on the people who don't have shit usually not all cases, But I will say this, I do get upset when I see people my age 22 years old driving fucking lambos and try being a dick because they think there the shit because they comb there hair back and wear button up shirts.
I think what he meant, is that money amplifies the core of your personality. And I think a lot of people would agree.
I find it easy to make sure I have no money. Be it when I was working for min wage to now where I am making $20/hour in a low cost of living area :P Cars are an addiction.
No different from "Alcohol tells the truth."
I remember the very first time I saw "Eric the car guy" on the UA-cam carrosel. I was thinking, who does this guy think he is labeling himself this? But, once I saw you underneath a car, in the middle of a cold night, in a little garage, singing and laughing, you truly won me over! It humbled me to see you so real and not a fake guy, pretending to be someone your not. Ever since then, I have tried to and watched every video you've put posted on UA-cam!
"Best of Perseverance, in your future endeavors and May God Bless you Always!
Thank you for being "eric the car guy!
- Roy
Thank you!
I thought this would be a balanced rant on how some financially exceptional persons are good and some bad, but it turned out to be more of a wake up call for me...while you were talking about having to keep your chin up and work hard towards your goals and dreams, I realized something...my own fear of screwing things up has been reason I've screwed up two times now. I lost my job at KFC because I let it grow onto me and overcome my sanity, I lost my job at Tim Hortons because karma caught me doing it again and bit me in the ass hard...and now I sit here with the realization that it's applied to even more smaller screwups in my life as well, and every time that fear is absent, I have a phenomonally better chance of holding something together for much longer. I've never been afraid of messing up computers except in the very beginning of my hobby, and it's the whole reason I kept my tried and true electronic warlord healthy, for example.
What I'm saying is, while I only clicked on this purely for entertainment, it turned out to be so much more than that and I didn't even finish the video yet. I thank you for helping me so much.
+prizedcoffeecup Wow, that's deep. Thanks for your comment and good luck.
EricTheCarGuy Thanks, and same to you!
+Andy Shay I understand your concern, but my topic is intended to focus on a completely different point than yours and I thus do not wish to talk about it.
Well said Eric! I come from a wealthy family, where my grandfather built a company and lifestyle out of absolutely nothing. He worked extremely hard to earn what he had. He was a great man, someone that I've always idolized. He taught me all about hard work, discipline, morality and humility. I didn't mooch off of his success or expect any hand outs from him, but the things that he did give me, turned me into a very successful person (minus the wealth). The one thing that I remember him despising the most were wealthy folks that looked down on people of lesser financial status. He came from nothing and knew the life. He always stressed to me "Remember where you came from". I always have and I always will. I will work my fingers to the bone to earn what I have. These are just some of the lessons that many wealthy folks that have came from nothing can teach you.
+Travis Bugg AMEN BRO ,AMEN
thanks
the worst is people who are struggling with money yet they try to look wealthy.
Hi Eric, 7 years later and I just had a chance to watch this. Sound advice and really made me think about my attitude. I just started watching your videos last week, I am so hooked on your work ethic, talent, and sense of humor. I hope things keep going well for you and the videos keep coming. Thanks for all the hard work you do for us.
Two kinds of wealth. Those that earned it and those it was handed to. Very different.
Mike D Exactly
***** Man i seen a lot of rich people rich family members too most of them wait for others to start kissing there asses and i seen a lot of people who are willing to shine there ass, money comes and ago but you can't buy pride,When i started getting in the used auto business i met a lot of successful people who earned it and boy those guys are different they don't brag and helped me out a lot in business some of them just call and give me advice, and when i call a rich family member to say hello they think that i want to barrow money or something lol
Mike D The opportunity to make large sums of money is handed to some but not to others.. Race, ethnicity, place of birth, family circumstance, time etc...
Would you say the Kardashians have all made major efforts to obtain wealth? If so you are a fool.
Mike D I agree, though there is a 3rd wealth - those who stole it. Someone like Warren Buffet earned his wealth, someone like Donald Trump inherited his, and Bill Gates stole his. Bill Gates may not have literally taken the money from anybody's hands, but a lot of what he and his company did was indirectly stealing from others, including his own employees.
Also, as for your comment about the Kardiashians - I'm not too familiar with them, but based on what I do know, they did earn their wealth. But to be *very* clear on the wording of that, it was *earned*, not *deserving*.
I love this channel because you're humble! I used to be a service advisor at several different dealerships, so I know how hard one has to work in the automotive industry to make ends meet. There's something about you that makes me want to watch and learn more. Although I'm no longer in the automotive field, I'm blessed to have a job I wanted to work because I love it. Thank you for being you!
Eric, you really got it right about weather or not you should be resenting the wealthy and basically finding your own path to happiness. I have to throw my own 2 cents into the mix though. When I was young I was a "Domino's pizza" delivery driver. The delivery radius covered a large area that included a mainly blue collar neighborhood but also an upscale wealthy neighborhood. I raked in way more in tips from the "blue collar" customers than the wealthy. The wealthy people were also more rude and treated you like a piece of garbage.
Research shows that the rich are less charitable to the rest of us than the rest of us are to the rest of us. In other words, poor folks help out their own because they know what it's like to be poor. But the rich mainly help themselves. Yes, there are those that are very philanthropic with their wealth, but that's a small minority.
@@lordvolvo9801 I have a younger brother whose wife became a pharmacist. As soon as she completed it she poisoned him from everyone in our family. I don't know this for a certain but I feel this was her plan all along. The weird thing is if she had a very humble upbringing but she had no problem adopting the snotty personalities that wealthy people develop. I suppose I divide naturally happens between family members when you have some that earn disproportionately more money because their interests are going to be different based completely on income.
Absolutely right Eric. There are some really nice, compassionate, and generous wealthy people, and there are some really horrible poor people. I've met and been around both. The former gave me a job in the career I love today.
Wow, a philosophical video from ETCG1. No end to the amount of information this guy offers :D
Great video Eric! You could not have said it better! Also, I want to say thanks for all of your videos. You are great at what you do so keep up the good work.
Best advice I ever received from a wealthy individual -- (I, myself --Grew up in a middle class family, now retired heavy equipment mechanic --I am not rich.)I asked this wealthy individual around the time I was about 22 "How does one get into the money??" He replied "I'm glad you asked me that question, most people NEVER will !!! "Picture an eight lane freeway packed with traffic, bumper to bumper, going the speed limit, You are born on one side and the rich people are born on the other. All you have to do is get across the freeway without getting yourself seriously injured or killed and you will be RICH !!!" That little talk stuck with me .. The older I get the more I can see how TRUE.. You can be middle class and content or you can roll the dice and try to get across knowing your chances of making it to the other side are slim to none. Hope you get across Eric.
My dad is a plumber and we have stepped into million dollar houses to unclog their drains or whatever they need. All of them I've met so far are really humble and treated us nice, talking and giving advices. I go to college and I usually find some pretty good advices from them, guess I'm lucky enough to have met those ones and not the ones who just like to brag around.
Eric I was a technician for a Lexus dealership. And I love how you put this video. Thank you for all your videos. you have inspired me in many ways. Keep up the great work.
Hello eric, I have been watching you for a while, you are a good man. I have just retired after 37 years in the auto repair industry. Started out in a one man shop, now I am finished with my career. I always kept my customers well being before my own. I always told my employees, you can earn more than you can steal. Be fair and nice to everybody, charge enough to make money, but don’t over charge. Do everything as good as you can, it will always benefit you, as well as the customer. Always do the right thing. I am sure you have figured these things out. Just continue being a class act, you are an asset to your profession!
You're a humble person which i really like, I'm not a mechanic, I don't know allot about fixing cars, actually i don't know anything about fixing cars, i found your channel couple days ago by friend after watching your videos it makes me want to become a mechanic, that will never be which is fine but i do just enjoy watching how parts of a car work and how it gets fixed. Sorry the comment wasn't about the video but had to spread the love
Just discovered your videos and have thoroughly enjoyed them.Old saying..." Money makes the happy people happier, while conversely, money makes the unhappy people unhappier". I've found that to be a true in people I've come across.
I was just beginning high school at the time and the whole family was home having dinner. We got a knock at our door and my Dad answered it. It was a black gentleman selling magazines. My Dad was a bit put off as it was dinner time. But the young man told my Dad that he was doing this to afford college. Of course no one believes that so the young man actually produced his I.D and Grades from his high school. They were all in the B+ to A range. This impressed my Dad very much. So, He invited him in and they sat in the den and my Dad got to know him. After a little bit my Dad told him "I am going to make you an offer. If you get the same grades in college your getting getting now I will pay for your room and board at College". My Dad ended up paying for his college costs.
My Dad spent a lot of time saving the local Hospital from shutting down. This would have forced everyone to travel 20miles for medical attention. It meant a lot of long nights and hard work. When all was done we still have a great hospital in our community and everyone can be assured of medical attention especially in a life and death situation.
My Dad constantly loaned money to people when they were in trouble.
My Dad was instrumental in saving the industry in our small city. He sat on may boards and had to make some pretty rough decisions that eventually benefited the whole community.
Many times my Dad would not charge for some services as he knew they could not afford it.
My Dad was born in the great depression. He lived in a house with no doors. They had sheets over the door ways. They were so poor that my Dad was embarrassed to have anyone come to the house.
My point? Well, Its not that you have money or are poor that influences your attitudes towards others. Its actually the way you are raised and the role models in your life that you clung too. I have met both good and bad in both rich and poor. To me, I dont care what money you have. What I do care about is how you treat others. I know what its like to be poor and I know what its like to be rich. In my life I have experienced both sides.
So, the next time you see someone dont just look away. Just smile and look them in the eye and give them a good "Hello". If they snub you its not really that they are being rude, Its because they are scared of others in one way or another. Its your job to prove that your on the "Good Guy" team.
Your Dad sounds like a fantastic guy
Please tell me all that charity & kindness applies to you as well. I'm guessing it does, you just don't want to blow your trumpet 🙂
This video did it for me, ETCG1 is my favorite Eric channel now.
I found that you have to differentiate between the ones who have worked for their fortune and the one who haven't.
+Phunker1politicians?
+Jay Leno Agree.
Legend Length I made a general observation about their personality, based on where their money is from. Still, exceptions prove the rule.
+Phunker1 Good you say that, I was gonna add what he said. There are people with money, be it children or what not, who are just raised well and treat people around them well.
Money just gives people the opportunity to be more of what they are, if someone is an ass and an employee they have to keep it in check or lose their job but if they own the company then they will make many people miserable.
+heavydiesel
i agree 100 fucking percent.
not to mention, if your employer just happens to be family, you can kiss all opportunities goodbye.
***** Mind you, it's not as simple as just "getting off your ass" and there are many factors at play here.You can work as hard as you can at Burger King but you'll probably still earn squat. You can't advance to higher wages or a better socioeconomic status because of certain laws (e.g.drug laws) that prevent you from doing so. Also, rich people, those really really rich, should pay more taxes than they already pay. But instead, the public(mostly middle class) is paying for them....
Eric, your comments about good frends and family is 100%, when my life shattered into bits, my frends jumped in to help me, i didnt expect it, i thought i was alone.
My frends are not rich, but there frendship is gold, i will allways help them if i can.
Some rich people are just misers, money is all that matters.
You are a kind man eric, being rich would not turn you bad, i know this.
Thanks for the great talk, Eric. I was just getting by for most of my life (always worked, just didn’t make much) but 18 years ago (at age 37 and as a single parent) I took out a big loan and got a business degree. Had the loan paid off in 2 years. Worked very hard in school and ever since, but am in good shape financially now. A good idea/plan will get results, as long as a you put your head down and just get on with it.
well said, eric! reading thru some of the comments it looks like you have had an effect on forming & shaping the lives of several younger "upstarts" -that is the kind of "riches" no amount of money will buy.
Honestly that comes as a surprise to me. Lets face it, it's not often a UA-cam video can change someone's perspective. I'll take whatever wins I can get though. Thanks for your comments.
This is why I respect you Eric. You are inspiring in the most upright of ways.
My family used to live in the slums of Asia. We are now what would be considered upper class. I am always ready to financially support good people and good ideas so that others too can climb the ladder.
Wise advice Eric. I appreciate hearing someone on UA-cam saying things that I and others have said for years. So many don't understand how rich they really are. If you count your riches by how much cash you have in the bank or the model of car you drive, you're missing a lot. I know many working people who find they're rich, not because their accounts have seven or more figures, but because they've counted their blessings and are happy with what they have. Folks, be happy with what you have, not with what someone else has, and strive to be wealthy through being successful in what you do. I went from a blue collar job to a lay-off to retraining and a career that I genuinely loved until disability changed things. Am I bitter that life's changed for the worst? Not at all. I know God has blessed me and made me rich in ways that go beyond what's found (or not found) in my wallet, and He has taught me much through it.
Wow. This was perfectly said. It's time to stop blaming others for your misery. Turn jealousy into goals and work hard to meet them.
Thanks for this video. You are so correct. Wealthy people, just like every other group of people, can be good or bad, caring or indifferent, kind or snobby. It really comes down to the person. I also like to remind myself (and others) that if you are living in the USA and have the means to watch this video, then chances are, you are in the top 2% of the world's wealthy individuals. Any time I feel like I am poor, I remember my time spent in a third world country and I'm reminded of how truly blessed I am.
3:41 "I've got this disadvantage, I've got that disadvantage..." This part reminds me of my grandfather.
"Can't" was the word that he hated. He's pure Sicilian; he was from Tickfaw/Independence in Louisiana and moved to New Orleans before he was 10. Shored up his mom's house (or so I think it was. He fixed something at least!) despite his brother telling him not to. He never told his brother. lol He worked in a ship yard throughout high school. Didn't say "can't" at the opportunity to learn to weld on the spot (a certain type of metal I think?) when the worker whom he was watching decided to go to doze off in the middle of a job (got a promotion from it too!) (I don't remember this story as wel as I used to however), didn't say "can't" to quitting that job immediately after he graduated from high school in order to go learn carpentry, and, shortly thereafter, he DEFINITELY didn't say "can't" to starting his own carpentry business which was later inherited by his 3 sons. He never stopped asking/bugging his dago-coonass grandchildren about hard work/what they're gonna do/don't say CAN'T. Ask any of his 6 kids: "What's Grandpa's least favorite word?" "CAN'T" Everyone in the family knows it.
Huh, I guess I've got a lot to say about my grandfather.
Thank you Eric, positive people like you is what is helping me get through things, started watching your videos a while back, at first it was all about the repairs, and your channel helped greatly, now I like you even more because you are such a good person, now I find you help me get through not just repairs of a mechanical nature but in mental health too, the way you explain things, to me is refreshing and down to earth and lastly, you rock
Im very happy to hear that my work has helped you. It was always my intention to help people with my videos. It's always nice to hear when that happens, especially if it's on multiple levels. Thanks very much for your comment.
It may sound cheesy, I don't know. But I once heard Adam Carolla say that a person that is really good at what they do will always have a person willing to pay money for it. And I can tell you that, based on my experience, that is absolutely true. Don't be lazy, don't be comfortable. Strive to work hard and people will value that. Not only the work but your character as well. Cheers, Eric. I'm really happy for you!
I was brought up in a family that didnt have much, but we had what we needed. I appreciate the hard work and the payoff at the end of the day. My family and friends have been there through thick and thin and I could not have made it without them. I'm at a point where I can go back to school and learn a new trade. I'm not rich. I have wealth in intangible things.
ETCG, great job on your videos. You've always had a positive and well-balanced outlook on many topics, and that is worthy of great respect. You set a great example. Keep up the awesome videos!
I love your videos. You're very thoughtful, intellectual, and just generally informed and neutral/unbiased. I draw a lot of inspiration from you and others of the like. It's refreshing to hear such a positive and undiluted perspective. You obviously form yourself and your views from a genuine and honest perspective and that's something that's hard to find in today's world of groupie mentality and political correctness. Thank you for all of the insightful videos you do and your keen ability to convey information so precisely. I'm a huge fan and look forward to your videos every weekend.
P.S. I'm flat broke trying to run my own business, and I agree with you completely.
Eric, AGREE 100%. I grew up poor, my mom had a hard time keeping shoes on us and food in our bellies. My grandmother told us that when would come over to visit the first thing we would do is head for the kitchen table. My mom worked hard my dad had left, not his fault, and he worked hard. He was a garage mechanic in the cold Idaho air. Yep I learned how to work on cars from him. I moved into his house as a young teenage boy. We bought our stuff from the Good Will or Salvation Army Stores. Heck before I was 10 yrs old we lived on the second story floor of a appliance junk yard and my night light was the Neon Advertisement sign for the place shinning in the window at night. I can honestly say and this my quote, "Poor people don't want to be poor, they choose to be poor, by the choices they've made in life and the friends they hang out with." "The rich are rich because of the choices they've made in life and the friends they hang out with." Now of course this doesn't apply to their children, kids don't have a say anymore than I did, but their parents did. I'm far from rich by American standards but I meet my bills monthly with a little left over. I have had wealthy friends, 10 million dollar homes, restaurants etc, they never blamed me for being poor and I never blamed them for being rich. At first they were suspicious of me as to be expected, but they soon came to trust my character & honesty. I never once asked them for money even though they knew I needed it and they never asked to buy my friendship by insisting I take it. If I had asked they would have gladly gave it to me and never missed it, but knew I was to proud to take it, I appreciated that in them. Most almost all are very decent people who have worked very hard for what they have, most barely have a life as they put so much into their businesses and employees. I love rich people, not because I want their money but because they provide jobs in the businesses they own. This provides money to families for food and other things they need. Poor people are decent in most cases, I know I grew up poor, but they can't, in most cases, provide businesses because of the lack of money. I really wanted to puke every time I saw those stupid folks at "Occupy Wall Street". If the government really wanted to help the poor, cut businesses taxes, highest in the world, so they can expand their businesses and create more jobs for the poor. Instead I see the president, an economic idiot, saying the rich are to blame and they need to pay their, "Fair share", Wow! Class envy should have no place in the White House or the Government. It should be about protecting peoples rights as laid out in the Constitution, and creating an environment to help our countries businesses grow to create more jobs, not punish the wealthy and blame the poor's lifestyle on the wealthy. Anyways Eric God Bless ya and I truly hope your business takes off. Best Wishes n Blessings Keith
Well said Eric. Although some people are viewing what you said in a harsh light, I can definitely relate on a personal level. As a broke student, nothing agitates me more than a rich peer that doesn't have to lift a finger for the same things I work so hard achieve.
It's a completely natural feeling, but it's unfair in every right. Most of the wealthy individuals I've come to know are actually quite humble, kind, and philanthropic.
I've come to think of the situation in a different light. If my children are as well off as my rich peers are now, would I want their less off peers judging them solely on their level of income? At the same time, those that are wealthy, and do relentlessly talk about their constant vacations, new cars, and what not, deserve the judgement they receive. Jealously is difficult to control when things are flashed in your face constantly. Like you said though, it's one hell of a motivator.
Keep the videos coming, eh!
I don't have any wealthy friends, and only a few acquaintances who'd fit into the category, but in the last ten years or so in my field, I've noticed something with customers... There's a big difference between people who are genuinely financially wealthy, and people who are just flashy... There's a HUGE difference in fact...
I'm a locksmith who specializes in antique lockwork, repair, and custom fabrication, so a fair amount of my customers are ACTUALLY wealthy. There are a few of them I don't personally love, but by in large, my wealthy customers (actually wealthy, not just flashy) are some of the nicest, hardest working people out there. Wealthy customers have brought me lunch or a cold drink on a hot drink when I'm working outside (always appreciated), invited me to stay at their guest homes (this one I decline, just because I don't want to take advantage, but the offer is always nice) and never try to rush me when I'm in the questioning phase to make sure I understand EXACTLY what they need and want, as well as any concerns and or conditions that may come up. They don't mind paying me for my time AND they don't try to change it after the job is done... Many of them drive regular cars as their daily driver, dress nicely, but not over the top, and don't really live extravagantly considering what they COULD buy with their money. In fact, rarely, do they even talk about money... Probably because they don't think about it much... They don't have to... They have it and don't have to prove anything to anyone... Least of contractors they hire.
Some of my less wealthy customers, especially the "flashy" one's (huge home, fancy car, huge expensive showy watch, and they'll be paying on it till the day they die because it's all on credit, none of it is actually theirs) are a nightmare... They want what they want, and they want it NOW, and they have no time to listen to the person they're paying to be an expert on it.... and THEN... they want to set their own price... and THEN they try to talk me down after the jobs done...
Ironic, considering, they're CONSTANTLY telling me how important they are or how much money they have, or how much they paid for things...
It's honestly gotten to the point where I can "spot" the "flashy" ones in the initial phone conversation.
The customer with non emergency work who INSISTS they need it done TODAY... but they only have a one hour window, in spite of my insistence that the job will most take longer and that I'm willing to work around whatever schedule they need, but that I need at least two to do the job properly.
The customer who cuts me off as I'm explaining what is involved in the job... or says things like "I don't need to know all of that..." Well, Sir, considering the fact that option 1 is a $300 job, option 2 is a $1000 job, and I'm trying to explain the difference and give my recommendation, I feel that you do...
98% of the time, these things never come up with my customers who are actually wealthy...
Wow what you said about wealthy and flashy that is so true, I actually know people like that
I agree with what you have to say Eric, there's no point of being jealous or upset about the fact that some people have more or things that we can't afford, rather those who feel down about it need to set goals and just work towards them. We can't all buy a $1m car just because we are working hard but we can still have SOMETHING.
Eric - Wow... I never thought I would watch one of your videos and feel inspired about life and goals in general. You should think about public / motivational speaking - you're very good at it. And, I completely agree about what makes you truly wealthy. Nice video.
Hey Eric, I'm currently a student at Rosedale Tech. I love your videos and you are a huge inspiration to me. I'm in the diesel program in the new building, if you ever come for a visit again it would be an honor to meet you. I hated high school and struggled so much, at rosedale I can't wait to get to school and have all A's. it's funny in your old video you showed some of the instructors, all of them are still there. Tim is who is in charge of the diesel buildings tool room which we are now building a welding lab next to. Thanks for all the videos look forward to seeing you make many more.
It is now July 2017 and Eric is just now completing that tan car in the background (his hot rod). So typical of us with cars that are a hobby. Get the car and have big ambitions but priorities change the time line.. Glad you finally getting it together Eric. Hope your documenting the workyour doing.. I know you dont want to spend the time time doing the edits but just film it so when the rainy day comes you can get to it.. Thanks for all inspiration and help you have given us folks who have less mechanical skills.
First and foremost, thanks Eric, you have saved me some money over the past few years! And with this video you've patched up my psyche a little bit too! I agree with you, its about perception! Thanks again.
I do not know your last name, so thank you Mr. Eric, this was a great video. I also want to let you know how awesome your videos are and how much I learn from them, both on ETCG1 and ETCG. I really really appreciate them!
"If you say 'well I got this disadvantage, and I got that disadvantage... I'm not able to bring myself up to that level'... that's what's holding you back."
FANTASTIC video, Eric. Great message to people who bitch at their own shadow more than doing something for their life.
You are a very wise person, and your life experience is paying off, the good and the bad. I just want to say how much I enjoy your channel(s) and appreciate what you've taught me. I'm on the way down from a career in tech - been there, done that, sort of thing. But you're a huge inspiration. And I have a lot of experience with wealth: gaining it, and losing it. The main thing is what you hit on - you can have more money than Caesar and still be miserable - as the roles of the suicides point out. Money can enable your dreams, but in of itself, it's just stuff, and having more stuff won't stop you from catching the flu or coming down with cancer. But as you so wisely point out - truly feeling rich where you are standing right *now*, not at some hazy point in the future, with what you have built for yourself - that's the great reward of life, no matter how many zeros there are in the number in your bank account.
Thanks for all your effort and I wish you continued fame, and increased fortune. - Cheers, Joe
Eric, you are so right! I tell people this same story all the time! If you blame your situation on disadvantages in life etc etc, you are holding yourself back. This is America. We have the freedom to change our situation and our lives with hard work, good attitude, good decision making and perseverance. THAT is the American dream, not a house and car and pretty wife. I've been divorced, bankrupt, worked at shitty jobs, and clawed my way out of the hole to being a supervisor and making good money by busting my ass! ANYBODY can do it! Try!!!
i was BORN to be rich, however, i am not.
I'm new to Eric's channel, but thus far, I can't see any bad advice so far.......including this video....He speaks good practices and anecdotes from his life, and I'm almost as long in the tooth as he is, and I tend to almost always agree with his philosophies... Hell, I always agree...
I work as a massage therapist in a very well off suburb of Austin, TX...like "I take my Rolls Royce to shop at Whole Foods" wealthy. Most of the folks I deal with are great people who have done well financially but about 5% are pushy, entitled and demanding beyond reason. When dealing with this crowd I in mind that they will be a p.i.t.a. no matter where they go and their attitude is not my fault. Also, it helps to deflect them with kindness and not get rattled, that either calms them down or gets them comically pissed off.
Hi Eric, I have been watching your videos for four years now, and it's only fair that I subscribe to both your channels (I know, four years and barely subscribing?). Whenever anyone of my friends ask about where to learn about cars, I direct every one of them to ETCG. I don't know how else to say it, but thanks for always staying humble and for giving such detailed videos. Very good videos, keep up the good work. Not trying to bash other mechanics, but I get the feeling they give instructions in such a manner that does not make sense to the novice mechanic; "Remove the fuel filter. NEXT we remove...". I don't know if you are reading this or not, but I am happy things are going well for you. I remember years ago when you were in the old shop, I got a vibe that you were stressed in some of your videos. Fast forward to 2014 (2015), your speech is more cheery, as in you sound more happy and not stressed like your older videos. You have easily become my favorite mechanic, and I never get tired of watching your videos. ETCG1 has also become one of my favorite channels on YT. Again, thanks for all this great information you give us, and for making two channels that are so informative that unfortunately put many others to shame. Keep up the good work, Eric. You deserve many good things.
-Jorge
I used to work at a bank and had a unique view into the wealthy and the poor. The happiest couple I met lived in subsidized housing. The ugliest couple brought in 5k per week and divorced over money. I met wonderful and awful people at all points on the money scale. Wealth is in your mind, it is the appreciation of people and experience over things. live life, be open to people and wealth will find you.
Well said man. That is such a healthy way to look at the topic of wealth. Jealous and envy abound in this area, and misery loves company! Money is like a brick. It can build a children's hospital or it can be thrown through a window. Thanks for sharing!
Damn straight Eric. I've been homeless, jobless, and broke my leg while out of work with no insurance. Now I make well over six figures per year. As far as rich people go I've known some that were ass hats with spoiled rotten kids, but more so that were down to earth and you might not even know they were rich until you saw their mansion and thousand+ acre plots.
Eric u hit it on head there brother.... I work in garages for 10 years then moved on to pool consturtion in a very wealthy area where 95% of my clients were well off ( 1,000,000/year +) and i found that about 50% where decient hard working people, about 5 where a product of nepotisism n the rest (45%) kinda lived in there own bubble and were rly detacted from the world around them or where foriegn or some other thing that might separate u from the norm. But now i work for a guy, owns 2 ferraris, 7 figures all day with a seasonal business and hes relatable, easy to work for and above anything else doesnt see himself as over anyone else, hes at the shop 5am everyday and at the shop at 7pm to close out, pays well and doesnt break balls for the sake of it. His son (24) works withus and hes a good kid willin to learn and his father trusts us to teach him without interviening. And he takes us all 30+ guys to atlantic city every year to chill for 5 days taking cert classes and pays the whole way. So yea some suck n some dont just make sure u dont work for the latter lol
You've worked hard and we are thankful for it Eric! You deserve everything you get back, sir. Also i like the Longevity poster.
I didn't know what upper middle class or rich people were till I married my wife. She hails from this fairly affluent area called Holladay. We've lived there twice for a total of about 4 years. This was something that I wasn't necessarily accustomed to but adapted fast. Here's an example: one time when we went to Church we sat down and I looked up at the podium area and there to my amazement was our United States Senator (named Bob Bennett). I couldn't believe it! People were sitting around sleeping and talking like it was nothing. I kept nudging my wife but she didn't seem impressed either. Where I came from, you wouldn't get this in a million years (seems the Bishop of the Church was a General in the Air Guard and was gunning for the Adjunct General's position - smart guy, you go right to the top and invite the guy to speak in Church that can help you the most) A couple of weeks later this hot-shot Bishop had a guy from our States' Supreme Court speak at our meeting - again I was dazzled.
I now live in another upper middle class area where if I named the Congressman and Senator that live nearby, you all would know them as they frequently appear on Fox News. In fact, I ran into the Congressman at the grocery store and had a bit of a talk with him about national politics - nice kid.
I relate this information to you because I want to say I've lived in lower middle class, middle class, and upper middle class (read rich) area's and I'll personally take the more affluent area any day. These well-off people drop their cars and trucks off at my house and I drive them into work and service/repair them. They never complain about the price, they're good for their money, and it's a convenient situation for both parties. RespectfullyRod
I like what you said. I just found your channel and really like it. I've known a few wealthy people and like all people there are some good ones and some bad ones. There are pitiful humana rich and poor but what I found is that the pitiful rich human is tagged more pitiful simply because they have a abundance of something and won't help others. I've always said if I become rich there's a list of people I would help
Finally we hear the voice of someone who gets it! Good job Eric! Way too many people have been convinced (primarily by politicians seeking votes) that they are where they are in life because someone did it to them instead of a lack of individual drive & initiative. Jealously & resentment will never get you anywhere! To answer your question yes I have known, been around and worked for wealthy people. Generally the ones who have earned it are regular people and good friends. The ones who inherited it are often pretty clueless and not ones I would chose to be around.
Eric, you seem like the kind of dude that would be awesome to share a beer with. Mad respect for you and your success.
Hey eric I appreciate you making this and it just rings with me. I am going to keep this with me through my life and weather I do become monetarily rich or not I will always be rich in the freindships and family and health that I have. If i am poor I will remember not to hate on the rich people and to focus on bringing myself up and setting my mind to becoming the best I can be. I will be starting auto school this summer snd hope to open my own restoration/ custom shop and be running by the time I am 30. I am currently 18 and working my butt off in school to get some good grades even though everyone is telling me they dont matter because auto school doesnt care. Well I care and want to be the best I can at everything I do. I plan on finnishing first in my class in auto school and to get some great job offers right out of school then work for a few years to get some experience and make and save some money to open my own shop. Trust me I have done the reaserch and dont plan on making a ton of money and making it big but I do plan on making a steady income to support myself and future family to live a good lifestyle. I know I can do this and this video has strengthened and revived my passion and desire to become the best and do the most I can with my life. Thanks Eric, and God Bless. Have a good year and keep the videos comming!
As a former shop owner, I speak with experience. Wealthy customers can be just like any other category of people...there's the good and the bad. What makes them different, is they occasionally take it to the next level, (extremely nice or extremely bad). Some of the nicest I encountered were rich people. Not just rich in the money sense, but rich in life. They would just open themselves up, and tell me all kinds of wild & amazing stories. Too much to write about; I was on (two) occasions, a shoulder to cry on, both of which had just widowed. Some would bring me bottles of wine, or a gift basket. One of them even gifted me a nice oil painting!
On the other side of the coin, there were some, in that there was absolutely nothing I could do to make them happy. There were a small handfull that were real nasties: They were rude, condescending, and outright miserable & going out of their way to make me feel miserable. They were swimming in tons of money, but didn't feel they had to pay anything to get their cars fixed. And that's how some were...I encountered some very wealthy customers that wanted to pay next to nothing in getting their car fixed, and they were very stubborn about it.
With that said, I learned this: Money doesn't buy happiness; but, it does buy the kind of misery you choose!
I think the biggest lie that people insist on repeating, is that "You can do anything if you put your mind into it" ... that's complete and utter BS from those who want to paint everything in black and white ... it's not that easy !!!
What's more true is "work your strengths". Find out what your potentials are, exploit those and be the best at what you're doing. Also make sure to have fun while doing it, passion is everything!
+Car Mo Excellent points.
You have a great spirit brother...much love and respect to you for what you do!
Wealth doesn't always mean money
I'm a single dad working as a cleaner at a school full of rich arseholes who either completely ignore me, or stare in disgust when I walk past. I can barely afford to put fuel in my car, they roll into school in brand new Mercs and Porches and block me in so I can't leave work afterwards to come home and feed my son. I've known rich people who are lovely but sadly the majority I've had contact with have been self-centred, arrogant wankers with enormous egos and superiority complexes. There's something about money that convinces people that they are gods among men and that those without money are beneath them and that pisses me off. I don't care if people are rich, they have every right to be but it's the attitude that comes with it that gets to me.
Good topic Eric...my thoughts on people with wealth, I have met my share and currently work part time for folks that I would consider wealthy,they are just like me and you, they enjoy life,have friends and love their family, some are born into wealth and some have earned it. I think the folks that have earned it appreciate it more than the folks that were born into it but for the most part the folks that I have come in contact with either through having worked for,met through friends or enjoyed a cookout with, are hard working and want to enjoy what time they have left on this earth....just like me.
My 2 cents worth.
It's not my bday but i appreciate the fact that you mentioned that. Not everyone does that in their videos!. Thanks Erik
Love this video. So tried of only the 1% player hating. Many of those ppl started off as broke as you can be, and now finally, have enough to take care of their family. Why can't you be happy for them ?
ETCG and Eric O. both have that hard-to-define "Motivational Speaker" in their public face. Works for them. If they can do it, you can do it.
I love working on rich people's cars (they take care of them), and spending rich people's money. I can't stand being around them though. Not really jealousy, but mostly the attitude I am constantly bombarded with from right wingers who want to take away food stamps (which my family depends on) and slash the minimum wage (so that my family can't house themselves). IN this country the working poor and the super rich don't see eye to eye, and the rich tend to do their best to oppress and hurt the poor any way they can. That's why I'm not jealous. If being rich means being a greedy asshole who exists merely to take money away from struggling families, I don't want to be rich. If I had their kind of income, I'd live on a 60,000 a year and donate the rest to charities and causes. I don't need any more than that. I'd love to be comfortably middle class. I'd hate being rich.
***** an asshole that makes sense
I don't get why this commenter is a "commie". Whatever we all have experiences with the " rich" and with our own lives. Were all the same species, relax.
that is the first relative argument of a communist,.....we are all the SAME,..and we shoud ALL have the SAME. no more, no less.
That commenter and a lot more ignorant people have been drinking too much commie koolaide,.....provided by you know who!
eldoradony Right on bro!,...give em hell!
Well, the "right wing" would like to see fewer career welfare recipients and if that includes your kin I'm sorry about that. What is this slashing of the minimum wage you are talking about, all I've heard in the news is the burger flippers may be getting a huge increase. You sound bitter and seem to expect entitlements from the government.
146,288th view!
Financial wealth doesn't determine the value of a human. One of my very best friends inherited several hundred thousand dollars from her grandfather when he died, and that's as one of several grandchildren. I grew up dirt poor and watched for the utility workers coming to shut off our utilities because we hadn't been able to pay the bill. We're friends because of shared interests and life experiences, and bank statements are a non-issue. I think people think that the wealthy aren't "down with the struggle" but it's not true to a large extent. We still get old, get sick, and die, regardless.
"Money doesn't change you it, just makes you more of what you are." this quote popped into my head while watching this video. Does anyone know where it is from?
Brilliantly thoughtful and well-spoken. So much more than just a car guy!
I don't care if you're rich. I only care if you're hot.
***** Ooo baby!
Eric, this is a video I'm catching up on late, as I'm somewhat new to your channels (SORRY!, they're good). I'm a dirt poor guy from a long line of dirt poor guys who have a gentle blend of farm jobs and military jobs keeping them and their families afloat. I ran off to college and have skills my peers couldn't have dreamed of. It is a funny thing (naturally not haha funny), where i can rebuild carbs and and press in bearings, and and very basically attempt to explain how fuel injection works and how the digital counter with the oil icon next to it does NOT describe how much oil you have left... But I digress... You provide an invaluable service to explain how automobiles really work. But before I get ahead of myself (which I'm sure I have) thank you for your work, I wish it was on a major cable network so folks would just get it. You're a brilliant educator and I hope more people wish to follow you. Rich people 'get' their cars as much as the clueless masses, keep it up. And yes, we're staying dirty!
+MITCHELL KNIGHT Thanks very much for your comments. I really appreciate it. Thanks also for watching my channels. As for TV, that's come up, but I'd much rather 'run my own show' if you know what I mean. I don't need some producer telling me what to do and say. I'd rather do it my way on YT. Thanks again.
Well said Eric. Don't judge yourself by the size of your bank account. The most important thing is to have honesty and itegrity and enough $ to provide adequatley for your family.
Eric, when I was young , I use to deliver furniture. From doing the I found a difference between real rich people and want to be rich people. The one that are truly rich had no problem when there was a problem with the furniture, but the one that were wannabes, always were very picky about everything.
Truer words have never been spoken ETCG. Friends and family are where true wealth lies.
As a former flooring contractor for Home Depot I've had to deal with extremely wealthy, and extremely.....not wealthy people. And you know what? They're all the same. Some people cannot be satisfied no matter what. And because you're working for a big box retail corporation, it's like you have a bullseye painted on your back. One couple that comes to mind owns a very large car dealership and routinely wines and dines with celebrities. When my dad told them that the ridiculously short time frame Home Depot gave us couldn't possibly happen given the amount of work we had to do, the husband blew a head gasket. Not our fault, it was the fault of the idiots at Home Depot that have no clue what was actually required to complete the job. But the whole week that couple made our lives miserable. Couldn't please them at all. Now the very next customer, who again was a very wealthy couple, not a single problem from them at all. Extremely nice people. Made the job so much easier for us. The same applies to the not wealthy people too. Some people made our job so much easier and genuinely seemed happy to have us there. Others acted like they were being inconvenienced.
You said it man, its perfect. Its the "belief" which is responsible for poverty. B'cos one manifests things which a person believes in. It does not matter what you desire, it matters what your beliefs are about you and this world and both interacting together. Desires don't manifest since they are very thin and belief's are deep rooted. If one believes deeply that rich guys are bad, he indirectly thinks wealth made them bad. And that's why the person cannot be wealthy. In my case, I always believe that I am the child, in the lap of this universe, and I will always be taken care off. And that is what always happens. I work hard, but I always get help when I am in trouble.
Glad to see that me and ETCG agree on what REAL wealth is, Great Video brother!
I love these videos -- and the repair channel. I also believe in hard work. That said: most wealth is inherited, and tax cuts enable the haves to have more than the rest of us -- on into perpetuity in ways that *are* unfair. That's why we vote. That's why we have representatives. That's why we have laws. That's why we can change all of them (lawmakers, laws, and others). This isn't limited to individuals -- it can be corporations or special interest groups too. Corporate machinery only cares about the bottom line -- people (usually elected officials) regulating industries and corporate boards/company principles that have some degree of compassion -- that's what keeps the corporate machinery in check -- and it too often doesn't. There are too many basic things that too many people don't have -- the inequity is real. I have lots of respect for wealthy or well-off people who are philanthropic -- good on them! Another way of looking at something akin to 918 ownership: in some way, someone has to do it. There have to be early adopters, and then eventually economies of scale pull the price of the technology down.
I worked at a MINI & BMW dealer for a while both as a driver and tech. and one thing that was clear as day is the MINI owners were all very laid back and for the most part seemed almost care free, the BMW owners who spent double or more were almost always unhappy with what they had and either angry, stuck up, or felt like the world owed them. Aside from a grey area in between this showed me more than anything else that financial wealth for the most part did not lead to wealth. I did get a $190 tip from a BMW customer once for delivering their car 100 miles.
AMEN!!!! I worked from the age of 10, and help others when I could. and we got a nice home good trucks their a bit older, and NICE motorcycles ... and we worked our asses off for them and God blessed the work of our hands... And from what I've seen you've worked hard and God is blessing the works of your hands also... That's just the way it works, If you work hard you get blessed!!!
Every thing rich people have, from cars to yachts to mansions to jets provide employment of thousands of technicians, maintenance people, service people, craftsmen, contractors, manufacturers, delivery people, security people...etc. You get the idea. No poor person ever gave me a good paying job!
Rich people are people, some of them are really nice, some are jerks, and some are in between. Just like poor people or middle class people.
I agree that for the most part all of us envy the wealthy for what they have. I will also agree that if you work hard and learn to be content with what you have things will be better for you. I will also agree that success starts in believing in yourself. However, having said all that there are barriers that are placed on you the instant you are born in this world that may put a limit on (or at least make it more challenging) what you can do, regardless if you see them or not. Here are some examples:
1. Gender
2. Race
3. Place of birth
4. Parents
5. Health
6. Resources (such as access to food, shelter, health services, good schools)
Its important that as a person that you become aware of these barriers so that you can have a more informed view as to why some people are wealthy, and others are poor; why some people are content with what they have, and others aren't; why some people think everything is alright and that everyone has the same equal opportunities, while others disagree with that point of view; and so on.
I'm a tech at AAA. I see a variety of people come in and out of the doors here. Some, are extremely well off. A lot of them are very quiet about their wealth, but it's pretty easy to tell that money isn't a issue. Porsches, even a Mercedes SLS at one point, have come through the doors. Most of the wealthy people I dealt with were kind, but they had an air about them. They were very intelligent, savvy to the industry, and very cost conscious. A lot of them were straight up dicks, expecting footrubs for bring their vehicle into our shop. While they provide a very strong financial backing, their attitudes made up turn away future work, because they would come out into the shop uninvited, and harass the technicians working on their car. Questioning them, and refuting the responses of the technicians. It made for a lot of tension in the customer - business relationship.
Eric, I feel very much the same as you for the same reasons. I used to live in Dallas Texas, did lots of auto body with tons of custom stuff. I made great money working for some greatful peeps. Oh it seemed to me, that I got more greif from the penny pinchers than the high rollers. I did a wreck repair on the front right of a 20 year old prelude once for an old woman. She picked it up then said I was at fault for the driver door window motor going out. Them I did a resto mod using c5 drive train and suspension in a 57 Chevy. The guy picked it up then as it was getting pulled out a large tool fell on the hood and damaged it. I apologized tons and offered to fix it and throw in something for free but he was cool. He paid me $30k for that job and still bought me lunch. I did fix the hood though, that bugged me. I'm Disabled now and dream of the fun days, but I don't hate rich folks even though I'm poor now. My life is awesome even if I'm poor now and I blame no one.
thank you so much for your advice i had a problem with my AC on my Subaru and found out where the leak was and recharged it and it worked better than it did before one of the o rings was not sealing enough the one on the compressor housing
Glad to see Eric happy
Not everyone can say that
Some are never satisfied
Many forget to appreciate what they DO have
Also, I have never worked for a poor person ;)
As far as yearly salary goes, if you're single and you BRING HOME 100k a year, you're rich.
Well now we know. That's the line.
+TheTheeggmann: Really damned well off anyhow. Fuck, that's nearly 4 times more than I bring home. I'm poor as shit right now, and struggling to survive. Hell, I'd give anything just to make $50K/yr, and that's still jack nothing nowadays.
+steelmesh Yep it's so our government can give it to someone who didn't earn it because they can't get a job because businesses can't afford to hire new workers or expand their business because the business taxes are to high. Why because the government needs it to, buy votes via new poor programs, oops sorry, so they can give it to someone who hasn't earned it because they don't have a job. Heck the US has the highest business taxes in the world no wonder the businesses can't expand and hire more poor folks. If you think that's bad try property taxes. Property taxes are the worst because you never really own your property, they government does. You'll always have that NOOSE around your neck. The government Gangsta Protection Money called Property Tax. If you own it you have to pay the government to let you think you own it, or they'll come and take it from you by force if need be. Then they'll let someone else pay them money to get it just so they can turn around to annually and pay them again to keep it. Nice little scam they've got going on there. Wouldn't be nice if you could own land and go live on it, grow you're own food and just live without the government coming around with a gun in one hand and a bill in the other saying, "Pay up or else!" Just like some gangsta's would do a business. Don't get me wrong I'm a FULL believer in taxes, the government needs them, the American people need them. I just have a problem with how and who collects it and where some of it goes. I think every tax should be a sales tax. That does two things: 1. EVERYONE PAYS the same percentage, Rich and Poor. 2. It lets the American People know just how much they government is really taking from them. Think of it no annual property taxes, no annual or quarterly income taxes, no death tax, no business taxes except when you buy things. If you're rich you pay more because you buy more, if you're poor you pay less because you pay less. No more trying to hide money in foreign accounts, or hiding money in ghost companies etc. When you buy something you pay a tax on it, everyone! Well gotta get of my soap box. Best Wishes N Blessings Keith
+Keith Noneya : Well said. You should consider running for office. Seriously. Someone with some financial common sense needs to get in there and make some serious fiscal changes!
The rich rent the government, though. Until that is fixed, there will always be a way for the rich to keep their money at the expense of those people you hate for being poor.
Koenigsegg Regera is the real game changer in the hypercar world. Turbo V8 power, assisted by an electric hybrid system; and eliminating the need for a transmission all together. Christian Von Koenigsegg is a smart man.
I've worked for and socialized with truly wealthy people and for the most part most are decent people . The people i find the most annoying are the middle class people that try to tell you that a successful person has to spend said amount on car notes or mortgages . I'm content in my life with the things I have which isn't a whole lot , but I lack the burden and stress of keeping up with the Jone's.
My point is, it doesn't matter what size your bank account is. Being content makes you far richer in the long run, and don't let someone else dictate when you should feel wealthy or happy.
Awesome video! You make some great points. Thanks for holding the bar.
In the Bahamas an artist made a song what said 'dog don't bark at parked car, the only time they start barking is when the car start moving.'
Basically saying no one has a problem with u wen u 'poor' like them or hang out on the blocks like them but the second u start tryna do better for yourself or even your family they have a problem with it. People will always b people some will support and others will hinder. U just have to decide what will u do with ur future.
Good advice. And remember, if you have a car at all and a computer and a cell phone and a fast internet connection, you're doing better than many.