Comments on: Attention Car Owners – Do You Need a Reality Check?

By: Joe Plemon

Joe Plemon — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:02:30 +0000

@Elliot,
The good thing about those tough years is that you have learned by the greatest teacher: experience. And having a paid for car on close to minimum wage shows others that it can be done. Keep on doing smart things, even when things are tight, and things will get better. Every time.

By: Elliott - 21st Century Dad

Elliott - 21st Century Dad — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:41:12 +0000

Having a car that’s paid in full is a key part of being able to survive on just over minimum wage. It’s been a tough couple of years for me. Any big surprise it was due to poor financial decisions I made during my 20′s and early 30′s?

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:42:40 +0000

Cars are the #1 personal finance killers for folks in their 20′s today.

Keep it cheap and simple. You’ll be happy you did.

By: Want A Big House? Tour This Small Home & Change Your Mind

Want A Big House? Tour This Small Home & Change Your Mind — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:51:30 +0000

[...] Frugal Dad: Attention Car Owners – Do You Need a Reality Check? [...]

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:16:44 +0000

This is valuable info. Currently I’m trying to keep my existing car maintained.

Congrats on being listed in the 50 How to Save Money Blogs!

By: Joe Plemon

Joe Plemon — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:53:19 +0000

Don,
Isn’t driving a paid for car a great feeling? You ARE saving up to pay cash for your next one aren’t you?
And yes, I too wish I could get a deal on an Acura like Laurie found. Sweet.

By: Don@MoneyReasons

Don@MoneyReasons — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:21:48 +0000

I confess, the last car I bought was new (although it only cost me $10,500). It was a 2003 malibu and at the time, I got a great price on it.

It’s paid off now, and I’m going to drive it until parts start to fall off.

Now that I got that “buy a new car” feeling out of my blood, it’s only used cars for me!

I wish I had the Acura that Laurie has!!! Cheap and stylish… you can’t beat that!

By: Joe Plemon

Joe Plemon — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:28:12 +0000

@Stacie,
You REALLY get it! A Lincoln Navigator for a Kia Rio. I love it! Of course your neighbors don’t understand, but being “normal” often means being broke in America. Thanks for sharing. Your story will encourage others.

By: Joe Plemon

Joe Plemon — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:14:39 +0000

@Joel,
We all do things we later regret. The key (as you have done) is to learn. Many people never do.

@Lisa,
Buying a car with hail damage isn’t for everyone, but I love the fact that you did and got a great price. The hail damage is sort of a badge of honor. The “Friends” story is a great one. “Cool” can turn to “dorky” in an instant, especially when we try to be defined by the car we drive.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:49:43 +0000

I just traded some work for a Jeep Grand Cherokee with all the bells and whistles: leather, heated seats, premium stereo — catch? It has lots of miles and some hail damage. But can’t beat the price. And its been running great for 6 months now. Not one problem. I love it that I don’t have any qualms about driving the heck out of it.

Growing up I was the kid who had cool cars. My dad bought me anything I asked for: an Iroc Z28 in the 80s and later a Stealth sports car. At the time I thought they make me look oh so cool, but now I realize that I looked just like an insecure little brat trying to find her identity through her car.

There is a great episode of the TV show “Friends” where Ross gets a red sports car thinking it will make him look cool and then he sees a seriously dorky guy driving by in the same car, giving him the thumbs up with a “don’t we look cool” look. He realizes that he looks just as dorky as the dork guy in his red sports car.