The never-ending car payment

I am 56 years old and have never owned a new car. My first car was an M-151 jeep I bought when I was 16, at an air force surplus auction for cash ($65 plus another $40 to paint it and get it street legal). I drove that jeep for six years.

I always saved a monthly "car payment". I used that savings for repairs and drove my vehicle to death (200,000 miles of my own or better). I used the car payment savings to pay for repairs and eventually buy the replacement. Since that Jeep died I've only had three trucks, all of which I paid cash for and bought used. My wife is only on her third car since we married, all bought the same way. Right now the car savings would buy me two brand new fully loaded 3/4 ton trucks and she could buy two fully loaded mid-size SUV's.

The only time it ever really sucked was when the Obama administration did the "cash for clunkers program" and pushed the price of good used cars up to damn near the price of a new car. My wife's car was about due to be replaced then.

Col. Sir fact of life, car payments, taxes and dead. I have been one of the lucky one. I haven't had a car payment in about 15 years. Except when I got a bonus for financing a new truck. Made 2 payments and payed it off. But if you have children it a never ending cycle. Then there is the Grand children that gets in a bind and you know it and you know you are the only one to help. I have a grandson that I spend a lot of money on because no one else would. He got his Masters so it was worth it. But, Sir, as I say, you earn the big bucks so car payment city. Sir enjoy life, you can'take take it with you.