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Should You Ditch Your Car Loan? 10 Questions To Ask Yourself

Find a car, take out a loan, hand me the keys

In the summer of 2011, I bought a used Honda Civic. It was my first car buying experience. I had emailed a private owner through Craigslist, and found a time to meet and test drive the vehicle. After inspection and various checks at a local dealership, it was blessed by the ~~car gods~~ mechanics. Then and there, I decided to purchase the car for $11,000.

Naturally, as any indebted American knows, I didn’t have the funds to purchase a car. I was fresh out of college, with about $3,000 in savings. The only thing that made me creditworthy was my successful use of credit cards in college and a predicted income that could support the purchase of a vehicle.

The owner and I went to a local bank to see a notary and have a teller confirm the funds contained on my bank loan check. I wrote in the total purchase price and handed it over. In exchange, I was given a couple sets of keys.

The car was mine — all mine.

Let the car loan payments begin

At nearly $200 per month, my five-year car loan is difficult on my budget. Unfortunately, when I first purchased the vehicle, I didn’t really have a budget. My budget was based on my ability to receive $15-20,000 in student loans every year — despite my tuition being paid for by a graduate assistantship.

Every month I was bleeding red, as the car loan payments would take any surpluses. But even more, I still didn’t have a budget to stick to and stay accountable for. Instead of selling or never buying the car, I convinced myself that I needed this automobile — at this price and quality.

My choice to buy a 2006 Honda Civic bordered on the egoistic. The voice inside my head said, “You deserve this nice car, Sam.” But the burden of spending $200 per month on top of student loans that were costing me 6.8% APR was a rough combination. It contributed greatly to a precipitous fall in net worth.

I could never properly calculate the true cost of the car, my student loans, and where my total debt would be in the following days, months, and years. Having a car — or, more specifically, a car loan — complicated everything.

Consider other options later, buy now

The entire buying process is like a wild carnival — walk in and you’ll see rides, games, laughter, prizes, and more. Browsing for cars at dealerships makes you feel special. People suddenly approach you, wondering what you’d like to buy, drive, lease, etc.

Car buying — whether with a private owner or dealer — is an American rite of passage. We own about 250 million vehicles between a population of 319 million people. Everything about this process seems tailored to these expectations about ownership and independence — powerful cultural values.

This swirl of attention, cultural identity, and peer support affected me when I plopped the original $11,000 to purchase my Honda Civic. I only considered other options (i.e., cheaper vehicles or not buying a car at all) about a year into my car loan. It was then that I realized all the powerful financial consequences of my decision.

Think: Debt, burden, liability, and depreciation

I hate to be another consumer, loving an inanimate object, but I have a real affinity for my car. My Honda Civic has taken me all over the midwest. When I moved to Iowa, I packed everything I could into my car and gave away what was left. It’s been my trusty sidekick for a while now, but it’s time for us to depart.

I finally listed it on Craigslist.

With nearly $200 a month in car loan payments, inevitable depreciation, insurance costs, and other debts that are demanding my attention, it’s time to finally sell my car. Not only is it the frugal thing to do, but the car has become a real luxury for me — there are other ways (i.e., the free bus) to get around in Iowa City.

Hopefully I can sell the car reasonably soon. I’d love to be able to reduce my monthly bills and start saving even more. I came up with a little list of questions to ask before ever buying another car again. Maybe these will help you resist the urge to splurge or even sell your car!

Questions for the car buyer/owner/seller:

How much will this vehicle cost you over 10 years?
Do you currently have an emergency fund set up to handle accidents and/or insurance premiums?
How often will you drive your vehicle and for what purpose?
What size vehicle do you need?
How do you currently manage without a car (if you do not own one yet)?
What’s motivating you to purchase this specific car?
How do you feel about the impact your greenhouse gas emissions will have on the environment?
What would the car provide that a regular bike could not offer?
How would your budget deal with a spike in gas prices or if insurance premiums rise?
Will this impact how many hours you need to work or extend your period before retirement?

Account For Depreciation, Save Your Budget

By Frugaling 7 Comments

Broken Computer Flickr Creative Commons Tech Devices — *Photo: flickr/youngthousands*

The 21st century doesn’t seem to prevent technology from aging rapidly and becoming obsolete after a couple years. A couple of my devices recently died, and I’m on the cusp of another big tech failure. I just don’t have the money to replace anything. This could spell trouble for my precariously balanced budget.

My devices are failing me

Three months ago, my Amazon Kindle broke. I traveled the globe with that device and read hundreds of books over its lifespan. After four years of heavy use, the screen died and the internal motherboard stopped working properly. It probably didn’t help that I spilled a glass of orange juice in the keyboard of this device (watch out for this theme). Rather than simply throw it away, I auctioned it off on eBay and recouped about $25. Not bad considering it was broken and about four years old.

Amazon’s Kindle costs about $120.

I just chucked my Apple headphones in the trash. After nearly two years of intense use and travel, they’re broken. I don’t go a day without listening to music on my iPhone, and most of the time I used those headphones. I had tried extending the life by using electrical tape and trying to reseal certain areas on the headphones. For a while, that worked. Unfortunately, they worsened. They’ve been answering/ending phone calls automatically and starting/stopping music at random. Not a pleasant surprise when you begin answering phone calls to telemarketers.

Apple’s in-ear “earpods” cost about $30.

What if my computer breaks?

I bought my 13″ Macbook Air in mid 2011. It’s my favorite computer I’ve ever owned, and I’ve avoided an upgrade. While I still yearn for a newer model, I can’t afford to buy one right now.

Like my other devices, it gets exposed to some serious travel and abuse. After about a year of owning the laptop, I spilled a full glass of chocolate silk in the keyboard (notice the theme?). It fried the top assembly. I brought it to a repair store to try and save it — the cost was about $400 to fix. I remember looking at that price and thinking, “I could buy a brand new Windows laptop at that cost.” I decided to go ahead with the repair, as the system could be saved.

Now, about three years old, my trusty laptop is starting to slow down. I can tell that the cooling fans aren’t working properly. This is likely damaging important processor components and could threaten my data. It’s a recipe for disaster. At some point, my laptop will likely overheat and fry itself. Until then, I work on nearly everything in the cloud and save frequently.

Apple’s Macbook Air costs about $1000.

Account for losses, use depreciation schedules

When you purchase a computer, like a new car, it immediately loses a bit of value. Over time, the depreciation continues. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has specific tax depreciation rules that can be used for the following:

Most types of tangible property (except, land), such as buildings, machinery, vehicles, furniture, and equipment are depreciable. Likewise, certain intangible property, such as patents, copyrights, and computer software is depreciable.

These properties can be deducted from income schedules, but are only to be used by businesses. You cannot deduct for physical product depreciation as an individual. Luckily for me, my computer is primarily a business tool — seeing as I use it to write.

Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System MACRS — Screenshot of a Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System calculator

Irrespective of whether you can claim a tax deduction, it’s important to learn to account for depreciation in vehicles, electronics, and intangibles (i.e., software). But this is where calculations get sort of complicated. Essentially, depreciation is a governmental science that averages your losses on a product, which is based on your cost basis (the original price paid). If I bought my computer in 2011 for $1000, then the depreciation expense that can be deducted from my taxes is $58. That’s a loose estimate from this calculator.

Even if you don’t claim business tax deductions, calculating depreciation through this method and then including the $58 loss in your budget for 2014 is very important. If I had properly accounted for the further losses of my headphones, the Kindle, and my Macbook Air, I would be in a better financial situation.

Eventually, things fall apart. It’s a known truth. After losing my Kindle and headphones to failure, I looked at about $125 in losses. If my computer goes, too, I’m in trouble. In the future, I’ll be looking to account for depreciation to avoid budgetary surprises that could leave me reeling.

Also, I’ve learned that I need to keep liquids away from keyboards.

Relationships And My Leaky Budget: Learning To Fix Myself And Save Money

By Frugaling 5 Comments

Single, lonely, and spending money

When I was younger, I felt lonely. We’re talking a crushing, oh-shit-the-world-is-empty type. I wouldn’t say I was a deep thinker, but my questions seemed more macro — larger than the everyday.

I use to draw a lot. My art was dark and moody. Often, I seemed to be expressing my disdain for life, and the sadness I felt inside.

I spent money like it was going out of style. I couldn’t resist buying a $1,000+ dollar road bike on a whim, even though I had barely showed any interest in cycling. Oh, and there was that gambling problem, too.

The cash in my wallet was merely an intermediary between work and stores — singlehandedly feeding the consumption our economy supposedly needed. I didn’t save money. It was meant to be spent. I was definitely dissatisfied with life. Another part was fearful of dying too soon. I spent so much money trying to avoid those feelings.

Looking back, I know I made huge spending mistakes. Only now can see how that affected me.

Coupled, insecure, and still spending money

Unfortunately, my spending didn’t resolve itself because I was suddenly in relationships. I thought that would fix everything. When partnered, I felt compelled to impress, treat, give, and spend. I wanted to be easygoing — I tried so hard to be — and spent like it was the end of days.

I couldn’t save money. I was spending whatever I had to make someone else happy. In the process, I only grew more unhappy and indebted to a bank; that affected my girlfriends, too.

Deeply insecure and and spending without pause, my budgets always crumbled. My desire for frugality was bashed in by insecurities and inner loneliness. I cannot tell you how many times I thought, “Am I worth it?” That question always hurt.

Put the oxygen on mask on yourself before helping others — Maybe it’s a trite cliché, but sometimes you have to put the mask on yourself before helping others.

Single and saving money

Back then, I was withering under the pressure. Something shifted in me. Nowadays, things are slightly different; not perfect, but better. I’m able to evaluate situations in fairness and calmly make the next steps for a longer-term future.

I’m single again. Rather than feel lonely, I notice a new security and happiness. I’m surrounded by friends and people I care deeply about, while working tirelessly to help others through my work (counseling).

Every now and then, hunger pains for spending stir in me. I sit before my laptop — a four-year-old Macbook Air — as it whirs away inefficiently and slower than it used to operate. I feel a pull to spend more than I currently have to buy a new laptop. I’ll wait.

I see a wonderful Patagonia shirt, which is accidentally being advertised to me through a YouTube personality. It makes my mind cue up a desire for one of my own. Before I buy that $70+ shirt, I remember what I’m trying to do, and resist the purchase. I’ll wait.

Staying present, focused on my goals

Unlike past years, when I felt isolated and alone, I’m (mostly) secure and hopeful. I’m excited with my days — blown away by the meaning I derive from both my play and work. Somehow the spending is more on my terms.

When I pull out my cash or cards, I know why I’m doing it. I’m not paying off demons inside my head or distracting myself through conspicuous consumption. No, I’m interested in being intentional, thoughtful, accountable to myself and others. When I have a healthy, balanced budget a remarkably simple consequence occurs: I feel positive, too.

That’s what I’m working on.

Starbucks Reserve Coffee: A Symptom Of Income Inequality

By Frugaling 13 Comments

Starbucks Reserve Coffee Expensive Income Inequality — *Just got a fresh cup of Starbucks Reserve coffee. It only costs $4 per cup!*

More companies are moving to two-class business models — catering to a growing divide in income brackets. Essentially, it’s the difference between the dollar-menu and the deluxe package. Look no further than your local Starbucks, where they created an elite status for coffee drinkers. It’s called, “Starbucks Reserve.” Like our broader economy, it’s not made for everyone — intentionally.

Reserve drinks come in a black Starbucks drink sleeves which say, “Exotic, rare and exquisite coffee.” Today, I got to order one because I’m using a free drink reward from a 12oz bag of coffee. In a way, I’m circumventing the traditional class system of drinks.

Before choosing a Reserve coffee, the employee tells me she recommends the fancy-something-sundried-special-faraway-coffee. I’m out of my element, and gladly accept the suggestion. All I know is that I’m drinking something from Hawaii and it’ll be brewed on an $11,000 machine. It’s supposed to be good.

When I look up at the menu board above the employee, I gasp at the price: $3.95 for a tall (12oz) cup. At more than $4 per cup after taxes, the Kona Perry coffee is the most expensive coffee choice by far. A normal cup of coffee at Starbucks is half the price — about $2.

I’m was reeling at the exorbitant price. I thought, “How can someone spend $4 for a cup of coffee?” It’s then that I realize something stupidly simple. The economy is more divided than ever. Perhaps this an oversimplification, but the middle class is quickly disappearing. The popular buzzword is income inequality. Starbucks’s response is a new, atmospheric price structure that caters to the wealthy.

After a couple minutes, the barista says, “Sam, your tall Kona Perry coffee, brewed on the Clover machine, is ready.” I gingerly pick up the coffee and realize they’ve purposely advertised my status/drink to everyone in the building. While smart marketing, I’m frankly embarrassed by the complexity of my order. I feel like apologizing to those around me. “Sorry, it was free, I assure you I didn’t just pay more than $4 for black coffee!”

I take my first sip, and immediately notice how smooth it is. It tastes wonderful. For a moment, I imagine $4 being totally worth the expense (despite being more than my lunch on most days). I take another sip, and smile. I take another sip and realize how nice it is to pretend I’m wealthy for a day. This is the good life — for a moment.

As the drink disappears, it occurs to me that I don’t know how this compares to the lower priced Starbucks coffee. I’m not sure if I’m tasting class or actual quality. Is my mind playing a trick on me? Is the quality all psychological? Whatever the reality, I can’t afford this regularly. It’s a nice treat/aside from the everyday option. I see this as a growing business model for most industries (from airlines to restaurants to hotels). Unfortunately, as the economy becomes more polar and divided, so do consumables. Starbucks Reserve coffees are just a consequence of this income inequality.