D3V
2008-10-08, 07:30 AM
I know this may seem like meaningless bs, but it's mainly written down for me to help keep track of my thoughts. Basically I am left without money constantly. I don't hardly spend any money besides bills and things that are essential. Every month i'll have about 75-90 bucks left over which isn't anything great. What is worse is when January rolls around and college becomes more hectic i'll be working slightly less hours, etc. It's starting to stress me out and it's not even here yet. This is why i'm on a mission to start pinching pennies, and my biggest downfall is my car.. Here is my breakdown:
My thought process on getting a new vehicle to me, but certainly not new.
I was browsing through the local Craigs-list ads and found a Honda Del-Sol (ugly little car, but it DOES have a targa top, which is awesome). Listed at $1,500 the car looks to be in great shape, and does have some good potential.
Now.
Currently I am paying roughly $340 a month alone in car insurance and car payments combined. Not too bad, but also i'm not helping myself save any money this way. My car is also somewhat of a gas hog for what it is, I get about 17-18 city/23 highway. Which really is horrible. Most Del Sol's get roughly 32-34+ city/35-40+ highway. That is a big difference.
I'll break it down like this;
I drive 60 miles round trip each day to work and back (including school days.. it's on the way)
60*5=300 miles per 5 day week.
300/20(est gas mileage in the stratus) comes out to 15 gallons being used per 5 day week. That comes out to about $52 a week in gas.
Same formula for the Del Sol
300/35 (est) 8.5 gallons per 5 day week. $29.75 per 5 day week in gas strictly driving 60 miles on 35mpg. That is a great difference.
Stratus monthly: 52*4=$208
Del Sol monthly: 29*4=$116
I'd save roughly $90 a month in gas alone. That's astonishing IMO. With the money I never seem to have, It make clear sense to see where it's being dumped into. Also take into consideration that if I were to get rid of my current vehicle that antagonizing $175 monthly car payment, and the Full coverage insurance would be dropped to PIP or some BS partial coverage plan and would put me under $100 a month i'm sure of, probably around $85 (est).
So: $548 is spent per month, just using and operating my fucking car.
The Del Sol (or any hon-duh in this case) would be roughly $201 a month.
I'd be saving roughly $345 a month.
This is all in my quest to become more of a penny pincher, and the Stratus has got to go.
But my question, would it be worth it to just take a hit on the stratus, and try to break even?
My thought process on getting a new vehicle to me, but certainly not new.
I was browsing through the local Craigs-list ads and found a Honda Del-Sol (ugly little car, but it DOES have a targa top, which is awesome). Listed at $1,500 the car looks to be in great shape, and does have some good potential.
Now.
Currently I am paying roughly $340 a month alone in car insurance and car payments combined. Not too bad, but also i'm not helping myself save any money this way. My car is also somewhat of a gas hog for what it is, I get about 17-18 city/23 highway. Which really is horrible. Most Del Sol's get roughly 32-34+ city/35-40+ highway. That is a big difference.
I'll break it down like this;
I drive 60 miles round trip each day to work and back (including school days.. it's on the way)
60*5=300 miles per 5 day week.
300/20(est gas mileage in the stratus) comes out to 15 gallons being used per 5 day week. That comes out to about $52 a week in gas.
Same formula for the Del Sol
300/35 (est) 8.5 gallons per 5 day week. $29.75 per 5 day week in gas strictly driving 60 miles on 35mpg. That is a great difference.
Stratus monthly: 52*4=$208
Del Sol monthly: 29*4=$116
I'd save roughly $90 a month in gas alone. That's astonishing IMO. With the money I never seem to have, It make clear sense to see where it's being dumped into. Also take into consideration that if I were to get rid of my current vehicle that antagonizing $175 monthly car payment, and the Full coverage insurance would be dropped to PIP or some BS partial coverage plan and would put me under $100 a month i'm sure of, probably around $85 (est).
So: $548 is spent per month, just using and operating my fucking car.
The Del Sol (or any hon-duh in this case) would be roughly $201 a month.
I'd be saving roughly $345 a month.
This is all in my quest to become more of a penny pincher, and the Stratus has got to go.
But my question, would it be worth it to just take a hit on the stratus, and try to break even?