What Should I Buy Next?

As much as I love my 2001 Escape and fairly nonexistent commute of thirteen miles to and from work, the car has 203,000 miles on the odometer. It has done the job for our family and would love to keep it until the wheels fall off – and then, we’ll just put them back on – the time has come for something a bit bigger for a growing toddler. I’m not big on another crossover nor do I want to get beaten across the head every time I have to buy fuel but I won’t rule out the right one. I’d also like to have a tow hitch to haul a burgeoning small business trailer as well as kid supplies (stroller, toddler bag, toys, etc.) and a backup camera is mandatory at our price point. That being said, I have a list of vehicles that I think may work for the three of us within a $35,000 budget:

Ford Escape

Trim Level: Titanium with 2.0T Ecoboost

Pros: Brand loyalty to the Blue Oval (best of the three Fords I’ve owned), camera, tow hitch available

Cons: Ford dealers tend to be a-holes with service, 2.0T Ecoboost concerns specifically replacing turbo

Nissan Frontier

Trim Level: Pro-4X crew cab

Pros: Value, proven dependability, tow hitch, available camera

Cons: Kid may outgrow the truck before she turns 5, dismal MPG

Lexus IS350

Trim: Base (the F is another level of pricing and more than the house payment)

Pros: I can keep the Escape, bulletproof reliability, standard camera

Cons: Price, rare but expensive Lexus maintenance, not installing a hitch on a sedan

GMC Canyon

Trim: SLE crew cab

Pros: New technology with decent MPG, tow hitch, standard camera

Cons: Kid may outgrow the truck before she turns 5, SLT/Denali pricing

Acura TSX wagon

Trim: Standard, not sure if Acura made a Type-S in this variant

Pros: Camera, standout in a crowd of anonymity, high value content

Cons: Finding one equipped with V6 is difficult at best, unlikely to find w/tow hitch, eventual Acura maintenance

Wild Card: GMC Sierra

Trim: SLT crew cab (Denali ONLY at the right price and less than 100,000 miles WITH extended warranty)

Pros: Tight turning radius, standard tow hitch and backup camera, roomy

Cons: Those MPGs even in a period of low fuel prices, pricey if not careful

In a dream world, I’d take a (preferably black) E60 BMW M5 with the V10 but have you seen the costs of engine/belts/VANOS/SMG transmission maintenance? I would have to sell naming rights for my next three kids – sorry, I’m one and done like college basketball players – my daughter is perfect. Why mess with that? 

Being Poor Sucks

A few years ago, I wrote Savin’ On the Run with my bride (Actually, we had been married for a year and a half when you read it). Some things obviously have changed since 2013 (house, child, car payments) – and unfortunately, there is still more month than money. Thanks, work for underpaying both of us.  Most of the time it seems like the loot leaves five minutes after the check stubs (and direct deposits) hit our hands!

What you are going to see is a hypothetical summary of my struggle. Try not to laugh at my hypothetical salary, and if you know someone who does daycare at a very reasonable price, send them our way!

Gross Salary	$35,000 per year
401K contribution per year	3% today, need to readjust to something closer to 9% Because I don’t get company match, it’s only $1,050. Sad!
Tithes to church and/or nonprofit giving	10% of said gross. In other words, $3,500.
Taxes	13%?!! I let the government touch this much money before I can do ANYTHING with it? Thanks for screwing the little chocolate man! $4,550. Pathetic!
Childcare	$6,250 per year assuming the going rate is $125/week Too damn expensive
Shelter	$610/month for the next 26 years (We did get this right and stayed below our original budget)
Car	$335/month for the next four years. Does not include fuel, insurance, and assorted maintenance, but thank God I bought a Toyota for the missus! Note:  this is ONLY ONE CAR. Two car payments is the fastest way to the poor house – and thankfully there is a long-paid off SUV in the driveway.
Food for 3 people	Around $150 per month assuming we can leave that drive-thru window alone. Otherwise, it just doubled.
Life Insurance	$30/month for only me
Internet and Phone(s)	$30/month for the Internet Phone (today) is $210/mo. You know, gotta stay connected to the world.
Lights/Gas/Water	This time of year, let’s call it $180/mo for all three.

That brings me to $6,150. I didn’t factor in credit card payments because there would be nothing left. However, if I decided to start making my wife’s student loan payments, I’d be on the hook for $4,500 per year leaving me with a free $1,650 over twelve months. In other words, I have a spare $35/week to survive on. 

No wonder why I say being poor sucks.