Well my life is screwed...

Did the car use 10k less fuel than the truck would? Mileage is tricky, ideally you buy a car when it has depreciated as much as it can but isn't going to cost you a fortune in parts. If you time selling it on and buying another car right then you can keep your costs down (it's called bangernomics).

 

a new truck costs 40K, new this car was 20K.

so a used truck - in a condition that would decrease it's value by half vs a used car in a condition that is only 5K less.

for the same price point, a car was in much better condition. Trust me - it makes sense. lol

The car is NOT an issue - I'm not selling it. It's my credit cards that are a pain.

I don't know how much longer the air force is retaining me, but when I quit I can sell back my leave days earned. I have 32.5 right now, and i get 2.5 more added every month. I would sell them back at my base pay - which is roughly 66 dollars per day. I'll get a couple grand, should be able to be sustained as a cushion while save up. My dad's trying to get me a job where he works, 16 dollars/hr opening position.

Even with the amount I was making before at Best Buy, I'll be able to not go bankrupt or starve. My folks said I can move back in, they're being really supportive. Get on a prepaid cell phone, I'll be ok. I appreciate the advice and conversation everyone

 

Don't spend money that you don't actually have , it's that easy.

 

Yeah, I wasn't sure what else to contribute to this thread anymore because I simply can't understand how someone can spend money without having it. Loans ALWAYS cost more than being able to pay right away, it's called interest. It's never a good deal. Sometimes it's necessary with really big purchases such as a car or a house, but an American car? Dear lord, who buys American cars? They fall apart after a few years. Trucks are even worse... my father's friend bought a truck here and he almost paid the entire value again in repairs since he purchased it. Buy a Japanese or European car if you want something for your money. I see Toyota's for $5-10k all the time. They may be older than 4 years, but they last for much longer than any American car until repairs start.

 

Exactly.

 

Optimize costs, get rid of whatever you can get by w/o and in general try to be efficient in your way of life, to the extent that you feel reasonably comfortable. That said, you should seriously invest in existing or future skills that you have/or need to get the true job you desire. Making money to get by is fine, but I'm sure you can achieve your goals if you prioritize and focus.

Hope it doesn't sound too patronizing, but you're a clever bloke I reckon, you'll find your way.

 

My mother had a nice Toyota, she sold it to some teenagers and it got written off. Poor car!
(I don't really have anything else to add to this thread, except you can do it!)

 

American cars die every couple years? Dude, my dad just sold his 95 Escort, was in fine condition. Was my moms daily driver and never had to go to a shop. My dad has had his F150 since 1999, and it's never been to the shop either. He got that once he sold his 75 F150, and that ALSO never broke down.

The only American car we've had break was my moms Escape - and thats just because she was in a head on collision!

My 2001 Mitsubishi Galant however...that thing was a nightmare.

I don't break it down to "American cars suck" or "imports suck". It really depends on who's using it, how they're using it. My dad is a mechanic, and knows when a car needs work. And thats' why our cars never broke down. But the same could be said if you're familiar with imports.

At the end of the day, let's be honest. One thing we can all agree on - Korean cars are garbage.

 

Credit cards are evil. One of my goal in life is to never ever pay a single cent of interest on a credit card. Pay with it then re-imburse right away!

 

sorry to hear of your problems but best advice i have is to see if anyone you know (i.e friends or family) could sub you the money to clear in full some of the credit cards once that intrest isnt ticking up you should be ok to still live cheap and repay your very nice friend or relative back the money with some interest for them saving your arse, i know its hard to get family to lend money but if you have assets you can give them something that's worth what you are borrowing (something that you want to keep i.e signing the car over to them untill they are repayed) you should find someone and once you don't have the threat of interest building up you will feel alot better and be able to think better sleep better and plan better

I'm proud to say I have never got a credit card and never bought anything on credit, if I cant afford something i just cant afford it i always have pay as you got phones .....yeah its seems your getting a better deal but there is a reason.....you are tied into a year or 2 of paying it, regardless of your circumstances they don't give a crap that's why they gave you a better deal for the sole reason of getting a guaranteed amount regardless of weather you don't have much money at the time (usually end up paying the remainder of the contract even though you don't get the service quids in for them) this isn't a "oh I'm so much better than you post" its a "just remember in future loans credit and cash advances are a f**king scam and only have one purpose....to screw you over

only time i would ever get a loan or credit is on a sure fire investment that has a very quick return to clear the entire loan before interest wipes out any profit i would be making but as always i would be checking with friends and family first i would prefer my family get the interest than some fat t*at banker

 

Not to rub it in, but as many people have already said, the amount of debt you are carrying is very minuscule. If you are having difficulties managing such a small amount of debt, you probably need to review your life goals and spending habits a bit more.

I suggest selling off all your non-essential items. Such as video games, computers, etc. As far as people saying credit cards are evil, they are just fine to have. Just realize that you can't spend beyond your means and that if you don't pay them off your incurring a HUGE amount of interest.

To be honest, I am a firm believer that the amount of success one achieves in life is directly proportional to the amount of effort one puts in. While it would incur a little debt initially, going back to school would be a solid investment (provided you work hard and get a good education).

 

I know it's a small amount of debt - I've said before it's only 5 grand except the car. I came here mostly just to vent. ^_^ it just is a huge life style change, I've put money aside here and there into savings but yeah. it's pretty...pretty shit that i'm going from a few grand a month to about 800.