Traded my car for a house! :)

For ten years I wasted money on an apartment and a fast car. Rent was going up, and the prices of houses was low, so it seemed like a good idea to buy a house. I don't have a wife and 2.5 kids, so I decided to start off with something small. For me this was a big undertaking because I moved out of my parents house at age 19 and have lived independently since then, and now I'm buying my own house. Although my new home is not big or fancy, I'm still proud of it because it represents all the hard work and sacrifices I've done over the past decade. Plus, it was really cheap- I paid $15,000 for my house, which is cheaper than most new cars! :D

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• 2006
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[mike88g1]

I which those place were cheap here in cali. Nothing like that i ever hear of.

[frank46N2]

@mike88g1 I was lucky when I found this. The previous owner was an old lady and her family was moving her into a nursing home. They still had to pay property rent each month even though it was vacant, so I was taking a burden off their shoulders by buying it, so they sold it to me cheap because they knew me- I was the neighborhood kid that mowed all the old people's lawns. A few weeks after I moved in, the old woman died, and I felt really bad for getting the trailer for so cheap. :(

[mike88g1]

Looks more like a trailer park ... But you gotta do whats best.

[frank46N2]

@mike88g1 Yes, it's a trailer park. But it sure beats an apartment! Pay $1,000/mo. for an apt, or $500/mo. for a trailer? (I own the trailer, the $500 is property rent, which is similar to paying property tax when you own a house.) I can sell my trailer when I move out, which you can't do with an apartment. This is a quiet & peaceful place to live because of the rules: only two adults per trailer, no children allowed, and no large dogs. Plus it's near a lake, and I plan on getting a canoe! :)

[brcfan1971]

Frank, it seems like you made the correct life choice and for that I appauld you, Im a banker & wish more people were financially responsible. I hope someday you are able to buy another Monte Carlo, Tell ya what, if I hit Mega-millions, I will personally buy one for ya. Good luck. Ken

[frank46N2]

@brcfan1971 Thanks for the kind words Ken. I don't regret trading the Monte because it was too nice of a car. I barely drove it and kept it covered all winter. (My apt was close to work, so I'd walk.) Now I need a vehicle that's economical, can carry stuff, and isn't afraid to get dirty. The Accent is a hatchback, and with the rear seat out, I've carried lumber, insulation, mulch, hay, etc. (Hence the recent handyman videos.) Eventually I'd like to get a S-10, Tacoma, or Subaru wagon. Peace! :)

[frank46N2]

@brcfan1971 Believe me, I was not happy about losing the Monte, but I had to. Choice between owning a $20k car that needs premium & gets only 17 mpg, or owning a house for $15k. I was paying $900/mo for an apt + $200 car payments, so I decided to get the house bc it's cheaper ($500 property rent + $200 mortgage.) I owed $8k on the Monte, the trade-in value was $12k, and the Hyundai was $4k, so by trading the Monte I got out of debt instantly and got the Hyundai for free ...and it gets 43 mpg!

[brcfan1971]

I would've kept the Monte SS over the house. I have an 06 3LT, and would NEVER trade it for anything. good luck w/the house.