Comments on: The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup: Spring Break Edition

By: WM

WM — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:54:42 +0000

The expense of the vehicle, gas mileage, etc. are all important but when you have young children, their safety is paramount. Not that all cars don’t have to pass minimums but get something with side and head impact air bags, etc. I had a friend who when gas was at $4 a gallon was trying to convince his wife to trade in their SUV for a compact car. She had the kids in the SUV when they happend to get rear-ended at a stoplight by someone going at a high rate of speed. Everyone in her SUV was OK, but he couldn’t get over the thought of what might have happened had he convinced her to move to a compact car.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:15:55 +0000

Eric, when I have sufficient money to throw it away on an American-made piece of crap, I’ll let you know. In the meantime, Detroit has had decades to get their act together and make a good car. They haven’t. I am also personally and philosophically against rewarding poor work and design. All that does is encourage the poor work and design to continue. I don’t see that as a help to anyone!

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:49:57 +0000

Erick, “American made” doesn’t mean what you think it means.

See http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=more&story=amMade

Toyota has two cars in the top ten on that list of most American-made cars. Chrysler has none.

By: Erick

Erick — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:23:14 +0000

Trent, I have heard you mention that you are purchasing a foreign car (possibly a Toyota?). Curious on your thoughts on buying foreign when so many jobs across the US rely on the success of the American auto industry. I believe I heard a stat that as many as 2 jobs out of ten across the US have some connection to the success of this industry. Yes, I am from the Detroit area and yes, I have heard all of the arguments (unions, crappy cars, etc.) but c’mon man, buy American!

By: viola

viola — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:43:19 +0000

The zero percent offers are tempting me to buy a new car instead of used. Unfortunately the car I want is still to expensive new to really justify buying new.

If you’re looking to buy a car under $10k and can wait, then I’d wait until the end of this year. Everyone & their brother is looking to buy these cars a cheaper alternatives & thus they really aren’t that good of a deal right now.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:22:24 +0000

Yeah, it’s too bad good ol’ “W” isn’t still in the White House. After one good day in the stock market he’d declare “Mission Accomplished” and move on to the next screw up. Everybody’s entitled to their opinion, but it’s slightly unfair to judge after 2 months on the job….especially after the 8 years we just endured.

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:55:37 +0000

On Pack-Rattery: When I tidied up after my elderly aunt’s death, here are some of the things I found:

-dead hearing aids of outmoded design, 40-50 years old

-tucked in everywhere — the little postcards that come inside magazines (“because you can always write on them” she used to say)

-piles of the magazines themselves, some 20-30 years old

-drawers full of plastic bags, mostly the kind that come wrapped around linens, new blouses and underwear, etc. — bags that were so old they actually crumbled to dust when I opened the drawer and touched them

Then and there I resolved that those who come after me will not be subjected to that kind of Stuff.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:34:12 +0000

Trent – don’t feel bad about buying new!

When I was looking for a new car recently, the recent model used cars were all extremely expensive – and there weren’t very many to be found. Buying new was so appealing due to the $0 down, 0% interest, especially since the only features I cared about were good gas mileage and an aux jack for my ipod. All of the dealerships near me were so desperate, we were able to get them in a bidding match, and so ended up with a great deal.

By: Frugal Liz

Frugal Liz — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:39:45 +0000

I <3 Barack Obama.

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:38:48 +0000

Have fun!

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:06:18 +0000

@Battra92,

The guy that was in there for the last 8 years is what scared me the most. Things will look up soon and we have the leadership we need at the helm.

By: Do You Dave Ramsey?

Do You Dave Ramsey? — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:44:24 +0000

You’ll have to share more about your visit with your English teacher. That sounds like it’ll be a great visit.

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:29:27 +0000

Wow, that post about frugality and pack-rattery was meant for me :)

By: Brie

Brie — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:43:05 +0000

You might want to reconsider purchasing a well-tested older model rather than being swayed by the lowered prices of new models.

The transmission in my boyfriend’s 2002 Honda Civic recently died on us. Some online research revealed that there has been widespread failure amongst the 2001-2003 Civic transmissions which Honda won’t recall.

The car was purchased new in 2002 before this problem reared it’s ugly head en masse. If he had purchased a 2000 model he could have avoided the mess. And if he had waited a few years before considering the 2002 model he would have been better informed about the transmission issues.

Just another thing to think about!

By: Jennifer J

Jennifer J — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:38:50 +0000

Trent, It was so nice to see your book in Barnes and Noble right as I walked in the front door! I already have your book, but I wanted you to know it was there being featured with the other personal finance books. Good luck with your teacher. It is nice to let people know how much you mean to them.

By: Glblguy

Glblguy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:56:12 +0000

Thanks for including my article Trent. I’ll tell, the right choices are the most difficult ones. I wanted to buy that car for him SOOO bad.

Much like in personal finance though, you have to focus on the long-term goals. Sure, buying it in the short term would have been fun for both of us, but in the long-term, it wouldn’t have been the best thing to do for him.

Parenting is tough!

By: Battra92

Battra92 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:22:34 +0000

The guy in the white house is what scares me the most about the current economy. I was an optimist in October, I’m a pessimist now.

By: CPA Kevin

CPA Kevin — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:20:11 +0000

Sounds like a great week Trent….enjoy!

I can’t wait to enjoy some time off of my own after tax season is over.