I was raised to pay my own way–got a paper route when I was 12 and have been working steadily (for the most part) ever since. I really don’t view them as mistakes, since it didn’t cost me anything but money, but more as life lessons. Kind of like common sense or “street smarts”; things you can never learn from a book.

My first 2 cars were the same way. The maintenance and repairs cost more than what I paid for them. Only difference was, I hated mine with a passion!

My first car was a beat up, oxidized 1986 Pontiac Sunbird (this was in 1995). Then I had a 1993 Geo Storm (in 1997) that wouldn’t move even I was going downhill. Believe me, I would have love to get a brand new car for my first one, regardless of make!

I bought an used (very used) car and I thought spending $1700 was not too bad for a car. But with it came probably $1500 in repairs, plus insurance, gas and maintenance, and now parking while at university. I love that car but it would be cheaper to not have her around.