Vroom Vroom

A car. Buying your own car. In every teen movie ever to be written, buying a car was the epitome of becoming independent and being an adult. Being able to buy something that was such a major part of your life, that you used almost every day... what could be cooler?

For many in our generation, hand-me-down cars happen to be the new thing. For myself, I had my dads old car then my moms old car. It was exciting, but I knew I didn't have the same excited self accomplishment felt by my friends who happened to buy their own. 

For my friend EJ, I remember her discussing that she had wanted a car for almost the whole time I knew her in college. Ever since she entered college I remember her excitement to purchase her own car. 

How did you decide you wanted to go forth in this purchase?
I had been on the look out to buy a new car for basically a year. I had looked into other cars, but this one was definitely the best deal and it was the best car. 

Do you set a budget for spending on this type of stuff? Did you change your spending budget after this purchase?

I had a budget. I’ve been saving money for years. I knew I didn’t want to spend all my savings but I wanted to buy a car that would last me a while. So I wanted to save enough so that I could afford a good car. And no, my spending budget hasn’t changed since then. 

Have you forgone participating in other activities or purchasing other items in order to purchase this/these item(s)?

I haven’t foregone participating on other activities, but whenever I had the chance to buy something for fun, I always would ask myself whether or not I actually needed it. And usually when I thought about it, I didn’t need it. So I saved my money. 

How much would you say your spending habits changed while in college?
(1-Not at all, exactly the same as before college. 10- It has done a complete 180 and I spend much differently)
Why?

I would say I am a 5. I have had to take on many more financial responsabilities so my spending habits have changed. I would say it’s much easier for me to justify buying something I don’t necessarily need because I have a job and have an income. 

Do you think you will you continue to spend the same after college?

I think I will try and be smarter about my spending after college, but I don’t really know how realistic it is for my spending habit to change a lot unless it really is a priority. 

The idea of saving was something that EJ did quite a bit of. It wasn't simply saving for a new expensive sweater or a new fly rod, it is thousands of dollars. Was it simply the fact that it was more important or was it the fact that it was so important? 

I wonder if the importance of the item and the fact that it satisfies Maslow's safety aspect, but I guess we could only know with further questioning. I do find it quite intriguing that she didn't really budget or change many habits after. Does this depend on the person or is the nature of the object? Again, I may only find out after further question or even analysis.