Jan 30 2009
$1,028
What does $1,028 mean to you? Do you think of it as a percentage of your income? Do you think about it against the $818 billion government stimulus package? Or, do you imagine it in stacks in front of a wide-eyed homeless person on the street? In terms of how much money exists in the world, $1,028 is not a lot of money. But here is what it will buy me: 1) Reliable transportation for at least the next 6-8 months 2) The pleasure of driving around in a cool car 3) The comfort of knowing that I am mobile in a city that requires residents to own a car 4) The right to get out of two tickets — one from Ozona, TX and one from Austin, TX. And, if I divide $1,028 by 8 months, that comes out to a transportation fee of approximately $128.50 per month, and that’s way lower than a payment on a new car. And if the car lasts for an entire year, that payment lowers to $86. The car is a 1985 Vovlo 240 GL and the motor is in great shape. If I buy a new car, I will blow way much more money. What would you do: fix the car for $1,028 or buy a new (used) car? Ugh. We’re having a meeting at my office in a half hour. If it seems like I’m going to get layed off, I won’t fix the car. If it looks like I’m keeping my job, I’ll fix the car.
