This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Many will do whatever they have to do to drive that new car
I’ve worked in the fast food industry.
It’s a darn great work experience to have.
Not only does it help develop a solid work ethic, communication, leadership, and empathy skills – not to mention humility.
I have zero regrets about working in the food industry, and I would do it again because of all the lessons I learned.
Recently, I saw a fast food worker jump in their car on their way to work, and I noticed their car was significantly nicer than mine.
I’m genuinely happy for them.
However, I wonder, if someone else didn’t buy that car for them, can they afford it?
Maybe they have multiple side gigs, plenty of savings and investments, and just work at a fast-food restaurant for fun, but I doubt this is the case.
I Was Paid Beans In The Fast Food Industry
When I was working in the fast food industry, I was making below-modest wages, which is why I had three other jobs, not including my entrepreneurial jobs.
Fast food did not pay me well for my time; this was definitely a time in my life when I was trading significant time for money, but it provided me with invaluable life lessons I needed to learn.
Most people working in the industry earn less than $15/hour, which is very generous and not the most common wage.
Most People Buy Cars They Can’t Afford
Many people are buying cars they can’t afford.
Even if they can’t afford it, they’re determined to “make it work” so they can experience the new car smell high and feels.
They Had Less Than $1k On Their Car, But Still Bought A New One
I went to a car dealership with a friend, who spent time formulating a game plan to make the new car payment work.
Their credit wasn’t good, they barely had savings, they weren’t making a down payment, and they hadn’t paid off their last vehicle.
Still, they felt it necessary to get a brand new 30+ thousand dollar car instead of keeping their current one, which had less than $1,000 to pay off.
We’re Addicted To Cars
Our society is more remote than ever, public transportation, Uber, and Lyft are things of the present, and many of us have access to more than one-car households.
Why are we wasting money on buying new and used cars that we don’t need?
What long-term benefit will they provide aside from burning our bank accounts monthly with an overpriced car note?
It’s not worth it – especially if you can’t afford it.
If you’re earning an average income, don’t have any savings, and have debt, you don’t need a new or used car. What you need is to get your finances in order.
There will never be anything wrong with buying a new car when you have money to blow, but if your financial situation doesn’t look like this, maybe you can wait on buying that car and instead invest in your financial future.
Always play the long game.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.