How Much Car Can You Really Afford? (By Salary)

Are you driving a car you think you can afford… or one that's quietly draining your future?

In this video, we break down exactly how much car you should be buying in 2025 based on your salary — whether you make $40K, $80K, or $150K. We cover smart rules like the 25% guideline and the 20/4/10 strategy, and explain why long loan terms and flashy payments are traps most people don’t see coming.

You'll learn:

How much car you can really afford by income bracket

The real cost of $1,000+ monthly payments

When to lease, finance, or pay cash in 2025

Three simple ways to save thousands on your next car

And why buying the wrong vehicle can cost you over $200,000 long-term

Resources Mentioned:

Edmunds “True Cost to Own” Calculator: https://www.edmunds.com/tco.html

Kelley Blue Book Car Value & Cost Research: https://www.kbb.com

If you're looking to make a smarter decision before stepping onto the dealership lot, this is the video for you.

Just a reminder: I’m not a financial advisor. This video is meant to educate, not tell you what to do with your money. Always do your own research before making financial decisions.

Let me know in the comments — what’s your current car payment, and looking back, would you still buy the same car again?