It's funny how each and every time I talk to my father on the phone, he brings up... sometimes subtly, sometimes not so much... that I need a new car.

We really don't talk that often, so I would hope we could have one conversation without it coming up.

Sure, there are plenty of cars I wouldn't mind having. The Pontiac Solstice is rather sexy! Then, there's the Chrysler Crossfires, the VW Jettas... both of which hold a bit of my desire.

However, just because he has maintained a car payment for the entirety of his adult life... that doesn't mean I'm about to. I've managed to go my entire adult life without one, and personally, I'd like to keep it that way. Why does having a nice car and a hefty car loan symbolize "status" to these people?

At this point in my life, now is not the time to invest in a depreciating asset like an automobile. No matter how "hot" it is. I'd much rather invest in something like a rental house...

Besides, I've been rather fortunate in always managing to have very reliable cars. Granted, older cars begin to require more maintenance... and this year was particularly hard on my pocketbook, but I'm finding that is the exception with my 17-year-old gem... not the rule.

Am I opposed to getting a car loan down the road? Not at all... but I'll only do it when I have enough passive income to cover the payment, and only after it is already covering the house payment and other bills.

Until then, I have no interest in getting upside down in a car loan.

But, can I tell him that? No. To my family making a real estate investment is too risky and too much work and goes against the so-called "rules" of being a good "employee."

Which is precisely why we don't converse often. One thing I've learned in the last year is that having people try to poison your well of dreams is unhealthy.

So true!

So, someday I'll get a new car. Hell, someday I'll probably treat myself to a Lotus!

Not today.

What i'm listening to:

Don't Stop Now
Emmy Rossum
Inside Out