Whether it's a luxury sedan or a brand new SUV, cars are often the number one wealth killer.

無論是豪華轎車還是全新越野車，汽車往往是頭號財富殺手。

The primary reason is that they are a rapidly depreciating asset that declines in value over time, yet many people still splurge on them, often far beyond what they can actually afford.

主要原因是它們是一種快速貶值的資產，其價值會隨著時間的推移而下降，但許多人仍然在它們身上大肆揮霍，往往遠遠超出了他們的實際承受能力。

In fact, the three biggest expenses most people face are their housing, cars and taxes.

事實上，大多數人面臨的三大支出是住房、汽車和稅收。

While housing and taxes are often fixed or difficult to reduce significantly based on where you live, your car is a discretionary expense that can either set you up for financial success or push you further into debt.

住房和稅費通常是固定的，或者根據居住地的不同很難大幅降低，而汽車則是一項可自由支配的開支，它既可以讓您在財務上取得成功，也可以讓您陷入更深的債務泥潭。

In today's video, I'm going to break down why cars can be such a financial trap and what you can do about it.

在今天的視頻中，我將分析汽車為何會成為金融陷阱，以及您可以做些什麼。

Number one, the true cost of owning a car.

第一，擁有汽車的真實成本。

Let's start by looking at the actual cost of owning a car.

我們先來看看擁有一輛汽車的實際成本。

This isn't just about the sticker price you see at the dealership.

這不僅僅是你在車行看到的貼紙價格。

It's about everything that goes along with it.

這是關於與之相關的一切。

Leasing or financing payments, taxes, insurance, fuel repairs, and maintenance, and the list goes on and on.

租賃或融資付款、稅費、保險、燃油維修和保養，等等，不一而足。

The reality is the average car owner spends a substantial amount each month on their vehicle, often without even realizing how much it's eating into their potential savings.

現實情況是，普通車主每個月都要在汽車上花費一筆不小的開支，而且往往沒有意識到這筆開支正在侵蝕他們的潛在儲蓄。

In fact, the average cost of owning a car in Canada is $1,300 per month.

事實上，在加拿大擁有一輛汽車的平均成本為每月 1,300 加元。

That is over $15,600 per year.

每年超過 15 600 美元。

Similarly, the average cost of owning a car in the U S is $1,015 per month or $12,182 per year.

同樣，在美國擁有一輛汽車的平均成本為每月 1 015 美元或每年 12 182 美元。

Now I'd be the first to admit that I've always wanted a Jeep and I even did the calculations to see if it would be worth it.

現在我第一個承認，我一直想要一輛吉普車，我甚至計算過是否值得。

If you're curious, I will link the video over here.

如果你們好奇，我會把視頻鏈接到這裡。

While I can technically buy in cash, I've decided to invest any savings into my FIRE goals instead.

雖然從技術上講，我可以用現金購買，但我決定把節省下來的錢投資到我的 "退休 "目標上。

FIRE being financial independence, retire early.

FIRE 即財務獨立，提前退休。

For now, I'm perfectly content driving a fully paid off car that's been in my family for over 15 years.

現在，我很滿足於開著一輛已經付清全部車款的車，這輛車在我家已經開了 15 年多了。

Fortunately, I work from home and I live in a convenient location so I don't find myself needing a car on a day to day basis, but I would like a new car that's made to go off-roading and camping for recreational use.

幸運的是，我在家工作，而且我住的地方交通便利，所以我不覺得自己每天都需要用車，但我想買一輛新車，用於越野和露營休閒。

If you ever see me behind the wheels of a Jeep, you'll know that I've officially made it.

如果你看到我駕駛吉普車，你就會知道我已經正式成功了。

Consider whether you even need a car.

考慮一下你是否需要一輛車。

Before diving into car ownership, ask yourself if you even need a car in the first place.

在開始擁有汽車之前，先問問自己是否需要一輛汽車。

Public transportation can be a game changer, especially if you live in a city with a reliable transit system.

公共交通可以改變遊戲規則，尤其是如果您居住的城市擁有可靠的公交系統。

Personally, I didn't even have access to a car until I was 30 years old and it wasn't even an issue because I prioritize living in more convenient locations.

就我個人而言，直到 30 歲我才有了一輛車，這根本不是問題，因為我優先考慮住在更方便的地方。

In fact, I'd rather pay a little bit more for housing and save on transportation costs.

事實上，我寧願多付一點房租，節省交通費用。

This not only saves you time, but increases the quality of your life since you can avoid being stuck in traffic every single day.

這不僅節省了您的時間，還提高了您的生活品質，因為您可以避免每天都堵在路上。

Living close to work or amenities doesn't just save time.

住在工作或生活設施附近不僅能節省時間。

It's an excuse to get some exercise in as well.

這也是一個鍛鍊身體的藉口。

You could choose to walk or even bike to work.

您可以選擇步行，甚至騎自行車上班。

I remember when I lived and worked in downtown, I would walk from one end of downtown Vancouver called English Bay to the water front station on the other side of downtown every day, twice a day, rain or shine.

記得我在市中心生活和工作時，每天都會從溫哥華市中心名為英吉利灣的一端走到市中心另一端的水邊車站，一天兩次，風雨無阻。

I was prepared for rainy days by wearing rain boots, carrying an umbrella and keeping a change of shoes at work.

我為雨天做好了準備，穿上雨靴，帶著雨傘，並在工作場所備好換洗的鞋子。

Honestly, I looked forward to my walks.

老實說，我很期待散步。

It was the one time I could reliably have to myself every single day.

這是我每天都能擁有的獨處時間。

Not to mention that I was probably in the best shape of my life back then.

更何況，那時我的身體狀況可能是我一生中最好的。

Another option is to consider using carpooling or ride sharing services like Uber or Lyft, which can be far more cost effective than owning a car.

另一個選擇是考慮使用拼車或 Uber 或 Lyft 等合乘服務，這可能比擁有一輛車更划算。

You could just be spending $100 to $200 a month for the days that you actually need a car compared to the $1,300 in monthly expenses that come with car ownership.

與擁有汽車所帶來的每月 1,300 美元的開支相比，您可能只需在實際需要用車的日子裡每月花費 100 到 200 美元。

Plus I personally hate dealing with parking and using these alternatives mean that you can avoid that hassle altogether while saving money.

另外，我個人非常討厭處理停車問題，使用這些替代方案意味著您可以完全避免這種麻煩，同時還能省錢。

Three, buying a used car.

三是購買二手車。

Now I understand that sometimes a car is a necessity, especially if you need it to get to work or run errands in a suburban area with poor public transportation.

現在我明白了，有時汽車是必需品，尤其是當你需要用它來上班或在公共交通不發達的郊區跑腿時。

If you decided that you do need a car, consider buying a used car instead.

如果您決定需要一輛車，可以考慮購買一輛二手車。

According to auto trader, the sweet spot is four to six year old vehicles with less than 50,000 miles or about 80,500 kilometers.

根據汽車交易商的說法，最佳選擇是車齡在四至六年、行駛里程少於 50,000 英里或約 80,500 公里的車輛。

Buying used allows someone else to take the biggest hit on depreciation while you still get a reliable vehicle.

購買二手車可以讓別人承擔最大的折舊損失，而你仍然可以獲得一輛可靠的汽車。

You will save a ton of money compared to buying a brand new car.

與購買一輛全新的汽車相比，您將省下一大筆錢。

In fact, on average, a brand new car loses 20% of its value in the first year.

事實上，一輛全新的汽車在第一年平均會貶值 20%。

And in five years it will be worth only 40% of what you paid for.

五年後，它的價值將只有你所支付的 40%。

So if you bought a new car for $30,000, it will be worth only $24,000 after the first year and only $12,000 after five years.

是以，如果你花 3 萬美元買了一輛新車，第一年後它只值 2.4 萬美元，五年後只值 1.2 萬美元。

Of course, various factors like the make, model, mileage, maintenance, market conditions and accident history are all going to affect the resale value.

當然，品牌、型號、里程、保養、市場狀況和事故記錄等各種因素都會影響轉售價值。

So it depends on the car.

是以，這取決於汽車。

Before buying a car is worth considering whether you can pay it for in cash.

在買車之前，值得考慮是否可以用現金支付。

This helps ensure you're not only overspending and becoming car poor.

這有助於確保您不僅不會超支，也不會成為 "窮車族"。

For example, I have a friend who bought a used red Yaris for a $6,000 in cash and she and her partner recently bought a $1.3 million townhouse in Vancouver.

例如，我有一個朋友用 6000 美元現金買了一輛二手紅色雅力士，她和她的伴侶最近在溫哥華買了一套價值 130 萬美元的聯排別墅。

Although I'm sure she can afford a nicer car.

雖然我相信她買得起更好的車。

She chose to invest in an appreciating asset instead, a home while still driving a reliable vehicle for the opportunity cost of owning a nicer car.

她選擇投資於升值資產，即住房，同時仍然駕駛一輛可靠的汽車，以換取擁有一輛更好汽車的機會成本。

Many people fall into the trap of buying cars that they can't afford mainly because they view it as a status symbol.

許多人之所以會陷入買不起車的陷阱，主要是因為他們將汽車視為身份的象徵。

This is a classic example of lifestyle inflation.

這是生活方式膨脹的典型例子。

When your expenses increase as your income does.

當您的支出隨著收入的增加而增加時。

The problem is that a car is a depreciating asset, meaning it loses value the moment you drive it off the lot.

問題是，汽車是一種貶值資產，也就是說，當你把它開出停車場的那一刻，它就貶值了。

Think what else you can do with that money instead.

想想你還能用這筆錢做些什麼。

For example, the extra three to $400 a month that you are spending on a fancier car can be invested in the stock market over 20 years that could grow into a substantial nest egg, setting you up for a much more comfortable retirement.

例如，每月多花 3 到 400 美元購買一輛更豪華的汽車，20 年後就可以投資於股票市場，從而積累成一筆可觀的財富，為退休後的生活打下更舒適的基礎。

Let's put it into perspective.

讓我們正確看待它。

Let's say that you decided to upgrade to a nicer car every few years for the next 20 years, adding an extra $400 to your monthly expense over that 20 year span.

假設您決定在接下來的 20 年裡，每隔幾年就升級到一輛更好的汽車，那麼在這 20 年裡，您的月支出將增加 400 美元。

That's $96,000 spent on vehicle upgrades alone, which is a prime example of lifestyle inflation eating into your long-term financial goals.

僅車輛升級一項就花費了 9.6 萬美元，這就是生活方式膨脹侵蝕長期財務目標的典型例子。

Now imagine that you save the extra $400 per month and invested in the stock market.

現在設想一下，您每月多存 400 美元，投資於股票市場。

Assuming a rate of return of 7% compounded on a monthly basis, you will have $208,000.

假設按月複利計算的回報率為 7%，您將擁有 20.8 萬美元。

Can you imagine what you can be doing with that amount of money?

你能想象你能用這筆錢做什麼嗎？

Remember that a fancy car is a want, not a need.

請記住，高級，上等車是一種需求，而不是需要。

And most people are what I call car poor.

而大多數人都是我所說的 "窮車族"。

They're pouring money into a car that they can't really afford while neglecting more important financial priorities, like building an emergency fund or saving up for your retirement.

他們把錢都花在了買不起的汽車上，卻忽略了更重要的財務優先事項，比如建立應急基金或為退休儲蓄。

If you want to avoid being car poor, I have just a video for you to check out over here.

如果你想避免成為 "窮車族"，我這裡有一段視頻供你參考。

Five, the importance of regular maintenance.

五是定期維護的重要性。

Even if you own a car, regular maintenance is absolutely crucial.

即使您擁有一輛汽車，定期保養也絕對至關重要。

It's not just about saving money.

這不僅僅是為了省錢。

It's about keeping yourself safe and avoiding catastrophic breakdowns.

這是為了保證自己的安全，避免災難性的故障。

For example, skipping routine oil changes may seem like a small thing, but it could lead to engine failure over time, which can cost you thousands of dollars to fix or even require a full engine replacement.

例如，不按時更換機油看似小事，但時間長了可能會導致發動機故障，從而花費數千美元進行修復，甚至需要更換整個發動機。

Would you rather pay $50 for an oil change now or potentially $5,000 for a new engine later?

你是願意現在花 50 美元換機油，還是願意以後花 5 000 美元換新發動機？

If you neglect your car.

如果您忽視了您的汽車。

So regular upkeep not only extends the life of your vehicle, but also ensures you're not caught off guard by expensive repairs or safety hazards down the road.

是以，定期保養不僅能延長車輛的使用壽命，還能確保您不會因昂貴的維修費用或安全隱患而措手不及。

Not to mention, it also boosts your car's resale value.

更不用說，它還能提高汽車的轉售價值。

When the time comes to sell, a well maintained car will fetch a much higher price than the one that's being neglected.

當需要出售時，保養良好的汽車會比被忽視的汽車賣出更高的價格。

So a little investment in maintenance today could save you thousands down the road and even put extra cash in your pocket when you do decide to sell.

是以，今天在維護方面稍作投資，日後就能為您節省成千上萬的費用，甚至在您決定出售時，還能為您帶來額外的現金收入。

Six, reducing car ownership to the absolute minimum.

六，把汽車擁有量降到最低。

Car ownership is on the rise and many households not only just own one vehicle, but two and even up to three cars.

汽車保有量呈上升趨勢，許多家庭不僅擁有一輛汽車，還擁有兩輛甚至多達三輛汽車。

Most households in the U S around 91.7% have at least one vehicle and 37% have two and 22.1% have three or more.

在美國，約 91.7% 的家庭至少擁有一輛汽車，37% 的家庭擁有兩輛汽車，22.1% 的家庭擁有三輛或更多汽車。

If it's just you and your partner and you have two cars, ask yourself if that's truly necessary, especially in today's economy where remote work is more common.

如果只有你和你的伴侶，而且你們有兩輛車，那麼問問自己這是否真的有必要，尤其是在遠程工作越來越普遍的當今經濟環境下。

And if one of you works from home, it might be manageable to share a single vehicle.

如果你們中有人在家工作，共用一輛車也許還能應付。

While it can be a bit of a hassle to coordinate, consider other options like public transportation and ride sharing, or just planning around who has a vehicle on which days.

雖然協調起來可能有點麻煩，但可以考慮其他選擇，比如公共交通和合乘，或者只是圍繞誰在哪天有車進行規劃。

The savings are undeniable.

節省開支是毋庸置疑的。

Reducing car ownership can save you thousands of dollars per year, which can be redirected to savings or investments.

減少汽車擁有量每年可為您節省數千美元，這些錢可以轉用於儲蓄或投資。

Cars can be a necessity for many, whether it's commuting to work or running errands, especially in areas where public transportation isn't a viable option.

無論是上下班還是跑腿，汽車對很多人來說都是必需品，尤其是在公共交通不發達的地區。

However, it's important to differentiate between a need and a want.

不過，重要的是要區分需要和想要。

While a luxury car may be tempting, it's essential to weigh the longterm financial impact it can have.

雖然豪華車可能很誘人，但必須權衡其可能帶來的長期財務影響。

If you can afford it without sacrificing other financial priorities, that's great.

如果您能在不犧牲其他財務優先事項的情況下負擔得起，那就再好不過了。

But for most people cars can drain resources that could otherwise go towards building wealth or securing retirement.

但對大多數人來說，汽車會耗盡本可用於積累財富或保障退休生活的資源。

Now that you have a clear picture of the financial implications, take some time to reassess your needs before making your next car purchase.

現在，您已經對財務影響有了清晰的認識，在下一次購車前，請花些時間重新評估一下自己的需求。

If you found this video helpful, make sure to like subscribe and check out my other videos on the best ways to go about buying a car.

如果您覺得本視頻對您有幫助，請務必點贊訂閱，並查看我的其他視頻，瞭解買車的最佳方法。

I'll see you guys in the next one.

我們下一次再見。

Bye.

再見。