>I want to have that bad ass muscle car that was once an affordable dream of mine now seems almost unachievable. I e been priced out. I have had a lot of toys in my life. I can honestly say wanting is often times far better than having. I've wanted things in the past, worked hard to get them, was often disappointed once I had them. Between sales tax, registration fees, excise, insurance, wear and tear, maintenance, rust, depreciation, gas, etc ... every new toy bleeds your time and money. Some seem well worth it, others not so much. I don't get too excited over buying new cars, hot rods, toys that go like hell anymore. I think of that list of negatives and my new-car-itis or new-toy-itis subsides. I <smdh> when I see a young guy buying a monster quad for $20K+. Put your extra money into appreciating investments that will make money. Upgrades to the house, yard improvements, big vegetable garden. If you come across some extra cash, maybe invest in raw undeveloped land in a great location (do all the homework first). You can sustainably harvest the trees, split off a house lot or two (must have ROW or road frontage) to recoup some of your up front costs, and/or if there is enough land create a subdivision. I worked 24 years as a CS/EE in podunk Maine where engineers generally don't get paid as well as other areas and felt like you do by my 10th year. I continued working hard, got great reviews and the usual promotions but felt like I was just getting by. I had a real estate dream to acquire wealth, I studied RE, did all the homework, bought some undeveloped land, quit my job and put everything I had into it. It was a grand slam home run success, I've been retired ever since. If you don't have much RE background or knowledge, maybe becoming a part time real estate agent would teach you the tricks of the trade and reward you well for the time you devote to it. It would put you into the know of what your local market looks like and any properties in the area that meet your needs, and you will be aware of land coming up for sale or about to. What I found after 24 years of CS/EE is that there were easier ways to make significantly more money if you put your engineering mind to it. Real Estate has made more millionaires than any other occupation. Most realtors made it through Algebra and that's about it ... yet they can make 6 figures and more selling real estate.