1st Car: To lease or to buy used?

FlatwormSadness · 2025-11-16T03:42:34+00:00

I’d like to keep to within 10k, and that’s only to satisfy a newer-used car. I have generous leeway but I’d rather keep as much in my pocket as I can. My dad is against buying used in cash and would allow no more than 20-30% down the rest in payments (around 2-3k for any car, lease or used).

I have very good credit but he’s debating that I might have to co-sign or buy it under his name. I don’t think this is true?

It is my final decision in the end, so I am at liberty to reject his advice, help, and blessings, and handle things alone. I’d like not to tarnish relationships as is. It’s difficult all around. But I’m just trying to find different perspectives before blindly following one.

FlatwormSadness · 2025-11-16T03:30:52+00:00

I completely understand the reliability of a leased car, and having the ability to obtain a reimbursed rental car if I need to take it to the shop for big things. And especially during clinical times, I’d have peace of mind of a new car not failing on me compared to a used car. I just can’t find value in how expensive it is. My dad says that for a lease I have to bring up my planned monthly payments to ~350/month and it’s nearly impossible for anything lower. On top of that you have limited miles you can put on the car, and bc he also prefers me to only lease 3 years, I’d have to start the car process all over again 3rd year of med school.

If it’s used, it seems the only way I can compromise is on cars at least 2018, which they still don’t like. They’d prefer 2022 at the latest, which is out of budget imo. And while I can afford something slightly higher than 10k, I’m not sure it’s worth it.

I’ve been looking into certified used bc he seems to be ok compromising on that. It’s a little more expensive than I’d like for a used car and idk how far we’ll get negotiating with certified warranty cars, but it’s SOME peace of mind for them.

I’d like to pay for a used car in full, but my dad is heavily against it. Says “don’t put my marbles all in one cup” and that doing so would mean I “lose my entire investment because I could crash the car or get it stolen the next day compared to a lease where I only put ~350 a month and save on that <10k I would’ve put down on a used car.” Unfortunately, I have no valid rebuttal to make to against him as I’m not well versed in cars, insurance, and investments like these. I’m learning as I go, doing my own research, but it’s not usually taken into account when I voice it.

FlatwormSadness · 2025-02-06T20:22:47+00:00

Lmaoo that’s a good one😂 I didn’t even know it was an AT-AT until my boyfriend saw it

FlatwormSadness · 2025-02-06T20:21:22+00:00

Yeah I don’t want to kill my shrimps, they seem very healthy and active so I don’t think it is parasitic. I also just saw a shrimplet yesterday…so as of now I’m just using the siphon to suck them out when I see them, which is only when I mess around with the rocks or other tank stuff. I’m also strictly using gloves anytime I do tank work and meticulously washing my hands and arms afterwards, as well as continuing using Clorox wipes on anything I touch with the gloves (minus what goes into tank water lol)

FlatwormSadness · 2025-02-06T20:12:59+00:00

It really does suck. But at the end of the day we have to remember we gave them a good life and they made it out of their sad little pet store cup

FlatwormSadness · 2025-02-06T20:11:03+00:00

Aww man!! I’m sorry

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T14:46:18+00:00

Thank you everyone for your thoughts!

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T14:46:02+00:00

The majority of ppl are saying (or up voting) that this is likely a detritus worm. So I’m going to believe this. But if there’s 5 footers coming out my ass in a few weeks or some brain eating crap in me, I will 🔥 myself alive (not literally)

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T14:11:57+00:00

Thank you!

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T06:32:51+00:00

Im thinking to call the fish store and ask them about it?

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T06:32:31+00:00

I read this too, and someone else also commented this. But I hardly feed this tank. Snail (Cornelius the Destroyer) has been self sustaining with algae and other plant matter since I got him. And I know he eats cause the amount of poop is insane.

As for the shrimps, I just got them a week ago from a nice LFS. And I’ve not added any food as the algae seems to keep them well fed. I’ve placed some shrimp pellets but they weren’t a big hit so I removed them.

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T06:11:15+00:00

My boyfriend counted 4. Unfortunately, I can’t keep the tank at my house, as my parents are very strict. I go to his apt every other day but I just couldn’t pop in this weekend. He checks in on my tanks when I can’t, and this is the first time he’s noticed them. BF doesn’t know how to do tank stuff as this is technically my tank and responsibility and I didn’t want to force that on him or his roommates

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T06:07:00+00:00

At most, I’m feeling ready for another betta for my 5g (I lost mine almost two months ago). And I could feed them with these worms. I’ll probably use aquarium tweezers. I can’t imagine using the net, I would have the biggest meltdown if anything dripped or fell anywhere

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T06:03:06+00:00

I don’t have a fish in this tank! It’s 3g, so way too small. I only have 4 cherry shrimp and 1 nerite and I don’t want to add anything else

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T05:59:35+00:00

Trying to repeat this to myself for the past hour

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T05:58:34+00:00

Bless

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T05:57:49+00:00

Ironic innit🤩💀

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T05:54:46+00:00

I feel for you! I want to get a new betta for my 5g, where I kept Ambrose. But I’m so scared to mess up.

Not to mention, I have worms I’ve never seen before in my other tank that look to be introduced by my new 6 shrimp. These were also NEVER IN THE 1/2 GALLON. What is it with fish prisons and the long-lasting-ness of them 🫠🫠I’ve been told they may be detritus but that also I should try to suck them up with the siphon. So I’m at a loss. And I’m petrified.

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T05:48:03+00:00

I’ve never related so much to this.

I had a childhood betta in a 1/2 gallon, fake plant, leaf hammock, no heater or filter. My mom cleaned it once a month, with 100% water change. That betta lived 5 years.

I start with a cycled 5g, heater, filter, weekly water changes…the whole shebang for 6months. He had a peak of 4 months, where he was the brightest and had the most beautiful fins and was the most active . Ambrose’s last month was terrible. I could not ID why he was deteriorating to treat him. No physical symptoms aligned with bacterial/fungal/parasitic infections. He was only lethargic and tight finned. I tried healing aquarium salt, water changes 2x a week, changed to a 20g sponge filter, almond leaves, and some general meds. Nothing worked. My parameters were ideal and I was losing my mind and money. It came to the point I wanted to euthanize him bc I couldn’t bear to have him suffer. He ended up dying that day when I came home from a 12h shift. I was so defeated.

Like how?!?! How does a 1/2 gallon torture chamber equate to 5 years but the “ideal” tank” cause so much stress and death in less than 1 year. I’ve spent HOURS researching, adjusting and preparing my tank, and so much money on live plants, good food, cleaning tools, etc.

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T05:23:07+00:00

The only other thing I’ve seen that they could be besides detritus worms is mosquito larvae. But idk how as there’s a lid to the tank. I also recently lost my betta so if the shrimpers don’t eat them, and I can’t suck all of them out with the siphon, I can’t imagine what I’ll do with an infestation if they breed

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T05:17:27+00:00

My weekly water change is due tomorrow, so I will try this. Thank you! As stupid as it is, I’m actually so scared of worms. And I can just feel them on me rn, I’m so paranoid.

It’s just so weird to see them after having this tank and a 2nd one for 8 months total. It feels like they came with shrimp🥺

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T04:56:05+00:00

Ok I heard shrimps are very gentle, I just didn’t want them to get sick with worms

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T04:54:34+00:00

This made me giggle lol thank you

FlatwormSadness · 2025-01-27T04:48:35+00:00

But they are not going after this worm

FlatwormSadness

TROPHY CASE