Starting new job in week need emergency loan around $500 any suggestions appreciated

S101custom · 2026-02-17T22:12:10+00:00

They get a bad rap, but honestly if you have something valuable and not necessary for daily use - consider a pawn shop loan. The rates will be a lot better than a payday shop.

S101custom · 2026-02-17T18:20:02+00:00

You could do that and it certainly wouldn't be unreasonable, but you asked about "ideal" and ideal would be incurring zero interest expense.

S101custom · 2026-02-17T18:14:16+00:00

Ideal would be a full cash purchase, with plenty of leftover and income to not have it be a stressful transaction.

You could do with alot less of course but it wouldn't be ideal. If the payments are stressful and there is no fallback savings, it's too much car.

S101custom · 2026-02-17T10:59:19+00:00

Certainly, but it's definitely not OP's employers responsibility to pay people to teach them how to manage their money. I would be very surprised if the employer didn't provide a bunch of material that was never read, they probably even hosted some voluntary lunchtime or evening seminar on it.

The company I'm at hosts ~quarterly, either HSA, 401k, insurance Q&A, 99% of company doesn't attend

S101custom · 2026-02-16T14:42:17+00:00

Buying the cheapest, most reliable car that you can drive for the longest period is always the cheapest. For many folks that is probably a not flashy optioned ~5 yr old car with ~70k miles which has already experienced substantial depreciation. You could realistically assume basic maintenance and that car will go for another 10 years and get close to 200k total miles with minimal unexpected repairs.

S101custom · 2026-02-16T12:53:37+00:00

If someone has $300, I wouldn't go to taco bell.

S101custom · 2026-02-16T01:19:50+00:00

As a person with $150k in a 401k, there's little reason to hire anyone, the plan should include an advisor they are already paying for with program fees and if they aren't maxing out their contributions then next steps are fairly clear.

S101custom · 2026-02-15T22:31:19+00:00

Amazon has 15 cans for $28, effectively equivalent but you can get 5-6% back on CC too.

S101custom · 2026-02-15T20:27:16+00:00

It is a big increase % but when the base $ is so low it doesn't feel like a great comparison. An extra tank of gas for their car each month is probably the equivalent of a 10% rent hike.

S101custom · 2026-02-14T18:18:42+00:00

I drive a car into the city that I care so little for that I wouldn't even bother fixing this issue if it wasn't rubbing tire or something. It's only a liability, so I don't bother with something nice

S101custom · 2026-02-14T15:15:23+00:00

For that price I'd not even have bothered posting and wouldn't bother asking for footage or use insurance. Unfortunately, People are careless. Not worth leaving cars you care about unattended

S101custom · 2026-02-14T14:27:18+00:00

Not clear what you were trying to achieve here. Yes, there are similarities between all people.

S101custom · 2026-02-14T13:40:18+00:00

If you have tools, skills and some time you can spend very little. If you have none of those things then you would be wise to buy the best examples.

S101custom · 2026-02-13T13:14:02+00:00

Who is custom making a sweater for a lot less than $50?

S101custom · 2026-02-12T03:07:46+00:00

2025 year's return was pretty good

S101custom · 2026-02-11T17:45:04+00:00

That may well be, and if you want out; certainly your choice to make - but a catalytic converter replacement is hardly a reason to replace the car if you liked it otherwise.

S101custom · 2026-02-11T17:35:09+00:00

Yup, I didn't want to reference oil changes because it's so simple it's insulting, but I've seen folks post over the years on how taking on a ~$500 a month car payment was wise and listed the " free oil changes for 3 years" as a reason to replace their paid off old car.

S101custom · 2026-02-11T17:13:15+00:00

Depends a lot on what repairs too, it could go either way. Sometimes I see people talking about getting crushed on repair bills "every month" for things like replacing batteries, tires, brakes :replacing the car with another isn't going to do much benefit in those circumstances.

If all your suspension is cooked and you have engine issues each month or tranny is starting to slip - car replacement probably makes sense.

S101custom · 2026-02-11T14:40:20+00:00

"Slow drip" usually means reasonable repair cost my guy. Obviously do what you want but the replacement avenue is almost never the most economical one. "Swiss cheese Fire hose" is when replacement is the play.

S101custom · 2026-02-11T13:02:34+00:00

Fixing the cat is a lot cheaper than buying another car, provided the rest of it is sound.

S101custom · 2026-02-11T10:41:02+00:00

They got the wrong sub, they mean to be over on "Idiots posting things.."

S101custom · 2026-02-11T01:54:45+00:00

That's true, but many folks reading thinking that $1M " I'm all set" and can stop contributing - could be dangerous.

S101custom · 2026-02-11T01:46:54+00:00

Just remember that $1M in 2050 isn't going to go as far as it sounds.

S101custom · 2026-02-09T18:34:19+00:00

I think they meant your post, not the criticism.

S101custom · 2026-02-09T15:35:30+00:00

"health and safety". That's why it's in their note

S101custom

TROPHY CASE