One of my friends asked me how I could, "afford to keep buying those five thousand dollar Nikons?" and I looked at him and said, "Do you see the CAR I drive?" (It was a modest Chrysler sedan at that time.) I followeD up with, "How much did you spend on that truck sitting in the driveway?" His answer was ,"Twenty-seven five, plus a little more for tires and wheels." ($27,500 + 3,000)
"Well, there's you answer," I said.
"Huh...." he nodded slowly, "huh."
Everything in life is a matter of priorities. I've long driven very modest used cars that I payed for, up front, entirely in cash. I've NEVER, ever had a car payment in my life. When you find a motivated seller, big stacks of $20 bills make the asking price go wayyyyyyyyyy down. Psychologically, a few thousand dollars in twenties looks like a fortune to a seller in need.