Smarter Ebay sellers..... nope DUMB Ebay buyers

I wasnt raised dirt poor, but we were a 1 income family growing up in the 60s-and 70s. Mom went back to work full time after i was a bit older. Since we were a single income family my dad always bought used cars, then would detail them up like new, and drive them as long as he could. He bought his first brand new car in 1985. A chrysler fifth ave. He pinched his pennies, and all 3 of us myself and my 2 older brothers were taught to work and save for what we wanted. I learned to work odd jobs as a kid and save my money for anything i wanted.

When i got my first car in 1985. A 68 dodge charger with bad floors, and needing everything for $400 of my own hard earned cash, my dad showed me how to do most of the work on it. He also started me on my love for auto salvage yards. We got an A/C controller for it out of a 68 dodge coronet at the local salvage yard. After that i was hooked. I loved hitting salvage yards for whatever treasures i could find to fix up my charger, and eventually other cars i bought over the years. I have found a lot of good stuff to refurb and reuse at those places over the years. Even bought whole cars to fix and flip for a profit. To this day its still a rush for me to go "junkyarding".

I wanted a house when i was in my late 20s so i scrimped and saved. I did this along with putting money in my 401k for retirement. When i had enough to put about half down i went looking. Found what i wanted in my price range at age 35, and paid it off by age 45. No need to pay on a house till you die. I have bought 3 new vehicles in my lifetime. Still have all 3. Pop taught me at an early age if you take care of your stuff it will last a long time. My first new vehicle is 24 years old and has 160k on it. Still runs and drives like new. My DD is 10 and has 108K i will drive that one till it dies. Heck its payed for too lol.

I look at money as a means to an end, nothing more. I dont get excited about the latest new trinket. I tend to repair stuff instead of just replacing it. I got these values from my dad, as well as my start with mechanical knowledge of cars. These are values i want to pass on to my son. I tried and am trying this with my step daughters but they dont seem to get it. My son however at age 5 seems to be hardwired like me.

Just remember one thing. Life is like a **** sandwich. The more bread you have, the less **** you have to eat.