Financial Fellow

Written by J.P. Wicklein
     Earlier this month I wrote about the “Cash for Clunkers” program through which the federal government will provide eligible buyers up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new car.  Last week Chrysler announced they will match the government’s $4,500 voucher on select models - producing a total discount of $9,000.  [...]

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Written by J.P. Wicklein

In May I wrote about the federal “Cash for Clunkers” program. Through the program, owners of poorer mileage cars could be eligible to receive up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new, higher mileage car. Last month, the “Cash for Clunkers” program was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama. It has been officially re-branded the “Car Allowance Rebate System” (CARS). Here are the details:

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Written by J.P. Wicklein

     The Obama administration and Congressional Democrats are working on the final details of the government’s plan to give you up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new car – when you trade in a qualifying, used car. Here’s how you can qualify under the current plan:

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Written by J.P. Wicklein

     Too often Americans stretch themselves to buy the nicest house they can qualify for, go out of their way to drive a luxury car, or borrow to the hilt just to keep up with the Jones’s. In the process these people place themselves in a situation with few options. They can’t afford to lose their job, stay home with kids, change careers, or retire early. Often, they find themselves worrying or arguing about money. I don’t want to go down that road. I’m willing to forgo many of the trappings of an upper middle class life in exchange for the freedom to make decisions that aren’t driven by money. Here’s how I plan to do it:

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Written by J.P. Wicklein

     Last week Indian car maker, Tata, announced the commercial launch of the new Tata Nano. The Nano, currently available in India only, starts at $2,400. That price point makes it the cheapest, new car in the world. From the looks of it I’d describe the Nano as a poor man’s “Smart Car”. Here are some of the specs: 

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Written by J.P. Wicklein

     Last Monday President Obama signed the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 into law. There’s a substantial amount of aid in the bill that will benefit states and various interest groups. That said the bill also contains a lot for the average American.
 

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