FAFSA For Real 2025
The time has finally come for my oldest to apply to college. The FAFSA opened on October 1st, and now I have to actually fill it out and verify my years of assumptions. They actually opened…
So I Bought a Rivian
In 2014, My 2003 Honda Accord got rear-ended. I bought my Dad's 2007 Accord from him and have been driving it for the last 11 years. I thought about getting a new vehicle last year and…
So Your Parents are Dead
There's no easy way to talk about death. I love both of my parents, Steve & Liza Szymanski. They wanted the best for my brother and I. I am now face to face with my own…
Another New Car
We ordered and obtained a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV at the start of the pandemic. I wanted to give it the license plate, "VANNA," because it was a white van… We bought it because we saved…
Surprise New Car Winner
After all my research, I realized that my oldest child would drive a car—a brand-new 2025 Toyota Camry. We started looking at affordable SUVs and realized there was no strong need for an SUV anytime soon.…
Entry-Level Electric Vehicle Driving Options
I have been a fan of electric vehicles for a while. While you shouldn't ditch your new ICE car to get one, I have a 17-year-old Accord that announces itself loudly when going in reverse. I…
Best Hybrid SUV Under $32K
$32K is an arbitrary number, but it keeps things under $35K with taxes and fees, and that's where we want to be. I previously looked at all cars under $32K. Now, we will look at "entry-level"…
2025 Entry-Level Hybrids: Civic vs. Corolla vs. Elantra
As I continue looking for a new car for my oldest, I want to compare the top companies that offer hybrids at their entry level. Kia is replacing the Forte with the K4, which does not…
Top Reviewed Vehicles under $32,000
I queried carsheet.io for all vehicles under $32,000 MSRP. Then, I aggregated the reviews for each vehicle from Car and Driver, Edmunds, Motor Trend, and Kelley Blue Book. I removed the lowest score and averaged the…
Starting the Search for an Affordable New Car
Our oldest will be turning 16 in a month, and what better way to celebrate than getting them a new car? Like, an actual new car. But what is out there? What does "affordable" mean? My…