Paul: Tri-Met costs me $1.75 one way if I need to go 2 zones, but I only spend about $35/month on Tri-Met.
JK: The real cost is about $8.75, and $175, the taxpayers are paying for 80% of your Trimet usage. You are effectively on welfare.

Paul: My car payment was $550/mo.
JK: WOW! You really like to drive in style, don’t you. $550 x 12 = $6600 / year. Save that up for a year and a half and you could get a brand new KIA, with a 5 year guarantee that gets around 30 MPG. Or just buy one and pay under $200/mo. Buy a used one and probably pay close to $100/mo. Sorry to see that you have wasted so much money (My car was paid for many years ago.)

Paul: Gas ~ $200
JK: That should get you 18,000 miles per year at typical mileages - about 70 miles per day – did you live in Gresham and work in Hillsboro?

Paul: Parking ~ $150/mo.
JK: Sounds like another reason to avoid downtown.

Paul: ... I'm 34 and have owned around 12 cars.
JK: 12 cars in 16 years! Simply amazing. The best way to hold down car expenses is to buy a few year old car and drive it for years and years. I am on my 4th car. I assure you that I pay a WHOLE lot less than what you give above.

Thanks
JK