If you don&#x27;t live in a state where insurance is absurdly expensive, don&#x27;t live somewhere gas is absurdly expensive that is also very spread out (California, Alaska) and aren&#x27;t insistent upon driving something new you can easily have a reliably car for under $3k or even under $2k and drive it for ~$500&#x2F;yr in various fees (insurance) before gas.  Add in a $120 set of tires and rims every other year (because you don&#x27;t buy new, you buy used).  If you live in a blue collar neighborhood maintenance usually costs next to nothing because you trade services with your neighbors or church congregation or have relatives or close friends that will do things at cost.<p>If you&#x27;re not trying to visibly live the suburban upper middle class lifestyle personal freedom of movement can be had relatively cheaply.