I bought my first car while living at home working my way through my city university. It was a $5,900 Mustang with 60,000 miles.

I couldn't have done it unless I consciously made decisions to place me in that scenario. I chose to live at home rather than in a dorm. I chose a local college where I got the in-state rate. I worked a job that paid 100% of my tuition if I worked through contract dates.

All this put me in a position where I could afford the car. Had I lived on campus and didn't work through school, I'd be in the same place so many Americans are in.

I carried this mindset with me after schooling and could slowly get better and better cars with cash.