Accountant Explains the Real Cost of Cars

Описание: How much does owning a car really cost — and can you actually afford it?
In this video, I’ll show you how to calculate your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) — including depreciation, insurance, and hidden costs most people ignore.
I’ll also walk through the most common car affordability “rules,” explain why many don’t hold up today, and share why in some cases… the smartest financial decision might be not owning a car at all.

I’m not a financial advisor — I’m a Finance Director sharing how I evaluate big spending decisions using numbers, logic, and experience.
All figures are for demonstration and educational purposes only.

What you’ll learn

How to calculate the true cost of car ownership (TCO)

Why 25–35%, 20/4/10, and other rules can mislead

The psychology behind “monthly payment” thinking

When car ownership becomes a lifestyle cost, not a need

How to think like an accountant before buying any big asset

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro
0:36 – My Car History (£5k → £50k)
6:29 – How to Calculate True Cost of Ownership (TCO)
7:05 – 25–35% of Gross Salary Rule
8:00 – less than 60% of Net Salary (Fixed Cost Rule)
9:15 – 20/4/10 Rule
12:16 – Buying Outright – Pros & Cons
13:44 – What I’m Doing Now
14:48 – When Doing Nothing Is the Best Option
15:47 – Summary & Key Lessons

Disclaimer

This video is for educational purposes only and reflects my professional opinion as a Finance Director, not as a financial advisor.
The figures and examples shown are simplified for illustration — always run your own numbers before making financial decisions.

Hashtags

#CarCosts #FinanceDirector #PersonalFinance #MoneyHabits #FinancialEducation #TCO #CarFinance #WealthBuilding #MoneyMindset #FinanceOpsLab