What a 2010 Paint Job Taught Me About Investing (Yes, Really)

What a 2010 Paint Job Taught Me About Investing (Yes, Really)

You know what’s been paid off for 7 years? My car. Yep, that same ol’ 2010 I drive around town. And guess what? I just gave it a fresh paint job and its first real wash in a long time. Why? Because it’s been good to me—and when something treats you right, you treat it right back.

Now, don’t get it twisted—I’m not here to sell you car polish. I’m here to talk about real estate and wealth-building. And how the way you treat your car might say a lot about how you treat your financial future.

Here’s the truth: Cars aren’t assets—they’re liabilities. The second you drive one off the lot, its value drops faster than your motivation on a Monday morning. And yet, too many young investors blow their first big check on a flashy car instead of building real, lasting income.

Meanwhile, in the time I’ve owned that car, I’ve bought at least 10 properties. No car payment. No flexing. Just consistent investing, month after month. And those properties? They pay me. They grow in value. They build wealth. My car? It gets me from A to B—and I appreciate it for that—but it’s not making me any richer.

Why Most People Get It Backward

Let’s break down how most people think when they come into money:

1. They want validation. So they buy a car that “proves” they made it.

2. They want convenience. So they sign up for a $700/month car payment.

3. They want status. So they lease something shiny that depreciates fast.

It feels good for a minute. You get compliments. Maybe a few head turns. But then the monthly payments start to bite. Insurance is high. Maintenance is no joke. And worst of all—you’re stuck in a cycle of spending that eats your future.

Now compare that to someone who puts that same money into real estate:

• That $700/month car payment? Could’ve covered a mortgage on a cash-flowing duplex.

• That $10K down payment on a luxury ride? Could’ve been the down payment on your first rental.

• Trying to impress people? Focus on impressing your future bank account instead.

Assets vs. Liabilities: A Simple Lesson

This is basic Rich Dad, Poor Dad stuff, but it needs repeating:

• An asset puts money in your pocket.

• A liability takes money out.

Cars? Pure liability. Properties? If done right, consistent assets.

Think about it like this: If I had taken the money I saved from not having a car payment over 7 years and just let it sit—that’s over $58,000 saved. If I had invested that into rental properties? We’re talking about $150K+ in equity, passive income, and leverage opportunities.

The 2010 Isn’t Just a Car

Let’s talk about this car for a second. It’s a symbol. It’s not the flashiest thing on the road, but it’s mine. It’s a reminder that I’ve chosen delayed gratification over quick dopamine.

Every time I get in it, I smile. Not because it’s luxurious, but because I know the freedom it represents. I’ve bought and sold over 3,500 properties. I run multiple companies. I could drive just about anything. But I still keep the 2010 around. It’s a reminder: discipline > desire.

And hey, I did give it a fresh paint job and a nice wash. Why? Because I respect the things that got me here. That car never let me down. And it cost me nothing in interest, stress, or status games.

What You Could Be Driving Instead

Let me ask you something: If you’re spending $600-$800 a month on a car, what are you not doing?

• Not building a real estate portfolio

• Not buying that first fixer-upper

• Not investing in mentorship or courses

• Not growing your passive income

You’re literally driving away from your future.

Let’s do some math:

• $700/month over 5 years = $42,000

• A typical FHA loan requires ~3.5% down. That’s enough to buy a $300,000 property.

• That property? If rented smart, could cash flow $400-$600/month and appreciate over time.

You tell me what’s smarter.

What I Did Instead

While most of my peers were trying to look successful, I was busy becoming successful. Here’s what I did instead of buying new cars:

• I house hacked. Lived in one unit, rented out the others.

• I bought properties creatively—Subject-To deals, wraparound mortgages, seller financing.

• I reinvested every extra dollar back into real estate.

• I learned to live simply and let my investments do the flexing.

By the time most people were on their second leased BMW, I had 10 rentals paying me monthly.

But Jorge, I Love Cars…

I get it. I do too. And you can have the Lambo. You can have the Range. Just don’t buy it with active income. Buy it with your passive income. When your properties can pay for your lifestyle, you’ve won the game.

But until then? Stay humble. Drive the 2010. Or better yet, drive whatever’s paid off and reliable. Use the savings to build something that outlives a timing belt.

Final Thoughts

Cars are great. They’re useful. They can even be fun. But they’re not wealth builders. They’re wealth consumers.

If you’re young and thinking about how to start investing, start with this mindset shift:

• Invest first, flex later.

• Delay gratification now, live free forever.

• Make your money work harder than you do.

That 2010 with the new paint? It might not get the most attention. But behind it are 10 properties, a thriving business, and a life built on smart decisions.

And that, my friends, is the real flex.

Keep it consistent, stay patient, stay true—if I did it, so can you! Ready to connect and strategize? Contact me at http://graystoneig.com/ceo – Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group & its subsidiary companies and Coach at Property Profit Academy.

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