Lessons From Being Cheap: A Journey of Hard Choices, Sacrifice, and Growth

A year ago, my life took a dramatic turn. It wasn’t a big decision or a plan I made, but rather something that hit me unexpectedly the day my Nissan Rogue’s transmission died. That moment changed everything.

It wasn’t just about losing my car. It was the ripple effect it caused across my life, my work, and my finances. Looking back now, I can see how much I’ve learned, not only about cars but about life, business, and what it really means to sacrifice for something better. Here’s what happened and the lessons I took from it.

The First Lesson: Nothing in Life Is Free

At the moment my car broke down, I was faced with the harsh reality that nothing in life is free  and sometimes, the cheapest option costs you far more in the long run.

I had to get my car towed to a mechanic, but what I quickly discovered was that unless you know someone personally, there’s no such thing as a free towing service. I eventually managed to figure out how to get it moved, but then the next problem emerged: every shop I visited charged around $250 just to diagnose the issue.

I eventually took it to Nissan, where they confirmed that my transmission needed replacing. At that point, I realized that money solves money problems. This wasn’t just a car repair; it was a wake-up call. My car was my lifeline, my source of income, my connection to work, and my way of supporting myself. The idea of spending $10,000 to fix it was overwhelming.

The Breakdown: The True Cost of Being Cheap

Here’s where I took the cheap route. At the time, I was trying to cut corners, and that led me to find a friend of a friend who promised to fix my car for $5,000 instead of the $10,000 quoted by the dealership. The deal sounded too good to pass up  but as you might imagine, it didn’t go as planned.

I sent the car to this mechanic with the hope of resolving my problems. I sent him the report from Nissan and explained the issue in detail, hoping it would lead to a quick fix. They did change the transmission oil, but the problems persisted. I was charged $250 for a service my car didn’t even need.

Then came the realization: the transmission still needed replacing. The mechanic quoted me $5,000, which was a little less than the dealership, but by then, I was already in a deep financial hole. And that’s when I took a huge risk.

Survival Mode: Sacrificing Everything to Keep Going

In a moment of desperation, I took out an auto repair loan using my car as collateral. This was a risky move, but I figured if I could get the car fixed, I could get back to working and earning. But life wasn’t going to make this easy. After signing the loan and waiting, the mechanic kept telling me the car was ready next week. But that “next week” never came.

From April to August, I heard nothing but delays. The mechanic couldn’t find the parts, and every time I followed up, I was met with excuses. Meanwhile, I was struggling with other parts of my life. I had a movie in preproduction, and the reality of having no car to get to work or meetings hit me hard. At one point, it would have cost me $1,600 in Uber rides to get to a single job  a sum I could not afford.

By December, the situation was at a breaking point. I went to check on my car and found it had developed mold. It was in terrible condition. Financially, it had become a nightmare. I was keeping up with loans and credit cards, but I knew something had to give.

The Turning Point: Facing Reality and Finding Strength

At the lowest point, I went to the police for help. They told me it was a civil case, and when I tried to get the courts involved, I realized just how complicated this whole thing had become. All I had was my story and no one seemed to want to help.

But I didn’t give up. By January, I was determined to find a way forward. I learned that when you hit rock bottom, the only way is up. I stayed focused on my goals, on the bigger picture, and on what was truly important to me.

The Lesson: Understanding Value and Growth

In the end, I got my car back in April 2025 but the damage was done. The car still needed cleaning, the loans remained, and my finances were shot. However, through all this, I learned invaluable lessons about business, trust, and personal growth.

The biggest takeaway? The “cheap” option isn’t always the best choice. In business, when you offer a service, you have to deliver on that promise and charge what you’re worth. People need that service for a reason, and when they trust you, they expect to get value. Cutting corners or taking shortcuts often ends up costing you more in the long run both financially and emotionally.

What I Would Tell Others

If you’re thinking about going the cheap route whether it’s in business, relationships, or life choices I’d urge you to reconsider. The lesson I learned is simple: pay for quality, and invest in yourself. The cheap option might save you a little money now, but in the end, it can cost you much more than you ever imagined.

And most importantly, remember that when you’re faced with tough decisions, sometimes the best thing you can do is bet on yourself. Don’t settle for what’s easy, settle for what’s right. Your future self will thank you.

Thanks for reading. I hope this story resonates with anyone who’s struggled with tough choices and found strength in the process. If you’ve been through a similar experience, feel free to share your thoughts we’re all in this together.