Pre-order Tyler's book, Real Wealth, at tyler.gardner.com/book and be eligible for all monthly incentives between now and December 1st!
And as always, a MASSIVE thank you to this week's sponsors:
Wispr Flow: → wisprflow.ai/tyler for one free month of Wispr Flow Pro free! (And to make your life immensely more efficient.)
Copilot Money: → www.copilot.money/tyler — use code TYLER2 for two free months and find out why my entire finance-friend group chat uses Copilot Money daily.
Bilt: → joinbilt.com/tyler to see which credit card is right for you and to start getting rewarded for your biggest annual expense: your rent or mortgage!
Fabric: → meetfabric.com/tyler because if ANYONE depends on your income, getting term life needs to be moved to the top of your priority list today.
And on to the show notes!
The average American spends roughly $12,000 per year on their car.
For many people, that’s more than they invest.
In this episode, Tyler breaks down the real cost of car ownership — not just the sticker price, but the hidden financial drag of depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
Because most people buy cars emotionally… and only look at the math afterward.
In this episode, Tyler covers:
Why the monthly payment is the least important number in a car purchase
The true long-term cost of luxury cars, trucks, and financed EVs
Why used Toyotas and Hondas dominate on total cost of ownership
The financial trap of buying older German luxury cars out of warranty
Why a financed Tesla can be far more expensive than people realize
The surprising math behind the Toyota Prius and Corolla
Why “boring” cars quietly create wealth over time
The difference between a vehicle as a tool vs. a lifestyle purchase
Tyler also explains why he believes people should stop optimizing every dollar purely for efficiency.
Because personal finance isn’t about removing joy from your life.
It’s about being intentional enough to know which things are genuinely worth spending on — and cutting ruthlessly everywhere else.
The episode ends with Tyler revealing the one category where he knowingly ignores his own financial advice:
A brand-new GMC Sierra Denali.
Not because it’s the best financial decision.
Because it’s the thing he genuinely loves.
The core idea:
Don’t spend blindly. But don’t optimize the humanity out of your life either.
Know your “no’s.”
Then spend unapologetically on your “yes.”
If the show’s been helpful, leaving a quick review on Apple or Spotify genuinely helps.
Hope this gives you something to think about this week.
