Call Your Uncle

Uncle Mitch standing in his driveway in front of an open garage

Meet Uncle Mitch

Every family has one. Now you do too.

He's the one you call before you buy. He reads every line of the paperwork, asks the questions you didn't know to ask, and tells you straight when a deal is good and when it's time to walk.

50+cars owned, and he still does his own work on them.
SalesSold, bought and financed cars at a major dealership. He's sat on the other side of the desk.
ClaimsWorked as an insurance adjuster, so he knows what collision damage, totaled cars and policies really cost.

I don't sell cars, and I don't take a cut. I just don't like seeing good people get taken.

Series one · Five short videos

What's your budget & what can you afford?

Watch them in order. Each one is about 30 seconds and builds on the last.

1
Test-Drive Your Payment
Pick a payment you can afford, then pay it into savings for three months before you buy.
2
How Much Car Can You Really Afford?
The 20/4/10 rule Mitch gives his own family.

Coming soon
3
The Costs Nobody Puts on the Sticker
Insurance, gas, tires, maintenance and registration. Get a quote on the exact car first.

Coming soon
4
Get Your Financing First
Walk in pre-approved and make the dealer beat your rate.

Coming soon
5
The 84-Month Trap
Why a low payment on a long loan can leave you owing more than the car is worth.

Coming soon

On the way

Dealer Tactics Decoded

What the salesperson says, what it means, and exactly what to say back.

Needed or Upsell?

The service counter's recommendations, sorted into the ones that matter and the ones you can skip.

Let Me See That

Real deal sheets and repair quotes, marked up line by line. Every one ends with "sign it" or "walk."

Try it on your numbers

The Uncle Mitch payment test

Put in a car you're looking at. Mitch checks it against the 20/4/10 rule: 20% down, a loan of 4 years or less, and total car costs under 10% of what you make before taxes.

Mitch's worksheetBuyer's copy

Price, out the door–

Down payment–

Amount financed–

Interest over the loan–

Car payment / month–

–20% or more down

–Loan 4 years or less

–All-in under 10% of income

Now test-drive it

Before you buy, pay yourself the monthly cost for three months.

Take this to the dealership

Before you sign anything

Check these off as you go. 0 of 8 done

Know your number before you walk inDecide your monthly budget at home, not in the showroom. Don't answer "what payment works for you?"
Get pre-approved at your bank or credit unionCheck your credit score, bring the approval, and ask the dealer, "Can you beat this?"
Get the out-the-door price in writingCar, taxes, fees, everything. Negotiate that number, not the monthly payment.
Get an insurance quote on that exact carSame year, make, model and trim. It can change your budget more than you'd guess.
Run a vehicle history report on used carsLook for accidents, salvage or rebuilt titles, flood damage and odometer problems.
Pay for an independent inspectionA mechanic you choose, not the seller's. Ask them to look for frame damage and repainted panels.
Read every line in the finance officeSay no to add-ons you didn't ask for: paint protection, etching, extra warranties.
Keep the loan 48 months or lessLong loans keep you upside down. If you need 84 months to afford it, it's the wrong car.

New videos every week

Follow along. Then call your uncle.

Short videos on budgets, financing, dealer tactics and car service, two to three times a week.

YouTubeTikTokInstagram

Channel links coming soon

Every family has one. Now you do too.

What's your budget & what can you afford?

Test-Drive Your Payment

How Much Car Can You Really Afford?

The Costs Nobody Puts on the Sticker