Happy Monday,

Angelo here! Welcome to New Money, where we go over weekly tips to help you build your wealth, one dollar at a time.

Today’s edition:

• How to not get scammed when buying a car

• If leasing or buying the best decision for you

• TikTok is finally sold….

Read time: 2 min 10 seconds

💰 Wealth Tip of the Week

Ever notice how car decisions feel expensive no matter what you choose?

Lower payment, higher payment — somehow it still feels like you’re giving up something either way.

Two numbers, side by side are usually presented:

• A lease with a much lower monthly number
  

• A purchase with a payment that felt uncomfortably high

I’ve never leased a car myself. I bought used, paid cash, and kept it simple.

But after researching how these decisions actually play out, something clicked:

The smartest decision doesn’t come from the lowest monthly number. It comes from understanding the full picture.

And that matters if you’re getting closer to deciding whether to lease, buy, or finance a car in 2026.

So let’s slow it down and walk through a simple framework you can use to think through that decision.

1. Don’t Let the Smaller Number Lead

Before comparing leasing versus buying, there’s one shift that matters most:

don’t start with the monthly payment.

That number is shown first for a reason. Psychologists call this the framing effect: when the way a price is presented matters more than the true cost behind it.

👉See more about it here

When you lease, you’re paying for:

• The car’s loss in value while you use it

• Interest, taxes, and fees you’re charged

You’re only paying for a slice of the car’s life.

That’s where the long-term tradeoff shows up:

• Years of payments with no asset

• No resale value coming back

• A setup that makes constant payments feel normal

Stop asking “Which payment is lower?” Start asking “What do I walk away with at the end?”

2. Leasing Versus Buying

Once you zoom out, the differences between options become clear.

That’s why two people can drive the same car for three years and end up in very different financial positions.

The dealership payment isn’t the last cost you’ll deal with.

Insurance, in particular, changes the math more than people expect.

Newer and more expensive cars usually cost more to insure.

In fact, leases often require higher coverage limits and lower deductibles, which pushes premiums higher. 👉Learn more about why that matters here.

Here’s a simple way to see which option actually works in your favor:

1. Total paid: Add up every dollar you’ll pay — payments, down payment, and fees.

2. Value at the end: Estimate what the car is realistically worth when you’re done with it (or $ if you return it).

3. Insurance check: Get insurance quotes for each option and note coverage differences. I’ve saved you time by rounding up the best car insurance providers. 👉You can click here to see my top picks.

4. Net cost: Subtract the value at the end from the total paid. This is the number that actually matters.

3. Match the Option to Your Lifestyle

Once you’ve compared the numbers, the decision becomes about how those numbers fit into your life.

At this point, the decision isn’t just about what’s cheaper but it’s about what each option optimizes for.

Monthly payment optimizes for comfort today and the total cost optimizes for options later.

Leasing can make sense if:

• Low mileage is typical

• A new car every few years matters

• Convenience is valued over flexibility

• Lease payments can be deducted for work

Buying (loan or cash) usually makes more sense if:

• Mileage is average or higher

• Cars are kept long-term

• Building equity or having resale options later matters

• The goal is to eventually stop making payments

This is where the decision becomes clearer.

What matters is choosing the option that supports how you actually live and not the one that just looks best in the showroom.

If you’ve already made a car decision, try running it through this framework.
If you haven’t yet, use it before you step into a dealership.

Either way, once the choice makes sense both financially and personally, I’m confident you’ll pick the right one.

📉 Market Recap

Check out some of the biggest stories shaking up money, markets, and momentum this week.

• Oracle–TikTok talks resurface as cloud growth meets rising costs

• Beyond Meat faces more trouble as sales fall and accounting issues emerge

• Trump Media stock jumps on fusion energy deal

• Gold and silver surge as rate cuts and AI demand drive prices higher

👀 In Case You Missed It

Becoming an investor in 2026 matters more than you think. Here’s why!

See y’all next week 🫡

- Angelo Castillo

Disclaimer: This is not financial advice or investment recommendations. The content is for informational purposes only, and it should not be considered as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

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