Heh. When I was a young-skull-full-of-mush just out of college with my first decent-paying job, I had to have a new car every two years or so.
Then, in '84, I was front-ended in my brandy-new Bronco [oh, how I loved that truck]. It was totaled -- I survived and a switch clicked in my brain that made me realize they're all just a hunk of metal.
I still love vehicles, but haven't bought a new one since. Have had great cars and trucks -- can't complain about a one of them. And, boy, have I saved a ton of money.
Heh.... Don’t go TOO hard on your young self...
At least cars weren’t so crazy expensive back then, in relation to wages/pricing.