Eric Frein Lookalike Gets Car from Online Donations

[Beric01]

Tully, who did not own a car and could not afford gas, began wearing his work identification around his neck and donned a highlighter yellow reflective vest to ward off suspicion during his treks.

Now, his days of trudging through the Poconos on foot may be over. A campaign through the online fundraising site GoFundMe raised over $24,000 for Tully, which he’s put toward a used 2007 Subaru Outback. The leftover cash will go towards the car’s maintenance, insurance and gas.

link

So, nothing's changed about not being able to afford a car except that he received a lump sum of $24K. After his extra money runs out and he still can't afford the insurance or gas, he'll have no choice but to sell the car and resume walking. He'd be far better just putting the $24K in an IRA + taxable investment account and continuing to walk.

[gimp]

Or maybe now he won't need to spend many hours every single day just getting to and from work, and will be able to improve the quality of his life. Maybe take a higher-paying job previously inaccessible to him.

The donations were specifically for a car, so he wouldn't be swarmed and nearly shot by cops along his walk every day.

[fantabulous]

Quite importantly, he did not opt for a $24k car with that $24k, since he could not afford gas previously. The GoFundMe wasn't even started by him. Not seeing what's anti-mustachian here without knowing what kind of jobs are actually available to him within walking distance.

[vivophoenix]

Tully, who did not own a car and could not afford gas, began wearing his work identification around his neck and donned a highlighter yellow reflective vest to ward off suspicion during his treks.

Now, his days of trudging through the Poconos on foot may be over. A campaign through the online fundraising site GoFundMe raised over $24,000 for Tully, which he’s put toward a used 2007 Subaru Outback. The leftover cash will go towards the car’s maintenance, insurance and gas.

link

So, nothing's changed about not being able to afford a car except that he received a lump sum of $24K. After his extra money runs out and he still can't afford the insurance or gas, he'll have no choice but to sell the car and resume walking. He'd be far better just putting the $24K in an IRA + taxable investment account and continuing to walk.

why do you begrudge him an improvement in the quality of life?

so he didnt put it towards a retirement, sounds like he will no longer have to worry about making it to retirement.

and also as a another poster mentioned, maybe it will open up more opportunity for either career advancement or even education...

[paddedhat]

A great outcome to an unbelievably fucked up mess. Not the Frein manhunt, the fact that this guy will no longer be repeatedly stopped, abused, and even assaulted by the clowns that wear the badge in this area.  And yes, I DO live here. These are the guys that spent well over ten million to search for a guy that claimed that they had "contained" in a very specific area. During that time, as many locals will attest, basic rights of the citizens were trampled. Want to return to your home to get necessary medications? Tough shit. Want to have your vacation home ransacked while you are hours away? No? Tough shit. During all this, they took the time to repeatedly abuse the same citizen, traveling the same streets, every day as he walked to work. A short Google search will confirm the most pathetic fact of his story, that being, the victim bears not even a faint resemblance to the suspect. 

BTW, they not only failed to locate him in an area where they assured the public that he was trapped, they didn't find him at all. It took US Marshals, searching an abandoned resort, a half day's hike from where the PSP had him "trapped", to bring this circus to a close.  At that point he surrendered without a fight, but appeared for arraignment with a broken nose and other signs of assault. More disgusting, yet unsurprising behavior by PA's "finest".

As for the car, the victim not only did a great job handling the money, he planned ahead for upcoming expenses. He bought a $9K used Subaru wagon and banked the remainder for operating expenses. Good for him!   

[arebelspy]

As for the car, the victim not only did a great job handling the money, he planned ahead for upcoming expenses. He bought a $9K used Subaru wagon and banked the remainder for operating expenses. Good for him!

That's awesome!  What a smart way to handle it! 

[Beric01]

As for the car, the victim not only did a great job handling the money, he planned ahead for upcoming expenses. He bought a $9K used Subaru wagon and banked the remainder for operating expenses. Good for him!

That's awesome!  What a smart way to handle it!

I just can't fathom buying a depreciating asset when he very explicitly cannot even afford the monthly upkeep (gas, etc.) after his remaining cash runs out. That was the reason I posted the article. It's another case of unnecessary car ownership. If he invested the $24K he'd have another ~$1K a year passive income at 4% withdrawal, then compounding on itself and leading towards financial independence.

His commute is 4 miles each way, or 8 miles/day, times 250 days year or only 2000 miles driven a year. Add in $1K gas+ insurance and you're looking at about $20,000 over 10 years, or $1/mile. Pretty hefty expense, particularly for someone with low income.

And FYI - I don't own a car either, and walk/bike/take the bus+train as needed.

[fantabulous]

I just can't fathom buying a depreciating asset when he very explicitly cannot even afford the monthly upkeep (gas, etc.) after his remaining cash runs out. That was the reason I posted the article. It's another case of unnecessary car ownership. If he invested the $24K he'd have another ~$1K a year passive income at 4% withdrawal, then compounding on itself and leading towards financial independence.

His commute is 4 miles each way, or 8 miles/day, times 250 days year or only 2000 miles driven a year. Add in $1K gas+ insurance and you're looking at about $20,000 over 10 years, or $1/mile. Pretty hefty expense, particularly for someone with low income.

And FYI - I don't own a car either, and walk/bike/take the bus+train as needed.

It's quite a rational choice for small town PA vs the bay area. The fact that's he's banked so much of the money for operating expenses is a good indication that he understands he won't be able to afford it for the life of the car without improving his situation, which the car will allow. Car ownership is much more of a necessary evil vs luxurious evil in many parts of the country. The article also hinted at potential child custody issues, so significant relocation (ignoring the costs of THAT) may not be an option.

[paddedhat]

I just can't fathom buying a depreciating asset when he very explicitly cannot even afford the monthly upkeep (gas, etc.) after his remaining cash runs out. That was the reason I posted the article.

Nothing personal, but your situation, and choice of location, are a whole other world entirely. As such, you clearly lack the tools to critique this man's situation. This is a rural area that, compared to 99% of California, is wilderness. On any given day, while walking the roads and fire trails in near my home, I see countless deer, yet can often walk for miles without seeing a vehicle, or a human. Bottom line is that a vehicle is not only a requirement for anything beyond basic survival here, it is a tool for upward mobility. You can't find affordable food or a choice of potential jobs, if you need to walk hours each way to get there. As for biking, yea it's possible. It's 14* at the moment, the roads are typically twisty, shoulderless and totally unlit, and there is no bike culture here. Bike commuting here is unheard of, and a poor decision if you value your life.

Given the incredibly mature choices the man made, and the opportunity for him to get a portion of his life back, by not having to walk four hours a day, I would say he is heading in he right direction. Having transportation opens up a lot of educational and employment opportunities in these parts. Hopefully he will take this chance and run with it.

Your response is interesting to me. I wonder if you would feel the same about the projects that provide clean water to third world villages? It often is a life changing experience for the women. They can get water a few feet from their homes, instead of walking hours, each way, to a source of clean water. They now have dozens of hours a week freed up to improve themselves, and their family. This guy is no different, yet in the view of a carless, city coastal dweller, living in one of the richest most expensive locations in North America,  he deserves scorn..................................

[arebelspy]

Your response is interesting to me. I wonder if you would feel the same about the projects that provide clean water to third world villages? It often is a life changing experience for the women. They can get water a few feet from their homes, instead of walking hours, each way, to a source of clean water. They now have dozens of hours a week freed up to improve themselves, and their family. This guy is no different, yet in the view of a carless, city coastal dweller, living in one of the richest most expensive locations in North America,  he deserves scorn..................................

Those are vastly different situations. While I agree that he made a smart choice in banking most of the money, and buying the cheaper vehicle, he was making it okay without. It is something that may help him improve his situation. But clean drinking water is vastly different than having a car, when other transportation options exist. It's not like other drinking options exist.

[paddedhat]

Indeed, the water analogy is far from perfect. That said, I wonder if there is a bit of a wealthy urban elitist attitude here? A bit dismissive of the peasants in fly over country? I can't help but imagining a scenario where it's perfectly OK to engage is self congratulatory mutual admiration, in the company of your hipster friends, whilst humble bragging about your donations, (or even better) mission trip, to help the little people, but fuck the guy from pennsyltucky who dares to waste donated funds to buy a decent car that will greatly enhance his quality of life?

  Maybe it's a bit too defensive on my part, but fuck, I have seen far too many friends and neighbors here in rural America who are still suffering greatly, even though (allegedly) the great recession is now a fading memory in the rear view mirror. Bottom line for me. They guy deserves every dime he got, and more, and I hope he find the vehicle and banked funds to be the catalyst he needs to improve his lot in life. Particularly since the whole drive was spawned to assist a guy who had been repeatedly abused and harassed by our infamous state police force.

[Beric01]

Indeed, the water analogy is far from perfect. That said, I wonder if there is a bit of a wealthy urban elitist attitude here? A bit dismissive of the peasants in fly over country? I can't help but imagining a scenario where it's perfectly OK to engage is self congratulatory mutual admiration, in the company of your hipster friends, whilst humble bragging about your donations, (or even better) mission trip, to help the little people, but fuck the guy from pennsyltucky who dares to waste donated funds to buy a decent car that will greatly enhance his quality of life?

  Maybe it's a bit too defensive on my part, but fuck, I have seen far too many friends and neighbors here in rural America who are still suffering greatly, even though (allegedly) the great recession is now a fading memory in the rear view mirror. Bottom line for me. They guy deserves every dime he got, and more, and I hope he find the vehicle and banked funds to be the catalyst he needs to improve his lot in life. Particularly since the whole drive was spawned to assist a guy who had been repeatedly abused and harassed by our infamous state police force.

A few points:

• The only way to get ahead is to save more than you earn.
• The only reason he couldn't walk was due to the police abuse. That's over.
• There's no indication that he has any health issues or any other problems of the sort. Why can't he continue to walk?

Now that the police thing is over, the first thing to do is to bank all of the $24K, and build up an emergency fund. He can then open an IRA. Finally, he can look as ways to increase his income. Perhaps a car is indeed that way, but I saw no indication that was the case.

Yes, he's poor. The best way to keep him that way is to tell him he "deserves" to buy a car (an incredibly antiMustachian statement), rather than investing the $24K. Perhaps it's investing in himself (education?), or perhaps buying a vehicle will allow him to take a better paying job, covering the increased costs. But all I'm seeing in this thread is that he "deserves" this purchase. That's not a good philosophy to have.

[burly]

Indeed, the water analogy is far from perfect. That said, I wonder if there is a bit of a wealthy urban elitist attitude here? A bit dismissive of the peasants in fly over country? I can't help but imagining a scenario where it's perfectly OK to engage is self congratulatory mutual admiration, in the company of your hipster friends, whilst humble bragging about your donations, (or even better) mission trip, to help the little people, but fuck the guy from pennsyltucky who dares to waste donated funds to buy a decent car that will greatly enhance his quality of life?

  Maybe it's a bit too defensive on my part, but fuck, I have seen far too many friends and neighbors here in rural America who are still suffering greatly, even though (allegedly) the great recession is now a fading memory in the rear view mirror. Bottom line for me. They guy deserves every dime he got, and more, and I hope he find the vehicle and banked funds to be the catalyst he needs to improve his lot in life. Particularly since the whole drive was spawned to assist a guy who had been repeatedly abused and harassed by our infamous state police force.

I too am from this area and was very surprised to see the crowdfunding hit this large amount for him... A car is a necessity in this area. I don't think we should be so judgemental. He purchased a reasonable vehicle for the area and on the follow up video the local news station did, you can clearly see the car seat in the back. Maybe this car allows him to take his child for weekends, etc... In theory, yes, he could have invested it all but his priorities could be getting to the point where he can make it to work on-time, reliably, and pick up his child. Who knows, maybe now he can pick up an extra shift to earn more money?

This type of small gift is huge to someone in his situation. I wish him the best and I hope he can better his life and the lives of his family.

[paddedhat]

Indeed, the water analogy is far from perfect. That said, I wonder if there is a bit of a wealthy urban elitist attitude here? A bit dismissive of the peasants in fly over country? I can't help but imagining a scenario where it's perfectly OK to engage is self congratulatory mutual admiration, in the company of your hipster friends, whilst humble bragging about your donations, (or even better) mission trip, to help the little people, but fuck the guy from pennsyltucky who dares to waste donated funds to buy a decent car that will greatly enhance his quality of life?

  Maybe it's a bit too defensive on my part, but fuck, I have seen far too many friends and neighbors here in rural America who are still suffering greatly, even though (allegedly) the great recession is now a fading memory in the rear view mirror. Bottom line for me. They guy deserves every dime he got, and more, and I hope he find the vehicle and banked funds to be the catalyst he needs to improve his lot in life. Particularly since the whole drive was spawned to assist a guy who had been repeatedly abused and harassed by our infamous state police force.

I too am from this area and was very surprised to see the crowdfunding hit this large amount for him... A car is a necessity in this area. I don't think we should be so judgemental. He purchased a reasonable vehicle for the area and on the follow up video the local news station did, you can clearly see the car seat in the back. Maybe this car allows him to take his child for weekends, etc... In theory, yes, he could have invested it all but his priorities could be getting to the point where he can make it to work on-time, reliably, and pick up his child. Who knows, maybe now he can pick up an extra shift to earn more money?

This type of small gift is huge to someone in his situation. I wish him the best and I hope he can better his life and the lives of his family.

Thanks for posting. Nice to see another rural Pennsylvanian who can appreciate the fact that this guy handled his unexpected, an unsolicited windfall with a great deal of maturity. It's one thing to be an urban hipster in a place where you don't need a car, and you can make a six figure income to support your elitist attitudes.  It's another to be just scraping buy in a low income rural area, and not be able to afford a car, which is by default, an important tool in improving your lot in life. It's nothing to see five hundred people here,  lining up at places like a Wal-Mart distribution center, with the hope of landing an $11/hr job with shit benefits. One of the first questions asked to these applicants is, "do you have a valid license and a car?" It doesn't take a particle physicist to figure out that answering "no" to either is a guarantee that your app. is in heading for the trash can.

[paddedhat]

A few points:

• The only way to get ahead is to save more than you earn.
• The only reason he couldn't walk was due to the police abuse. That's over.
• There's no indication that he has any health issues or any other problems of the sort. Why can't he continue to walk?

Now that the police thing is over, the first thing to do is to bank all of the $24K, and build up an emergency fund. He can then open an IRA. Finally, he can look as ways to increase his income. Perhaps a car is indeed that way, but I saw no indication that was the case.

Yes, he's poor. The best way to keep him that way is to tell him he "deserves" to buy a car (an incredibly antiMustachian statement), rather than investing the $24K. Perhaps it's investing in himself (education?), or perhaps buying a vehicle will allow him to take a better paying job, covering the increased costs. But all I'm seeing in this thread is that he "deserves" this purchase. That's not a good philosophy to have.

Congratulations, I took a bit longer than it should of, but you are finally grasping the concept! He got $24K and spent roughly a third of that on a reliable, practical used car. He can now spend less time tromping through the woods on his way to work and more time on silly things like, spending time with his daughter, looking for a better job, or otherwise improving his lot in life. They guy is obviously of limited means, and probably education, and takes the majority of his windfall and escrows it for his future transportation needs. For that, you alone find a need to bust his balls? Odd, at best.

[MoneyCat]

I live in NJ so I sometimes go on vacation in the Poconos.  It's a rural area with miles of mountainous forest between towns, so a car is pretty much a necessity for the people who live there.  It sounds like this "Eric Frein lookalike" is a smart guy, because he didn't blow the entire donation amount on the actual car.  He spent a fraction of it on the car and he has the rest to pay for gas, insurance, maintenance, and the rest.  Now he'll be able to get to work without having to walk or ride a bicycle for hours.  I hope things continue to look up for him.  This is a lot better than what that woman in Houston did with the massive donations that came in for her.

[fantabulous]

But all I'm seeing in this thread is that he "deserves" this purchase. That's not a good philosophy to have.

Just to add to paddedhat's comment: I don't think anyone here is suggesting the car was a smart decision because "he works hard and deserves it". It's a smart decision to me because the amount banked for the continued operation of the car indicates how important the car is to him, likely more of a need than a want. Those of us who live in places with poor/no public transportation and no real opportunities for career advancement within walking/biking distance already made the logical jump that the car is an "investment" in improving his life. Perhaps not the perfect decision, but still a net gain. Perfect is the enemy of good, or something along those lines.

There's a certain "I don't need a car, so I can't imagine anyone else needing one" vibe coming from Beric01, intentional or not.

[gimp]

But all I'm seeing in this thread is that he "deserves" this purchase.

With respect, you shouldn't be putting words in my mouth. What I said, fairly clearly, was: 1) donations were largely specifically for a car, and 2) it's much more of a necessity there and elsewhere, and is a tool for mobility.

Look, we tell people to spend extra money to live closer to work, right? This is the same thing. Spend extra money to reduce your commute. The only difference is that the commute, instead of being reduced in distance, is reduced in time.

If you've ever spent four hours every day getting to and from work, you'd see the massive difference this makes.

Also, considering most people here are happy to bust balls, you might consider that if everyone except you thinks this guy did the right thing... either we're all pussies, or you lack context to appreciate our viewpoint(s).

Honest question: have you ever been to Pennsyltucky? Or any similar place. I mean, have you ever spent some time there? Where the closest store is 8 miles away on a dirt road, or 15 paved? Maybe tried to get around without a car? Shit's hard, man. It's doable; we've been doing it as a species for a long-ass time, but it's hard.