So many crucial financial decisions are made on the wings of hope. Optimism tends to bloom fullest when we’re looking to justify a splurge. We tell ourselves: “Of course, the freelance gig will come through,” “Obviously, there’ll be extra shifts,” “I’ll just pick up another class,” “This year’s bonus? It will be the biggest yet!”
That’s the vibe buying a $38,000 car on a $30,000 paycheck is giving. And yet, one youthful New England Target worker made that choice, and somehow is making it work.
Kaitlin Sonday (@kaitlinsonday), a self-described “relatable Target girly” and budget-minded TikToker, recently bought a brand-new 2025 Subaru Forester that exceeds her annual Target salary.
Making the Math to Afford a 2025 Subaru Forester Work
In a TikTok video captioned, “Updated 38k car breakdown,” Sonday lays out the method she used to make a new car work on a Target employee’s salary.
“Let me explain,” says Sonday. “If I’m being honest, I thought [the total price] was only $35,000, but then I forgot taxes, registration, and fees were gonna be another $3,000. So, now we’re at $38,000 for my car.”
Then she reiterates that she barely makes $30,000 at her Target job.
“I put about $16,000 down, so we have about an $18,000 car loan, and the payments are about $308, which is really not that bad,” she continues.
With a loan term of 72 months, a 6.29% interest rate, and a plan to pay it off early with her TikTok earnings, she’s got a handle on the ins and outs of her debt.
Next, she shifts gears and starts talking about fuel efficiency. “It holds about five more gallons than my Elantra did,” she says, noting that she can go longer between gas runs. “However, it’s a little more expensive to fill up when I do fill up because I have to wait until it’s on E.”
Here’s What I Would Have Done
Few things are more satisfying than back-seat driving someone else’s life. And in this respect, the user comments do not disappoint. Opinions range from how she should have spent her down payment to when she should fill her gas tank.
The first comment hits the parental note: “I understand you like your job at Target, but having a car that exceeds your income is not the smartest idea. Either you work your way up in the company or find new opportunities because this is not sustainable long term,” advises @370zsean.
But the majority of the comments focus on the $16,000 down payment. “16k down is sooo much omg, I would have suggested a 16k cash car or use 3-5k and use the rest for payments,” writes @amiahduhh.
@zev agrees, saying “you should’ve just bought a 16k car.”
Meanwhile, a couple of folks don’t care about the financial angle of it all; they’re more interested in motor health. “Waiting for your car to signal almost empty can actually hurt your car if you constantly do this! So don’t wait until e,” says @John.
TikTok Creator Cashflow: The Side Hustle That Makes a 2025 Subaru Forester Possible
One of the main questions viewers have is “How did she save that up?” And while she admits that it did take a while, as a TikToker with 90,000 followers, she’s been able to monetize her feed.
She only briefly mentions her social media money, but a playlist video (POV: TikTok Pays Off Your New Car) gives a short monthly breakdown of her earnings, ranging from about $300 to $600. And in an Oct. 3 video, she says she’s made about $20,000 in 2025 from her content. That brings her earnings to (about) $50,000.
That gives a little context to her new Forester: She’s a hustler—in the best sense of the word.
What Should Your Ratio of Income to Acquisition Be?
According to Edmunds, “the total value of all your vehicles shouldn’t be more than half of your annual income.” Why? Because nothing depreciates like a car, “motor equals major depreciation,” explains Edmunds.
But in general, experts agree: Less debt is better for you, with one even going so far as to assert the only people who should be buying new cars are literal millionaires.
Of course, personal finance is never one size fits all. There are many other considerations—from income-to-debt ratio, long-term goals, how much your trade-in is worth, and what you want (or need) a payment to be. Finally, there’s the intangible consideration: What does it feel like to drive?
Motor1 reached out to @kaitlinsonday via email and TikTok direct message.
Woman Says This Trick Will Stop Brakes from Squeaking. Why Are Mechanics Warning Against Doing it?
Man Says Dealerships Have More Drama than Love Island. Now Workers Are Sharing Stories
