I am so ready for this year to be over. I have had the worst luck this year! My grandmother passed away in January, we had the tree fall on the house in January as well, I thought I had cancer (I go to the oncologist tomorrow for a check up), my dad is currently in the hospital, and now we have all this car trouble.

I am ready for a break!

Monday I decided I was going to take my car in to the mechanic because it was running funny.  It sounded like something was going to fall through the floor, and when I turned, I heard this “wubba wubba wubba” noise.  Of course that’s not good.  When the mechanic called me on Monday to tell me that the Motor Mounds were bad and that it was a miracle the motor hadn’t fallen out, I asked him how much it would cost to fix. Around $500.  Then, he proceeded to tell me that because of the motor mounds being out it ruined an axle, which will cost me another $500 at the most.  At this point I’m wondering if it’s worth putting the money into a 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva, but I think, hey, I can’t buy a car for $1000.  So I tell him to go ahead and fix it.

He calls me back a few hours later with more bad news.  The steering rod needs replaced and the bottom of the car is rusted out.  At this point it makes no sense to fix the car, because it’s going to cost more than it’s worth!  Plus, if we did fix it, who knows how long it would last before something else happened to it.

There goes my “no car payment” plan.  I am so bummed.

I have a few options, as I see it, and I really need your advice.   This is what I’ve come up with:

• Buy a car that’s a few years old, obviously used but in good condition.  Take out a car loan and try to pay it back as soon as possible.  Take some money out of savings to pay for the car.
• Buy a car that is only $6,000-$8,000 and pay cash.  I’ve been saving up for a car (thankfully!!).  The only problem is that if I do this then I’m not going to get a newer car and I don’t want to get something that I’m going to have to sink more money into.
• Buy a Vespa scooter for $1,000 and drive that.  Just kidding.

That’s pretty much the only options I can think of now.  I am dreading having a car payment/spending money.  I hate this! I feel so unfrugal lately.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Posted under Budget, Gas, Pay Off Debt, Save Your Money

Next month, which is rapidly approaching, I am making a trip to Wisconsin to visit a friend.  As excited as I am, I am also thinking ahead on the financial effect it is going to have on our October budget.  At first, I thought I would fly up there, but I couldn’t find a non stop flight that wouldn’t take longer than driving, and I couldn’t find one cheaper either.  It looks like I will be driving.

I’m still searching air fares in the event something comes available.  I really wish I could get a plane ticket for a decent price, because it would be a whole lot shorter time wise to fly than it is to drive.  Driving won’t be as stressful on me as flying would.

I’ve thought about taking a bus or train up there, but there are no buses that go from here to there, and neither does the train.  Sometimes I wish we lived closer to a larger city!

I’m going to save money on a hotel room by staying with my friend.  We’ll cook in some meals but I’m sure that we’ll eat out as well, so I’m going to save money for that, as well as gas.  I also have to save some money to buy Mr. Money some cheese!  Last time I was up there I didn’t buy him any and I heard about it for a long time!

I’ve got some money set aside, and I’ll continue to do so up until I leave.  I’d like to go cash only because then I’ll have a visual on how much money I have left to spend.  I think it’s a good plan.

 How do you save money on vacations?

Posted under Budget, Gas

I’m back from my lovely vacation. I had a great time even though we didn’t get to go camping because the Trooper decided to die about 15 minutes from the campground. Rather than spending $200+ on a new water pump, we decided to try to drive it home. We were stopping every 15-20 miles to add water to it. Not fun times! I’ve decided that I will be listing the Trooper on Craigslist tonight. The retail value is worth $4325, trade is $2875, and I think I am going to list it for $1500 Or best offer. It’s had a tree fall on it, and now it needs a new water pump. I can’t wait to get rid of it! I just hope someone wants it.

Instead of going camping, we went to visit my family in Michigan. One thing that I noticed while being up there is how much Michigan’s economy stinks! I know that hearing that all over the news never seems like a reality until you actually see things for yourself. There are SO many foreclosures, lost jobs, and the general atmosphere there is down. It was really sad to see, as I grew up there. My mom wants us to move back there, but as much as I’d love to be around my family, there’s no way that I can make that sacrifice right now. Maybe in a few years.

We didn’t spend a ton of money. In fact, we really only spent gas money (about $200) to get there and back, and $100 in spending money. I am really proud of us! We had a great time and didn’t spend a small fortune while we were gone. It was definitely worth it.

Our next vacation is scheduled for Labor Day Week! I can’t wait!

Posted under Gas, Save Your Money