I recently read a post by Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick about Dave Ramsey and about getting rid of debt. I found myself nodding and huh huhing alot while reading her post.
In the past we have taken Lines of Credits and Credit Cards for granted. Over the past 5 years though, huby and I have worked really hard at staying out of the red. Especially me. I have anxiety attacks and can't sleep to even imagine a check bouncing or not being able to pay a bill on time. I pay our credit card in full every single month, and I check the bank account every-single-day!! Am I crazy? Do you do that?
Well, reality check... my beloved 10 year old van passed away this week. (sniff... sniff...)Actually it's still dying as we speak cause I haven't picked it up yet from the mechanic's yet. You see, on the weekend I filled the coolant holder thing-a-ma-jig with coolant fluid, only to find it empty two days later. Now, I'm not good with cars and stuff, but me thinks, I have a problem. I brought it in and the mechanic said "if it was my vehicle, I would not fix it, and I would look for a new vehicle." ummm... mechanic told me NOT TO FIX IT. So I went shopping for a new vehicle. Guess what? We just invested in our back yard, so now we can't afford a new vehicle (without going into debt.)
MAJOR DECISION TIME!!
So... we have made a decision to down-size to one vehicle (temporarily) until we can afford to buy a new one without going into debt!
I was sad as soon as the words came out of my mouth.
But now I'm relieved that I can breathe easier every month and not have to make a monthly payment on something we can't afford this very minute.
This will entail alot of planning and organization on my part, but I'm determined to make it happen.
Hubby, works about 20 minutes away, and it will mean I will need to drop him off and pick him up on the days I have kids appointments or personal appointments.
It will also mean, I will be walking alot more than in the past. It's about a 20 minute walk (one way) to our closest grocery store. So either I have to wait, or make a detailed grocery list every week.
H. and A walk to school and S. takes the bus. I used to drive H in if was a "little cold" or we were running late. I guess that option is out for now.
So... I just wanted to let Dave Ramsey know... "I listened to you! I am not going to buy something I can't afford!"
What about you? Are you a one car family? And how do you make it work? I need yout tips and secrest peeps!
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5 comments:
Up until about a year ago, we have always had just one car. It can be a bit of a juggle, but it's definitely not impossible. Our second car now is actually Homer's company car, so it is less hassle in the morning getting both of us to work, but we still primarily use 'our' car in evenings and weekends. The biggest juggle was when kids had competing activity schedules - usually someone was dropped off early and picked up late to make that work.
Good for you! We have been a one car family twice in our marriage. Both times it was only for less than 4 months. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
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So far we have always paid cash for our vehicles, but we are getting dangerously close to the point where our old car will die...and we don't have enough saved to purchase another one. With our jobs, living with one car would be impossible (and I really mean that, we live in the country, work in opposite directions and have no one to carpool with). We might have to bite the bullet and get our very first car loan! Actually, what I would do is just use line of credit, and pay it back as fast as we can!
Kate @ This Mom Loves
We just got a second vehicle after 2 years of living with one car. You DO get used to it and soon things will become habit! It really helps if you make a "town day" and try to make your appts, do shopping, visit the library, etc. on those days.
We did finally buy a second vehicle and paid cash for it this last May. And my husband was laid off last week and I am SO THANKFUL that we don't have a car payment to worry about!
We've been a one-car family since summer 2008. It has its challenges, but you just make it work. And it has some spin-off benefits, too... I spend less money because I spend more time at home. I cook more from scratch and we eat out a LOT less - I used to run through McDonald's with the kids if we were out all morning, but now we don't do that. And it encourages communication and cooperation between us as well, as I have to think ahead about what I want to do during the week and he makes his schedule work around getting me the car when I need it. And like you said, the second car payment (and second insurance, and more gas) is a big encouragement to make it work!
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