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Abstract:
Getting out of debt and lowering your bills when you have a vehicle that is unreliable can be very frustrating. Regardless if you own a Mercedes, Ford, Lexus, or Chevy, proper maintenance of your car will ensure a longer life of your car. If you're in debt, perhaps a way to get out of debt is to drive a car that is reliable even if it isn't as luxurious as the car you currently own.
The other day while I was filling my gas tank, a man at the cash register was paying for coolant for his vehicle. He clearly was troubled by the $11.24 ticket item as he became flustered and asked his friend to loan him the money. I could relate to not wanting to use a credit card and never having enough cash to cover car care costs. As I exited the gas station, the same man and his friend were adding coolant to what appeared to be a newer model Mercedes-Benz. I don’t claim to know how much car payments for such a vehicle might be, but whatever they are, I just can’t ever imagine making those payments if it meant having to borrow any more money.
When I was in debt and trying to lower my bills, I would reach a point where I felt I had a little breathing space and inevitably my car would need a muffler, brakes, alternator or other servicing. These types of surprises were never welcomed. In fact, I remember a few occasions when I reached for my credit card to pay these bills. Fortunately, my mechanic at the time had mercy on me. I was able to arrange a payment plan with him, but still, it was money I hadn’t planned on spending. I quickly learned that I had better start setting money aside every paycheck for car maintenance. I wasn’t in a position to buy a new car anytime soon, and I couldn’t continue on this path.
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
- Janis Joplin, Mercedes Benz
I ended up having to take on some part-time work to make ends meet. I was exhausted from my full-time job, but had these dreaded car problems that were costing me money. I met a lawyer through a colleague who needed to generate more business and asked if I could create a direct mail campaign for him. I was to write the letter, stuff the envelopes, mail them, etc. It was a short-term gig, which was just what I needed!
After a month of licking envelopes, I finished paying off the muffler and began setting aside $20 per paycheck for car maintenance. It was a slow process. I didn’t think I was ever going to get ahead at this pace. Working part-time, even on a temporary basis, was sometimes necessary for me to make ends meet. If I didn’t work the extra odd-jobs, I imagine it would have taken me another two or three years to get out of debt.
A few times a month I listen to Car Talk, a funny talk radio program. People call in with their not-so-funny car problems. The callers do their best to mimic the sounds their cars are making while the hosts, two brothers who are mechanics, analyze what could be going on. Based on the return calls, their advice seems to be working! You can go to their website to listen to their program, Car Talk, or find out what radio station in your city airs their program. On their website, you are able to submit your questions to their message boards, too! You’ll probably see a few postings from me as well. They’ve created a great service for people like me who don’t care to truly understand cars, but want to save on mechanic-diagnostic costs and plan for upcoming expenses.
I sold the old Ford Tempo, and have a different car now. I will probably try to hold onto it for another five years, but I wish it got better gas mileage. All I really need these days is something that gets me from point A to point B.
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