What I should have written for yesterday's Blog Entry Title: "I'm off the budget rails on the Crazy Brain" (Thank you, Ozzy Osbourne!)
I do not betray confidences (in that I do not name names) but, I am not the only one on crazybrain owing to too many goals, too few dollars. People are juggling medical treatment payments, legal fees, assessment extraordinary surcharges, down payments for newer cars, veterinary expenses. Me, I have only credit card payments, investing, regular budget, this field study thing, down payment for a newer car, and home upgrades to fret about. Nothing to turn the hair grey.
Two of my friends are needing to buy cars immediately, so I thought maybe we could go all together and find a quality car lot, and work over one salesperson for discounts if it meant him or her getting bonuses for selling three cars in one day. Too bad two of us are picky about what vehicle they want, and another pair has a shorter timeline.
A saner person pointed out that I was not keen to blow my precious metals fund on a car. If I thought it was achievable, I would attempt to pay down the HELOC so the balance was under 25% of the total amount of credit extended to me.
A crazier but better organized person suggested that I make a chart of my equilateral contributions to savings and debt goals, and display it prominently so I frequently have a visual reminder that we are not as bad off as crazybrain would interpret.
Last year at this time was when I dropped out of the 'How Long Can We Go Without Turning On Heat in the House' challenge. If it were reprised this year, I would still be in it, because our weather is crazy (in that it is actually like the weather east of the Cascade mountains: dry) and not miserable.
Also, my crazybrain toggled into sane brain when I walked out of a consignment store today with a discounted, clean, fitting, soft pair of trousers and some fun socks. Knowing that comfortable and decent clothing was within my budget is palliative.
Menu Plan to come.
Car Mileage now over 180,000
October 7th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
October 8th, 2012 at 03:22 am 1349666551
October 8th, 2012 at 04:09 am 1349669354
October 9th, 2012 at 04:05 pm 1349798709
A review of Phil Edmunds Lemon Aid can be helpful since he outlines anticipated repair/recalls/weaknesses of most vehicles. If he's speaking in your area he offers an enjoyable presentation/lecture.
Once you've chosen year, vehicle, type, features of two choices, you can check what's available on-line within say 2 hr. drive, by dealership, small lot, auction or privately. Due to terrific warranties, buying privately can be advantageous having 1st confirmed the warranty is totally transferable.
October 9th, 2012 at 04:16 pm 1349799412
October 10th, 2012 at 03:40 pm 1349883611
How long do you expect to drive your newer car? Will you buy new or up to 'X' mileage used? Usage seems more important to me than the confusion 'age' affixed to cars.
October 11th, 2012 at 04:01 am 1349928113
I would go with the spouse for four hours a weekend to test drive. And I erred in writing Ford Focus, I meant Ford Fusion.
A county auction on Saturday shows some ancient Prii (Priuses, get it?) available. If I get a car for under $10K I want to drive it until I can get the house sold.