Some folks might accuse me of "just being cheap", however, due to my Scotch ancestry, I prefer the description of being frugal.
Example: I drive a vehicle until it drops, and has almost no value other than "junkyard price".
However, I insist that anything I drive must be safe and dependable. I spare no expense on these two features.
My wife had been driving a 2003 Jeep ...fully loaded top of the line...and it was a beauty...but, it had a problem of breaking down. So, finally, in December, she went out and bought a new Ford Edge. (Which she loves).
The Varmit (our daughter) drove a 2000 Dodge Intrepid (which was handed down from her Momma when she got her Jeep) two years in High School, 4 years of College, and a year after graduation from Nursing School. She ,too, got the "new car bug" and purchased a 2007 Ford Explorer pickup with all the bells and whistles.
The 2000 Dodge Intrepid (175,000 miles) is in great shape, great tires, new air conditioner and well maintained...but, the dealership offered only $350 trade-in value! Momma was about to agree to that...until I stepped in and put the skids to that nonsense.
My vehicle is a 2000 Chevy S-10 4 wheel drive...in great shape and has 165,000 miles on it. I love it because I can take it down to the farm and go anywhere I want to go.
So, I now have two vehicles ( totally paid for), and I have the luxury of having a spare vehicle if I need it. The only thing that I didn't like about the truck is that only two people can ride in it. Now, I have the option of more room for other passengers.
Since I use the vehicles for our business, I let our company pay for maintenance, gas, and repairs. Thus, I'm able to sock away about $1,000 monthly in a "rainy day fund" for emergencies, or to buy something newer later on....and not be bothered by high payments.
I got over that " car ego thing " many years ago( and yep...I was still single then) when I sold my 1965 Corvette Convertible. That sale helped out nicely toward my first house downpayment!
I think that's just plain smart, Dave. I do almost the same. I drive a car til it heaves it's last breath, and when I go to buy another, it's never a car that has the price tag of a small house, it's always less but HAS to be safe, predictable, slim to none on any breakdown, good gas milage, comfortable, and..ta-dah, cute. Well, after all...nuf said.
ReplyDeleteMy problem of the almight splurge is always at the grocery store. I should just buy one 'cause I'd probably save money in the long run. But I rarely make a list and don't even care; I buy what a want and am happy with that. The opps always comes when I see I already had it at home to begin with. Oh well, what's another 40 bags of chips, right? (only half kidding)
Yeah, I'll BET that Vet sale was a huge help on the house! But wasn't it a fun car! What color was it? No never mind, don't think about it; might make you wish you had it back, lol.
God, I must be more tired than I thought. I proofread and never saw any of the mess I typed.
ReplyDelete1- That was supposed to be "almighty" splurge.
2- Was supposed to be "I buy what I want"
Whew, time for bed. :)
I try to proof read things. too. But, if I screw up and miss it.... I just mark it up as "misdirection"....and let the reader try to mull it over until they (a) accept it as a mystery truth of life.... (b) think that they are too dumb to figure out the true meaning of the statement.... or.... (c) rationally come to the conclusion that I am a sloppy typist and too stupid to catch mistakes!
ReplyDeleteYou owned a Corvette convertible, Dave???
ReplyDelete*drools*
I have to agree with you on the frugality thing, although I have only a little Scotch heritage. I come from a long line of resourceful people who were adept at making do and getting by without feeling deprived in any way. It was just the way we lived.
Truth be told (regarding the subject of used cars) I'll bet a LOT of people are hanging on to their older vehicles out of necessity. I still have trouble with the fact that new cars cost the same amount of money as a very modest house. Ridiculous.
My car was formerly my Mom's--when she died it became mine. A family friend had offered to set her up with a decent car when her old one gave out, so, when the time came, George lined up a good salvaged car, repaired and restored it, and that car has been great for a LOT of miles.
God willing, Steve and I will get a lot more miles out of old Betsy before she gives out; hopefully no time very soon!