Escapades of the Lost Car

OMG! My husband’s car broke down unexpectedly and it’s a wrap for the car. Our mechanic told us the bad news. Its over! It’s not worth it to fix the problem, which is the engine. It was a 1998 with over 260,000 miles on it. Well, after we said our goodbye’s to our old faithful car, we began the process of finding another car. Just like anyone else we had to look at our finances while we take into consideration the economy in all of it’s instability.

The first thing we had to do is decide is “What can we afford?” This gave us an opportunity to assess, fine tune and re-evaluate our budget. This turned out to be a good thing. We re-evaluated our debt reduction plan, re-assessed our daily and weekly and monthly expenses and incorporated some of our retirement plans. All of this would allow us to see how much new car we could afford.

Now some of us are in the situation where we don’t have to compromise with anyone. Some of us do. In my situation I had to compromise. My husband had his heart set on a particular car. My thought was to get a less expensive car and wait until we paid some of our debt down and then get the car we really love. Well after much conversation, the compromise was a combination of the two. Have a debt repayment plan and get the newest car we can afford to reduce the possibility of car repairs.

All is now happy on the home front. We were able to get the car we wanted and could afford. The debt repayment plan is up and running, and we still have our marriage intact.

Lessons- sometimes unexpected needs come up.
– approach your financial situations logically.
– compromise when necessary but stay true to your priorities.

“Your Journey…It’s all Connected!”

Naomi Jones – Life Coach RN
www.LifeCoachRN.com

– Posted using BlogPress

How to vacation on a shoestring budget!

Summer is here! Kids are out of school.  Everyone loves to get away from the day to
day drudgery and stress.  When we think
about getting away we usually think about the Caribbean, Europe
or someplace exotic.  Then we look at our
pockets and get “depressed”.  So what can
we do?  Is the “good life” only for the
rich and famous?  NO!  Not if you make a few modifications in your
mind, your pockets and your expectations.

            First let’s
look at the purpose of a vacation.  The #1
reason is to get away and relax.  #2 is having
fun with friends and family and #3 is exploring new adventures while expanding
your view of the world by seeing something new.  So why do we need to go far away?  Look in your own backyard!  Like Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ, “There’s no
place like home!”

Where ever you live there is something to see! I am in New York. I often speak
to a lot of New Yorkers who have not seen the many wonders of this city.  How about you? Every city has history, old
neighborhoods, all types of museums etc. State parks are a hidden treasure.
They have camping areas and some have free activities for kids and adults.  Tap into your local Department of
Tourism.  You’d be surprised at the gems
around you.    

            Here are
the top 3 ways to have a vacation on a modest budget.

1. Plan
   for it!  Most banks and credit
   unions offer vacation clubs.  You
   can put a few dollars away each paycheck and get a lump sum in time to
   plan (and pay for) your vacation.
2. Look
   for discounts! Many places offer discounts if you are traveling off
   season. Websites like Kayak.com offer comparisons of websites offering
   deals on hotel rooms, rental cars and packages. Check with your job. Many
   offer corporate discounts on car rentals, theme parks, city sites etc. Organizations
   like AAA and AARP offer discounts on the same even though you have to join
   and pay an annual fee.
3. Drive!
   Save the cost of airline, train or bus tickets and put the money in your
   gas tank.  Especially if you are
   traveling with more than 2. If you do drive, a little preparation goes
   along way.
1. Get
   your car checked by a mechanic. 
   Oil changes, wheel alignments, proper tire inflation etc will help
   in fuel efficiency and safety.
2. Drive
   at a constant speed. Use your cruise control. Gas is wasted with Herky
   Jerky driving!
3. Plan
   your route!  In the age of the GPS
   we tend to forget about maps. Carry one with you in the car.  I have been on the dirt road that leads
   to nowhere following my GPS.

These are just a few suggestions.  What were your best “bargain” vacations?  Share your thoughts. Enjoy the summer!