Sadly, as the car is essential for my husband's work, we've had to have one. And it is a huge dent in our overall budget. We save by buying used with cash, thus avoiding higher car insurance, the first huge hit of new car depreciation, and horrible loan interest rates. We've also found a towing/car breakdown service similar to AAA is available for far less through our car insurance company. We don't have the travel planning perks or discounts of AAA, so this option might not be for everyone, but it meets our needs. Public transportation or car pooling is not an option in our situation.
We did one car for quite a few years because I work from home. Our two daughters drive now and so we have two vehicles now, but one is a cheap minivan - high miles, decent body, and only cost a thousand dollars. It runs well and we keep it for any local destinations (30-45 minutes).
I keep the blinds and shades closed on whatever part of the house the sun is shining. That alone keeps the house a good 10+ degrees cooler. We have had people think our A/C was on just by doing this.
We have always had one car and it has bode us well..We think people who lease and also have 2 and 3 cars are absolutely nuts..I walk everywhere and ride my bike on the back paths to avoid being hit and killed in our tiny community..I have always riden public transportation and we skipped me driving for our 41 years of marriage if something happens to my hubs I could in an emergency drive our paid for car, but only in a dire emergency..We don't get the thing about people going car nuts, we live in the west gasoline is ridiculous and we don't get Seattle at all, no places to park, expensive gas and horrible drivers with no insurance whatsoever and hit others with their cars and leave the scene immediately and the biggest dirty secret is the theft of cars in seattle the number one city for it's population for theft of cars! I would never own a car in that city whatsoever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent article Carrie, It's true that most of us don't keep receipts or proper records of purchasing. But actually receipts keeps you on budget, keeps you organized and can help save money whether you missed discounts on the purchase or going to file deductions at tax time.
Personally I use Shoeboxed and Evernote app in my iPhone to take snapshots and keep my own notes about receipts.
Thanks so much for sharing these recommendations. I will have to check a couple of them out in the coming weeks.
Mani Maran recently published a really great book that offers exceptional advice of personal finance.
There is so much experience and wisdom packed into this book and the included exercises were a huge help to me.
Look out for The Magic of Attracting Money.
Stay in the AC, drink cool non- alcoholic beverages, wear light flowing clothing and put a wet cloth around your neck. Been over 100 degrees here so we have practiced these methods frequently.
Great post, this is really helpful. Being injured on the job is bad enough, but not having any idea what to do next definitely makes the situation much worse.
Here's what I do for my 4-year-old's new favorite cool-off activity: fill a casserole dish about halfway with water, then set a small plastic bowl in it, weighing it down so the bowl doesn't float. Freeze, then remove the plastic bowl. I set this dish on our porch, pour some water in the empty spot made by the bowl, then she has an ice scene to play with. She skates little plastic figures on the ice and has them play in the cool "lake." The scene changes as it melts, and little toes usually find their way in too. :)
This is why buying a new vehicle is lunacy. I get get a car (emphasis on car) with around 100k miles on it for less than $5,000 total. that greatly changes the equation in my favor. My goal is to average (with repairs) $100 per month for the life of the car. If I can even get close to that I come out very well even with two vehicles.
I do live in a rural are of a low tax state so it is easier to keep those numbers low and it makes it more necessary to have a second vehicle.
Glad you enjoyed the article, Harry. I'm running a series on pearls of financial wisdom from the experts. Check out my other two articles that feature advice from Warren Buffett and Ben Bernanke.
Cold water, stripping to my birthday suit, and turning on the fan.
In the end, age really doesn't matter huh? I've never been impacted by it, literally. And credit score always matters. Thanks for the nice post!
Sadly, as the car is essential for my husband's work, we've had to have one. And it is a huge dent in our overall budget. We save by buying used with cash, thus avoiding higher car insurance, the first huge hit of new car depreciation, and horrible loan interest rates. We've also found a towing/car breakdown service similar to AAA is available for far less through our car insurance company. We don't have the travel planning perks or discounts of AAA, so this option might not be for everyone, but it meets our needs. Public transportation or car pooling is not an option in our situation.
you should try Cyrano Experience
We did one car for quite a few years because I work from home. Our two daughters drive now and so we have two vehicles now, but one is a cheap minivan - high miles, decent body, and only cost a thousand dollars. It runs well and we keep it for any local destinations (30-45 minutes).
I keep the blinds and shades closed on whatever part of the house the sun is shining. That alone keeps the house a good 10+ degrees cooler. We have had people think our A/C was on just by doing this.
Thanks for sharing this list Lynn... It does help alot to find the best coupons online.
I love eating ice cream to stay cool - my husband laughs that every time I am done eating I complain I am cold!
We have always had one car and it has bode us well..We think people who lease and also have 2 and 3 cars are absolutely nuts..I walk everywhere and ride my bike on the back paths to avoid being hit and killed in our tiny community..I have always riden public transportation and we skipped me driving for our 41 years of marriage if something happens to my hubs I could in an emergency drive our paid for car, but only in a dire emergency..We don't get the thing about people going car nuts, we live in the west gasoline is ridiculous and we don't get Seattle at all, no places to park, expensive gas and horrible drivers with no insurance whatsoever and hit others with their cars and leave the scene immediately and the biggest dirty secret is the theft of cars in seattle the number one city for it's population for theft of cars! I would never own a car in that city whatsoever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent article Carrie, It's true that most of us don't keep receipts or proper records of purchasing. But actually receipts keeps you on budget, keeps you organized and can help save money whether you missed discounts on the purchase or going to file deductions at tax time.
Personally I use Shoeboxed and Evernote app in my iPhone to take snapshots and keep my own notes about receipts.
Opening the house up at night and then shutting everything in the morning before it gets hot!
i already purchase "Blueair 503" although its cost 's quite expensive thanh other product but it's really great to remove dust/smoke in my house .
Our favorite way to cool down is tubing at the lake as a family!
Thanks so much for sharing these recommendations. I will have to check a couple of them out in the coming weeks.
Mani Maran recently published a really great book that offers exceptional advice of personal finance.
There is so much experience and wisdom packed into this book and the included exercises were a huge help to me.
Look out for The Magic of Attracting Money.
I love to see all the latest blockbusters and then head home for a popsicle!
Stay in the AC, drink cool non- alcoholic beverages, wear light flowing clothing and put a wet cloth around your neck. Been over 100 degrees here so we have practiced these methods frequently.
Great post, this is really helpful. Being injured on the job is bad enough, but not having any idea what to do next definitely makes the situation much worse.
I usually blast the AC!
I'm in the pool to stay cool. Hey! I'm a poet and don't even know it :)
With a tall glass of sweet ice tea or some ice cream
Find a nice cool shady spot by the lake.
Here's what I do for my 4-year-old's new favorite cool-off activity: fill a casserole dish about halfway with water, then set a small plastic bowl in it, weighing it down so the bowl doesn't float. Freeze, then remove the plastic bowl. I set this dish on our porch, pour some water in the empty spot made by the bowl, then she has an ice scene to play with. She skates little plastic figures on the ice and has them play in the cool "lake." The scene changes as it melts, and little toes usually find their way in too. :)
I don't have any creative ideas. I just like to move as little as possible inside an air conditioned room, drinking a cold beverage.
This is why buying a new vehicle is lunacy. I get get a car (emphasis on car) with around 100k miles on it for less than $5,000 total. that greatly changes the equation in my favor. My goal is to average (with repairs) $100 per month for the life of the car. If I can even get close to that I come out very well even with two vehicles.
I do live in a rural are of a low tax state so it is easier to keep those numbers low and it makes it more necessary to have a second vehicle.
Glad you enjoyed the article, Harry. I'm running a series on pearls of financial wisdom from the experts. Check out my other two articles that feature advice from Warren Buffett and Ben Bernanke.