I read The Total Money Makeover last week. In it, Dave said something like "When you finally get committed to paying down debt, something will happen"! It's definitely true - we are anticipating no job to go back to and are trying to live on hubby's income while I am on parental leave. We putting money in the EF too as well as paying debt down. The transmission on our money guzzling van (only vehicle) needs replacing and we will not do it so now we are looking for a reliable vehicle that can hold two adults and 3dd in car seats that is inexpensive (our EF is ~2300). My hubby tried to convince me a car payment was fine yesterday, but the only way I can fit it into a single income budget is if we sell the house!

Yeah it seems like the universe starts pulling against you once you make the commitment. Just stay focused, you'll manage and when you get through on the other side you'll be so proud of yourselves. :thumb:

Oh no! Well at least you got a head start on it, by living on one income now. I'm sure you'll be able to find a used minivan or SUV for that amount. If it only lasts you a year or 2, you may be in a better place, financially speaking, by then.

how much is a new trans on the van? Wouldn't it be worth it to repair the current van if it will live a few more years?

Just curious -

good luck with what ever you decide!

I'm really sorry for the Murphy visit. Seems like it always happens once we make a committment. Hope you find some reasonable transportation soon.

Sorry Murphy has moved in on you all. :hugz: We just did major transmission work on our 2000 Toyota Sienna (mini-van) for less than $1,000. Maybe you can get a second opinion on how much it would be to fix it since you have a pretty good emergency fund started? I sympathize with the three car seat dilemma, that's why we bought a van, too. (Only to have the transmission work less than 3 months later!)

I totally understand. just Started Dave Ramsey about 2 weeks ago. Dropped $800 on dh car last week and $250 more to go for tires! As if that's not enough, while the car was in the shop he drove the gas guzzling truck to work and the day we picked up the car the truck radiator broke--so it's still sitting in the driveway! The car is a 93 and the truck an 88. They are backups for each other! lol
I told dh the Lord wants us out of debt, but the devil wants to maintain control so he is throwing a wrench into the works at the start to discourage us. We are all the more determined!!!

Yep- I had posted last week about completing baby step 1 when I got paperwork from the soon to be-ex's attorney for the kids' adoption. This is the second go round on the paperwork and it is completely messed up again (first time didn't have kids' middle names spelled right and this time there is nothing for me to sign). I am thinking it is the universes' way of saying this is a bad idea so I am trying to figure out how I am going to pay for insurance for us. At least I feel better knowing this is the Murphy Dave talks about :-)

Thank you all for commiserating woith me and making suggestions. When we looked at what we could afford, it was what we already have (95 van) so we decided to get our vehicle fixed. Surprisingly we still have $250 in our EF!!! Thank God for the BEF as a few months ago this would have definitely been on credit!