UGH - more car problems

**littlemotherhaywood** · 05-17-2006, 01:57 PM

We were able to sell my car and get dh's jeep fixed and now it has a hole in the gas tank. A minimum of $600 to fix and honestly, it's not worth much more than that. On top of that, dh is up for consideration for a job that would completely change everything in our lives, but it's forty-five minutes away and having one car would be really hard then. Right now he's less than fifteen minutes away. The new job would likely mean an increase in salary and there's an uncapped bonus structure so we'll be able to pay off our debt a lot quicker, I just don't want a car payment (new or used at this point) to eat up that extra money every month. I'm thinking positively that something will come across our path and work for our situation. I don't want to take on any more loans or debts if we don't have to. It's just not reasonable for him to be forty-five minutes away and me with no car with two small kids at home. Any positive thoughts on this situation would be greatly appreciated. Whether we have to get another car or not, dh needs to get this job for the money and for his health. His current boss is literally making him sick and he needs to get out of there asap.

**celina** · 05-17-2006, 02:41 PM

well my dh worked an hour away from home and i had no car, and we did ok..we walked, we bused and in an emergency, the neighbours assured us my kids would get to hospital..and i could always cab it if needed....i shopped on weekends...(and left dh with kids ) so it can work...

**guest32** · 05-17-2006, 03:20 PM

I agree with celina. Having one car is a pain sometimes, but it can be done. I grew up quite a ways out in the country and my mom didn't even know how to drive! I think I was in jr. high when she got her license. I know times have changed, but when my kids were younger, we only had one car too. I really think it can work out....there is always a way to the hospital in an emergency, etc....you just have to be willing to live with the inconvenience. If it's a short term solution to a long term goal, I think it's worth it.

**frugalnana** · 05-17-2006, 04:11 PM

Congrats to your dh on his new job.
I can understand your concern about him being so far with his job.
When I was way, way younger. We lived in Germany and I basically walked the 12 miles to base. In the winter I would catch a ride with someone. After I started having kids, I stayed home and did my errands on weekends. But sometimes in the summer I put my son in the backpack (It was on the front of me and it was made for infants and small children) I would walk the 12 miles and do some errands and then walk to dh's building and ride home with him.
I guess I was used to walking then. My mother didn't drive. We walked or caught a cab. If it was an emergency a neighbor would help us or we called a family member.
If you think you can swing it for a year. You could probably save a little extra from each pay. Then take his vechicle he has now for yourself and get him one with what you have saved. I hope everything will work out for you.

**peanut** · 05-17-2006, 06:10 PM

Congratulations on the job for your dh. Hopefully it comes through and you can find a way for him to get to work.

We've only ever had one car. Dh takes turns bussing, biking or taking the car to work. I plan errand days when dh is off work. We've had to become more efficient, and that is a good thing.

We did have issues with kids needing to go to hospital when they were younger...or emergency medical trips...but dh always just took the time off work to bring the car home and drive us in. Or I'd drop him at work and keep going. It helps tremendously if you switch all your doctors, etc. to people within walking distance from home.

I used my bicycle a lot too...and had a carrier on the back. And we walked a lot as well. It's been good exercise over the years.

I know you can come up with something that will work. Kudos to dh for landing the new job!

Jean

**poppyseed** · 05-17-2006, 09:02 PM

Good luck with it all. I went for almost 12 months without a car, the kids and I would walk into town (luckily not far) to do the errands and grocery shopping, and I would get the groceries home delivered. The only time I found it a nuisance was winter, it was quite cold where we lived and snowed from time to time, so on those days we simply couldnt go out. I had three children under 4 years of age at the time, so I didn't have the daily trip to school either.

I am sure it will all work out for you

**littlemotherhaywood** · 05-18-2006, 07:59 AM

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. He's been working with a headhunter for the company and has his first official interview today. As far as doctors and stuff, our doctor isn't far, he's just not walking distance and we have no idea what insurance we'll have. There aren't any pediatricians within walking distance or dentists or even family practitioners. Just specialists. We'd also be spending more on certain items by only shopping on the weekends. Saturday is the most expensive (and a zoo) day at the market. I'm not saying it couldn't work as I'm sure we could certainly sacrifice enough to do it, I'm just saying I'd rather not. We're not really friendly with our neighbors and most of our neighborhood is empty during the day. My dh is going to talk to his father as he's great with stuff like this and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that something comes up for us. I'm certainly willing to go carless, but I'd rather not. My dd is involved in a couple of activities (very cheap activities) that I'd rather not pull her out of and other than a big field, there's not really anything I can take the kids to within walking distance. I would never feel comfortable taking them on the bus either. We live right outside of Cleveland and honestly, it's not pretty. Who knows?

**peanut** · 05-18-2006, 11:31 AM

Kimberley...ouch...life is so different down in the U.S. that it's hard for me to relate sometimes. Public transit is so safe where I am. So is the community I live in. I don't live in suburbia on purpose, so I do have access to all kinds of shopping, medical and dental facilities. And yes, they're all more expensive than if I were to get in the car and drive elsewhere, BUT they hold me over till the weekend.

I know what you mean about cheaper grocery prices during the week. Here it's Mondays and Tuesdays. After that they jack them up till Sunday. I simply buy according to the pantry principle...when things are on sale I pick them up. And menu plan out of my pantry. Right now I have about one month's food ahead. That's the way I like to keep it. Could you try taking the car in the evenings for grocery shopping? Is that safe? Do you have time?

I sincerely hope this works out for you. Good luck to dh!

Jean