The van is in the shop and will be over $700 to fix.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 10-28-2006, 10:33 AM

One of the emissions lights came on this week and since we have to get the van registered here in OH, we have to get it taken care of. So we took it in and they did an inspection and came up with all sorts of things that need to be fixed. They wanted over $1100 to do everything. We will get the 2 tires replaced somewhere else and dh can do the sparkplugs himself, we will not pay someone $174 to replace sparkplugs, those are easy to do yourself.

So along with the emissions light thing, which will be $400, the air filter needs to be replaced, this is something that dh has tried to do, but couldn't figure out how, and something is leaking oil. We have thought there was an oil leak for over a year now and have taken it in to places in CO, but they always said it wasn't the oil. Well something is leaking oil, and we know this is legit, because we see the oil on the ground we just didn't know where it was coming from. So the total will be over $700.

But I am not panicking, or even upset about it. Cars need work done on them occassionally. Things will break and they will cost money to fix. Dh does whatever he can himself, but he can't do it all. We set aside money each month for car repair. We haven't had any for awhile and have $1100 set aside for it. So yes it will bring us down to almost nothing and we will have to work hard to build it back up before something else needs repaired, but we have the money. This is not an emergency to us. We knew it would happen eventually. What a relief that I can relax about this.

**emily_hope** · 10-28-2006, 12:37 PM

Jennifer, I am so glad that you have money set aside for car repairs. Makes things easier. Of course, it is never easy to let go of the money, but I am sure you will replace it before you know it! Being prepared saves us from lots of worry and misery.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 10-28-2006, 12:43 PM

LOL, I was thinking that maybe I am too relaxed about it. Dh car is 10 years old, so let's hope that nothing happens with it, until we can get the fund built back up. Otherwise I will be on here in a panic about it.

**Katybird** · 10-28-2006, 12:58 PM

You are a smart lady for already having the funds earmarked for your repairs.

I hope that they get everything into tip top shape and you get many more years of great service from your van.

**Shellshome** · 10-28-2006, 01:36 PM

Good for you!! We are in the same boat with my car it will cost between $550 and $600 but it is so nice to know that we can pay for it and not have to ask anyone to borrow money!! I am sure you will have your fund build back up in no time. I have set aside at the end of Dec the money to pay back my fund.

**PrairieRose** · 10-28-2006, 01:41 PM

So nice to hear that you're prepared

That's the way to go. It stinks that it's going to be so much but you're so right. Nothing lasts forever and you do have to take of the small things before they get to be major things.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 10-28-2006, 05:44 PM

Glad to hear you have an emergency fund! We're in the same position right now - looking at major van repairs. Not sure the cost yet, but it's going to be "ouch". We are also blessed with an emergency fund, which makes it a little easier, though, not much!

**babetteq** · 10-28-2006, 06:30 PM

Phew on the EF!!! Motivates me to get my started as soon as I can!

**autumnlynn** · 10-28-2006, 07:45 PM

Seems like Murphy loves cars! It's great that you had the money set aside for the repairs!! Way to go!!

**ScrapMama** · 10-28-2006, 08:26 PM

Good for you! We just had to put new tires on our car and get the air filter changed, but I thank God it belongs to us free and clear.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 10-28-2006, 08:59 PM

But that is the thing, this didn't come out of our emergency fund. It wasn't an emergency! Cars break down, everyone has to plan for them to do that. It shouldn't be an emergency when it does. You know it will happen at some point, you just don't know when or what, or where I guess.

We started what is called a Freedom Account a few years ago. We learned about it through Mary Hunt's books. This is where you set aside money each month for things that come up periodically, not on a regular basis. We have money going to cover the car insurance which we know will come due every 6 months. Also for car repair, which we know will happen at some point. Other things that we put money into this separate account for are kids activities, household repairs and yard maintenance, vacation fund, union dues (due quarterly), HOA fees, etc. I keep a notebook to keep track of exactly how much is in each section of this account.

Since we started this account, we very rarely have emergencies! The last time we had an emergency was when the fridge broke and we had just done a big household project and had wiped out the household repair part of the account. That was 2 years ago. It takes some time to get it set up and going, but it has truly been a life saver. It also takes a lot of planning, but I find that the better I plan for things, the less surprises I get and the fewer emergencies come up.

I don't want to sound preachy or anything, I just wanted to share a little more about how we do it and why I don't consider it an emergency. I am a big Dave Ramsey fan, but he isn't the only one out there that has great ideas when it comes to finances. I am kind of a nerd in that regards, I love to read finance books. That is my pleasure reading. Mary Hunt is one who has great ideas.

**miss_thrifty** · 10-30-2006, 10:39 AM

well im glad for u that u had the money put away, ur smart. I h dont have any money right now to put away for emergencys. all ends seem to be tied up trying to pay off two c.c's to go!!!
Cant wait till they are then i can finally put some mula away too for funds.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 10-30-2006, 01:44 PM

miss thrifty, we were in that spot for years! I know what it is like. and like I said in a previous post on this thread, these repairs pretty much wipe out what we have set aside for car repairs, so if something else happens before we can get it built back up, we will be in that boat of struggling to come up with the money again. All we can do is try to plan for these things, it doesn't always work out though. good luck with getting the credit cards paid off.