Getting rid of my car.. your thoughts??

**cottageliving** · 12-20-2007, 01:50 PM

I became unemployed just before Thanksgiving and am thankful that I've started receiving unemployment income. The problem is that I am short about $500/month. My car pmt + ins = $500/month, and my adult daughter who also has a car lives with me. I can sometimes use her car.

Early last week it occurred to me that I could sell my car - the balance is near Kelly blue book value and it's a good marketable car. We have public transportation here should I find a job.

I have a phone interview tomorrow morning - if I get a job by early Jan I may keep the car and use public trans 2-3 days per week to ease into it. If it works out I could go back to work AND sell my car. That would mean no car pmt, no ins pmt, no gas or maintenance.... I could then put all that extra money toward my mortgage.

Any thoughts? Ideas? Advice? Am I overlooking something? Should I talk to my ins co about a basic policy for me as an occasional driver?

The night I decided to do this last week I had the best night's sleep in a few months....

Any thoughts would be appreciated.... this is a big step, but a good one I believe.

Thanks,
Jennifer

**ktsmama** · 12-20-2007, 02:00 PM

I think that if you feel like the public transportation system was reliable and safe, go for it. It would certainly free up some money and as you mentioned, ease your anxiety level.

Good luck on your interview.

**peanut** · 12-20-2007, 03:27 PM

You might want to park the car for a month and try to go without using it first. That will give you an idea of how realistic you are being.

We tried this last summer, thinking we'd depend on public transit. Only public transit is slower than walking here, and the schedules just don't work for DH's work hours.

He ended riding his bike, which is fine in summer. But winter is a problem. It takes him an hour to get home on the bus. It takes 45 minutes to walk home. He's been walking a lot, even though it's cold and dark out. This will be fine until January/February, when temperatures dip to -30 C with windchills down to -50 C. Then he will simply have to have the car to get to and from work.

Jean

**FrugalMomof3** · 12-20-2007, 04:57 PM

I agree with peanut, try parking it but not driving it for a while and see how that works, if you feel you NEED to use the care than selling it might not be the answer.

Just remember though, to start it up every so often so the battery doesnt drain.