Hi Friends!
It breaks my heart to say this, but I’ve finally given up on my car. In the 10 years I’ve owned it, it has given me zero problems until this year. Last weekend was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Sunday Mom & I were on the interstate going out for her birthday when my car suddenly died with no warning and we were crawling with traffic flying by us. One call to AAA and we, along with the car, were towed to safety. The car had been in the shop to have a fan replaced just two days prior so this was beyond frustrating.
You may remember a few months ago my engine died on the interstate the same night I discovered someone tried breaking into my house. Then in early July I was rear-ended and my car had to be fixed. After the accident, I noticed the fan wasn’t sounding right. Mom brought it in last week and $1000 and two days later it died again. Whomp…whomp…
Now I’m not one to throw in the towel easily, but Mom said something that finally resonated with me. “Get something reliable & get rid of this extra stress in your life.” And she’s right. I need something reliable in my life other than her. This car has given me a lot of problems this year so it’s probably time. As much as I don’t want to spend the money to buy a new one, I need something that won’t break every 3 months. It makes me sick to think of getting rid of it with the money I’ve dumbed into it this year. Last month I started looking at cars and narrowed down a few, but with my tibia fractured I was hoping to prolong a car purchase until I was healed. I also have thousands of dollars in medical bills from my previous injury and have yet to see bills for the tibia fracture or foot tear. Needless to say, I was hoping to wait but I don’t think waiting is an option anymore. I have no choice but to buy one. No matter what, you need a car.
Thankfully the breakdown over the weekend was related to the fan they fixed last week and was free of charge. Finally something free! Still, I felt horrible this happened on Mom’s birthday but she was a good sport about it. Only a minor freak out. She felt much better once we were in the tow truck. It was funny when she said “this stuff only happens to me” to which I responded, “no, Mom this only happens to me.” Apparently this is a genetic problem.
Now let’s see some eats. If you’re new to Skinny Fitalicious, What I Ate Wednesday is a post I do every week showcasing my meals from one day. It’s fun to see what other people eat in a day. It’s also great motivation for me to eat balanced and create more delicious recipes!
Breakfast. Zucchini red pepper frittata, turkey bacon and protein pancake
Lunch. When we got home, Mom whipped up her famous Greek cherry smoothie. It was exactly what we both needed after the car episode
Snack. Black bean hummus with gluten free crackers and carrots
Dinner. Crockpot chicken burrito bowls with homemade 5 minute spicy & fresh blender salsa. Good thing I had these in the crockpot ready for us to scarf down when we got home because we were hungry.
[Tweet “No Matter What, You Need A Car #wiaw #meals”]
What do you think? Should I keep the car or buy a new one?
Lots of Health, Food & Love,
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Linking up with Peas & Crayons for What I Ate Wednesday
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Only you know whether or not it’s time. 10 yrs is pretty old for a car. Mine is actually going on 16 – the longest I’ve ever had a car – but it also has very low mileage & runs very well, knock on wood.
No dessert?
My car didn’t have many miles on it until the last two years when I stopped traveling. If I didn’t have to drive so far to work I probably could have extended the use of it longer. As for dessert, I’ve not been all that hungry lately and not cooking with recovering from my injuries. Once I’m feeling better, I’ll be back in the kitchen.
I say end on a high note (the free fix) and get a new one. 10 years is right around the limit for me and once things start happening I feel like they don’t stop when it comes to cars.
That’s what everyone says. I don’t need the added stress either.
I agree with Judy–only you know if it’s the right time. If they will fix it, take the fix and give yourself some time so that you aren’t making a rash decision. If it is something that you’ve thought about for while, then maybe it is time to move on.
I drive a lot of miles every week to work so I really do need something reliable. Like I said, I think this was the last straw for me. I have enough going on with my health and all my doctor appointments. Soon I will be in a lot of therapy learning to walk again. P.S. the atrophy in my quad is freaking me out.
You have really had some stressful challenges and tests lately! Hope you get the car issue figured out. That is frustrating. Mother always knows best 🙂
When it rains it pours I guess. I think we have a plan to get me a new one.
Oh no! Such a bummer about your car 🙁 At least this fix was free! But your mom is right, you definitely don’t need that added stress in your life!
It’s about time something was free. I’ve dumped so much money in the car this year it kills me.
My first car was a 92 Saturn that had been my uncle’s, and when it was finally time to let it go, I was so sad! I really want a burrito bowl now.
It probably sounds silly, but it’s hard to part with something you’ve had for so long.
my car is 10 and slowly dying… oh no! and i always say that too.. “this only happens to me.” haha. But I don’t think mine is genetic, just me. Darn!
Dealing with car stuff is just not fun. I think I like to live on the edge, but really I don’t want to deal with the hard stuff.
Ugh car buying…I’m still in school so I’m putting off buying a car as long as possible because I really don’t want a ton of debt right now. So I get your pain on that one. I drive my dad’s old 2001 car that I affectionately call Jimothy. Jimothy is temperamental but is a good car so I’ll be sad to see it go. Hope things start running more smoothly for you soon!
I understand that. It’s tough when you’re in school and have loans to payoff. That’s smart of you keeping your Dad’s car as long as possible.
Girl, EVERYTHING happens for a reason – and this means – NEW CAR!!! Yep! Time to get shopping!
Girl, I’m on it! I will never say no to shopping.
I agree with your mom – it’s time for a new car. I’ve been in your situation before where I put thousands into a car and when I traded it in for some $$$ I became sick to my stomach. In the end though, it was the best thing I could have ever done.
I agree too and it’s amazing it took me so long to realize this. If I didn’t have all these medical problems, I would extend the life of it, but I need to focus on my health and getting well. Car buying just isn’t much fun though.
knock on wood, ive never really had serious car issues. minus the one time i totalled my second car, a jeep liberty, but that was a blessing in disguise because i didnt like the liberty and instead was able to get the jeep grand cherokee laredo! AND my first car was a jeep wrangler. sooo id say go for a jeep 😉 unless you like good gas mileage… my dream car is a jeep wrangler with good gas mileage.
I’ve always wanted an SUV, but I drive a lot of miles to work so it’s doesn’t make sense to buy something that requires a lot of gas. Maybe one day I will get something bigger. I also love how fun it is to drive a fast car.
My car is also 10 years old and I’m ready to get a new one. I think 10 years is a nice even number to think about getting a new car, so my answer to your question is yes, bite the bullet and get a new car 🙂
I’m liking that advice. It’s probably better to be proactive than stranded.