24 Jun
Delayed Gratification – Becoming a Grown-Up at 37
Race car, Lightning McQueen, gets thrown in jail in Cars
On my daily 70 mile commute I see so many cars that I envision dragging a huge anchor just like McQueen behind them in the form of a monthly payment. If not for the car itself then for the stereo in it, the custom tires or some maintenance that just had to be done. Not that long ago I would have been one of them. Thankfully, (say it with me now) we do not borrow money.
Since that includes “emergency” repairs I am proud to give you an update. It has been 6 weeks since I had air of any kind in my little Civic. In that time daily highs have been up to 104F. I did a 700 mile road trip through stinky cow country with the windows down. However, not once did we consider borrowing to repair the car.
We stuck to the budget and last Saturday I handed $950 cash to the nice lady at the service desk and the air works again.
Wow. We actually went without, stuck to a plan, and saved up for something we wanted. This behavior-modification stuff must be working. There was a time I would have just whipped out a credit card and paid for the repair immediately… then dragged that payment around for a year.
It seems ridiculous that it took so long to figure out that living with a deliberate plan for your money is not only the right way, but it’s easier too. Things are simpler when you budget to your values and not borrowing a dime has become one of ours.
It may have taken a month and a half to save up for the repair, but that car drove away from the dealer light as a feather dragging absolutely nothing behind it at all.
the Dad
Posted by Tutu on 06/24/09 at 12:33 pm
Awesome – very inspiring! They say it takes 6 weeks make a new behavior a habit; I’d say you guys have arrived! It appears it’s become a way of life. What freedom you’re enjoying!
Posted by Kelsalynn on 06/24/09 at 12:55 pm
I couldn’t agree w/ you more! When our 2nd car was totaled in a hit-and-run accident, people were shocked to hear that we were not going to replace it. Instead, we became a one-car family and I started biking to work everyday. Everyone says, “Isn’t that a pain?” or “Isn’t that a lot of work?”
Actually, it’s so much easier. It’s so much simpler. I have to plan my day the night before so when the day comes, I already know how it’s going to play out.
The other question I get is, “Can’t you afford a car payment?”
Oh, we could totally afford it, we’re just choosing to delay the gratification of a new car until we can afford the entire car, not just it’s payment. =)
Posted by Kellie on 06/24/09 at 6:08 pm
Wow!! I’m impressed… I would have counted that as an emergency during the summer
Good job proving that it wasn’t!!
Posted by Kelsalynn on 06/25/09 at 6:21 am
I promise, our snowball isn’t usually 5 G’s! We had a few blessings this month and it all went to debt. Normally we’re around $3,000 but our first month, I think we sent $600 or something- lol. What a difference a year makes!
Posted by Danielle on 06/25/09 at 12:27 pm
YEAH! Way to go!
We’re still holding out on the AC repair for our Jetta. We got the quote and it’s $1800. Yeah, that’s not going to happen. So we may just go without for a while longer. Perhaps even through the summer. We’ll see I guess. It’s not too bad… then again, we’re not putting in any 700 mile road trips!
Posted by Sandi on 06/26/09 at 6:06 am
What a wonderful inspiration your stories are to us all. Congratulations are being a grown-up.
Posted by Auntie on 10/20/09 at 12:01 pm
I had heard through the grapevine about your blog but your tech savvy Auntie didn’t understand what that was. I found it today and have spent the last couple hours reading. Wanted to say…The Old Fart and I are back at it with the budget…again. We’ve been at this for 42 years off and on and right now we are back on. We began in January and each month we project the next months income and expenses and whatnot. It all goes down on a lined tablet with pencil and different color inks (uh huh, compliments of the tech savvy auntie). It has brought many of the same things to us that your journey is bringing to you…..peace of mind, awareness of reality, we’re-in-this-together attitude, and a readdressing of our blessings and what is truly important in life. So, Dear Ones, know that we’re in this together and that I am so impressed with you. You’ve got guts and brains…a great combo.