Sell the reliable car to save money?

[greenskeeper]

pay off the focus, then put the monthly "payment" towards your "vw bus savings fund"

[Frügal]

pay off the focus, then put the monthly "payment" towards your "vw bus savings fund"

Not a bad suggestion. But selling is definitely our goal now.

[Redraidernurse]

Yes, we could go without a car for a while. The grocery store (Grocery Outlet) is two miles away, but it is uphill and a 1,000 foot elevation change, at least. It would be pretty difficult to safely do so with the little on in-tow.

Why does the little one have to be in tow? You don't have to both go. One person could stay home with her.

And if you are going to go without a car for a year why not put that money saved towards your credit card debt or student loans?

[Frügal]

Why does the little one have to be in tow? You don't have to both go. One person could stay home with her.

And if you are going to go without a car for a year why not put that money saved towards your credit card debt or student loans?

We will be. Just wasn't talking about that right then.

[Redraidernurse]

Also, if I had to choose between a tall mocha latte or a pair of socks, the socks would win.

[Frügal]

Also, if I had to choose between a tall mocha latte or a pair of socks, the socks would win.

You're right. We are bad at prioritizing, it seems. We got lost in what we were doing. There was a time (only two months ago) where our treats budget did not exist, and we were just fine.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Stop the $130/month on cell phones and data. You can't afford it. You have internet, what do you need it on your phone? My DH just got data on his phone and trust me he wrangled with the idea of $30/month for data for years. Still is unsure but enjoys his toy.

If you don't have the cell phones you can keep the car. And buy underwear and perhaps even pay off the car faster.

[Frügal]

Stop the $130/month on cell phones and data. You can't afford it. You have internet, what do you need it on your phone? My DH just got data on his phone and trust me he wrangled with the idea of $30/month for data for years. Still is unsure but enjoys his toy.

If you don't have the cell phones you can keep the car. And buy underwear and perhaps even pay off the car faster.

We are new here, so we end up needing directions when we are out pretty often.

We are prepping the car for sale. We have bicycles, a bicycle trailer, and feet. We are ready to make the carless plunge.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Some things that are almost novelties from days gone by might be of assistance to you. If you need directions, keep in your car (which you can afford to keep if you get rid of all that cell phone service) the following items:

1. paper town road map
2. paper county road map
3. paper state road map
4. paper phone directory with both residential and business listings.

Keep these in your car. You can find businesses you have no idea about, and there are often helpful maps in the ads in the yellow pages, too.

So if you are on your way to the park and say, "Hey, let's go get a new bottle of sunscreen because we used up the last of it on daughter last week," you can look up where there is a store close to the park. Easy to do because you have the phone book in your trunk. And you can afford the sunscreen because you aren't paying for the phones. And maybe you can afford her some rain gear (which I think you mentioned in your blog) while you are there.

If you don't know where to get the listed things try the chamber of commerce, gas stations, walmart, and the land line phone company. You may be able to print one out from your computer if you have a printer. I do realize that paper maps are not as easy to come by as they once were.

Local libraries could also help you find maps and directories.

Build the habit of checking the way to go places before you leave home. Use Mapquest, GoogleMaps, etc. Some such services even give walking directions, bus stops and schedules, taxi services, and attractions & businesses along the route so that you can really plan an outing and get the most out of your trip.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

[Xtreme Thunder]

Personally, this choice is not very "earth-saving" or the correct way to go "financial freedom".

If you are going through all this trouble, you should at least pay off the two credit cards with the net proceeds from the sale of the vehicle.

After that you may have approximately $2,500 left over. Now if you are willing to go without a vehicle for a few months that frees up $320 a month. If you go without cell phones for a couple months, that's $450 savings, cut treats and that's just shy of $500/month savings.

You can't afford your phones at their current rate. Get a pay-as-you-go phone and only spend $20/ month.

This method, you get out of dept and have some savings.

Increase income, although I am not sure of whole story or why this has yet to be an option.

Priorities before dreams/ wants.

I know the post is a little aggressive.

[Frügal]

Your post is correct, though, Xtreme Thunder.

I recently posted a comment on my blog, stating that we are going to be getting prepaid phones and selling the iPhones. Also, we will be paying off our debt after selling the vehicle.

By going without the car and by getting prepaid phones ($50 for two per month), we will save $5,000 in one year.

If we sell the car for $7,000 (less than we want to), that will pay off the car ($3,400), credit cards ($1,300), and Sallie Mae ($1,800), leaving us with $500. Put that into savings for a total of $1,100 in savings. Use that as our emergency fund. And just keep on saving. I think it is a great plan.

New question, however. Our stereo in the car recently died. A new fuse won't revive it, so it is toast. If you were selling, would you install another stereo (would buy used stock stereo for around $50), or try to sell the car without it?

I am thinking install another one. People don't like to see cars with missing stuff...

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Where is your groceries line? Medical? How much is the student loan deferred?

Income $1740
Rent $945 - this is high, when I made that much as a single, I aimed at $600/month rent
Car Loan $136
Cell Phones $130
Auto Ins $166
Renter Ins $10
Gas $30
Baby $40
Treats $32
Pet $30
Health & Beauty $35
Household $40
Utilities $50
Internet $30
Expenses $1679

What sort of savings are you doing? The problem is going to be long term unless you do more income. One big emergency and you'd be toast. I think no car thing might be good with Zip car, another option really is moving. The rent just is way out of line with your budget. What are cheaper options?

[Frügal]

Where is your groceries line? Medical? How much is the student loan deferred?

Income $1740
Rent $945 - this is high, when I made that much as a single, I aimed at $600/month rent
Car Loan $136
Cell Phones $130
Auto Ins $166
Renter Ins $10
Gas $30
Baby $40
Treats $32
Pet $30
Health & Beauty $35
Household $40
Utilities $50
Internet $30
Expenses $1679

What sort of savings are you doing? The problem is going to be long term unless you do more income. One big emergency and you'd be toast. I think no car thing might be good with Zip car, another option really is moving. The rent just is way out of line with your budget. What are cheaper options?

If you have been following my blog, you would know that we recently moved out-of-state for a job opportunity in apartment maintenance. We live where I work. (BTW, I hope that first sentence did not sound rude! It sounds very snide to me. Apologies!) We have been out here for almost a month now.

Also, we had been saving up. We had a few thousand, and used it to move over here. We currently have over $1,000 left after moving, and will be starting back up on our savings. Another reason to sell the car and ditch the phones!

I do feel like I am on the defensive a little, here. I am trying not to sound rude. Just to explain - we moved from a bad situation (financially and otherwise) to a great situation (living conditions), but with poor financial stability. So we are fixing it. It has only been a month, so give us some time.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Haven't read the blog, I apologize for being so out of the loop.

Do you think it'll be easier without the car and worth it?

[Frügal]

Haven't read the blog, I apologize for being so out of the loop.

Do you think it'll be easier without the car and worth it?

Don't be sorry. I don't expect everyone to read everyone's blogs. I don't.

Easier without the car? Financially - Yes. However, it will definitely be a HUGE change. But the wife and I are excited. We love experiencing new things. We will be signing up for the ZipCar service for big trips, such as getting Christmas trees and what-not. Otherwise, we will take our bicycles, walk, go with friends, etc. At only $60/yr and $7.50/minute, ZipCar is pretty awesome!

Worth it? ABSOLUTELY!

Real question is: Is it worth $302/mo in car payment and insurance to use a car that doesn't get 100 miles of use in a month? Nope. And we are at the lowest interest we can find (5%) and insurance is the lowest also.