Cousin Rina diied. I need to update my will.

Christmas break started Thursday, December 22. I started off very productive – with a visit to the dental office. Then I began blogging. Sweet.

I expected to declutter my room and storage and really make progress on my side hustle during this 10-day break. Then, sadly, Murphy (you know, the creator of Murphy’s law) came to visit.

What happened was my cousin, Rina, was found dead in her apartment on Thursday afternoon. Congestive heart failure due to pneumonia. Early 40s. Completely unexpected.

So, now I’m helping to pack up her apartment and that got me thinking about my own state of affairs.

I haven’t finished my will. Well, it’s written but not notarized or filed with any attorney. I don’t have a health directive completed. I have asked my aunt to be in charge of my affairs after I die, and I’ve notified my mother that I asked my aunt to do that. However, if it’s not on paper, it didn’t happen. That’s the legal rule of life.

So, today, I’m decluttering my room for a few hours before I return to Rina’s apartment to help pack up hers. I want to have less stuff so that when I go, it will be easy on people. That’s no reflection on Rina, her life seemed very simple and it’s been easy to pack up so far.

However, I have boxes and boxes of books and papers. Sometimes an important piece of paper is mixed in with all the memoirs, old teaching materials, etc. So I need to filter that stuff so family won’t have to throw away something important by accident, or worry that they did.

Fortunately, my financial papers are the one bright spot in my paper-life. Well organized and recognizable.

So, this Christmas eve, I urge you to do like me. Declutter your space and finish your end-of-life documents. Help out those who will be left to finish the job after you. 

Re-branding my blog

I'm a little confused and disappointed. It appears that the way to make money online is by telling other people how to make money online. I've looked at so many other bloggers' videos and webpages and blogs. Most of them that make money seem to do it by telling people how to make money.

I'm left wondering, so what did you sell? Video games? Jewelry? Comic books? Did you make $10,000 selling ebooks about automobiles, or your travels, or what its like raising twins? No. The top bloggers are internet marketers, podcasters (discussing how to be a good podcaster), site builders, seo specialists, people telling about how to be an entrepreneur but it seems like they failed until they started the entrepreneur-teaching business. They are business consultants and salespeople. 80 percent of bloggers go right back to "you pay because I'm telling you how to make money."

I wanted to think i would make money just telling people how to get out of debt and selling pet products on line. Naw.

I'm flexible though. I decided if the market wants to know how to blog, setup websites, etc and that's how I will make money, well, I can rehash the information that I've learned and sell it. That sounded dull though. ten I realized I can teach people how to invest in real estate. There's a demand for that.

Then I came across Yaro Starak and he is very honest. He talks about the "Make Money Online" phenomenon. Since he's in the same field of interent marketing, he showcases his students' successs stories to show that his method of blogging works. He also doesn't believe in being on every social media. he believss in targeting a few well-chosen customers and not eveyrbody in the world.

My kind of guy.

So, it's been 9 weeks and I'm glad to say I've been faithful at blogging once a week. I have 750 Twitter followers. I also have 17 pages of a book written on real estate investing for beginners.

I rewrote the vision, mission, title, and tagline. I have an idea for a logo.

It's going to be a whole new website, but it's a topic I've been interested in for more than 10 years.

I look forward to continue working on this side hustle and I feel even more hopeful that I'll see income in 6 months and not 6 years.

Richer With Pets going strong after 4 weeks

I'm still excited.

I just ended week 4 of my new blog Richerwithpets.com.

I conducted 3 t-shirt campaigns, none of which earned moolah.
I have 3 posts up, which have each been revised at least 5 times.
I have a total of about 125 likes/followers on Facebook and Twitter.
I have an elevator pitch, 3 taglines (haven't settled on one yet), and an editorial calendar of upcoming posts.
I've spent about $250 on ads, t-shirt designs, and the website/email.

I have the opportunity to host an after-school science club or tutor. I may tutor, but I'm seriously thinking of turning down the after-school club so that I can focus on RWP.

I'm excited about the possibilities of what to do with this site and where it could go. I have to setup a store with products and focus on selling products. I don't want writings to be the  main source of income because the Internet is so full of personal finance blogs and an almost infinite supply of writings.

October review

October review

1. I have been paying $100 a week on my bank loan to decrease the interest charged by hitting the principal more frequently. One week I paid $700.

2. I designed a t-shirt and posted it online for sale. I attended a women's entrepreneurs meeting and shared my elevator pitch with 10 women, then I asked for help creating a tagline.

3. Consistently came home and worked in the evenings. Created goals and met goals related to my own business.

4. Created a blog, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook accounts. I have 61 Twitter followers and 12 FB likes.

I'm aiming to earn $500 this week from my t-shirt campaign. I will use it to give to Aunt and Uncle and say thanks for letting me stay when I really needed a place and this is a gift. Later, I'd like to give $500 to my  friend who let me stay with her as well.


I am inviting people to submit t-shirt ideas for future t-shirts. I want to pay people $500 for ideas. I could offer to share the income 50/50, but I'm so passionate about this side interest and putting so much time and attention to it that it may be an unfair deal to go 50/50.

3-year anniversary (this post is late)

3- year anniversary

I bought a splurge meal of barbecue chicken, ice cream, and pickles. Tempted to get root beer but didn't I haven't drank pop  in one month.

I am creating plans to start my own finance blog.

I reached 110 crunches, 50 leg raises, and a 65 second plank. Day 18 of the 24-day Abs challenge.

3 years ago today I was using this weekend to take my dog down South so I could come back up North and sleep in my car. I would have $100 extra money after doing that, the first time in years I had $100 and no pressure to spend it anywhere. It was the beginning of an awesome adventure. I want others to feel excitement and enthusiasm as they partake of the same adventure. So, I'm not going to write a finance book for teachers but find a different way to write about personal finance and earn money at the same time.

Life is Richer With Pets

I'm excited! I started a new blog today! It's a topic that I'm passionate about and I can think of countless blog posts, so many that I can't list them on or even organize all the topics I'm finding to blog about.

I have started 4 unsuccessful blogs in the past, then this 1 which is 3 years and 190 posts long. I feel proud.

Today my new site went live. I came home and treated it like a part time job. I posted an introduction post. I joined Wordless Wednesday and posted a pic. I setup my Facebook page and read about how to improve a blog. Then I found out about FinCon 2017 and BlogPaws Conference 2017 and made it a goal to attend both ($200 a piece if I register this month).

I'm excited and look forward to coming "back to work" tomorrow evening.

Here are some preliminary goals for the blog:
1. Help people as evidenced by a following of 20K on any 1 social media type
2. Earn $2K a month through ads, selling products, or writing articles for other media
3. Reach the first 2 goals in 200 days (May 1. That's 100 new followers a day). \

Let me explain why this moment is so momentous.

This weekend after 3 years of living without my beloved Jefferson because I was paying down debt, I decided at the last minute to hop in my car after work and drive down South for the Columbus Day Weekend and pick up my baby.

So, here he is under my feet, bathed and ready for his 3rd walk of the day. I'm feeling so blessed and excited that this major part of my debt-free journey is apparently over. Jefferson did his part by putting up with a less than ideal living arrangement. Now, I'm going to share my experience with others who are getting out of debt with a pet. It's a great feeling to know that as difficult as the decision was to separate from him for a time, that this experience could be the very thing I need to get rid of this last chunk of debt and start giving more.

August review

August review

Since I moved into a new room, I cook for myself more. I pack lunches to  school and they are healthy. Salads, foods that can be eaten without heating in a microwave, vegetables and or fruit in every lunch. I also have a surplus in my food envelope each week.

I save $80 a month on rent. It's only 16% of my income. I also save gas and get to work on time because my morning commute is at least 15-30 minutes shorter depending on when I leave home.

I will have a surplus each month for the next 9 months. In August, that surplus went to car repairs.

I finished Financial Peace University, and in September I plan to start the debt snowball again. I have a visual hanging on my board that I can color in gradually as I pay down debt. I no longer have a new car fund. All of my surplus now will go to the debt snowball. I plan to start a new car fund again when I pay off PNC.

I have begun exercising almost every morning. My pants fit better and I feel healthier and more energized.  

I can't find any new places to save money, and fear is holding me back from moving on my product idea. There I've admitted it. Now I can face the fear.

Updates on the car philosophy

So...update on my car philosophy.

The Honda officially cannot be driven on the highway anymore. I had left it down south with my mother, but I decided I prefer the Honda to the Mitsubishi so I would retrieve my Honda and sell the Mitsubishi.

I tried to drive it back up north at the beginning of August and it overheated for the 3rd time this summer. The mechanic told me it was a $2500 repair job. I was 5 hours from my hometown. With a combination of driving it carefully and below the speed limit plus getting it towed part of the way, I made it 5 hours back to my hometown and left it with my mother again. That's where it will stay.

I was trying to bring it back up north and sell the Mitsubishi. I thought I was correcting a mistake I had made. I should have waited to purchase another car until the Honda had officially died FIRST.

As soon as I got back up north (I had to fly back - expensive at the last minute!), and as soon as I got back in the Mitsubishi, I began to like it. Everyday I like it more. I think I like it now because I really NEED it, plus it has no payments.

Well, a week ago I was stuck after school for 3 hours due to a dead battery, then towed home because the mechanic could not jump start the battery. I was so done with the whole dead battery issue in this car.

I took the car to a dealership. They searched like looking for a needle in a haystack (their words) for 4 days and finally found the problem. That "problem mechanic" that I took the car to in January did not fully remove the after-market alarm system, causing some wires to stay live all the time and drain the battery constantly.

That's that. Other than needing new tires, the car runs well. The mechanic I used earlier this year has cost me about $600 in unnecessary repairs. Fortunately, the car emergency fund covered that. I'm past that now and looking forward to more debt snowballing.

My car philosophy versus Dave Ramsey's car philosophy

I have my Honda back and plan to keep it until it officially dies or starts having serious safety problems (like shutting off on me, which it definintely does not do). I have decided that my car philosophy is to buy like-new with cash and warranty and keep for 15 years - not as DR says to buy a cheap car that may need more repair costs that it's worth. I will risk buying a beater car only if I needed something temporary to get me from A to B and could live without any needed repairs. For example, this Mitsubishi - since I let a certain mechanic touch it - now goes dead after 20 hours of not being cranked. I don't plan to get the problem fixed - I'll just ensure that I drive it daily and keep it cranked on a regular. Then I'll sell it.

I made this decision after reading a long post in a Facebook group where a lady bought a used car and had significant cost and safety problems with it. Then she ended up taking out a loan for a newer, stress-free car. That's worth it's cost.

Here's the whole post:

Marie Huizar

June 29 · Helotes, TX

We bought a used car for $3200 about 3 weeks ago and today found out it needs $4000 in repairs. Its basically a piece of junk. 😕

Like

Like

Love

Haha

Wow

Sad

Angry

Comment

75 Comments

2323

Comments

Sandra Aguilar Get a different quote $4000 is a lot

Like · Reply · 2 · June 29 at 11:47pm

Marie Huizar The quote is from the dealership. No matter what-the problem is going to cost thousands to fix

Like · Reply · June 29 at 11:48pm

Laura Galvond I'm just reading down the comments now, so I hope someone already said this but dealerships are notoriously expensive. Check with independent shops with good reputations - always look at what they charge hourly for labor (dealerships are the most expensive on labor and parts normally).

Like · Reply · July 2 at 2:19pm

Write a reply...

Jenn Farooq the dealership is the most expensive place to get a car fixed.

Like · Reply · 28 · June 29 at 11:50pm

Megan Franklin-Moran Not always true but usually yes. They are usually cheaper for us with the tundra. When a mechanic tells me they have to do anything with the engine in order to get to something I automatically take it to the dealer. We get told it's so expensive because tundra s are harder to work on. I figure the dealer is an expert in Toyota so it should be cheaper. Always has been for us

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:19am

Anna Murray Any foreign shop can fix a tundra. Dealerships are premium prices. My husband is a mechanic and he works on all our friends stuff. They call everytime they leave the dealership with a ridiculous quote . He is always will over 1/2 cheaper. Note my husband isn't even a passenger vehicle mechanic but a diesel mechanic and works on all makes and models.

Like · Reply · June 30 at 6:17am · Edited

Write a reply...

Karla Jenkins Go to a good independent shop. Ask around.

Like · Reply · 8 · June 29 at 11:50pm

Jenn Farooq you can also buy your own parts and just pay for the labor

Like · Reply · 3 · June 29 at 11:51pm

Marie Huizar I know the dealership is expensive. I guess we could ask one more place. But either way it'll probably be at least $2000. It needs a new catalytic converter. BUT the previous owner welded it to other pipes under the hood-yes welded. So all of those parts need replacing

Like · Reply · June 29 at 11:52pm

Mary Beth Barbagallo Oh. My. Goodness. That's awful.

Like · Reply · 3 · June 29 at 11:59pm

Marie Huizar Yes I know

Like · Reply · June 30 at 12:00am

View more replies

Write a reply...

Jenn Farooq I am sorry hun. It is a sucky situation. Shop around, see about buying your own parts, and remember you can negotiate and ask for a discount. People often forget that you can haggle at some shops. Also ask around to see if anyone you know likes working on cars and if they are willing to look at it.

Like · Reply · June 29 at 11:57pm

Mary Beth Barbagallo I've tried 2 shops other than the dealer. prices from both are 1/2 the dealer cost. Plus if you buy parts from the shop, they often have rewards programs. Or if you buy from e-bay, there's always swagbucks.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 29 at 11:58pm

Marie Huizar We have already put $550 into it. I'm just so tired of old cars. We are this 👌 close to going and financing a used but more reliable car :/

Like · Reply · 4 · June 30 at 12:00am

Rebecca Carter I love Dave's principals but there are some times you have to make them work for your family and your situation. The hardcore people here are going to tell you NEVER FINANCE DAVE SAYS AND HIS WORD IS EVERYTHING!!! Yes we want to get out of debt but we ...See More

Like · Reply · 12 · June 30 at 7:01am

Marie Huizar Rebecca Carter exactly my point

Like · Reply · June 30 at 7:06am

View more replies

Write a reply...

Marie Huizar It also needs a new srs control unit. Without it the airbags won't deploy. With labor the dealership quoted me $1250. I see online it is $400 for the part

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:01am · Edited

Anna Murray Check a salvage yard. Not all parts have to be new.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 6:18am

Write a reply...

Marie Huizar Idk what to do. I just have so much on my plate right now and I'm trying to get through the last 6 months of RN school with a 7 month old, I'm hardly working, husband is changing jobs to less pay but better benefits, we might get custody of my stepson, we both have 2 old cars that need thousands in repairs, $21K in debt already and a $137K mortgage.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:04am · Edited

Mary Beth Barbagallo I hear ya. The key to retaining your sanity is finding a good, honest, reasonable mechanic. Dealers are a-w-f-u-l. I don't go there unless I have to (if something is computerish and needs "flashing" there's not many other options). I wish you lived aro...See More

Like · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 12:03am

Mary Beth Barbagallo Try Yelp! reviews. That's how I found my shop.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:04am

Marie Huizar I will call a couple of places tomorrow. Thank you. Gonna try and get some sleep for a quiz tomorrow and test Friday!:/ hopefully the CRV will get us where we need to go.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:07am · Edited

Winter Young Dont use a dealer and get the parts yourself. Get several bids from several mechanics. Maybe you can get referalls from local fb groups for good reliable mechanics.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:07am · Edited

Marie Huizar It's not that easy to just "shop around". Does anyone here have to have a reliable car? We do. The crv keeps dying when it gets hot. I can't keep taking it to places and calling places. I'm trying to get through school. I can't just keep driving it and...See More

Unlike · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 12:09am · Edited

Jay Michael Rainey You don't have to have a $10000 car with a loan to have a reliable car. I have two that we paid cash for. The first I have only had for about two months which is a 2010 Chevy cobalt with 75000 miles that I bought for $3000.

I bought a 2007 Toyota Scienna with 165000 miles cash for $5750 and have but about 25000 miles on it and drove from sc to Indiana 5 times.

Like · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 4:57am

Anna Murray We buy disposable commuters. We drive a hundred miles round trip a day. Bought a long wheel base truck for 1k, drove it 2 years and sold it for 1k. Bought an 800 tahoe. Drive it for over a year and it's up for sale for 3500. But a small passenger truck (only because my husband planned to use the engine from Tahoe in his project truck) paid 1000. 00 for this truck and no problems at all.

Like · Reply · June 30 at 6:22am

View more replies

Write a reply...

Winter Young I was just giving you a suggestion. I thought you were asking for advice. Excuse me for misunderstanding.

Like · Reply · 6 · June 30 at 12:09am

Winter Young And yes I absolutely have to have reliable vehicles. When we need work done we shop around.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:10am

Marie Huizar But do you shop around in a car that actually works? Lol. What do you do if that car breaks down? How do you get to where you need to go while you're shopping around and it's getting repaired?

Like · Reply · June 30 at 12:11am

View more replies

Write a reply...

Karen Shofner So sorry hon. We've been there. We bought a 'Dave' car for $1,300. My hubby drove it for 4 days and it blew up on the Highway. Sold it for $300 : /

Like · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 12:10am

Marie Huizar Lol this made me laugh! I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:10am

Michelle Karstensen Frahm Yep, the trans went out of my hubby a Dave car, on our way home from picking it up!! Luckily he knew the guy we bought it from so he gave us some of the money back to have it fixed

Like · Reply · June 30 at 8:36am

Write a reply...

Marie Huizar I can maybe take it to two places tomorrow even though what I should be doing is studying for a test i have Friday.

Like · Reply · June 30 at 12:13am · Edited

Jackie Mann Do lemon laws apply here, anyone?

Like · Reply · June 30 at 12:16am

Harvie Schreiber Probably not. Very few states have lemon laws for used cars ... they are usually sold "as is."

Like · Reply · 4 · June 30 at 12:24am · Edited

Jackie Mann Thanks. I was about to ask you to explain. The article I linked to said six states have created laws regarding used cars because they realize those customers need protection the most.

Like · Reply · June 30 at 12:35am

View more replies

Write a reply...

Belinda Fountaine Ok get a detailed diagnostic of what's wrong with it then get onto the phone and your local fb groups and ask for an estimate for repair. Another option is your local training institute that trains mechanics might be willing to do it cheap.

Like · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 12:19am

Joyce Robbins That's my point in buying cheap used cars. You usually end up putting lots of money in them.

Like · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 12:19am

Marie Huizar What do you think I should do?

Like · Reply · June 30 at 12:22am

Joyce Robbins I don't know. Sorry, but I have no advice. I was merely reiterating about cheap used cars. People make it sound so easy to go buy a 2,000 used car that runs great. Can hardly find that price in my area; also, if you do, it's a real junker. So sorry you're having this bad experience.

Like · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 12:29am

View more replies

Write a reply...

Jenn Farooq I thought you were looking for advice too. I apologize if you were not. I understand you are frustrated and I get where you are coming from. I assumed you didn't have the 4000$ to get it fixed and was just offering ways to lower the cost. I've been there before. Some times it has been so bad we had to buy parts from the junkyard and figure it out ourselves. It's a crappy situation and I hope it gets better for you.

Like · Reply · 4 · June 30 at 12:24am

Mona Wheeler lol buying junk yard parts and figuring it out is our standard mode of operation. lol not just the "its so bad i had to..." plan. its plan A for us! lol

Like · Reply · July 4 at 9:17am

Write a reply...

Marie Huizar My point is I just don't have time for these issues. Like I said I'm in RN school with 6 months left and that alone is super stressful. Idk how long it's going to take to get fixed if I take it somewhere else. And we need a reliable car. I just feel like I can't win when it comes to cars. Either you have a car payment or you have repairs. And a lot of times you have both!

Unlike · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 12:25am

Jackie Mann I found that some states have mandatory lemon laws on used cars (not just new ones). Check out this article and see if it applies to you.

http://www.edmunds.com/.../my-used-cars-a-lemon-am-i...

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:25am

Marie Huizar No😞

Like · Reply · June 30 at 12:29am

Jackie Mann Im Sorry that wasn't helpful. Can you tell me why?

Like · Reply · June 30 at 12:31am

View more replies

Write a reply...

Marie Huizar Yes I guess I'm looking for advice and to vent. I'm just really frustrated i apologize for my attitude.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:26am

Marie Huizar replied · 2 Replies

Mary Beth Barbagallo My only advice is please, please, please do not go to the dealer. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would take longer or charge more.

Like · Reply · 4 · June 30 at 12:32am

Mary Beth Barbagallo replied · 5 Replies

Jessica Adams SO SORRY you are dealing with this in addition to everything else going on! I seriously hate car issues more than anything...here is a site I found useful last time we bought used...best advice was to have a mechanic check it out first. One of the cars I was looking at LOOKED great on the surface but had thousands in work that needed to be done. 😠https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0055-buying-used-car

Buying a Used Car | Consumer Information

Before you start shopping for a used car, do some homework. It may save you serious money. Consider…

CONSUMER.FTC.GOV

Like · Reply · 2 · June 30 at 12:36am

Mona Wheeler replied · 6 Replies

Elizabeth Alexander Since you know what parts need to be replaced you can call around for quotes on those parts/labor. I seriously suggest looking for 5 star mechanics on Yelp and a lot offer discounts for first time customers. Almost all shops will be cheaper than the de...See More

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 12:57am

Elizabeth Alexander replied · 2 Replies

Mary Beth Barbagallo Marie, I pm-ed you.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 1:02am

Marie Huizar I'm just so tired of old cars. I feel like I've been driving them all my life. I want to start visiting my home state every year next year, 800 miles away and I don't trust these cars to do that in with me and my family's lives and safety

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 1:13am

Marisol Rosales replied · 1 Reply

Marisol Rosales Junk yard. Thats were we get alot of parts. We bought a truck also last year from the government. Their cop cars. The truck was like 7k. Wr have had no probs and they are honest about condition unlike buying it off craigslist or something.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 1:48am

Marisol Rosales Also my dad bought a small car for 5k. Had 42k miles. No issues at all. Its rare but it does happen.... People are desperate for money and sell their cars for cheap in excellent condition because they need the money quick for an emergency. You just ha...See More

Like · Reply · June 30 at 1:57am

Chantal Stevens We bought mine for 1000 and it's needs 4000 in repairs :(sorry it happened to you

Like · Reply · June 30 at 2:11am

Chantal Stevens replied · 2 Replies

Avery Naomi Bernstein For when you travel, just rent. Even though we have newer cars, we almost always rent for long trips. I keep my eyes open for coupons.

Like · Reply · 4 · June 30 at 2:59am

Marie Huizar replied · 2 Replies

Anna Witte this is why I am buying a new car

Like · Reply · 5 · June 30 at 4:17am

Maryleen Johnson replied · 20 Replies

Pollyanna Thibodeau i bought a 2600 dollar car 2 yrs ago and i have only had a few minor repairs and every tire has been replaced in the first 6 months of having it.

Like · Reply · 2 · June 30 at 5:10am

Katie Blount Have you tried talking to the people who sold it to you ? Maybe they can give you insight to who welded it and why?

What year crv?

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 5:12am

Laura Galvond replied · 5 Replies

Anna Witte I say either sue them or be done with car that not worth it.

Like · Reply · June 30 at 5:13am

Amanda-Lynn Harlos replied · 3 Replies

Cara Davies This was me last summer -- bought a $5000 minivan from a sweet local mama and immediately had to put $3000 in repairs into it. :-( But ever since that I've only had to make minor fixes that haven't cost much, and I'm sure I would have needed to make repairs on an $8,000 van too... So I try not to feel bad about it and just love my cash car as-is! ❤

Like · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 5:44am

Jacklyn R Sanchez My opinion is not DR, but with a 7 month old I would have gone and financed something. I will not take a chance with a car when I have a baby.

Like · Reply · 6 · June 30 at 6:03am

Jacklyn R Sanchez replied · 2 Replies

Scott Penner The dealerships service departments job is to scare you into going and financing another new car. Take it to another shop.

Like · Reply · 8 · June 30 at 6:06am

Amy Williams replied · 1 Reply

Alison Norris Isn't there a "lemon law"? Does it apply to you?

Like · Reply · June 30 at 6:11am

Christina Urban-Mailly replied · 2 Replies

Emily Kiger Clevenger You should have any used car looked at by a mechanic before buying. I luckily have my husband! Lol

Like · Reply · June 30 at 6:16am

Betty Gonzalez Those Dave Cars are one big gamble. I know everybody's situation is different but sometimes is better to buy something a little bit more reliable and finance it. Your debts are not too bad, only $21k and a mortgage. Buy something that will give you a peace of mind especially because you have a baby. Just my humble opinion.

Like · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 6:22am · Edited

Kate White replied · 1 Reply

Nichelle Hopscotch It is totally possible to get a cheap but good car. You have to do your due diligence of shopping around, being patient and getting the car looked at. Buying a used car from a private party and not having it looked at is asinine.

There is nothing wro...See More

Like · Reply · 2 · June 30 at 6:36am

Nichelle Hopscotch replied · 5 Replies

Kelly Monahan Wirth Getting any car inspected before purchase is a must. Did you do that?

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 6:38am

Kara Cooley replied · 6 Replies

Melissa Betterly-Sherman I will never buy a Dave car. Saw this happen to too many people. Sorry you went through this.

Like · Reply · 5 · June 30 at 6:45am

Christi Jo Cross-Parnell Im just going to throw this out there--- my neice went into parts store and needed a specific part. Clerk told her price which was out of her budget. Her husband went in and the clerk gave him a $30 lower price!!! That was just not right!!

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 7:11am

Christi Jo Cross-Parnell replied · 3 Replies

Marie Huizar I'll get the car today and call a couple of places but at this point I'm pretty much done with the car. I need to be focusing my energy on a test I have tomorrow not worrying about this!

Like · Reply · June 30 at 7:17am

Kristen Blake I bought a car last year for 5600. went to midas for their free inspection and was quoted 4000 in repairs. never fixed anything until this year. and only spend 1800. runs just fine!

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 7:24am

Marie Huizar The car doesn't run just fine. It dies while driving even while on the highway. And airbags don't work

Like · Reply · June 30 at 7:25am

Anna Witte replied · 2 Replies

Jim King You dont need a catalytic converter unless you need to pass emissions testing. Its not the most environmentally friendly either. What else is wrong with it.

Like · Reply · 2 · June 30 at 7:28am

Christi Jo Cross-Parnell replied · 2 Replies

Jonathan Brown Check with your local high school's auto shop

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 8:22am

Melaine Richey We have put so much money into old cars just for them to break again the next month. Never again! When I added all the money we spent we could have had a car payment with only 2% interest over a couple years and it would have been way easier and less s...See More

Like · Reply · 3 · June 30 at 8:45am · Edited

Marie Huizar replied · 1 Reply

Suzy Blakely Duhme yeah...i am sorry about Dave but having a pretty reliable car is worh a whole bunch of money in MY book. HE certainly isn't going to come get me when i get stranded somewhere.

Like · Reply · 4 · June 30 at 8:38am

Marie Huizar replied · 1 Reply

Marie Huizar Dave tells you to buy a cheap car but he doesn't tell you how! Now I know what needs to be done next time we buy a cheap used car. We need to be patient and do our research and take our time. But unfortunately we aren't in a place to do that. We need good reliable cars like yesterday.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 8:56am · Edited

Marie Huizar replied · 4 Replies

Marie Huizar I just can't "get a ride with a friend" what the heck I'm gonna have my friend drive me around to work/school/daycare/errands. Who has time for that. Maybe when I was 18, I'm 33 in August

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 8:57am · Edited

Scott Penner Dave NEVER says to buy an unreliable car! He says you may need to buy an ugly car that is mechanically strong. He says to look for a car that some granny drove twice a week, once to the bank, and once to church.

Like · Reply · 6 · June 30 at 8:57am

4 Replies

Marie Huizar We don't have anyone to help us or guide us or mentor us. We're basically on our own learning everything as we go. Not just with money and finances.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 9:00am

1 Reply

Nichelle Hopscotch Google is a great reaource. You can type questions and hundreds of responses appear.

Like · Reply · 1 · June 30 at 9:05am

Nichelle Hopscotch replied · 3 Replies

James Hurley Lemon law you got 30 days

Like · Reply · June 30 at 9:37am

James Hurley replied · 2 Replies

Mary Anderson we bought a Dave car, $ 1600 Crown Vic 5 years ago and paid cash, they will run for ever... always starts even in our cold winter, it has been totaled by someone hitting the back corner, we received $ 2500 for it from the other guys insurance, my h...See More

Like · Reply · 2 · June 30 at 9:45am

Marisol Rosales replied · 2 Replies

Marie Huizar I'm going to just probably finance a newer used car and buy the warranty for peace of mind and start seeing a Christian financial advisor in my area. There.

Unlike · Reply · 6 · June 30 at 10:09am

Marie Huizar replied · 4 Replies

Harvie Schreiber MODERATOR NOTE: While you are, of course, free to finance a vehicle (Dave Ramsey recommends against that) and free to purchase the warranty (another thing Dave Ramsey recommends against), the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps DO work and we urge others to follow them.

Like · Reply · 8 · July 1 at 10:06am

Joyce Robbins replied · 1 Reply

Harvie Schreiber Comments turned back on at Marie's request.

Like · Reply · July 1 at 1:06pm

Marie Huizar Hello sorry I had to turn off commenting as I needed to focus on my test I took today. Anyway I called my brother this morning and he said the welding of parts under the hood is not an uncommon thing to do. He said people do it to save money and that h...See More

Unlike · Reply · 6 · July 1 at 3:53pm

Marie Huizar The shop couldn't find the issue and it never acted up on them. My husband was driving it home and it died on him while on the road 🙄

Like · Reply · 1 · July 2 at 12:46pm · Edited

Jenn Farooq replied · 2 Replies

Eric von Allmen I am so sorry this happened to you :(.. This is why i buy new and drive it for 10 yrs or more,,no more buying other peoples problems.IF you cant go new, then something a few yrs. unf. buying a 3K car , things like this happen which is why they are for sale to start with

Like · Reply · 3 · July 2 at 6:53pm

Scott Penner replied · 3 Replies

Chris O'Neal I buy all my vehicles from a used car dealer that we go to church with and who I went to school with his kids. They sell mostly newer low mileage stuff at a lower than brand new price. They even bought back the car my wife had gotten from them do she could buy her mom's 2012 Tahoe for only 16000 and it only had 38000 miles on it.

Like · Reply · July 4 at 9:41am

Marie Huizar My husband changed out the fuel pump relay himself for $50 and it seems to have helped. No dying on the way to work today!

Like · Reply · 5 · July 5 at 7:30am

Scott Penner replied · 1 Reply

Sabrina Wilson This use to happen to me. There was trash in the gas tank. Plugging up where the gas needs to go to make it run.

Like · Reply · 1 · July 5 at 10:37am

Marie Huizar Car died on him at lunch and wont start. Calling tow truck now. FYI we financed a car on Saturday because we wanted to and I'm glad we did!

Unlike · Reply · 1 · July 5 at 12:28pm

Jackie Mann Thanks for sharing your story. Your issues with the car gave me a lot to think about. I was saving up to pay cash for a used car. I think I'll save up to pay cash for a new car instead. I didn't want the depreciation, but I think I'd rather just drive a new car for 10 years.

Like · Reply · 3 · July 6 at 9:28pm · Edited

Jackie Mann replied · 3 Replies