Automobile Strategy - 1/25/09

Today we had a bit of a scare with our 2003 Honda Accord. I bought this car about a year before I met Sean and "loved" this car. It was my baby and I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would keep it this long. Back before I got married I "loved" buying new cars every three years or so. Horrible strategy when it comes to logically owning a car but I didn't care. I was single making a good living I wanted to spend my money!
I've had this car now over 7 years and still love this car. On Sunday Sean got home from working a few hours on base telling me he had a lot of trouble getting the car out of PARK. So, I took the car into HONDA and prayed hard that it wasn't the transmission. If any of you out there own a car that was manufactured after the year 2000 a lot of the transmission is computer based which means "expensive" to replace or repair. So, as Sean and I awaited the verdict on the car's future in our ownership we prayed hard that God would help us prevent any major repairs at this time. The only thing I've ever had to repair on the car is brake replacement and tires. I guess this is a really good selling point for some of you reading this seeing that my car is 7 years old and has 94,000 miles and have had minor maintainence issues. We have been planning on upgrading our vehicle in about a year. Our plan was to buy a certain vehicle that if you don't finance it accurately could cost up to $800 or more a month. This is not in our budget so, we have been strategically saving and investing so that our down payment would be somewhere near half the cost of the vehicle. Allowing us to finance minimally so that we would be able to have a lower payment, short term and the least amount of interest. If we would of had to repair the vehicle anywhere near $1500 or more we were going to seriously consider prematurely initiating this plan. As much as I would love to get that vehicle now, I want to do it when it's the "right" time. So, with that being said, God was gracious and we found out early this afternoon that the total cost to fix the car would be $300. Yeah!!
So our automobile strategy is still safely intact! This makes me excited though for the day its supposed to come knowing that we will be holding all the right cards when we are ready to start negociating! I love this scenario because I haven't always been so "wise" when it comes to car purchases as previously stated above. The last vehicle Sean and I purchased as a family was our truck in 2007. I did the negociating and Sean did the financing. We are a good team because as of April 1st, we will have it paid in full. Which means we will have "NO" car payments! Yeah! So, that's just that much more we can save and invest for our future family caravan!
Its so interesting though how life changes. A few years ago I could of cared less about having a car payment or not. Now, I want to avoid them like the plague. :) I look forward to when we get our next vehicle knowing we'll drive it till it dies!! Never, would I have thought "I" would think that way. But, its true what they say, a "family" changes you. I have my husband to thank for a majority of my changes when it comes to consider finances. I'm no where near where I need to be but I'm working on it daily and know that I have a long way to go. Just glad though, that I'm heading in the right direction.
If any of you out there are not "perfect" when it comes to managing your finances. I encourage you to accept the teaching of your husband/wife who is. I know I am trying hard to listen to Sean and apply more consistently what he is trying to help me learn. I know in the long run its going to be better for our family. What better goal is there than that. (Other than of course surrendering our "material" possessions to God.)

Thanks Sean for your encouragement, accountability and wisdom when it comes to our family's finances. You are doing a great job and I really appreciate how great of a provider you are and have been since the day we were married! I love you so much.