Don't Laugh...It's paid for.

So back when I was 17, I started shopping around for my first car to purchase. My dad put into place a "new" rule of thumb when it came to our first car purchase. That rule was, that we had to spend at least 1500.00 bucks on our first vehicle, because he was tired of spending every week-end fixing junk cars that would break down all the time...Now that doesn't seem like a lot now, but when you are 16-17 and working as a bagger and cart pusher at a local grocery store...that is a ton of money! But, I wanted a car really bad, so I pinched every penny and started saving. When I started looking I had around 2600 dollars to spend. I wanted something that was reliable and sturdy... I had siblings go for the "cute" cars, but watched them go in and out of the garage...not to mention the sore butt you would have from riding in them..So I wanted comfy and reliable.. My Dad and I headed out to a dealership we trusted and checked out a couple Buicks he had on the lot. There were 2 available, but the one I wanted was priced at 3400! So, because I came with all cash, I told him all I had to spend was 2500. To my surprise he came back and told me he would sell it to me! I was so stoked! for 2500 I had just bought a 96 Buick Regal with only 99,000 miles on it, and it was in MINT condition! That was back in 2006. Now at that time I had no idea I would still be driving that car 6 years later, and have two babies in the back seat and a wonderful husband along side me! Crazy how fast time changes things! In the 6 years I have had it, I have put a whopping 101,000 miles on it, putting it now at 200,000 miles!
   Because my car was the most reliable and by far the comfiest ride back then, we took it everywhere. It has been to Missouri a couple times, Illinois at least 10 times, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and all over up north many times over! I would have to say that that was the best 2500 I have spent yet on a material item! I have not had to put that much into it over these years! It was such a blessing to have, and no, it wasn't the cutest...but hey it was awesome!

Here is the Buick to the right, up near Traverse City

Sadly though, it's coming near the end of it's life with Becky! Just this past month we have put almost a grand into it, just so we could drive it! So far every other week last month we had to either rent or borrow other cars because the faithful Buick left us in the dust! It's come to the point where it's not worth pouring any more into it...

 Last week this was our filler car that we had to rent...and to be honest, I did not want to give it back lol. I have never had A/C working in my car, and when we had to rent this Ford Fusion, the weather just so happened to be the hottest we have seen our whole lives...I called that a "blessing in disguise" for sure, because we had A/C the whole 4th holiday! There have been quite a few times I was so "done" with the Buick this past month, the thought of leasing a new one, was soso tempting! But Ben and I want to live Debt free, and want to pay cash for our next vehicle...So the Lord is teaching me big time, to TRUST Him!
   He has really been teaching me that what we as Americans think we "need", are usually just "wants". Honestly (and yes, I will regret saying this I'm sure), I don't "need" a new car...I WANT a new car! And yes I WANT a van!! But i don't NEED one...yet...haha. I am really trying to be grateful that I even have a vehicle, it may not be super cute (or even have a hint of cuteness) like the one above, but it works, and gets us around AND the best part is...I OWN it :) I don't owe a dime to anyone for it lol. To be honest again, owing someone doesn't seem like a bad idea sometimes.
   I have really had to rely on the Lord for strength this past month though, because I was starting to get a little overwhelmed with it having to be in and out of order a few times. The first issue we had, was with the security system. Every time I went to start it, it thought it was being stolen, so it would not start...leaving us stranded until it decided to start. We got that fixed, then a week later our power steering went. Thankfully my Dad has a friend...who has his own shop...who was super generous to let my Dad use it...which in returned saved us some money! What a blessing that was! My Dad is so awesome and sacrificed a lot of time for us! Thanks Again Dad!!
   So I guess to conclude this story...I am back to square one..saving...saving...and pinching pennies, so I can head out in search for another blessing of a car that will last me another 6 years...at least :)