It just never stops!

WantToBeSE

I recently became debt free, so thought I'd be on a better position and able to start saving a little money.

Then things started going wrong with my car. The first thing that went wrong was coil springs and a leads/plugs. That cost £95.

Then today i was driving to school to pick up my son from school, and heard a funny noise from the rear of the car. When i stopped to check what was wrong, my exhaust was dragging along on the floor.
God knows how much that'll cost!

I am not even getting the chance to save a little as an emergency fund (you know, for emergencies like THE CAR!!) because everything seems to be going wrong!!

I just imagined that i'd be a bit better off with no debt, but it sure as hell doesn't feel like it at the moment.

Rant over.

Orlando_Virgin

WantToBeSE wrote: »

I recently became debt free, so thought I'd be on a better position and able to start saving a little money.

Then things started going wrong with my car. The first thing that went wrong was coil springs and a leads/plugs. That cost £95.

Then today i was driving to school to pick up my son from school, and heard a funny noise from the rear of the car. When i stopped to check what was wrong, my exhaust was dragging along on the floor.
God knows how much that'll cost!

I am not even getting the chance to save a little as an emergency fund (you know, for emergencies like THE CAR!!) because everything seems to be going wrong!!

I just imagined that i'd be a bit better off with no debt, but it sure as hell doesn't feel like it at the moment.

Rant over.

Depending on what's wrong with your exhaust it might not even cost that much, if it's just a new back box or whatever should be about a ton? In truth compared to some of the monstrosities of debt knocking around on this board, you should be happy you sound like you've done brilliantly to be debt free anyway!

WantToBeSE

Thanks Orlando.
Even if it "only" costs £100, i will struggle to find that £100, and i STILL wont be able to make an emergency fund yet.

I am sure that it's just pennies compared to other peoples debt, but it still makes life hard for me.

Orlando_Virgin

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks Orlando.
Even if it "only" costs £100, i will struggle to find that £100, and i STILL wont be able to make an emergency fund yet.

I am sure that it's just pennies compared to other peoples debt, but it still makes life hard for me.

I'm sorry if that came across as be-littling as it wasn't meant to be. What I'm saying is it's brilliant that you've come far enough to be debt free, so I'm sure you've got it in you to get these car problems sorted. They won't be around forever.

Keep your chin up, and try and build the emergency fund up slowly but surely.

InsideInsurance

To be honest, the exhaust may cost nothing. With my first car the exhaust was effectively hung from the underside of the car at the back with a rubber block and this could overtime move and fall off the bracket. After waiting for the exhaust to cool it was just a case of putting it back onto the bracket and it would be good for a couple more months (eventually I just bent the end of the bracket so that the thing couldnt come off.

I have sympathy with you, unfortunately maintenance can be one of those things you cut back on and so things breaking down just become more common.

marisco_2

Firstly well done on clearing your debt OP, that is a huge achievement.

The problem with cars, houses etc is there will always be mainteneance expenses linked to them. Often cropping up when you could most do without it. Unfortunately you are going to have to take the hit of sorting out the current problems with your car. Hopefully things will then settle down and you can build up the security of an emergency fund before anything else crops up.

Could you look into any 0% credit card deals? That could allow you to cover urgent expenses, without incurring interest charges for a few months. Cutting the cost of having some cash flow just till you get completely back on your feet.

WantToBeSE

Thanks everyone, i am just having one of those days, y'know?
I am going to go and take the car to the garage tomorrow, and face things.

I just thought that all of that hardship in clearing my debt was going to make life easier, and i am sure that in the long run it will, but right now i am living from week to week, and any unexpected bills (such as the car having any issues), just makes things almost impossible.

Oh well, less moaning, more doing.
Thanks guys.

InsertWittyName

Just think of how much more stressful it would be if you were still in debt and these things happened!

They'd go on the credit card, or you wouldn't be able to pay for them due to existing debt payments.

Silver lining and all that

WantToBeSE

InsertWittyName wrote: »

Just think of how much more stressful it would be if you were still in debt and these things happened!

They'd go on the credit card, or you wouldn't be able to pay for them due to existing debt payments.

Silver lining and all that

Definitely! And it only happened when i was 5 mins down the road, no further. Also, at least it wasn't blowing a gale and snowing
Looking on the bright side

WantToBeSE

Just thought i'd update.

Took the car to the garage this morning, and was told it'll only cost about £60 to fix

I had to juggle a few things around (changed the date of my BT direct debit), but it hasn't caused any hassle.

I really need to just stop worrying!
I am just going to carry on trying to build up my emergency fund.

Savvy_Sue

Great about the car. Even putting £1 per week aside, you'd have £50 a year ... nearly a car bill!

Also have you thought about opening an account with a credit union? Not the very cheapest way to borrow money, but fairly simple and definitely better than some other methods of borrowing!!!