The car will go into be repaired next week. I'm going to use the money I earned this month in my second job that is normally earmarked for the car payment, it will go towards the car repair. The excess will come out of my emergency fund.
A year ago this would have brought me to my knees. A year ago a transmission repair to my old car did exactly that, floored me right in the middle of my BK filing and emotional meltdown. That repair used up all my "excess" cash I had at that point and sent me to bed for the weekend.
This year is the slightly new and improved Bankrupt Betty. I have money in an emergency fund for just this reason. This is an unexpected repair, not a regular service that should have been budgeted for. I've not been as good as I could have been in funding my E-fund and I've dipped into it for some "non emergencies" but I do have the funds there to cover this repair. It's just a matter of me getting the car back into the dealership for the servicing.
This was also a little bit of a wake up call for me to not dip into my E-fund unless it's a true emergency. I slacked off a bit these past few months. Time to grow back up and refund the account and keep it for it's true purpose! An emergency!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
It's Easy, But It's Not Cheap
The oil change took longer than anticipated this AM for a couple reasons. I had to have a diagnostic run on the car for an ABS warning light. As suspected based on my research I have damaged tone rings. Cost to repair $395.00 (Ouch) and the car has to be there for like half the day. I went to my local Ford dealership for a couple reasons.
1) I had a coupon for an oil change ($29.00) and I wanted to try them out.
2) My regular mechanic did not have a slot open until sometime next week, and I wanted to get this brake code thing checked out in case it was dangerous.
I got the oil change and the "complimentary" inspection of the car. The verdict, I needed not only the ABS work done, but a new fuel filter and a new transmission flush and fill. I only authorized the oil change and made an appointment to come back for the ABS work. I am not going to do the other two recommended services because I think the dealership is trying to pull one over on me. I don't think they were too happy when I said I'd pass on the other items until I had a chance to check my sales paperwork at home. The estimate on those items was an additional $220. This is one female that does her homework.
When I got the car, supposedly it was fully serviced, new filters, new fluids,new tires, new brakes, etc. I'll double check the sales paperwork when I get home. If that is the case, it does not need a the new filters and fluids. I have no hesitation calling the dealership where I got the car and ripping them a new one if need be. I don't think I need to. I have put some decent milage on the car (15,000 miles) in the past 7 months, but a fuel filter should not be replaced every 15,000 miles.
I've had my other oil changes at a local place, $34.99 for a full oil service, exterior car wash and interior vacuum. They are not a national chain and many people (including my boss) use them for the basic maintenance on their vehicles. The last time I was in (in August), there was no indication that I needed a tranny flush and fill or new fuel filter. Plus if I do need the servicing the Ford dealer said I do, the local oil change place will do it for one half the cost, in one third the time and I still get a complimentary car wash!
1) I had a coupon for an oil change ($29.00) and I wanted to try them out.
2) My regular mechanic did not have a slot open until sometime next week, and I wanted to get this brake code thing checked out in case it was dangerous.
I got the oil change and the "complimentary" inspection of the car. The verdict, I needed not only the ABS work done, but a new fuel filter and a new transmission flush and fill. I only authorized the oil change and made an appointment to come back for the ABS work. I am not going to do the other two recommended services because I think the dealership is trying to pull one over on me. I don't think they were too happy when I said I'd pass on the other items until I had a chance to check my sales paperwork at home. The estimate on those items was an additional $220. This is one female that does her homework.
When I got the car, supposedly it was fully serviced, new filters, new fluids,new tires, new brakes, etc. I'll double check the sales paperwork when I get home. If that is the case, it does not need a the new filters and fluids. I have no hesitation calling the dealership where I got the car and ripping them a new one if need be. I don't think I need to. I have put some decent milage on the car (15,000 miles) in the past 7 months, but a fuel filter should not be replaced every 15,000 miles.
I've had my other oil changes at a local place, $34.99 for a full oil service, exterior car wash and interior vacuum. They are not a national chain and many people (including my boss) use them for the basic maintenance on their vehicles. The last time I was in (in August), there was no indication that I needed a tranny flush and fill or new fuel filter. Plus if I do need the servicing the Ford dealer said I do, the local oil change place will do it for one half the cost, in one third the time and I still get a complimentary car wash!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Little Warning Light Is On
And I can't find out what it means. I have my new to me car, purchased with the double digit interest rate (that's what happens post BK) because my old car was well on it's way to dead. I'd spent a ton of money resuscitating it.
My new to me vehicle has been AWESOME. I've been getting regular oil changes and I've not had an issue. Until this weekend when the little ABS warning light came on. Then flickered off, then came back on and stayed on, then went off. Then did not go back on until today and stayed on. I did some on line research (various Ford Escape forums).
Verdict, probably something called a tone ring or just the ABS sensor. Cost to repair/replace unknown at this point, I've not been able to find out exactly what the problem is or what the cost will be. I'll find out tomorrow, I had an oil change scheduled anyway. We shall see....sigh...
My new to me vehicle has been AWESOME. I've been getting regular oil changes and I've not had an issue. Until this weekend when the little ABS warning light came on. Then flickered off, then came back on and stayed on, then went off. Then did not go back on until today and stayed on. I did some on line research (various Ford Escape forums).
Verdict, probably something called a tone ring or just the ABS sensor. Cost to repair/replace unknown at this point, I've not been able to find out exactly what the problem is or what the cost will be. I'll find out tomorrow, I had an oil change scheduled anyway. We shall see....sigh...
Monday, October 20, 2008
This Weeks Goal
Try to only go to the grocery store ONCE (like tonight). I've got the overabundance of pantry staples that need using up. I'd like to rid my cupboard of the whole wheat pasta I bought that I don't like. I had thought about donating it to my local food pantry, but read somewhere that if you donate, donate food stuffs you would like to have to eat as as well as staples. Made me stop and think and then decide that I can suffer and eat the whole wheat pasta and I'll make a cash donation to the food pantry instead. They know what they need better than I do!
I have not made a loaf of bread in my bread machine in a while. I'm planning on doing that this evening. I'm in the mood for really fresh bread...
I have not made a loaf of bread in my bread machine in a while. I'm planning on doing that this evening. I'm in the mood for really fresh bread...
The Bank Update-How does yours Compare?
Last week I posted about banking in local banks vs. banking at larger multi state banks (or on line). Interesting to see that many folks have opted for the local bank or credit union.
On Saturday, two of the local banks had ads in the papers affirming depositors and potential customers that they do in fact have lots of money and are fiscally sound. At least according to their PR they are performing satisfactorily, but how do they really stack up?
Bankrate.com has a place on it's web site you can look up your bank or credit union. Click here at this link and then follow the easy to use prompts. I looked up both my regular bank and my credit union and was happy with what I saw via bankrate.com. I'll be keeping my money where it is for the time being.
On Saturday, two of the local banks had ads in the papers affirming depositors and potential customers that they do in fact have lots of money and are fiscally sound. At least according to their PR they are performing satisfactorily, but how do they really stack up?
Bankrate.com has a place on it's web site you can look up your bank or credit union. Click here at this link and then follow the easy to use prompts. I looked up both my regular bank and my credit union and was happy with what I saw via bankrate.com. I'll be keeping my money where it is for the time being.
For Now, Poochie 2 is Staying
I ranted and raved on last week about an issue in my life that I was non to happy about. You can read about it here.
I did spend part of this weekend visiting my friend Dee and our elderly friend. I also brought with me elderly friends two dogs (Poochie1 and Poochie2). The rehab facility elderly friend is in allows dogs to visit residents in their rooms. I surprised elderly friend on Saturday afternoon by walking into her room with the dogs (separately since the two girls don't like each other). Elderly friend was very happy to see Poochie 1, played with her, petted her, snuggled with her and then asked about Poochie 2. I told her Poochie 2 was in the car and she asked to see her.
I made the "dog swap" got back to her room and her face completely lit up. Poochie 2 was soo happy to see our elderly friend and immediately snuggled up right next to her, sighed happily and started to nap. Both seemed very happy and content. I stayed for about an hour on Saturday, then left. I came back on Sunday and we had another visit. Elderly friend said she was very glad Poochie 2 was with me, she was not sure what had happened to Poochie 2. I told her Poochie 2 was happily settled in my house.(Well she is, I'm not happy with some of the dog dynamics......)
Dee and I spoke at length about elderly friend and what is going to happen. Thankfully, she has good insurance, so her medical expenses are covered, but as to where she is going to live and when she can leave the rehab center, that is unknown at this point.
It was a great weekend here in New England (a bit breezy on Sunday) and I probably could have made a serious dent into my personal To Do list, but felt it was more important to make the drive with the dogs to see elderly friend. Just to see the look on her face when both dogs came into her room totally made up for the travel time and gas spent.
I did spend part of this weekend visiting my friend Dee and our elderly friend. I also brought with me elderly friends two dogs (Poochie1 and Poochie2). The rehab facility elderly friend is in allows dogs to visit residents in their rooms. I surprised elderly friend on Saturday afternoon by walking into her room with the dogs (separately since the two girls don't like each other). Elderly friend was very happy to see Poochie 1, played with her, petted her, snuggled with her and then asked about Poochie 2. I told her Poochie 2 was in the car and she asked to see her.
I made the "dog swap" got back to her room and her face completely lit up. Poochie 2 was soo happy to see our elderly friend and immediately snuggled up right next to her, sighed happily and started to nap. Both seemed very happy and content. I stayed for about an hour on Saturday, then left. I came back on Sunday and we had another visit. Elderly friend said she was very glad Poochie 2 was with me, she was not sure what had happened to Poochie 2. I told her Poochie 2 was happily settled in my house.(Well she is, I'm not happy with some of the dog dynamics......)
Dee and I spoke at length about elderly friend and what is going to happen. Thankfully, she has good insurance, so her medical expenses are covered, but as to where she is going to live and when she can leave the rehab center, that is unknown at this point.
It was a great weekend here in New England (a bit breezy on Sunday) and I probably could have made a serious dent into my personal To Do list, but felt it was more important to make the drive with the dogs to see elderly friend. Just to see the look on her face when both dogs came into her room totally made up for the travel time and gas spent.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Where Do You Bank?
The state of Banks in America is big news. Seems every time I turn on the news, another large bank is having a problem (Wa Mu, Indy Mac, Wachovia). I'm leery of "big banks". Always have, much prefer small local banking institutions. They are insured and covered by the FDIC just like the big ones and I've consistently gotten better service from them year in and year out. I have this philosophy that I won't bank at an institution with more than 10 separate locations. The only time I deviated from that philosophy was when the Ex boyfriend insisted we bank at what is now Bank of America and we had nothing but trouble and declining customer service with each takeover/acquisition (three times in six years). When I left the relationship, I got a new bank.
GMA did a story today on The Burke and Herbert Bank, located in Northern Virginia. When I lived in the DC area, I banked at that bank. I chose Burke and Herbert for the reasons outlined above, a good small local bank, well funded, a location close to my office did not hurt either, and most importantly, the excellent customer service I received. The CEO of Burke and Herbert told GMA that he has opened new accounts this past two weeks totalling 50 million (USD) in deposits. Fifty Million, not five million. In two weeks. All I can say is wow, but I'm not surprised. Burke and Herbert is a great bank.
When I moved back to New England, I spent a decent amount of time researching the local banks, number of branches, services offered, community involvement, strength of assets, etc. I narrowed my choice down to two banks and ultimately chose one bank because it had a branch not to far from my work. Like so many banks, it eventually got gobbled up by a larger corporation (and eventually we had a loss of service, and the bank became more impersonal).
I went to my second choice bank about two years ago (It has 9 locations in eight towns) and not only am I offered all the same services as those big impersonal banks (BOA, Chase, WaMu), I am more than an account number, I am a person. I chose my local credit union for many of the same reasons, it's small, well funded, very personable and I am more than just an account number. When the time comes to refinance my car loan, my credit union is willing to work with me. Can't see BOA working with a post BK person, not in this economy! My local bank manager has already said she can try to work with me being post BK, the bank has programs for folks like me. I just can't see BOA working with me right now. I get all the benefits of the larger more impersonal banks without the fear that they may be taken over by the FDIC if they fail.
Where do you bank ?
GMA did a story today on The Burke and Herbert Bank, located in Northern Virginia. When I lived in the DC area, I banked at that bank. I chose Burke and Herbert for the reasons outlined above, a good small local bank, well funded, a location close to my office did not hurt either, and most importantly, the excellent customer service I received. The CEO of Burke and Herbert told GMA that he has opened new accounts this past two weeks totalling 50 million (USD) in deposits. Fifty Million, not five million. In two weeks. All I can say is wow, but I'm not surprised. Burke and Herbert is a great bank.
When I moved back to New England, I spent a decent amount of time researching the local banks, number of branches, services offered, community involvement, strength of assets, etc. I narrowed my choice down to two banks and ultimately chose one bank because it had a branch not to far from my work. Like so many banks, it eventually got gobbled up by a larger corporation (and eventually we had a loss of service, and the bank became more impersonal).
I went to my second choice bank about two years ago (It has 9 locations in eight towns) and not only am I offered all the same services as those big impersonal banks (BOA, Chase, WaMu), I am more than an account number, I am a person. I chose my local credit union for many of the same reasons, it's small, well funded, very personable and I am more than just an account number. When the time comes to refinance my car loan, my credit union is willing to work with me. Can't see BOA working with a post BK person, not in this economy! My local bank manager has already said she can try to work with me being post BK, the bank has programs for folks like me. I just can't see BOA working with me right now. I get all the benefits of the larger more impersonal banks without the fear that they may be taken over by the FDIC if they fail.
Where do you bank ?
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