Well, we’re selling car 2. We posted it on craigslist last night, and once we take it through the car wash today, we’ll take a picture and post it on carsoup. It was easier to convince the husband than I expected. Although, it kind of makes sense, we’ve been thinking/talking about it since July.
I’m happy with the decision because I’ve never been really thrilled about the purchase of car 2. It was impulsive and so not like me. At the time we could afford the car (since husband was working two part-time jobs) and have plenty to save/payoff debt, but not anymore. I can say that I won’t ever buy a used car ever again as a family/until it dies car. I would, however, be ok buying a used car as a short-term (read: year or two) clunker. And I don’t want to buy a car with a car loan EVER AGAIN. Oie the headaches this car has given me.
Unfortunately, it looks like we’ll only get a little over $2500 back after we pay off the car loan (depending on the negotiations when they happen). That will go straight to the rest of our deductible for the year and re-building up the EF.
Car 1 has under $8000 on the loan and is zero percent finance. Good gas mileage, good for long trips to visit his family, and good for fitting the nieces in (and their car seats, toys, and groceries). At the moment, we’re not going to sell it, but it’s not off the table. We need to sell car 2 first and foremost.
We’ve also been talking about my husband’s future. His schooling is really taking a toll on us and maybe it’s not the best time to do this. We’re not sure what his other career options are though. Right now, his recent experience puts him at low-wage/minimum-wage, part-time, no ladder to climb jobs. While doable (he’s done that for quite some time when he was trying to get into his dream job), he’s a college graduate and can do so much more.
I recently read something that says our generation is the “lost generation”. I am beginning to think that is so true. I can’t tell you the number of my friends who are living with parents and are taking whatever jobs they can get. It’s sad. I’m jealous of 30-something year olds who have relevant experience in their field and have roots/place of their own, and those who are just entering college now who will be the pick of employers when they graduate. We don’t have relevant experience, and by time there are jobs open, our degrees and knowledge will be outdated.
Selling a car
October 2nd, 2011 at 05:30 pm
October 2nd, 2011 at 05:48 pm 1317574095
October 2nd, 2011 at 06:50 pm 1317577803
October 2nd, 2011 at 08:46 pm 1317584817
October 3rd, 2011 at 12:40 am 1317598802
October 3rd, 2011 at 03:24 am 1317608698
I know it's frustrating. I worked so hard to finish college, then nothing as far as jobs. I actually had to spend 6 months working for free to get experience to get my first job in my field. I don't know all the details of your life, but I say keep plugging away. It's hard now, but there is a goal and an end in sight. If improving your life and your finances were easy, more people would do it and there wouldn't be so many of us on this site looking for encouragement.
October 3rd, 2011 at 06:51 am 1317621063
October 16th, 2011 at 05:50 pm 1318783812
Jerry