Drive It Until It Stops

I love cars-and can’t help myself from “shopping” in the classifieds…even if there is NO WAY I am buying a used (let alone new) car.

With one kid in college, another headed to higher education next year-and another one off to the ivy-covered walls in about a decade, I am in no position to “change rides” right now.

Of course, this means getting hosed by car repair places from the “minor” problems that my Jeep encounters. I love that Grand Cherokee, even though it only gets about 15 miles to the gallon. (I think it was designed by an oil company). Still, if something breaks, falls off or otherwise becomes inoperative, I am a prisoner of the estimate. $200 here, $400 there…before long, we’re talking real money!

But…there are no payments each month (unless you count repair bills) It’s paid for-and aside from pouring gasoline in generously (sometimes I think a tanker truck should follow me around for convenience sake), there are no regular expenses. I should be grateful. I know of people still paying out monthly-and also facing the repair bills when the warranty runs out.

Maybe I should get one of those little motor scooters. They don’t look very manly, but financial distress drives a man to extremes! So…if you see me putt-putt down the street in a wimpy little motorbike, try not to laugh….too hard. At least wait until I’m out of earshot.