Budget Buster - GRRRR! DH's commuting vehicle was stolen!

[Disneybuckeye]

I also agree you need two vehicles. Your husband needs to be able to go do things on occasion on the evening and weekend by himself (and you by yourself) without having to worry about the baby being home without a car in case of emergency. Something to think about, how old is your Prius? If it is 5 or 6 years old a new car might be something to consider to keep your cars at different ages to avoid having to replace multiple cars at the same time in the future. Even though your husband only drives 2 miles each way to work and I am sure he will drive it other places which will put additional miles on it. Also, depending on if and how many more children you plan to have and when is something to think about also as car seats take up a lot of space in the car. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[clutter]

Has he tried to find a carpool? Living so close to the station, I'll bet there are neighbors that he could ride with. At least, to the station. Then he could either cab back, or you could pick him up.

I'm in the 'you need another car' camp, but this might bide you some time.

 

[2girls4me]

Here is my .02 cents, FWIW.

Have DH buy himself a station car. Something that will get him to and from the station every day. I know this was one of your original ideas and I think it's the best option for everyone.

I have 2 kids myself and I wouldn't want to wake them up to drive my DH to the station (he works for the railroad) if I could avoid it at all.

good luck

 

[cm8]

You can tell him to either get over that or enjoy walking on his american feet.

,

 

[Cindy B]

I still can't believe this is still going on!
Lets put things into perspective here..

The OP's DH had a scooter to go to the train station. The DH didn't want to insure the vehicle and he basically was out of luck when it got stolen. According the OP, the DH, if wanting a car only wants specific brands and preferences. Also the DH seems the outdoorsy type, where bicycling can be an option but does not want that.



The OP does not want to give up her car to sit in a train lot. The OP also doesn't want to drive the 20 minutes total round trip-- 40 minutes out of the day to accomplish this until a new car/ mode of transportation has been made. OP has committments (shopping, lunch dates, etc) and wants her car to do those errands with the baby. OP also says baby screams in car.


OP states in original message that wanting to cut corners since shes a new SAHM but also talks about car payments, fancy vacations and being upper middle class. I'm shocked that no one has said to use the vacation money for the car yet! It must be a DIS record

So we basically have two adults that made choices and now have to live with choices. Chose not to insure, vehicle gets stolen.. now stuff out of luck. DH has specific vehicle preferences which may or may not be out of the cash price range. Other adult does not want to give up her vehicle or take the time out of her busy schedule to accommodate a transportation need until a permanent solution is met.

I see a need to compromise on both sides of this fence. First and formost, the scooter should have been insured. I would have made sure that the vehicle was insured NO MATTER WHAT. I work in one of most dangerous cities in the United States, and don't you think I have full coverage (including theft and damage) even though my car is fully paid for- (in my state liability insurance is the only required insurance) Secondly the DH may need to compromise on the make and model of car depending on the amount spent. The earth will not stop if a specific model isn't bought.

OP needs to compromise on her schedule even if only temporarily. Either drive her DH, joing a job share or use a cab. Since its only 2 miles, the extra four miles round trip (8 per day) won't really factor in the wear and tear of a PRIUS.

Compromise an concession is an important part of this conflict. I really don't see either of these virtures being brought forth by the OP/ OP's DH.

 

[disney11fan]

He does realize Toyota is made in the US right???

m]



maybe made in america ...but the money goes back overseas. save american union jobs...buy american...gm or ford your choice.

 

[seashoreCM]

Psst! If you ask me, if the road is too dangerous to bike on, it is also dangerous to "scoot" on.

Now may be as good a time as ever for DH to say, "I've had my fun on a scooter, now time to think about safety and the need to be around to take care of my children", and go shopping for a car.

 

[chimo2u]

OP also stated she is in no debt, comfortably lives with an emergency fund saved and HAS the money to buy said car without going into debt. She was looking for some options regarding the new vehicle thought process, not judgements on her life choices.

OP: I am sure you will make the very best choice for YOUR family

 

[RachelsMommie]

Just remember that Honda Civics DO NOT last forever. That is the common consensus, but my 8yo Honda Civic with 113K miles blew its transmission in July. It had been serviced in April so it was not lack of maintenance. The transmission blew and we had to buy a whole new vehicle. To fix the car was around $3K and the car was worth that if it was running.

OP, I will give you a new argument for getting another car. What happens if your car goes out? You will need a car to get around while that one is being fixed. We ended up going with a new car on a 12-month loan (as much as that would shock Dave Ramsey...I'm a follower of Dave's principles, but I just started a new job after being laid off and I want a bigger cash cushion for now). And yes, we went with another Civic. I loved my old Civic and it never caused me a day's trouble until the day it died.

The ironic thing was, I looked up Consumer Reports for a 2002 Honda Civic (and I know I bought it in 2002 b/c it was recommended by CR), the only thing it scored low on (3/5) was "Major Transmission Problems". Irony is a B sometimes.

 

[mrsklamc]

I'm shocked that no one has said to use the vacation money for the car yet! It must be a DIS record



I see a need to compromise on both sides of this fence.

There's no reason to use the vacation money for a car since they can comfortably afford both.

The 'fence' appears to be OP vs. some people on the DIS, not OP v.her husband, so no, there doesn't need to be compromise since the DIS doesn't have any say over how OP and her DH spend their money.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Ok, so I was away from the computer all day today (it was a beautiful day here in Seattle, if a bit breezy. DS and I met a friend in a park for a walk and then later went swimming at the public pool. Total cost of day: $3 for pool admission. I brought my own coffee in a travel mug instead of getting coffee on the way to the park. If we're still judging how I spend my days. ) and I come back and I can't believe this is still on the first page.

Well, I thank you guys for your opinions; I asked for them, and I sure got them. I don't agree with everyone's opinion, but thank you for taking the time to express it. I taught angry 13 year olds in one of the worst schools in England... it takes a lot more than a Budget Board thread to upset me.

But, let's face it. The horse is dead. So, I'm going to switch the topic to something that I would rather discuss: my babies.

First, here is my real baby an hour after birth. Look how alert he was, just after being born!

And here he is at 12 weeks. Look at the dimples!

And here is Jack, my 4 year old German Shepherd. This picture was taken at our wedding - Jack was the ring bearer!

We adopted Jack when he was a year and a half from a German Shepherd rescue... for the life of me, I can't understand how he lost his home. He is smart, obedient, loves everyone, and is so eager to please. He is also my running buddy - I almost never run without him, and he kept me going during my 20 mile training runs for the Disney Marathon last year.

This is Sasha; she's almost 7. We adopted her a year ago and she is just overall a fantastic dog. Not very smart, and she believes she's still a puppy, but we love her all the same. She was pretty badly neglected at her first home, but is making up for it now.

Yes, she did steal Figment and the pink sock for her bed.



Ok, now we're all bored, right? Can we let this thread die a nice peaceful natural death?

 

[chimo2u]

Ok, so I was away from the computer all day today (it was a beautiful day here in Seattle, if a bit breezy. DS and I met a friend in a park for a walk and then later went swimming at the public pool. Total cost of day: $3 for pool admission. I brought my own coffee in a travel mug instead of getting coffee on the way to the park. If we're still judging how I spend my days. ) and I come back and I can't believe this is still on the first page.

Well, I thank you guys for your opinions; I asked for them, and I sure got them. I don't agree with everyone's opinion, but thank you for taking the time to express it. I taught angry 13 year olds in one of the worst schools in England... it takes a lot more than a Budget Board thread to upset me.

But, let's face it. The horse is dead. So, I'm going to switch the topic to something that I would rather discuss: my babies.

First, here is my real baby an hour after birth. Look how alert he was, just after being born!

And here he is at 12 weeks. Look at the dimples!

And here is Jack, my 4 year old German Shepherd. This picture was taken at our wedding - Jack was the ring bearer!

We adopted Jack when he was a year and a half from a German Shepherd rescue... for the life of me, I can't understand how he lost his home. He is smart, obedient, loves everyone, and is so eager to please. He is also my running buddy - I almost never run without him, and he kept me going during my 20 mile training runs for the Disney Marathon last year.

This is Sasha; she's almost 7. We adopted her a year ago and she is just overall a fantastic dog. Not very smart, and she believes she's still a puppy, but we love her all the same. She was pretty badly neglected at her first home, but is making up for it now.

Yes, she did steal Figment and the pink sock for her bed.



Ok, now we're all bored, right? Can we let this thread die a nice peaceful natural death?

Your dogs are BEAUTIFUL!!! (so's your little man, too btw) I just have a soft spot for cute doggies and your's hit the mark! I would love to get a dog one day.....perhaps when my boys fly the nest in the next few yrs. (one is 18 and one is 14)..... I know I'll be needing something to occupy my mind and heart when they leave!
Glad you had a lovely day!

 

[mrsklamc]

Officially the classiest response I have seen on the DIS.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Your dogs are BEAUTIFUL!!! (so's your little man, too btw) I just have a soft spot for cute doggies and your's hit the mark! I would love to get a dog one day.....perhaps when my boys fly the nest in the next few yrs. (one is 18 and one is 14)..... I know I'll be needing something to occupy my mind and heart when they leave!
Glad you had a lovely day!

Oh dear, I'm bumping my own thread that I asked to let die, but I can't help it. When I said that I love talking about my dogs, I really didn't lie. I grew up with small dogs, but DH had wanted a Shepherd his entire life. We finally decided to adopt one... and I can't imagine life without Shepherds, now. In fact, Sasha was my fault. I was on the Washington German Shepherd Rescue webpage last year around this time of year, looking to see what donations the rescue needed... and Sasha just called to me. DH got an email at work with a link to her Petfinder page and a note that we were meeting her the next afternoon.

I hope you end up with the perfect dog one day, when the time is right!

 

[Leajess99]

Well, technically I didn't consider wear and tear because that's going to occur with any vehicle - current or newly-purchased. I just meant "cheaper than a $5,000+ car, or another scooter likely to be stolen and its insurance", and "safer than walking or biking based on the OP's description".

Not to hijack, but no, Colorado natives are NOT the only persons able to navigate in winter weather.

I agree and especially in the Seattle and surrounding area. I grew up in and learned to drive on the snow and ice in Michigan and I did fine in Washington state. The most interesting thing I saw in that area was the day it snowed and I was leaving Ft Lewis. There was a jeep type vehicle up on the cement median between the north and south bound lanes on I-5. I guess he didn't know to take it slow in the snow.

I do know, however, that I NEVER want to drive a stick shift in some areas of Seattle again no matter what the weather. lol Those hills were not fun and I would freak out every time someone got behind me as I was trying to go up them.

 

[Leajess99]

We adopted Jack when he was a year and a half from a German Shepherd rescue... for the life of me, I can't understand how he lost his home. He is smart, obedient, loves everyone, and is so eager to please. He is also my running buddy - I almost never run without him, and he kept me going during my 20 mile training runs for the Disney Marathon last year.

This is Sasha; she's almost 7. We adopted her a year ago and she is just overall a fantastic dog. Not very smart, and she believes she's still a puppy, but we love her all the same. She was pretty badly neglected at her first home, but is making up for it now.

Yes, she did steal Figment and the pink sock for her bed.

Your son sure is a cutie. Your dogs are certainly beautiful.