Debt Dumpers - 2016

[Eureka]

I was headed home from the store. The highway out of town right there is 4-lanes, 2 in each direction with no turning lane. I was driving along in the left lane, when the truck in front of me switched lanes suddenly. The car in front of him was at a complete stop to make a left hand turn. There was a car to my right, and oncoming traffic to the left, so I hit my brakes, but it had been raining most of the day and the roads were wet. So, my tires just skidded along and *BAM*.

Good part of it - the state trooper who worked the accident decided to not give me a ticket. He said that with the road conditions and layout of the road it appeared to him to have been unavoidable. Even the person I rear-ended was saying that she didn't think there was anything I could have done to avoid it. So, with this declared a "no-fault" accident, my insurance rates shouldn't go up. And I'm not going to have a huge fine to pay.

The almost funny part? I was still in the car, trying to figure out what had happened, when my phone rang. It was my principal from school asking if I was ok. The person I hit, was the sister-in-law to the shop teacher from the school - he stopped to see how we were doing and gave me a ride home from the shop. While we were on the side of the road, I got a call from one of the other teachers and the office secretary stopped by to see if we were ok. I really love my job and all the people I work with.

Just seeing this. Glad you are ok. Car accidents, no matter how minor, are always scary because you just never know what could have happened.

 

[dayvewc]

Wow, I hope you aren't too sore today and you get good news from the insurance. I have the same insurance and we've tested it often. They haven't upped our rates for accidents, just DH's ticket(s). Hopefully, your adjuster won't up it. If so, call the customer service line and talk to them. DD had one CS person that was really rude but all others have been great. The rude one probably isn't there any more. They may have received a call to the supervisors about her.

Yeah, I've never had a rude CS agent when I've called and talked to them - or when I have used the online chat function. I do know that they will/can/may raise the rates based on the accident though. Had that happen in the past with the ex-S.O. when he totaled his care last year.

I did discover in my talk with the insurance yesterday that they determine the value of the car in a new and interesting manner. They look for 5 similar cars that have sold recently within 150 miles, take the average cost and then apply any up (special equipment or additions) or down (prior accidents, excessive mileage) costs specific to my car. So, the "blue book" value really doesn't mean much other than to just have a random number that it might or might not be worth.

Based on the Kelley Blue Book, my car is valued around $3k. I really hope that I get more than that for it.

 

[gracie1]

Yeah, I've never had a rude CS agent when I've called and talked to them - or when I have used the online chat function. I do know that they will/can/may raise the rates based on the accident though. Had that happen in the past with the ex-S.O. when he totaled his care last year.

I did discover in my talk with the insurance yesterday that they determine the value of the car in a new and interesting manner. They look for 5 similar cars that have sold recently within 150 miles, take the average cost and then apply any up (special equipment or additions) or down (prior accidents, excessive mileage) costs specific to my car. So, the "blue book" value really doesn't mean much other than to just have a random number that it might or might not be worth.

Based on the Kelley Blue Book, my car is valued around $3k. I really hope that I get more than that for it.

What year is your car? Do you have a lot of miles on it?

 

[dayvewc]

What year is your car? Do you have a lot of miles on it?

It is (was) a 2004 Pontiac Vibe and has (had) about 244,000 miles. That happens when I'm driving 800 miles a week. :-(

 

[gracie1]

It is (was) a 2004 Pontiac Vibe and has (had) about 244,000 miles. That happens when I'm driving 800 miles a week. :-(

Wow - that's great if you get $3k for the car with that many miles!

 

[dayvewc]

Wow - that's great if you get $3k for the car with that many miles!

True, but checking online there aren't any decent replacement cars for that price and there is no way i can add a new payment right now.

 

[scdak]

True, but checking online there aren't any decent replacement cars for that price and there is no way i can add a new payment right now.

Do you have a car dealer you deal with at times? Mine offers a service where they will take information from me as to what I am looking for, what price range etc and they search for a vehicle for me, but I have the right to decline it if I don't like it when they find it. Just a thought that might help Most importantly I am glad you were not injured.

 

[MrsTurnerLovesDisney]

So Murphy has hit I finally broke down and got the car fixed but put in on CC to buy me a little time before having to pay that $600 off then I shattered my phone...Verizon said the only way I could get another phone because I'm still 4 months from when my contract runs out is to buy one outright $150 plus accessories I needed like a phone case and screen protector *the last one didn't have that*

DH phone has been acting wonky too so we did an early upgrade on him as well so spent $350 at Verizon there went that cushion we had!
We both got paid this week and after paying the bills we are broke until June 1st when we get paid again.

Last night though DH and I had a come to Jesus meeting as my momma always calls it. I ran the numbers again from what he now makes at his new job which is a significant raise over his previous job and what I make and what bills we have plus groceries, eating out etc. There is NO REASON we should ever have to dip into savings except for a true emergency expense. I told him starting next pay day debit cards were staying home and we would have allowances for gas, eating out and personal for each of us. I've already made up the envelopes for this system and that when that money was gone it was gone.

We will be doing the same with groceries. I will take a set amount out each pay day and that's that. It's so easy for us to go over by $20-$30 a trip on non essentials. It will also force me to get better at tracking sales, couponing (not extreme just basic I use to save $15 at least each trip) and meal planning! I am soooo done with watching our savings dwindle our vacation fund not grow and still being broke because of stupid things like eating out and little extras!

OK rant to myself over! Thanks for listening

 

[dayvewc]

Do you have a car dealer you deal with at times? Mine offers a service where they will take information from me as to what I am looking for, what price range etc and they search for a vehicle for me, but I have the right to decline it if I don't like it when they find it. Just a thought that might help Most importantly I am glad you were not injured.

I don't have any dealers that I have really dealt with. I talked to one last summer, just out of curiosity on what a car would run, but that was the first dealer I had talked to in 12 years. There might be one that would do something similar just as good customer service. I guess I can call and ask. Besides, I kind of need to call and talk to them anyway, they have a car listed online that I kind of like the looks of. It's a 2007 Nissan Versa with only 110,000 miles. I'd like something a bit newer with lower miles, but I can't afford anything that would be much more than what they are asking for this one (And that's assuming I get the full $3k on a settlement).

 

[dayvewc]

Well, got word from the insurance. They are going to total the car, and after my deductible, they will cut me a check for about $2850.

Not sure how I'm going to get a workable car for that amount. *sigh*

Wonder if "gofundme" would work?

 

[PrincessKymm]

Well, got word from the insurance. They are going to total the car, and after my deductible, they will cut me a check for about $2850.

Not sure how I'm going to get a workable car for that amount. *sigh*

Wonder if "gofundme" would work?

You'd be amazed at what a dealer can do when they are motivated by cash! I used to work for a warranty administration company and everyone I worked with had been in the business.

Be prepared to walk away and talk to multiple dealers before making any decision. pit them against each other. You'd be amazed at what happens when you walk out becaus you have another offer that's better. Doesn't always work but usually it does. Sometimes you can walk out with free oil changes in addition to money off.

 

[Shmily1]

I saw Murphy! I drove to work a couple weeks ago and pulled in the parking lot. When I went to open the door, the handle wouldn't open the door, but instead just moved freely. I had to put the window down and open it from the outside to get out. My mechanic works where I do (but he's in maintenance) so I had to wait until the annual shutdown was over. I took my car to him yesterday and he found the problem right away. I needed a new inside door handle. I called around using the information he gave me (because I am a literal person) so I asked for a blue inside door handle. Nope, they have grey, black, and tan for $21.99 each. I need blue. I kept telling DD that I just know mine isn't blue but it is chrome and the parts around it are blue. After calling several auto parts places, I finally text him back and tell him I thought it was chrome. He says yeah, it is chrome but the trim is blue. I called this morning to order one. It ended up being $134 plus tax!! I really wanted the $21.99 plastic one. I should get my car back tomorrow afternoon.

 

[bcwife76]

@dayvewc darn, I'm sorry the insurance company didn't give you more for your car

 

[gracie1]

Well, got word from the insurance. They are going to total the car, and after my deductible, they will cut me a check for about $2850.

Not sure how I'm going to get a workable car for that amount. *sigh*

Wonder if "gofundme" would work?

Definitely shop around. Go on the local sites around you and look at their used car inventory. Also look at the car rental sites and see what cars they may be selling. Do you have rental car insurance and if so how long can you use the rental car?

 

[gracie1]

I saw Murphy! I drove to work a couple weeks ago and pulled in the parking lot. When I went to open the door, the handle wouldn't open the door, but instead just moved freely. I had to put the window down and open it from the outside to get out. My mechanic works where I do (but he's in maintenance) so I had to wait until the annual shutdown was over. I took my car to him yesterday and he found the problem right away. I needed a new inside door handle. I called around using the information he gave me (because I am a literal person) so I asked for a blue inside door handle. Nope, they have grey, black, and tan for $21.99 each. I need blue. I kept telling DD that I just know mine isn't blue but it is chrome and the parts around it are blue. After calling several auto parts places, I finally text him back and tell him I thought it was chrome. He says yeah, it is chrome but the trim is blue. I called this morning to order one. It ended up being $134 plus tax!! I really wanted the $21.99 plastic one. I should get my car back tomorrow afternoon.

That's how it always works - your part has to be the most expensive!

 

[dayvewc]

Definitely shop around. Go on the local sites around you and look at their used car inventory. Also look at the car rental sites and see what cars they may be selling. Do you have rental car insurance and if so how long can you use the rental car?

I've been checking several of the car lots to see what they have. I also have an appointment to meet with one m the one that had the most reasonable priced cars Saturday morning.

I do have rental insurance, but they won't pay past Monday. I can continue renting the car for the discounted rate past that point, just the insurance won't pay for it.

I didn't think about checking car rental sites for a used car. I've looked in the past, but they always seem to be too new (and expensive) in my memory.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I didn't think about checking car rental sites for a used car. I've looked in the past, but they always seem to be too new (and expensive) in my memory.

If you have a Carmax in your area, check on their website as well. They have many fleet/rental cars that they resell, and even if there isn't one you want at your local store they can ship it in from another store.

 

[PrincessKymm]

Whelp DS and I are both down with sinus infections. We have another appointment for DS at our family doc's office b/c the minute clinic couldn't do anything about the wart-that-isn't-a-wart on his finger. Good thing I called us off from work and school today!

Unexpected doctor bills will roll in after vacation now. Ugh!

Happy news we leave for WDW in 15 days and I've got it all saved up for. No new debt! Well hopefully. I have a shopping problem especially at WDW! I am packing a ton of snacks for DS since his appetite is insane. We can do this too because we are flying United and get two free carry-ons so I only have to pay for 1 checked bag.

 

[Ngwira]

I dodged Murphy today. My heat/ac in my car only comes on when the knob is turned all the way to 3 which is the 2nd highest setting. I thought it was a radiator($$$) problem. Turns out the knob only needs to be replaced. I'll get it repaired next weekend.

Just checked with my mechanic and the part is only $60.00. Will take it in tomorrow.

 

[dayvewc]

Well, I am grateful that my parents love me at least a little bit. I talked to my mom tonight, after I had talked to a couple of sales people at a couple of car lots, and she is encouraging me to take an offer from the Buick dealership for a new 2016 Encore. She has offered to pay the payments for the summer, and I should have one of my big accounts paid off by then from what I'll make this summer, which would let me split my snowball and pick up the payment myself. It just means that my snowball would drop from being almost $1000 a month to around $700. But, I'd have a new car, that gets an estimated 35 mpg on the highway, the insurance would only go up by about $200 a year (not counting the premium increase from the accident), and I shouldn't have any mechanical issues for several years. Plus, this particular dealer offers $9.95 oil changes for life. Don't know all the details on that, the sales guy just kind of threw it out there as I was getting ready to leave.

I've got to go by a different dealer in the morning and talk to them - I called and set an appointment to see what they could find (the sales guy is an old friend of mine). But unless he can find an incredibly awesome deal among the trade-ins, I may go for the new car.