Spin Cycle: A Car Story

Once upon a time there was a young couple who wanted to save up for a down payment on a house. They decided, as a way to save money, to not buy a cool car. So they drove vehicles that would save them money instead.

The young husband drove a moped to work, the moped his wife had used to go to class as a college student. His work, after all, was only a mile away.

The wife drove a car that her friends made fun of. A lot. A 1979 Ford Fairmont. They had bought it from an old man. The old Ford had 31,000 miles and had cost them only $700.

Several years later, when the engine blew, the wife was excited to get something else to drive.

But the couple had young children and a new mortgage. They also were taking care of the husband’s elderly grandmother. They needed something that could hold a lot of people, a dog, beach stuff; plus something affordable. So they bought a used mini van.

The mini van lived for many many years and had a load of mileage.

Then one day, while the not-so-young-anymore wife was at a stop signal, a speeding car flew into the car two cars behind her. The five car accordion action killed the old mini van.

There was a brief period of SUV ownership. Not a new SUV, but the closest to new that the couple had come to in car ownership. This fine black vehicle was loved by all and even given a name. Joey. Everyone loved Joey.

But Joey used a lot of gas and the daughter, now starting college, was going to commute to save money (by not dorming) by using her mother's car. What a paradox. What a conundrum.

The mom, meanwhile, was in a bit of a funk. A WTF kind of mood. She had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and was beginning chemotherapy. She got a burr up her ass that perhaps once in awhile one should just go for it.

So, at 48, she bought her first ever new car. In truth, she ordered her car. It was such a popular car that there were none to be had on the island. Ordering was fun. She could get exactly what she wanted.

She got a black Prius. That averaged 50 MPG.

And while she made enormous car payments, she mostly took only weekend privileges. She let her daughter use the car to commute to college most weekdays.

But oh how she loved driving her car to the beach on the weekends.

Four years later the family moved to town so the children could be closer to the college.

The mom got her car back and the daughter took the bus to school.

Life was good.

Then, one day during Spring Break, the mom, being in a generous mood, said, “Daughter, you can take my car to campus today instead of taking the bus. I’m not going anywhere.”

And the daughter rear ended an SUV.

The Prius was in the fender shop for six weeks. It came out. It went back in. It came out. It went back in. And then it was fixed. That's what they said at least.

The mom decided it wasn’t fun anymore.

So she decided (since the pay cut for teachers) that instead of getting a summer job, she would sell the car. Pay off some bills. Save some money. Take the bus to her new job next year that is only eight miles from her house. Or buy an affordable used car.

Get stranded at home this summer and instead of working a second job she could finish her writing project.

* * *

OK I haven’t actually sold the car yet, but I am 90% sure I will.

For more spins on money saving, head on over to Sprite’s Keeper.