....We took advantage of the kids being gone and got a very good hotel deal through a friend. We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard at Liberty Station($120). We biked to the thrift stores in Pacific Beach and filled the saddlebags on the tandem with 'new' clothes ($17). We were going to drive to the farmer's market in Ocean Beach, but the traffic was at a standstill so we unloaded the bike and rode there, too. We ate streetfair food ($13).
AnnaMarie had packed food for breakfast so no expense there. We then rode the bike around a whole bunch of car dealerships. She had an idea what she wanted but wanted to be sure. Car shopping on a bike is great. You can outrun the salespeople.
We looked at Mini Coopers. She sat in one. She test drove another. This one was her pick, but we went out to El Cotixan for lunch ($9) to really think about it; called the salesman back with a lowball offer; well below bluebook.
It's used, a 2007 with 14,000 miles. The dealer claims it's a chick car, and chicks don't drive manual transmission cars so this one wasn't selling. AM prefers stick; this is a 6 speed. It's supposed to get 37 mpg which is a little better than the 12 mpg her Durango gets. (we'll keep the Durango for big groups and snow conditions). The date budget of $160 was blown by 12875%.
AnnaMarie kept going out to just look at her new car. I love the fact that she wanted something that was for her. All her decisions are usually for the family and household. I know, I know---it looks a lot like my first car. Really this is the car she wanted. I haven't even driven it yet.
6 comments:
You are thinking about the budget wrong. I'm sure that any of your elected representatives can help you fix your numbers so that your budget looks fine. Maybe we can get Congress to hold hearings and assign a special investigator to assist.
Congrats to AM on the new car!
we just bought my wife a "new" 1997 volvo wagon. i know the feeling about her doing something for herself, she's always doing things for me and our future and she wanted a volvo wagon to replace her minivan that she'd had since before we'd met, she'd gotten it from her parents. so when she could pick out her own car, im glad she did.
also, maybe you can request a bailout, obama seems to be handing those out like candy....
NS
Maybe you have to get a wider aspect on the budget.
The gas savings that resulted from the over budget purchase will pay for itself over... okay.. bad example...
Well, there are some rational justifications. The Durango has driven to the moon, mileage-wise. I'd rather AM spend most of her driving time in something a bit more reliable. I also think it's a good time to pay cash for durable goods. Obama is going to devalue my savings, so turning $20K in cash to $20K in MiniCooper might prove to be a good financial move. It's also a good move towards AM not trading me in for a younger model. Divorce, from what I've seen, is not a good financial move at all.
All I can say is...Wow, Annamarie!
What a CUTE car!!! I have been wanting a Mini for a while now. Don't care if it is the old style or the new, and I like stick better too!
Congrats!
I think it suits her very well :) We are getting close to trading down our minivan for a smaller car. I just haven't totally killed the van yet.
I'd be good with a smaller hatchback style car that will seat the whole family & leave room for luggage.
Hummers need not apply.
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