My heart skips a beat

It was a very topsy turvy day and as I was going through everything I was laughing to myself wondering how this would affect my budget and blog.

What began as an oil change turned into a possible transmission failure which basically would have meant a new vehicle would be needed.

Long story short, it was only a $200 repair (and oilchange) needed and not a new transmission, but knowing I would be needing a new vehicle in the next year or two, I looked over a few and did some pricing.

It came down to almost $500 a month for 6 years. Insane hey??? Lordy that just seems like so much money for so long a period a time to get a year old minivan which would have the space and seating I need.

Given I already have a loan I am paying, there is no way to see myself paying that kind of cash for that long.

I went through so many emotions today...dread over cost to elation over a new vehicle to the crashing reality of not being able to afford it.

So for now I'll have to cross my fingers that this one doesn't fail and continue to work at paying down the loan as fast as I can.

Today was a good example of unplanned expenditures. How does one prepare for them??