When it comes to money, things are pretty clear cut and can be placed in two categories: liabilities and assets. Well this year has been a painful reminder of how a vehicle is one of your biggest liabilities. When it comes to the stuff I own, I try to take the best care of it. However, my 2008 Acura TSX decided that it was time to start breaking down.
Earlier this year, I had to replace the brake pads, rotors, alternator, and alternator belt. Then I had to replace the gearbox because she didn’t want to shift into second gear anymore. After dropping a pretty penny on all of that, I started working a gig job to start paying it all off. However, a month later, the front sway bars decided to give out and needed to be replaced.
Suffice to say, I’ve spent a substantial amount on car repairs this year to the point where I’ve had to use my credit card to cover a portion of the bills so I can keep my car on the road. Which I hate doing. The only time I even use a credit card is when I have the money to pay it off immediately while enjoying those bonus points and cashback earnings.
Thankfully, my car is fully paid off so I don’t have to worry about monthly payments. Which is standard for me. When I buy a vehicle, I fully pay for it so I don’t have to worry about missing a monthly payment or getting so far behind that my vehicle gets repossessed.
An experience that too many people are dealing with and will continue to struggle in paying as this year starts coming to a close and the economy not improving. Yep, the economy isn’t going to get better. Only worse.
It’s hard to imagine living life without a vehicle. Despite being a liability, it offers so many pros and possibilities. The biggest is the freedom to travel where you want whenever you want. A luxury we take for granted until the time comes when your car is in the shop for an extended period of time and you have to figure out other means of transportation in order to work. Unless you are lucky to work at home. But the gas, car insurance, and repairs can wear your bank account down.
So I’m scrambling to pay off the credit card as fast as possible. It just sucks that most of my time is being wasted working for money when I’d rather focus on writing and other pursuits.
We’ll just have to wait and see. As I stated before, I’m currently doing a gig job with Instacart while I search for stable employment. In addition, I’m still trying to self-publish my first book this year. But, with all the crazy stuff going on, I will have to carve out time for it to become a reality.
Suffice to say, the grind continues on.
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