Getting the car home

Well no one in the state of Illinois is helpful with getting a vehicle home. Sound a little rash? It is exactly my perception.

Could be Illinois has enough tax revenue and doesn't wish to add another registered and licensed vehicle. Or possibly that all insurance companies in Illinois are making enough money, rendering my additional vehicle payment an extra cash flow they don't want.

After numerous calls to the DMV with no help, what so ever, I did what I should have done in the beginning. I made a call to the current car owner and had them overnight me the title. Which, thanks to UPS., the best delivery service in the world, I had the title in my hand yesterday afternoon. Go UPS!

I took the title in and hand my temporary plate and insurance card in less then 20 minutes. Including driving time!!!

Some times any direction out side of the bureaucracy of our government is a better choice. Makes you wonder, do they really work for us?

Thanks for the info to all that emailed me and left a comment. Sadly, I don't know if our state could do any of your suggestions. Even worse, their employees don't know either. :-(

How do I get a job, where I can no nothing, and make a solid check with benefits?

My car is beginning to cost me money

For a while now, I knew my struts were going bad. :-( I tried to negotiate with my husband, to hold off on repairing until I hit 125k in miles. That didn't go over good. I'm at a 108k now and he assures me, it would be more expensive later.

The cost $189. Labor was free, since I have the best husband in the world. With this expenditure I thought I should look at the true cost of my vehicle again.

Grand Prix - Purchased 3/05, Ownership 42 months, no financing

• Purchase Price $18,170
• Refund Warranty -$-1600
• KBB Value -$-7,240
• Repairs - $189

Cost to date $9,519

Bottom line $9,519 / 42 months of ownership = Cost to me of $226.64 per month.

I have declined a little bit. Of course, so has KBB.com.

There is another issue I hear a terrible high pitched noise when I turn the steering wheel. And if you all want to be safe on the road, I need to have the power steering rack looked at. Last time, a little fluid went a long way. This time, I'm sure it will be more. In the long run though, having a smooth running car saves lives and future dollars.

I guess, with my high mileage I was lucky to get this far.

IPass Check

All is good! After the discussion on talk radio yesterday about the I-Pass and rental cars, I was a bit worried.

After we loaded the rental van for vacation - I just grabbed my I-Pass for traveling. I never thought to register the rental.

And why do they do this? I mean, I pay for the tolls either way - so give me a break.

Anyway, I see all tolls, even on the Turnpike, are accounted for.

So, I may have slid by this time.

2 Weeks & 30 MPG

Just 2 short weeks ago, I crossed the 100k mark for mileage in my car. That beautiful row of zero's is a distant memory now.

With the end of June today, my car's odometer was reading 101685 when we pulled the car in last night. 1685 miles in 2 weeks. Dang, that is a lot.

That only leaves me 148315 miles away from my goal of 250k.

At the moment, I'm not sure if this is good or bad. LOL.

On a happier note, we filled up with gas Saturday morning heading to Michigan and didn't fill up again until coming home Sunday morning. I was totally excited to calculate our mileage in my old car (he-he). We got 30 miles to the gallon.

SWEET! I have my family vehicle, built with quality from an American Manufacture (love you GM!) and I had awesome gas mileage. Does it get any better?

It's official - 6 Figures

My gramps has cancelled for 2 weeks, my weekly visits. Amazing that an 80 something year old man, is too busy for a visit. hmm. I'm beginning to wonder if he has a girlfriend.

He's always been a charmer!

Anyway, these less driving weeks have saved me a bundle in cash! With 1/2 the month gone, I'm about $50 short of last months gas spending. Even with higher prices.

Of course, this has delayed my vehicle mileage.

Yesterday, was a huge milestone though - I crossed the 100k mark. That makes me 2/5th's of the way to my goal. Another 6 years in this car and I will reach my goal. :-)

We were headed to a car show last night and I didn't let DH drive. I'm so weird! I wanted to be the one taking my car over into this new 6 figure place.

910 Miles in 12 days

Amazing, when you pay attention, to see how many miles you drive. These aren't frivolous miles either. Unless you consider visiting my grandfather frivolous - which I don't.

My last mark to goal was 152,758 on April 30th.

With 910 miles under my belt so far, since. I'm guessing by tomorrow when I get home from Chicago, I will be closer to the 1200 mark. Since, today I will run my errands, while out after my trainer. Then tonight my DH will use my car to visit a friend in the hospital. And tomorrow I will add another 139 miles or so to visit my grandfather.

Current distance to goal of 250k Miles - 151,848.

92 Miles in one day

This is crazy, but is my cars life.

I train on Tuesdays and with all this attention to the speedometer, I discovered the trip, 1 way, is 21 miles. Which means I am responsible for 42 of those 92 miles.

When DH came home from work, he needed to go see a friend in the hospital. Of course, he took my car. It would just be irrational, when I'm not driving, to take his truck at 8 miles to the gallon.

I was cracking up, each time my cell phone said I had a text, while he was gone. DH must have been lonely on his trip to the hospital or could it be he is becoming obsessed with the mileage too? He sent me 4 text messages, that only displayed numbers - the miles to the goal.

Hilarious!

The good thing is, he filled my tank up for me on his way home. Since, I am working in Elgin today and West Chicago on Friday, this is a little break for me.

The best part is when we calculated my mileage per gallon. My high mileage baby was getting 27 MPG. SWEET!

152,758 to go.

Watching the miles is my new obsession

After the fire was lit under my rear, to compete for the farthest distance, I can't help but watch my success come with each road trip.

Success here is moving faster then our wealth. :-)

On April 15th, when I posted about this challenge, my car just crossed 96K. Today, actually last night, I crossed 97K. The exact reading, as she lies in wait in the garage, I have 97,150 miles. So, in less then 2 weeks, I have traveled 1150 miles.

If that number was the template, I would be racking up 29,900 miles a year. Without vacations or any extra travel issues. Holy Cow - I'm a big mile girl.

Last nights miles came from a trip to Chicago - I wanted to see my gramps with my own eyes. I'm glad I did. Since I have a busy work week, I can't go on Wednesday. I would have just worried all week.

I'm going to add a significantly large amount of miles by weekend too. I have a couple business meetings this week, way up in Elgin, IL. Ya know, I can't help but wonder what my miles would be if I worked, outside of my home office everyday.

These miles leave me with exactly 152,850 miles to go to be victorious and claim the title.

Competition a Wealth Building Tool

There is someone in my circle that drives me crazy with their ego talk. No matter what is happening in my life or an others, this person will take the conversation back to themselves - and they are always better. You know like it is a competition.

I think we all know folks like this.

This past weekend, this annoying person, gave me a goal that I never even thought of before. Does that make me indebted to them?

This person had a vehicle, that they speak of often. Bought it new and literally drove it into the position of a first car for some talented mechanical teenager. The American built car had 250k miles on it, when it left this persons ownership.

As you may have guessed, this person is a savvy financial person. Could retire now, in their early 40's and never finances anything. EVER. A respectable person and a lesson for many - when you get passed the annoying I'm better then you stuff.

Anyway, my 2004 American built car, which I love, has just crossed 96k miles. It still looks fabulous and runs perfect - thanks to my man in the garage (DH). By the end of this year, I can probably expect to have about 115k miles. Maybe closer to 120k if you consider my past driving history and add in 2 vacations to the East Coast this year. Yes, it looks like we will drive - plane tickets are just too much money for all of us.

We tossed around buying a large vehicle for the trips and then selling it, but we probably won't.

My goal is one that I can finally shut this person up. The consistent bragging - is like nails down a chalk board. I'm going to get my car to 250k miles - some how, some way. And know this person back into reality.

In the mean time, saving money and building wealth - from no car transactions.

Let the games begin!

154k Miles to go!

24 or 26 MPG

What is the difference?

Give up? The difference is whether I am driving my car or my DH is driving my car.

I am a consist cruise control girl while traveling longer distances. I obey most driving laws, most of the time. Although, I do admit to running 10 mph over the speed limit while on cruise.

My DH on the other hand is practicing for a Nascar spot at all times. Not that he drives at faster speeds, because believe me I watch. What he does is speed up, pass people - just because "it's all about position". Then slow down and repeat. Sometimes, when the slow down part happens because of another driver he says some things I can not repeat.

To give you an idea, while traveling up to Rockford for his dad's surgery, he was upset about a guy pulling out in front of us, thus slowing our pace. He tells me "when we drive by, flip him off."

"What?? I'm not flipping him off." I tell him as his sister is laughing in the back seat. I offer up, that maybe his sister should flip the guy off.

Luckily, he is not really angry. Although, I know it bothers him, he does make it a joke. I know he doesn't want me flipping folks off. Or at least that is what I tell myself.

Anyway, I have been telling him for years that my gas mileage drops for a tank when ever he uses my car. Then he gets offended - and exaggerates how he must be an awful driver - yada yada yada.

Today, I needed gas - because all my tank was dry. All miles on this tank - except for 20 were driven by my DH. All miles were also ROAD MILES - no stop and go or traffic.

So, tell me then - why did my gas mileage only equal 24 miles per gallon?

And yet, when I drive all week, including a trip to Chicago - sitting on the Eisenhower in traffic for hours on end, do I get 26 miles per gallon?

The proof is in the pudding. I'm just a better driver.

A New Car Without The Payment

Sunday, my DH pulled his truck out of the garage and spent some quality time on my car.

Besides performing the regular maintenance, which to me is changing the oil and checking the fluids, he went above and beyond. This isn't odd for him. He is very detailed about our vehicles and his garage.

Believe me, I am just happy he lets me park in the garage.

At one point, I am poking my head out to tell him something and see that my car is completely up in the air. He was checking the brakes and rotating the tires. Tires, as he claimed, had so much gravel and crap on the inside that it was disrupting the ride. Possibly from my "in the ditch" experience earlier this year.

With the brakes found in good condition, he detailed my tires - to shiny new and put them back on.

Then he spent much of the afternoon detailing the inside and outside of my car. And only finished, when he had a fresh coat of wax buffed to a shine. I could taste spring yesterday, when I jumped in my "Like New" car.

Here is where I chuckle. He did such an excellent job, that while I was running errands I was asked by someone I know "did you get a new car?"

Lesson here - spend some time on the car you have or have an awesome husband that will and forget about the car loan.

A financial choice

I shared with you all a while back, that we will be taking not 1 but 2 vacations this year. Still amazes me that we can go from none to 2 in a blink of an eye.

The first vacation is to New Jersey. My father and step-mother have rented a beach house. All we have to do is get there and pay for our expenses. That is a great deal for us. Plus, we will probably experience our last time all together uninterrupted. It's just so hard getting together as everyone gets older.

Beside all of us and my parents, my brother and his family are coming and my little sister and her new guy. We are going to have so much fun on the beach, in New York and just at the house sharing and spending time.

The 2nd trip is to North Carolina, where my nephew-in-law is getting married. We are going to make it a long weekend and spend some quality time with the kids. Not to mention enjoying the wedding festivities.

Our "choice" comes from how to get to these places. As you may recall we sold my Suburban last year. I am regretting this choice now. I believe 4 of our kids will be going to Jersey with us and possibly all 5 to North Carolina. So with 6-7 travelers we are looking at huge numbers to get to and fro.

I have scoured the Internet looking for options:

• Plane Tickets - seem to average $250 each way. How do you find the deals? That's $3000 for 6 people. $3500 for 7.
• Rent Passenger Van - These babies hold 12-15 people. They have a weekly rate of $400-$600 and then a fee per mile - about 19-26¢. Estimating low $800 for 2 weeks + $988 for mileage + $1190.40 (372 gallons (estimating 14 miles to the gallon x 5200 miles) of gas x $3.20) = we are looking at spending $2,978.40.

Which has sent my DH on a mission. He believes we can buy a vehicle, use it for these events and then sell it.

I thought he was a bit out of it when he first said it, but after running the numbers - I think he is pure genius. He found a Used - in great condition Suburban for $3600, with only 90k in miles.

This would retain our fuel usage, but also allow us to enlist the kids in driving. Making the trips easier. My thoughts are as long as we lose no more then $1788 on our purchase price, we will make out in the long run. I'm guessing we could sell the vehicle for exactly the same price we paid.

Anyway - this is an expense and a choice we need to make now. Time is ticking by and if we don't do this, I need to have a plan for our travels.

What Happens @ GM

Way back when, when General Motors was the powerhouse company, they dictated the placement of the US economy. Is that so today?

The news reported this morning that GM is showing their worst loss ever in 4th Quarter 2007.

That is bad news for GM and for the older employees that will be pushed out of jobs, so GM can bring in younger, cheaper help. It isn't personal, its just business.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I expected this. Didn't you? I mean, a couple years ago they were slamming the market with 0% financing. This created a surge in purchases, where there was no surge.

They had to see, that this was a temporary fix to a downward cycle.

These folks are all driving, still new, vehicles. They don't need to buy now. Where they might have been spread out, to level out sales, without the incentives, they all jumped in at once.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE MY GM VEHICLES. Any time I take a ride in a Toyota, Nissan, Subaru or other foreign car - I immediately feel the difference. Both in ride and comfort. Not to mention noise.

I'm Being Evicted!

I was shocked to learn this yesterday too. I thought it was possible, but I just didn't really think it would ever happen. I guess figuring I had more pull and power then I do. I was wrong.

I've told you how hubby dreams of a hot rod to fix up and cherish. Well, with our youngest he is getting a wish - sort of. It is a "fix-up" and it will require him to learn and play with the baby of our household. The only difference is, it won't really be his toy.

We have just under 2 years until the baby gets a license. If that don't give you the willies *shivering with fear*. Anyway, all these car shows have made me take a longer look at the old Chevy trucks, they are really cool. And my baby is one for "difference" and he is definitely a hands on worker - way to the other side of a book worm, like his other siblings.

So, after seeing these trucks - I came home and asked "have you ever thought about having a 5 window Classic Chevy truck?" I had to ask, because the talk in the house is always about the cars. Which I like too, but I really think the truck would be a statement and my little man is definitely the guy to pull this off.

His first response a few weeks ago was "What? Never heard of them or seen any." So, a quick search on the Internet and I was showing him old trucks from the 40's and 50's. I was really excited when he said "NO FORD!" With a tear in my eye "I love that boy!" Sorry, for you Ford or foreign car lovers - we are a GM household. I wonder if in 40 years anyone is going to redo a Toyota Camery? LOL.

So, hubby began the search with little man hot on his scoping trail. It was no easy task. We needed to find a truck that little man could afford to buy, that the finishing items would be manageable financially prior to his 16th birthday, that we could get running and that was too his liking. It is all in the grill. and the split windshield. :-) So, basically we were searching for a not built but all the parts are good vehicle for cheap (meaning someone needs to get rid of it).

Well, yesterday it was found. Of course, it isn't in our area - it's in Oklahoma. Which is good on many respects. Anyway, this week will require a road trip for the guys that begins their hands on dream. Maybe I can post some pics later??

So, my car is being evicted from the garage so the boys can play. I'm okay with this though. My little man, needs more one on one time and less video time. We will probably front most of the costs and if it gets too crazy in price - we may end up selling to make little man a profit for a vehicle and savings. Now, we see how good my men really are.

Our Car Insurance is Due 1 Month From Today

And I have no idea what we owe. Mass confusion is what I feel. I keep getting new policies in the mail. Thanks to all our vehicle changes.

The first one, added the Camaro, with an $86 premium. With timing so close to the renewal we forked out about $30.

Then, they held the Silverado out on a temporary insurance, until we could sell another vehicle....because we had too many.

When we sold the GrandAm, I called and they said they would remove it and add the Silverado. This was good all on one policy.

Open the mail box and what do I see? Yet another policy, taking the GrandAm off, but no addition of the Silverado. This policy shows a refund in play for the auto eliminated.

Not 24 hours later, I open the mail box to see another policy mailer (I think the folks at Pekin have an endless supply of postage cash in their budgets). This one added the silverado, but neglected to show the sale of the Suburban, which took place by now. Leaving me with a premium due of $81.15. Actually, my son, he would also receive the credit for the sell-off of the GrandAm. Meaning in the end he would need to fork over $23 for his carrying time of 2 vehicles.

You would think things would work that way. Pekin would take the credit and apply it to the new amount due and save some postage. Nooooo.....I open the mail box again to another Pekin envelope. This time there is a check for the GrandAm.

I decide to wait.....they are taking the Suburban off, it sold. What could happen next? I think they like sending me mail daily. :-)

After opening my mailbox, the thrill of seeing the Pekin emblem is gone. I receive another mailing, this time with our renewal for the next 6 months. The Suburban is still showing on the policy. The policy sheet shows we owe $661 for the next 6 months.

• $130 for the Suburban - Full coverage
• $165 for my Prix - Full coverage
• $86 for Camaro - Liability only (daughter doesn't have license yet so she is not in the cost)
• $279 for Silverado - Liability only (poor son - even honors student males pay crazy sums)
• $1 charge for uninsured motorist property damage (noted as on Camaro)

That takes us to a balance due of $661. I'm on board so far.

Then the cover sheet, which includes a payment coupon, says we owe $743.15. WTF? They do everything separate and now they choose to combine.....someone is smoking the wacky tobacky.

This is how, I have overpaid them in the past. They get you with bulk mailings. Well, not this time Pekin. You are not getting a holding time on my money. I am making a chart and keeping notes. I'm not paying anything until the Suburban is removed and a credit is received or a refund comes in the mail. **sticking my tongue out** so nah!

The money was good

The folks buying my suburban called yesterday. I ended up asking my bank to complete a 3 way call with the buyer and his bank to verify the cash for payment was good. Thankfully, I have a good relationship with my bank and they did it, easy peasy.

So, with the funds verified I met with them last night and watched my truck drive away. I know I am crazy, but it was sad. I loved that vehicle. I'm going to miss it. I am not going to miss filling it up with gas.

Today, I will go to my insurance agent and cancel the insurance. Then I am going to transfer my personalized plates from the truck to my car. I have just renewed them, so this is a waste of money, but I don't car. I want to keep them. My plates represent all our kids.

Buyer #2 in less than 10 hours

Yesterday morning, we moved son's GrandAm to our friends property where we found the buyer for my Suburban. The phone was ringing off the hook. I guess it is a quality used car, which makes parents feel their child are "safer" in.

Anyway, much like the fast location of a buyer for the Suburban - this one flew out the door.

My hubby agreed to a price $250 below asking. This time, however, he did the right thing and did not take a personal check. With the holiday weekend upon us, we will not complete the sale until Tuesday when the buyer returns with cash. I don't want to hold another check.

Since we are not holding a check or any other form of guarantee, we have left the car at the spot and are telling folks that we have a potential buyer, but if they see the car there on Wednesday - to call.

Can we do it twice?

The suburban sold so fast, when we put it on our friends property, we decided to move son's car there today.

There is a huge car show at the fair grounds and making for a ton of traffic in town today. Hopefully, someone with a budget will see it and buy it. It is a great looking, good running car for a reasonable price.

It has only been there 2 hours and I just received a call. Hubby is meeting the folks there - hopefully they make a deal. If not, we wait until someone finds it.

It would be nice to scratch this off our list of things to do too.

As My World Turns.....

So, hubby pulls the payment for the Suburban out of his wallet for me to take to the bank today. It is a check. A personal check. A check drawn on an out of state bank.

RED FLAG!

Or am I just paranoid? Hubby thinks I am paranoid. "They're good people" he exclaims.

Now, I didn't meet them. Had I maybe I would think the same thing. Regardless, I would have never taken a check for this type of sale. Call me paranoid, although, I say cautious.

My wheels begin turning. I do an Internet search for the bank the check is drawn on. The closest one is over 100 miles away - I am not wasting my gas to head up there.

Lightbulb moment - I will take the check to the bank and have them call and verify the account and funds available. Although, this will not guarantee that the check will clear, it would provide some comfort.

When the banker makes the call, this bank will only verify that the account is valid, not that it has funds. HMMMMM.....

I pull out my telephone book to get the phone number for these folks. Guess what? No listing. HMMMM....

I do a phone number search online. No listing......HMMMM...

The guy called my cell phone to look at the vehicle, using the caller id, I make the call.

When we finally make contact, I apologize for the bother, but I need to be careful in today's world.

Then I provide him with options -

• I deposit the funds, my bank will put a hold on funds for 1 week, and he can pick the vehicle up in one week along with the title.
• He could go and cash a check himself and bring me cash or certified funds.
• Or I will provide him with my banking information and he can order his bank to transfer funds.

I truly believed he would utilize one of the bottom 2 options. After all, who likes to wait? Then he says something..............something that just rubs me wrong.......

"I can't believe my bank wouldn't verify funds. I have $111,000 dollars in that bank account."

TMI - RED FLAG!!

Maybe he does have that kind of money, but is this the kind of thing you share with a stranger? I don't think so. (this from the blogger disclose all girl)

In the end, he opted for me to deposit the check and he would wait until next week to pick up the vehicle.

I guess the worse that can happen to me at this point is a bounced deposit fee of $4. Which will tick me off, but at least I am not losing my burban!

Vehicle Monthly Cost

Not expenses to run, but costs to own. I wanted to update and calculate with the sale of my Suburban:

Suburban - Purchased 5/01 - Sold 5/07 Ownership 6 years (72 months), no financing.

Purchase Price $17,400
Repairs $2,026
Sale Price - $6,200

Bottom line $13,226 divided by ownership time of 72 months = This vehicle cost me $183.69 per month to have. Of course, this number is probably not true, since this vehicle was used for businesses and actually earned some money too. But it is good for my calculations.

Grand Prix - Purchased 3/05, Ownership 26 months, no financing

Purchase Price $18,170
Refund Warranty -$1600
KBB Value -$10,065 (earlier I posted a lower value - I must of erred somewhere)
Cost to date $6,505

Bottom line $6,505 / 26 months of ownership = Cost to me of $250.19 per month.

Isn't it amazing that even when you have a good running, no problem car, how high the costs are just to have it?