You need car repair performed. How are you going to pay for it?
When a motorist needs car repair performed,
one of the problems becomes "how to pay for it." In today's economy, not many people have an excess of discretionary greenbacks. In fact, many people are struggling just to keep a roof over the family's head, buy food for the table and clothe everyone. A car costs a chunk of monthly income on a good day - insurance, gasoline and a payment if the vehicle isn't owned outright. Throw an automotive repair or two on that stack of bills and you're talking about a heavy load to carry. Every responsible vehicle owner knows that preventative maintenance tasks aren't luxuries, however. If our Toyotas, Chevrolets, and Hondas aren't well maintained, they won't get us to and from work which will lead to much larger financial problems. Here are some ideas for coming up with the auto repair cash when you need it:
- Emergency fund: One of the best ways to have a fund for emergencies is by having an amount automatically deducted from one's paycheck. Most employers will be happy to perform this service for their employees, especially if it means getting to work on time every day in an operating automobile. It doesn't have to be a huge amount. Even $10/week will add up to $40/month and by the end of one year, $520 will be sitting in your emergency car repair fund.
- Sell something: If your bank account isn't fully funded and your ride bites the dust, look around at your possessions to find something to sell. An extra car, a boat, an extra computer may do the trick. Even a garage sale ridding the clutter from your closets and garage can gather a few hundreds of dollars in a pinch.
- Barter services: If you can cut hair, play a guitar and sing or design websites, you can barter with the local mechanic for some repairs. Cut and style the hair of family members of the service manager, play your music at the automotive tech's nephew's Graduation, design a new website for the repair shop. Use your imagination, post a "will barter" ad on Craigslist, beg, plead and barter.
- Get an extra job even temporarily: If you need some extra cash, consider freelancing, moonlighting, babysitting or pet sitting. You don't have to work 2 jobs forever, although when you see how much cash you can bring in with a few side jobs, you might decide to.
- Ask for car repair gift certificates for special occasions: If your birthday is coming up, you might want to ask all your relatives to send gift certificates for automotive services. This could work for weddings, baby showers, Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza or any other holiday or event.
When your auto breaks down or needs service and your budget is already stretched to the max, relax. Where there's a will there's a way for car repair to be performed. Start a savings account for auto emergencies, sell something, barter for services, get another part-time job, and ask for gift certificates for holiday gifts.
