Car Business

Been awhile, how's it going?

So the last update was that car was broken and we were trying to decide what to do about it. So after much research and praying we decided to get a new car/or new to us used one. We looked at our budget and saw that even though we constantly feel like we're tight on money because our checking account is very high it's only because we are always putting money into our savings. Now I hadn't realized that and I don't think dj had either because when we sat down and looked we were like what?! We have the money for a car payment?! It actually made me feel very good to see that because I always feel that we're constantly trying to catch up, that live by paycheck to paycheck feeling. And it freaks me out because it was what we did a lot when I was growing up and I saw the stress it put on my dad.
Anyways, we went to the local Nissan dealer, hoping for a good deal on a used Altima (inspiration from our good friends the Moses(you guys have an Altima right?) and my aunt and uncle, who both seem very pleased with theirs). We also went in hoping to look at a Versa, of all the small cars  in all the dealerships we researched it was the best deal for a non-manuel transmission new vehicle. So we considered our options and decided to test out the Versa.
Long story short, (because you know how I love to ramble about everything) we prayed about it all weekend and kept researching and looking at our budget and yesterday we went to see what kind of deal they could give us. Let's just say it was better than we had imagined. So much better that the monthly payment was low enough that we could afford to buy an extended warranty on it if we wanted to.
So yesterday dj and I walked out of the showroom with a brand new 2012 Nissan Versa, with a mere 100 miles on it.
We know that we'll have to sacrifice for a little until we get our tax returns back so we can make sure we're financially safe but we feel really good about the decision we made. It's a huge step. It's a big gigantic deal, the fact that we bought a new car. We've beat the topic dead with the amount we've talked about it so I'm glad that we were able to do this. The only next step is to switch the insurance over to it and then we're going to try and sell the Taurus, see if we can't get a few hundred dollars for it. Oh and since it was dark when we took drove it home and it's still dark right now I can't post an actual photo of it. But here's one I found on google:

I think it's darker than this and I don't think our windows are that dark....but this is basically it. I told dj we have to name it or something since our first car. We were talking about it last night and it's actually like the first 'new' thing we've ever bought (besides movies, clothes, books, ect....) everything we've every bought was used or refurbished so this is a pretty big deal :)
So there you go! Happy day.

Rain

So we found out what was wrong with our car on Monday. The transmission pump needs replacing. And it's about 1,000-1,500$$ to fix it. The guy at the shop we took it to doesn't do that type of transmission work but he thought it might be best for us to just try and make a couple hundred on it through craigslist and find something new. So we've been looking at used cars while also toying with the idea of just running a full diagnostic on the old Taurus and if there are no huge issues to just put the money into fixing it and hoping and praying that it'll last us until dj's done with school. The big issue right now is that we don't know if we can get the financing that we need to even get a new car....both of us have to make a certain amount of money a month but I don't think we qualify. We were denied a straight up student loan so we are nervous about whether or not they'd give us the financing for a vehicle.

 So here I sit, listening to it as it pours down rain. With the looming realization that our umbrellas are in the car that is still at the shop. And that we both are going to get really wet today because he's on his motorcycle and I'm on my bike today. And I'm still getting over a cold, I just hope riding in the rain won't make me get worse when I'm finally able to breathe through my nose again. I had a really bad day on Wednesday, not only was I miserable and stayed home from work, but I was feeling really hopeless about the car and about life in general. I really hate how I can only focus on the negative sometimes. But on a lighter note, I think Heavenly Father blessed me by giving me a really good day at work yesterday. Not only did I wake up Thursday morning able to breathe and with my sinus pressure almost gone but I really enjoyed my work that day. I didn't get yelled at once by a patient and all of the patients I spoke with were really sweet and they thanked me for helping me. It was busy but it was good, I felt for the first time in awhile very satisfied at the end of the day. I would much rather not have to work full time right now and I get negative about it but yesterday I had the right perspective and I was able to see how much good I was doing, not only for the people I work with and for, but for my family too. Dj's been studying himself crazy lately and even though we're tight on money at least I feel that he doesn't have to worry about it too much because at least we know that I have a steady source of income. If only I wouldn't get sick lol!

So there's my random report on our life. Pray it doesn't rain too much at 7:30, 11:30, and 5:00....

I'm full of negativity today

I've been sick all week.

I'm over it. I'm frickin' over it.

Oh and being sick while having to ride a bicycle? SUCKS!


Getting sick the first week we are with out car, I think the Lord is trying to teach me something.

Going back to bed.