Family On A Budget

I just wanted to voice something that is bothering me. I think the Cash for Clunkers program that is rewarding people up to $4500 to turn in their older, running cars for a new model is a bad idea.

Currently we have two cars and one of them is definitely approaching clunker proportions. It is a 10 year old Saturn with a billion miles on it. It rattles and much of the plastic parts are dying a slow death. I will be so glad to replace it. Our other vehicle is a 7 year old minivan with a lot of miles, but still in relatively good shape. We have no car payments on either car and only have to deal with repairs (which are starting to add up).

I have been saving money each month so that when one of the above bites the bullet, I will be prepared to pay cash for another car or truck. The longer these vehicles last the more car I will be able to replace it with. We are following a modified idea of Dave Ramsey’s Drive Free plan. Having purchased new cars in the past and being broke while trying to maintain two car payments, I have learned our lesson big time. No new cars for us.