Then again — according to my original payment schedule (not the loan’s terms), she’ll be paid off by next summer. Quicker now, I’ve decided. And the loan was to further build my credit score… I can’t see how much of a benefit it is to have a six month car loan. (Need history & to show good payment management.) Also only $112/month, and I was fine with the interest that would be paid over the entire life of the loan. (Two years, cutting it to one.)

We’re doing it now, too, so we can do it ourselves and spare the labor expense. Not sure if it’ll need to be tuned or not, I don’t think so though.

There are actually three cars in this house, but that’s a whole other story…. Most people have a hard time understanding, but anyone who’s passionate about something, anything, can understand on some level. ._.;

If this is recent yes – Black Friday for the win! Just be sure to read reviews and don’t get sucked-in to anything else while you’re at the store! :-)

John DeFlumeri Jr

“I was going to pay off the car, but since decided to go ahead and purchase the engine instead.”

Wait … you bought a new engine for a car you’re still making payments on?

Am I reading that right? Maybe I’m misunderstanding, and there are 2 cars – one that is paid-for but needs a new engine, and another one that works fine but is still being paid for?

This has two advantages: first, it reduces the cost of the new items, and more importantly to me, it keeps a completely busted item out of the landfill.

You can argue that the item will still end up in the landfill eventually, but often the sort of person who buys used electronics is savvy enough to fix small problems themselves.

Earlier this year, we started giving ourselves a monthly allowance, and I don’t have those types of controversy anymore. I put a set amount of money every month into my personal bank account, and I am free to spend it (or save) on anything I want. So, if I were in Andre’s case, I would save that money until I had the $500, and then buy the new item. Since it would be “my” money that was set aside for fun stuff that I want, there is no more conflict!

In my life if it is worth spending that amount of time thinking about it, it is worth doing something about it. One of my criteria for a purchase is that it is making my life less happy because the situation is using up my time and energy thinking about it or working around it.

Next, if this story is current, I wouldn’t buy a thing till Black Friday. I wouldn’t venture out in the malls or anything that day, but I know he could get a deal on something online.

Even it it ends up that I can’t fix it before I save the money to replace it, I learn a lot and usually sound like I know what I’m talking about when I take my car (or other item) in for professional work.

Now that all of my credit card debt is gone, I save up for those I save up for those occasional wants. I stil put it on a credit card for the rewards but the balance is paid off each month.

The reader did not mention if he carried any type of debt other than a mortgage. If not, I say go for it.

That being said, I waffled quite a bit when my husband came to me with a great deal on the new engine I wanted for my 240SX. I was going to pay off the car, but since decided to go ahead and purchase the engine instead. Why? Because I’m still doing fine on my original timetable for the loan, so I see no reason why I can’t be happy doing what I planned to do five months ago.

I have no doubt that the money was well-spent, I just can’t wait to benefit from it. :) I try to not feel guilty, because, well, what good is money to me if I can’t bring myself to use it in such a way that increases my happiness?