Prayers and hang in there, 50sDad!
Posted on 12/17/2004 9:58:32 AM PST by 50sDad
Hey, I know this crowd to be staunch prayer warriors...a request from your 50's Dad. I was in a car accident last Wednesday; nobody hurt, but my car was totalled. The next day, the starter went out on my wife's car. (We are driving a red work van lent by a friend.) The starter flywheel was bad, $1200 to haul out and replace, and once back in, it looks like the timing belt has blown out and toasted the engine ($2,500). We know the place from years back, so we know the work needs to be done, but my family has been slogging through the Clinton Recession...my wife was under employed for most of it, and is now doing temp work Tech writing for a good but not incredible wage. We had hoped to begin paying off card debt with it, but now we are shopping for TWO cars. We aren't under a bad time problem, thanks to the van, but we need to find a reliable used car, 110,000 miles or less, $2,500 or so without puddles.
I am in no way solisciting cash. But we would covet prayers for this vital project. Please keep our family and friends in mind that if the right car is out there, we be made aware of it in the Cincinnati Ohio area.
Also, we have a friend named Bob Kjeltzon who was recently diagnosed with some kind of cancer involving a kidney. They have put a rod in his femeur to make up some kind of damage, and are taking the kidney the day after Christmas. This is supposed to be treatable, but it is scary and hard on he and his family. (Although he, a newly reborn Christian, is incredibly at peace.) Please keep them in your prayers as well!
I've already prayed for you.
Having been carless for awhile, I can relate! Prayers up! By the way, you're talking $2500, but you would be surprised with the good deals you can get for much less -- as long as it's in cash.
Will be praying as soon as I post this reply.
Muleteam1
Things will get better. Keep praying and remembering to count your blessings.
You've got my prayers. My suggestion for finding a new vehicle would be to attend a few repo auctions. Even if you weren't in a finnacial bind, that's still one of the best ways to get a good car for cheap.
Oh, you got that. A year ago, we wouldn't have had the cash to even think about replacing the one car. Things really are pretty good...this is more inconvenient than terrible, but I do wish the two problems were spaced out from each other more!
We have a Goodwill auction and an upcoming police aution. Will do!
Lord, grant that this family has the strength, courage, and faith to face what they are facing. In your mercy and grace, open doors for them, and provide the means for them to replace their vehicles. And when it doesn't look good, help them to remember that Your grace is sufficient for all our needs. Bless them with abundant grace for their needs. In the name of your son, Jesus. Amen.
Quick prayer went up for you, friend. Hope things work out for you and yours. So glad that nobody was hurt in the accident.
Pinging some prayer warriors.
My prayers are with you 50sDad. Your statement "We remain joyful but worn down" sounds very much like our situation right now. We appreciate those prayers that have been lifted for us, so I am happy to return the favor.
Things *will* get better.
New car payments were not what we had in mind......however, we continue to count our blessings.
Because of my wife's wonderful temp job, with a little scraping we can manage a fair car without going into debt, which we have pleanty of. (My Prodigal youth.) Once we have one reliable car we can build from there...praise God we can do that.
And don't even think of getting a home equity loan to lower the interest rate.
Unsecured debt is safer than mortgaging your home.
Prayers and hang in there, 50sDad!
I've had very good luck with GM used cars (2 Chevettes, 1 Cavalier, 2 Buick Century wagons). These 5 -- all bought very used -- have lasted me for 25 years. The first Chevette was still running well when I traded it in for the second. The others I kept 'til it no longer made sense to fix something. Highlest price I ever paid was $3500 for the most recent Century wagon, which is execllent condition both mechanically and appearnce-wise. Best strategy is to go to new car dealers, pick something from their used car lot which is MORE than 5 years old (thus not eligible for regular financing), and then negotiate the price down HARD. They are going to be wholesaling these things off the lot within a week, for a pittance, because this isn't really what they're in the business of selling. When you're offering cash, you only have to get about $100 over what the wholesaler will pay (which is generally less than book value) for it to make sense to the dealer to give it to you. Offer a low but not unreasonable price (carry a classified ad section from the Sunday paper as a guide) and then don't budge by a single dollar -- it wears them down quickly.
I wish they still made the Chevette; they were indestructible.
Please post your replies to 50sDad
50sDad, My prayers go up for your family, and all your troubles. God's protection over your family. Lord, please provide improved conditions for this family. Provide them with knowledge of where to look for the items they need. Provide this family with comfort and peace. Surround them with your love. We also hold up Bob Kjeltzon to your mercy. Your will be done! In Jesus' precious name. Amen
dansangel, thank you for the ping.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
Prayers up.
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