I am taking a short break from my life history…<\/p>\n
Why?
\n
\nToday, I am driving back home from Pittsburgh where I have spent the weekend with my spouse and his mother.<\/p>\n
Aside — as I was driving around the suburbs of Pittsburgh on clear and warm days, I couldn’t help but notice the bikers on the road. I was quite sad, but not surprised, that so many of them do not wear a helmet. In fact, most wore shorts, sneakers, and a t-shirt… of course, they won’t be involved in a crash. <\/p>\n
Sadly, I am driving home alone. I left my spouse with his Mom as he returns to caregiving for a couple weeks.<\/p>\n
My ride this time is better… my spouse and I bought a new 2015 SUV, because we foresee many more of these up-and-back trips in the months to come. Both of our 4-wheel vehicles are 14 or more years old, and we needed something reliable and that can get us through bad weather in the mountains along our route.<\/p>\n
This new vehicle is really cool, but I’m still adjusting to all of the technology. Who wants blue tooth anyway? Phones belong in homes, not in vehicles (hang up and drive!)<\/p>\n
The new ride is smooth and comfortable. I really like it. I am enjoying a free use of Sirius XM radio, but when the free trial period is over, I’ll let the subscription lapse. I am okay with listening to regular radio. I don’t need to pay additional monthly expenses for just a few trips per month. <\/p>\n
There are SO MANY “just $10 for this, just $15 for that” expenses that add up quickly! We’re fine… we don’t need a tick on our wallets.<\/p>\n
Shopping for the new vehicle was arduous, but eventually my spouse won the war with the car sales people, managers, and Dealership GM. According to a car buying service that provides comparison price quotes, we got an excellent deal, better than 98% of all others who bought the same vehicle during the last six months from dealers in the areas where we live. It took eight hours of negotiation, but we held our ground. (We walked out of two dealerships before we settled on one with whom we could work.)<\/p>\n
Best yet — no loan. We have the savings to pay for it entirely, so we took the incentive for a cash deal. However, I charged the whole thing on a credit card that gives cash back for every dollar spent. Another method to save some money. Having a near perfect credit score made that charge possible because a simple call to the credit card company, and they increased my credit limit without delay.<\/p>\n
Interesting thing at the Dealership. When they realized that we were married, they titled the vehicle in both names, but registered it as one — one married couple. Gave us the lowest rate on vehicle registration and titling, as well as insurance. We enjoy the perks of being legally married.<\/p>\n
More blogging when I am back and return to bachin’ it.<\/p>\n
Life is short: do what you have to do.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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