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AIBU?

Or is DH?

6 replies

CheerfulYank · 23/02/2016 16:36

We have a minivan which we use, and a car which we don't. I don't drive but am hoping to learn. The car has just been sitting in the driveway since we bought the van almost 2 years ago.

We have debt. Medical bills (US health care system), student loans, and we are behind on our mortgage. I am a PT childminder and am hoping to renovate our garage this summer/autumn to have a separate space to do care and accommodate more children.

I say we should sell the car. It wouldn't bring much but it could bring us current on the mortgage at least. Most of our tax return is going to get swallowed up by the medic bills so I'd like to keep what's left to begin renovations. I can make a lot more income once I move my childcare business out of the house.

DH wants to keep it because it is paid off and we "might" need it. I say we need a mortgage payment now more than we need a car someday!

If I get my license we can reassess and buy another vehicle. He also says the transmission may go on the van and we may need a backup. I say the car wouldn't be usable long term as our only vehicle anyway. We can fit our three DC in it but it's a squeeze, and we do large shopping trips at Aldi to save money and that wouldn't be possible.

Who is BU?

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DoreenLethal · 23/02/2016 16:40

It is losing money every day it is sat there doing nothing.

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CheerfulYank · 23/02/2016 16:44

That's what I think too Doreen. It's really irritating me to be honest.

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DoreenLethal · 23/02/2016 16:50

I'd rather have a roof over my head than a car on the drive let alone a car that you don't use!

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YellowTulips · 23/02/2016 17:19

Cars depreciate in value faster than just about anything else yet maintain core running costs even when not used (except classic cars of course, but I'm assuming you don't have an old DB5 on the drive).

If you want to throw money away, then keep it.

Upshot is you can buy a cheap new car at any point and very quickly if you need one. Keeping one you don't use is just madness.

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CheerfulYank · 23/02/2016 17:32

That's what I think Tulips. It's just silly.

Also I hate how he acts like I don't get an opinion on anything car related because I don't drive. Hmm

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acasualobserver · 23/02/2016 17:41

It's nice to be able to have a second vehicle 'just in case' but if you're strapped for cash keeping an unused car in the driveway makes no sense.

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