Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Should I sell my car? Cost of living crisis - boring!

49 replies

Mealsonabudget · 22/11/2022 19:38

I have a little Vauxhall Corsa on finance that costs about £300 to run (loan, insurance and fuel etc) i also have a payment plan for some repairs I had to have done which are £200 pm for the next 4 months.

webuyanycar are offering me 5000 for it. It has 4000 left on the finance so that would eat most of it up, plus the 800 for the car repairs. This would then free up that 500 quid per month. It makes sense to do it right?? We are honestly scraping by and things just aren’t easing up whatsoever. I have less than £5 to do me until payday!

reason why I’m reluctant is I have literally sold all of my
belongings to pay for my dds Christmas presents (even all my winter coats, thank you Vinted!!) whilst DH hasn’t had to stress whatsoever. A huge outgoing of ours is down to him - £1000 debt and an additional £500 for something else. The car is mine and mine alone - he can’t drive. I feel like it’s the last little thing I have and although I don’t rely on it and live with good public transport, I will absolutely dread having to get on a bus with a buggy again!!

im also on maternity leave and will need to take an additional year out as we just cannot afford childcare. So WWYD?? Sell it or keep it?!

OP posts:
Neanov · 22/11/2022 19:42

Do you normally drive to work? I would sell the car because £500 is a lot of money to free up each month. Why are you the only one struggling with money and not your DH?

NoSquirrels · 22/11/2022 19:50

have literally sold all of my
belongings to pay for my dds Christmas presents (even all my winter coats, thank you Vinted!!) whilst DH hasn’t had to stress whatsoever. A huge outgoing of ours is down to him - £1000 debt and an additional £500 for something else.

Why hasn’t he ‘had to stress’? How are your joint finances organised?

Original poster
Mealsonabudget · 22/11/2022 19:54

I do normally drive to work which is really handy because 1) the trust I work at is In a bit of an awkward place public transport wise. 2) getting a bus home after a 12.5 hr shift is not the most fun!

dH is very secretive with funds, I don’t really know what is going on there, although he says he is completely
broke.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cost of living
Original poster
Mealsonabudget · 22/11/2022 19:55

Not really joint finances - he gives me a set amount of money each week (£125) for groceries, fuel, stuff for the dds etc.

OP posts:
WalkingOnSonshine · 22/11/2022 19:56

Keep the car. Lose the husband.

He’s financially controlling you.

Ilikewinter · 22/11/2022 19:57

So many questions OP ..... but basically I agree with PP - why are you the only one stressing?
Why on earth are you selling your winter clothes?
Whilst you say its 'your car' obviously your Dh benefits from it so the fee to fix it shouldnt be all yours.
So I would sell the car, sounds like its really not cost effective, but I would get a loan for a lower monthly payment and buy a newer car!

Ilikewinter · 22/11/2022 20:01

dH is very secretive with funds, I don’t really know what is going on there, although he says he is completely
broke.

ok so thats a big red flag right there. I assume he works?
Why is he secretive with funds? You must have a guess about finances, what does he earn / what are your outgoings?.
Hes taking the piss, he gives you £125 to pay for everything, surely your food bill is using up most of that?

mindutopia · 22/11/2022 20:09

Honestly, no, it is not the time to be selling cars and winter coats to fund Christmas presents, no matter what your financial arrangements are. Children really can cope with a simplified Christmas. He needs to pay his own debts. Between the two of you, you need to work out childcare arrangements, staggered start times, flexible working, drawing on family/friends for help. I wouldn’t sell your car.

Neanov · 22/11/2022 20:11

What job does your DH do?

He is finicially abusive OP. He's massively taking the piss £500 is that all he pays? Does he work full time?

Blankscreen · 22/11/2022 20:17

So your DH only pays £500 a month.

Who pays the mortgage/rent?

Has he not paid for the kids presents? Haven't you said WE need to get the children some presents for Christmas how are we going to pay for them?

The £200 a month is only for 4 months so then it's £300 a month. If he doesn't pay towards the car as it's 'your' car he needs to pay you when he does benefit like a taxi.

But it's sad that it gets that petty when you are in a relationship.

I would seriously question what you get out of the relationship.

Blankscreen · 22/11/2022 20:18

Oh and don't sell the car ....

Guitarbar · 22/11/2022 20:19

If you need a car then probably a bit of a false economy to sell it. I am astounded though that you're selling all of your possessions when your DH keeps his finances private. That's the much bigger issue here.

Undisclosedlocation · 22/11/2022 20:20

Omg your husband sounds utterly awful OP.

Not only does he give you an absolute pittance each week, he is secretive and has debts and random £500 extras which you also appear to be shouldering the burden of. All whilst you sell your essential winter clothing
the car is the very least of your issues!

Original poster
Mealsonabudget · 22/11/2022 20:25

He does work, full time and is on 6 figures before tax. Our outgoings are high (London outskirts) but honestly I don’t understand how he is broke. He’s extremely tight unless it’s something he wants to pay out for. I know he’s being financially abusive, he’s also a shithead in other ways (offers zero support at home or with my dds) but I have sadly accepted that for now, this is my life. I’m just trying to survive and make the most of it until I can get back to work and stand on my own two feet!!

OP posts:
QueueEtwo · 22/11/2022 20:25

I agree with the poster that said keep the car & ditch the husband!

QueueEtwo · 22/11/2022 20:28

Seriously don't sell the car you will be completely trapped!

At least with a car you can put the kids in it with your things and get away if you need to!

WhatTeaspoon · 22/11/2022 20:31

Do not sell the car, make your dick of a husband pay more towards upkeep.

Undisclosedlocation · 22/11/2022 20:31

With your most recent update, there’s no way I would sell the car. It’s your only piece of independence
have you investigated what you might be entitled to if you were to ditch this loser? It may well be that you would be better off financially as well as emotionally

RandomMess · 22/11/2022 20:35

You need to stop buying food for him etc and say you can't afford it anymore.

WTF are you going without when he isn't?

Fuckitydoodah · 22/11/2022 20:39

Has someone from webuyanycar been to look at your car or is that the first offer from their website? They rarely pay what they offer online.

I'd try keeping it if you can or sell privately.

Ditch the DH

demotedreally · 22/11/2022 20:47

Are you actually married?

Aposterhasnoname · 22/11/2022 20:51

Well even if you do sell it, don’t go near webuyanycar. You’ll get far more selling privately.

c24680 · 22/11/2022 20:52

You should both be putting the exact same amount into a joint account per month and if it all gets used then you both have to top it up, the finances shouldn't be just on you and £125 isn't enough.

BarbaraofSeville · 22/11/2022 21:13

How on earth can a family on 'six figures' and another full time salary be in debt, scraping by and completely broke?

WTF is he doing with his salary?

amiold · 22/11/2022 21:26

Six figure salary and gives you £125 a week for everything and doesn't help with Christmas gifts What a catch! I'd rather catch gonorrhoea