So heres my latest dilemma, eat next month or fix the car

[RejectedCitizenOfMoronia]

So just spotted my wheels are almost bald to threadbare on the front. They were only replaced a few months ago and the tracking was done then, so on to the garage on Monday to complain, hopefully get it redone for free, i drive 20miles a week so its not like i have burned rubber in that short space of time.

But i was just thinking about it, after all expenses are out I have £400 left at the end of the month for food, household stuff and fuel to feed a family of three. It will take at least 2/3rd of that for new front tyres, and labour. I dont think its feasible to feed us on £130 for a whole month, is it? Not in todays economy

I know ppl will suggest cut backs on regular expenses, but we have just literally streamlined them, we dont have treats or anything or subscriptions, just freeview, phones cost £20 a month. Really despairing here. I am thinking I am going to have to make a choice between my car or putting food on the table.

Obviously food wins, car isnt a necessity, will need to cancel hospital appointments and see if my boss is ok with me being 100% remote for a bit.

Sorry, i am despairing and needed a rant

What type of car have you got? Seems expensive for 2 tyres £270 - we bought new tyres for our Vw Golf last week, mid to top range range and they were £140 for the pair including balancing etc

See what the garage says first. They might offer a goodwill gesture or at least push for them to meet you halfway.

Do you have any community pantries or use Olio?

Also let’s say they were replaced 6 months ago if you only do 20 miles a week that means they’ve only done 520 miles - not really worth having a car taxi costs would be far less.

Can you get part worn? Around £30 each. But there’s something wrong if yours have worn out already.

I am sorry you are in this situation. Was it a reliable business that provided the tyres?

I’d fix the car. With transportation you can get yourself to a food bank, to a side job, etc.

I’d also take an inventory at home today and then get to the store today and stock up on rice and beans and other less expensive dry goods that are long lasting. Choose food you can survive on then later you can supplement it with whatever meat, cheese, produce you can afford once you know your budget.

Could you do a payment plan with garage so you don't need to pay it all in one go? Or would it be an option to get credit card/overdraft? Obviously not ideal, but better than not eating.

Do you have a longer term plan? It's tricky to live when you have so little left over. I appreciate that a lot of people are in the same situation. But never having anything left for emergencies means you end up in this kind of dilemma and/or taking on debt to cover them. Which then obviously just has a knock on effect. Are there any current larger payments that will end at some point (e.g. nursery fees, debts) or could you look at increasing income?

How many are in your household? I would say that you can feed yourselves on £130, although it would be very tight. Cheap meals like egg & homemade chips, pasta with tinned tomatoes & herbs from storecupboard if you have them, chicken drumsticks & hm wedges, mince stretched with veg, veg risotto. Also popping to the shop in the evening for yellow label bargains or Too Good to Go.

You could also sell any bits on Facebook or Vinted. Even a few odd tshirts etc at £2-3 each adds up. Try Qmee for surveys, I can make £1-2 per day on this easily.

Also use any loyalty points you have, see if you have any old currency (pound coins, old notes) you can exchange in a bank.

I speak as someone with 3 Dses age 8-14, I have & could do this for one month.

nearlyadoctor I agree. 2 new tyres for my car would probably be £60 each.

I second part worns and in my experience this is around the right price. There's literally no need to buy 'new' tyres, and there is almost never "labour" on top because it's a very quick job for a tyre place and is included in the price of the tyre. Also OP, I don't know if you mentioned it with the belief it would be relevant this time around or not, but just to clarify in case, you don't get your tracking redone every time you get tyres replaced.

I just got two part worms including fitting for £50. Granted they won't last as long but I needed the car and moneys tight.

Not worms

eat, and walk the 20 miles, obviously - thats less than 3 miles a day

Cheapest budget here are 57 each or 32 for part worn. I'd be finding out why they haven't lasted though.

Is it possible your tyres were stolen and switched since leaving the garage? That’s an absurd and unrealistic amount of wear for new tyres and such low mileage. That’s like me driving to my dad’s house and needing new tyres when I got there… 🤔

I’m perhaps more safety conscious than most, but I still look to get 10k from a new set.

You can get much cheaper tyres than that. Unless the garage works out why they have worn, putting expensive ones on is definitely a bad idea anyway. Call about and ask about what cheap tyres they have even part worn

£270 for two tyres?

There is no way two tyres will be £270. Go on to the back circles website and you'll find the cheapest in your area.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I averaged the travel, i do 20miles every saturday, every other wednesday another 50 miles and the occassional distance trip for work. None of these trips are walkable or have public transport routes. It works out cheaper to keep the car on the road.

I agree about the wear, its no distance for that amount of wear, last time i had the tyres done the tracking was done because it was four months since the last pair and they had worn too quick. Lo and behold four months later worn right down again. A bit of me thinks they didnt do the tracking the last time but a bit of me also thinks its something more sinister.

Budget tyres for my car are £60 each, i also included £100 for an hours labour as an estimate, all told, if it costs less, bonus.

Its not usually so tight. OH lost his job and is struggling to get a new one, DS went to live with his dad so I have to pay him maintenance and obvs dont get what he was paying me anymore. With the cost of living its stretched the money a little too thin. I see the car as a luxury rather than a necessity but at times like this city living certainly appeals

I have never ever paid £100 in labour for replacing tyres. My old (but new to me car) needs 4 tyres, I spoke to a place that does part worns and I’m paying £100 for 4, it will take about 20 minutes to do them all!

The car place I go to (fast fit) doesn't charge for labour on top of the cost of the tyre and mine are about £30 each...

Tyres do not take an hour! 2 tyres in a reputable tyre shop, pro tyre etc max takes 20 min. And is inc in the price.
It doesn't even take an hour if you did 2 on your driveway.

Id they in fact have tracked it. It should be under warranty. I can't see how even if not tracked they could wear that quick. Are u looking at the right part of the tyre to be within the legal limit

You can eat frugally for £50 a week. Assume fuel is £25 a week - overestimate? Tyres should be less than £100 part worn including fitting so your estimates are way off meaning you can both eat and use your car.

@RejectedCitizenOfMoronia I am in the motor trade no way tyres should be going that quickly, what vehicle do you have? and is the wear just to one side of the tyre wall or all of the main part of it?

The labour price seems high as usually the tyre price includes fitting.

£270 for two new tyres is extortionate.

We can get a mobile fitter out to our house who changes tyres and he charges less than half that.

Have you tried the black circle website for tyres. You can choose the garage you want and they are cheap tyres so won’t last as long but maybe a option for now.