Two Steps Forward…

…one step back.

Here in PA, we need to get our card inspected yearly. This year, I needed 2 new tires and of course with new tires comes an alignment. That is on top of the inspection and emissions testing fee. So, in order to have my car pass inspection, I will need to pay over $450. My car is 3 years old. It is not in need of extensive repair so $450 seems like a lot to me. I am starting to think maybe I should invest in a scooter to get me to work because between yearly maintenance and gas I am going to be selling my blood soon (and they wouldn’t want it anyway).

I am pretty down becuase P and I have been tightening our belts and not putting anything on the credit cards. Eating in a lot more and being very careful with the budgeting. Now, we have this. It’s like no matter how hard we try to do the right thing, financially, there is always something around the corner to bite us in the ass. I know, that’s life and what not. It just gets tiring sometimes, ya know?

I think I’ll go home tonight (after picking up my car) and crawl under the bed until the economy gets better. I’ll take my blankie too.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/14933103811088365332 Brian in Mpls

    We used to have to do that in Minnesota but it provided so much corruption it was repealed.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/00736680428036053669 BS5 Blogger

    Amazing how you have all these different rates and rules state to state!I like your economic solution (with blankie)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/13772208953959596713 insane mama

    We have to have our car inspected out here in Ca too and mine didn’t pass the smog test, but the cool thing was that the state gave me 500 to halp with emissions related work, I thought that was super cool, but my car is still in the shop and gas prices are still raising!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06254892316444101203 Lindsay

    I wonder how many states still require inspections. We used to do them here in SC–I remember vividly have to go to one with my dad when I was a kid–but they don’t anymore.They’ve been advertising those fancy Vespas around here. They’re supposed to get amazing gas mileage. Check them out if you can.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12726021829363492972 MissKris

    Washington State is a lot like PA, I think. Here in Oregon we have to pay around $75 every two years for DEQ and licensing. But we have no sales tax and they take a good chunk out of our paychecks! Somehow or other I think each State gets hammered in their own way. I know what you mean about finances and something always coming up. I’ve been married almost 34 years and it’s always been robbing Peter to pay Paul! Every time we get a little ‘something’ saved up, it’s either a car repair or some other dead horse that crops up. Last October it was my washer going out. Christmas Day, my refrigerator died. And just a couple weeks ago my dryer went kaput. So there went around $1500-$1800 out the window. But now all three of my main appliances are brand new so I’m hoping I won’t be replacing them any time soon! HA!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16794387734217000502 Los

    I’m seriously considering a Vespa scooter. Gas prices have become ridiculous, and I have a feeling the economy (and many industries) will be taking a major hit because of it.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744 Sue

    Please don’t crawl into your bed until the economy recovers. We would miss you for that long. Yes, I am usually an optimist, but not when it comes to the economy. We have to have our cars inspected every year. It blows, especially when you go past the month you are due and a cop notices your overdue sticker….How’s the scratchin?Good conclusion to D. Catch last night. I can’t wait for next week with the Opelio season!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11556451375792958743 Kathy

    Boy I hear you. It’s like even when you’re really TRYING to get ahead something manages to sneak in there. Just watch, next thing you’ll find out you’re pregnant and need to save up for a baby on top of it all. ;)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/00892293258799500751 Heather

    The harder you try… We’re in the same boat. We start doing so well on our budget and then everything breaks. I actually have several friends that have gotten Vespas to ride to work.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11421804696146084068 Carrie

    Get out from underneath that stupid bed, you’ve got paining to do. Your kitchen is awesome, I blew up the pictures and you’ve got crazy good shit to use for accent pieces. At first I thought the mixer was a fishbowl/fake mixer and I wanted me one of those! Closer scrutiny, just a regular mixer. Simmer down, Carrie, simmer down. I like my clutter and I like my stuff all around me. Not that I am all perfect (close though) but I like looking at all the little reminders of my life along the way. If the story that matches the item isn’t that good, I just make up a new story and carve it into stone and then use that stone as a paperweight. Get the heck out of your funk, I need you too much for you to be mopin’ about the economy and emissions. So, grab a paintbrush, paint a little porn mustache on P and show me what that would like like …

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03689307061005439040 Queen Mommy

    Yup, I hear ya and feel your pain. My car has to be inspected next month and my two front tires may as well be banana peels, seriously, they are that bad. I friend told me that the alignment thing is crap. They just try to bully you into doing it and actually it isn’t a law or some such thing like that. Whatever let me know when the economy gets better, I’ll emerge too!