Today I truly felt car less.
First of all, I crashed this morning. I was trying to put my ear buds in for my morning ride to work when a van pulled forward. I squeezed too hard on my brakes and fell over. My hand started bleeding but I straightened out my handlebars, put in my ear buds and rode on. I was overwhelmed with the realization that I have to be really careful now! I have to take good care of my body and my health so I can keep riding.
The rides to and from work however were very pleasant. A nice 80 degrees with a slight breeze. Perfect! No sweater needed.
Next month I will be able to start harnessing my carlessness to begin kicking my debt's ass!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
CAR IS SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I sold the Mazda 3! It happened in 48 hours...well, 8 months and 48 hours.
I didn't lose too much in the sale and probably could have listed it for $200 more than what I got because I received 5 interested buyers. Two were going to view it today. It was exciting (despite my body's discomfort from being sick the past two days).
I was in shock when I received the call from the first looker. She said " Hi Sirina, I like the car. I want to buy it, now. I have the cashier's check. Can we expedite this process?"
I paused, thinking to myself "Really? So soon?"
I told her I would be on my way and just got out of a doctor's appointment. In less than 50 minutes I could be permanently without the car. Is this really going to happen? Is it this easy?
And then Tyler rolled up in the pearly vehicle with his red shirt and cool shades to whisk me to the Notary. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky.
And then, with a little pen ink, a trustworthy notary, a cashier's check, and a firm handshake, the car was sold!!
Whoo hoo!!!! Financial freedom is on the horizon.
I'm ready to roll carless.
Yes!
I didn't lose too much in the sale and probably could have listed it for $200 more than what I got because I received 5 interested buyers. Two were going to view it today. It was exciting (despite my body's discomfort from being sick the past two days).
I was in shock when I received the call from the first looker. She said " Hi Sirina, I like the car. I want to buy it, now. I have the cashier's check. Can we expedite this process?"
I paused, thinking to myself "Really? So soon?"
I told her I would be on my way and just got out of a doctor's appointment. In less than 50 minutes I could be permanently without the car. Is this really going to happen? Is it this easy?
And then Tyler rolled up in the pearly vehicle with his red shirt and cool shades to whisk me to the Notary. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky.
And then, with a little pen ink, a trustworthy notary, a cashier's check, and a firm handshake, the car was sold!!
Whoo hoo!!!! Financial freedom is on the horizon.
I'm ready to roll carless.
Yes!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Why haven't I sold my car?
Well, for one thing I moved last month. This move cost me some cash, which impacted my ability to sell my car because with this economy, I will not be able to sell it for my loan amount. This creates a bit of a financial dilemma for me.
My overall goal is to reduce my overall debt. It makes more sense for me to apply extra monies that I will have every month now that I have moved to a less expensive, but just as nice of an abode than for me to 'save' it to sell my car.
It DOES make sense for me to drive my car as little as possible so that when the economy does improve I can sell my car.
It DOES make sense for me to ride my bike more, especially with the weather becoming more sunny and pleasant.
I am considering pretending I have sold me car starting in the month of June or only using it on the weekends or in an emergency.
I feel embarrassed that I mustered so much energy and excitement to sell my car and three months later, still have not sold it. Does this mean I am not a woman of my word? Well, I like to think that I am doing the best I can in this odd situation.
Patience is definitely a virtue.
My overall goal is to reduce my overall debt. It makes more sense for me to apply extra monies that I will have every month now that I have moved to a less expensive, but just as nice of an abode than for me to 'save' it to sell my car.
It DOES make sense for me to drive my car as little as possible so that when the economy does improve I can sell my car.
It DOES make sense for me to ride my bike more, especially with the weather becoming more sunny and pleasant.
I am considering pretending I have sold me car starting in the month of June or only using it on the weekends or in an emergency.
I feel embarrassed that I mustered so much energy and excitement to sell my car and three months later, still have not sold it. Does this mean I am not a woman of my word? Well, I like to think that I am doing the best I can in this odd situation.
Patience is definitely a virtue.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Patience is a virtue
This is tough time to sell a car when the dealerships are desperate and offering incredible deals and rebates for brand new cars. *big sigh*
Fortunately I am going to have to wait until I move to sell my car. I expect to move over the next few months and will continue to drive my car less and ride my bike more. Did I mention my kickstand exploded off my bike a few months ago? It was an exciting moment. I take it to be a sign that I should continue to ride my bike....
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I have a BITER!
This Friday I will show off my car to a potential buyer! I am breaking a sweat just thinking about it. Or I could be breaking a sweat from recovering from the flu these past few days...
Being sick, which meant chills and fever, body aches (even my scalp hurt!), sore throat, and exhaustion really put me in check about the changes I am going to have to make when I don't have a car. I can't just hop in a car and drive my sick butt to the doc! Location and every step I make, is going to matter when I am sick with the flu. And yet, I know that these challenges will suck but they are just as surmountable as me recovering from the dreaded flu. After all I am on the mend and with no doctor's help to boot!
I chose to drive to work today, because my throat was still sore and I did not want to risk relapse. I freely admit I loved being in my car. The heater, the sun roof, the music... And then I found myself becoming irritable sitting in traffic, constantly speeding up and slowing down, I wondering if I was going to make it to work in time for my team meeting.
And then I felt guilty for driving, the weather was very tolerable. Just some clouds, in the high 50's. If Jeannie, Tyler, and Jennifer and thousands of others can go without the machine, so can I!
I learned that I will have to move over the next few months, again. Although I am sick and tired of moving (this will be the fourth time in two years), the part that makes me nervous is that my options will be more narrow. I need to live in a decent neighborhood, that is not in a hilly area (trust me, they matter on a bike, even the small ones), that is within two miles of BART and a grocery store. These requirements can certainly be met and fortunately I have time to find the right place. But it's good to acknowledge another challenge I did not think of when I committed to selling my car.
But make no mistake people.
I will sell my car.
I will pay down my horrid debt.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha HA!
Being sick, which meant chills and fever, body aches (even my scalp hurt!), sore throat, and exhaustion really put me in check about the changes I am going to have to make when I don't have a car. I can't just hop in a car and drive my sick butt to the doc! Location and every step I make, is going to matter when I am sick with the flu. And yet, I know that these challenges will suck but they are just as surmountable as me recovering from the dreaded flu. After all I am on the mend and with no doctor's help to boot!
I chose to drive to work today, because my throat was still sore and I did not want to risk relapse. I freely admit I loved being in my car. The heater, the sun roof, the music... And then I found myself becoming irritable sitting in traffic, constantly speeding up and slowing down, I wondering if I was going to make it to work in time for my team meeting.
And then I felt guilty for driving, the weather was very tolerable. Just some clouds, in the high 50's. If Jeannie, Tyler, and Jennifer and thousands of others can go without the machine, so can I!
I learned that I will have to move over the next few months, again. Although I am sick and tired of moving (this will be the fourth time in two years), the part that makes me nervous is that my options will be more narrow. I need to live in a decent neighborhood, that is not in a hilly area (trust me, they matter on a bike, even the small ones), that is within two miles of BART and a grocery store. These requirements can certainly be met and fortunately I have time to find the right place. But it's good to acknowledge another challenge I did not think of when I committed to selling my car.
But make no mistake people.
I will sell my car.
I will pay down my horrid debt.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha HA!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
No biters
It's been two weeks since I put my car on the market. I have shown it to 0 people. Zero. This is very discouraging for me. I have already lowered my price from $14,000 to $13945 (that number just looks better). Next month I can lower it another $300, bringing my price to $13,500. I think I will get my car waxed and detailed, get an oil change, take some new pics and think positive this weekend. My mother suggested I try praying...I might consider doing that too.
It's tough staying positive when all I hear from people is that it's a buyers market, and that with this economy it won't be easy to sell. Well, I know it won't be easy to sell unless I price it more competitively. I just need one buyer who is ready to fall in love with my car.
What I haven't done yet is posted my car on other websites like helix, or other car sites. Maybe that will do the trick.
Meanwhile, I have been riding my bike more. The weather has been wonderful, blue skies, in the low 70's. I have enjoyed my rides and even have been able to ride on BART with a few co-workers on the way home. Riding my bike is going to force me to be on time more often, and plan better. Two things that I could definitely use in my life.
I find myself looking forward to riding my bike to work in this wonderful weather. I have also appreciated the convenience my car has afforded me when I did use it over these past few weeks. I just don't think it's worth it, the convenience, compared to the debt I carry.
It's tough staying positive when all I hear from people is that it's a buyers market, and that with this economy it won't be easy to sell. Well, I know it won't be easy to sell unless I price it more competitively. I just need one buyer who is ready to fall in love with my car.
What I haven't done yet is posted my car on other websites like helix, or other car sites. Maybe that will do the trick.
Meanwhile, I have been riding my bike more. The weather has been wonderful, blue skies, in the low 70's. I have enjoyed my rides and even have been able to ride on BART with a few co-workers on the way home. Riding my bike is going to force me to be on time more often, and plan better. Two things that I could definitely use in my life.
I find myself looking forward to riding my bike to work in this wonderful weather. I have also appreciated the convenience my car has afforded me when I did use it over these past few weeks. I just don't think it's worth it, the convenience, compared to the debt I carry.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
My Car could be sold at any time
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/979015601.html
It's happening. I put my car on the market last night. It was fun putting together my add. I was so proud of it. Then I showed it to my pal Huy, html god. He spiced my add up this morning, enabling me to lure buyers interested in my competitors like the Corolla and the Civic. Brilliant! I am sure to get more potential buyers over the next few days.
I already got an email from a father looking to buy a car for his daughter (how kind and sweet). That is exactly the type of buyer I want.
In preparation of going car less I will be driving my car as little as possible. I am doing this to prevent from adding more miles to the car and lowering the value. Each day I would drive 60 miles. That's 300 miles a week, 1,200 miles a month. That's a lot of cruising.
It's happening. I put my car on the market last night. It was fun putting together my add. I was so proud of it. Then I showed it to my pal Huy, html god. He spiced my add up this morning, enabling me to lure buyers interested in my competitors like the Corolla and the Civic. Brilliant! I am sure to get more potential buyers over the next few days.
I already got an email from a father looking to buy a car for his daughter (how kind and sweet). That is exactly the type of buyer I want.
In preparation of going car less I will be driving my car as little as possible. I am doing this to prevent from adding more miles to the car and lowering the value. Each day I would drive 60 miles. That's 300 miles a week, 1,200 miles a month. That's a lot of cruising.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)