I know I have said it before, but it is amazing just how quickly lives and fortunes can change.
On Monday, two weeks ago, a dear friend called me and said that he was having some problems with a sort of depression, and he would be out of the loop for a bit (which worried me a little) - haven't heard from him since then. And later that same day, the brilliant comedian and actor Robin Williams was found dead, an apparent suicide. While this understandably shocked everyone, it has raised the discussion of depression issues in the media. I hope because of this, my friend will seek some help, too. For some reason, maybe because of my friend, Robin Williams' death really hit me hard, and it's still hard to believe.
Just a week or so ago, I was lying awake trying to figure out where I was going to come up with the rest of the money for the real estate taxes. Even if I haven't borrowed from it "temporarily", it's a short time from the first payment in June to the second one in September. Then you have from September to June to come up with next year's. (This happens automatically for me out of my pension, and I really should just pay the whole thing in June and be done with it, but I hate giving the county any money ahead.) Anyway, I have also gotten just a little behind on a couple of other things, and was mulling over all of this and trying to juggle like I did in the old days. When do my paychecks come? What are the priorities? What can I put off a week or two in order to make a more important deadline?
So, between the sadness for RW, worry about my friend, and money issues, I wasn't having the best week. I finally decided that I should go get a small signature loan to pay the taxes and give me a little breathing room. I went in to the bank to sign the papers, and while I was there, the woman asked if I had ever thought about taking some out of my home equity line to pay off all of my credit cards, and also take advantage of lower interest rates. I hadn't wanted to deal with the hassle of appraisal and all of the expense of a refi, and I told her that. That is when my world changed. She said that since my most recent refi was within 10 years, there was no more involved than filling out one paper and signing it. What?? So I asked how it would change my payment or terms of my loan if I were to do that. It seems that I could have enough money to take care of everything....and my payment would stay the same, due to the lowered rate. Again, what??? And the remaining 15 years on my 20 year mortgage....would change to a 15 only! So why not?? She needed an hour or so to do the paperwork, so I said I would come back the next day.
Overnight, I thought about another little problem.....my aging PT Cruiser. I had shopped around for another car, but couldn't foresee affording one, so I resigned myself to just fixing whatever happened as it came along. (In January, I had to have the engine replaced - the ENGINE.) I figured whatever happened would be cheaper than a car payment (which I couldn't afford, anyway). I was beginning to suspect that it was due for a big transmission problem, too - and the A/C hadn't been working. I was planning to go to FL for a week or so in Sept, but wasn't sure I could trust it to get there, so how do I arrange that? What if I borrowed enough more to make a down payment? With no credit card payments, I
could afford a car payment if I was careful. So, off I went to the dealer to talk about a car that I had seen and loved, but not driven - a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE, built right here in Normal, IL. As I got into the car to test drive it, the PA on the lot was playing "Walking in Memphis", and I had the feeling that this could actually be my car. Turns out, it was.
The next morning, I called the bank to ask what would happen if I added $5000 to my request and kept the payment the same. It will add not quite two years to the term, so that's not bad. So.....ultimately, I ended up with a 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE, mercury gray (a dark, metallic gray), with a panoramic sunroof with "mood lighting", satellite radio, fancy stereo with a 10 in subwoofer that Chad is drooling over, CD, Bluetooth, touch screen media control with additional controls on the wheel, seven air bags, and a backup camera. It has no keys, just clickers. You only have to
have the "key", not insert it anywhere. No need to even get it out of my purse to unlock the doors. Very similar in size to the PT, but taller. Slightly smaller cargo area, though. The payment will be a very manageable $289 for 72 months. And, of course, I could pay it off sooner.
So, to recap:
Sunday, Aug 17 - with bills looming, an aging car, and the idea of maybe going to FL in Sept, I applied for a signature loan to get the taxes taken care of.
Monday, Aug 18 - with newly refinanced house at a lower rate and money for a down payment, I purchased a new car. Transportation problem solved for FL, too.
Tuesday, Aug 19 - down payment made, and the car is mine.
I honestly feel like I won the lottery. How can it be that in the space of two days I can be out from under all debt (except the house, and now the car), AND have a new car? It is just incredible to me, and I am really, really grateful. Of course, I won't turn down the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes if they come around on Saturday......
