Today’s Thrifty Tip is all about being happy with what you have. As my pioneer ancestors used to say, ” Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” Here is a little video on something I am wearing out.. – enjoy!
Now you have seen my love -hate relationship with my van…that I plan on using till it dies.
Moral of the story? You don’t need to go out and buy things all the time – be happy and make do with what you have. It’s not the “things” we have in life that make us happy – for me its loving and caring about people around you, spending time with family, couponing {ahem…just saying’} and making memories that really last.
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Christy B. says
That is so hilarious! Love the video. Love that you look at your kids humming along and laugh about your problems other than get angry or negative. You are an inspiration, thanks for the chuckle today.
Kari says
Usually a highway-speed vibration means your tires need to be balanced, a pretty cheap fix. Take it to Les Schwab and they can fix it up! Alignment will usually cause more of a pull or uneven wear on your tires.
Karrie says
Yeah, I have paid to get my alignment fixed before and only 2 weeks into it the problem goes right back. I don’t want to put too much $$ into it. I heard that for my window it would be over $600 – yikes! Those motors are expensive, but I might check into a junk yard. Oh this van (shaking head…)
AYLA BOND says
HILARIOUS KARRIE! AMEN TO THAT! DRIVE IT TILL THE WHEELS FALL OFF!
Erin says
I love your outlook on things.As long as it is reliable and fits the family thats all we truely need.The difference between a want and a need :0)
Michelle McAninch says
Love it! You’re awesome!!
Karrie says
Thanks Erin…I will have to look into that! 🙂
Erin J. says
Karrie the best way to find if your car is out of alignment check the wear on the front tires. if its out one will have more wear than the other. of course this only works if you rotate and balance them regularly. If it wobbles as u accelerate ur probably looking at axle problems, which is an easy fix one can do themselves in thier driveway or garage.
And another tip is if you are looking for parts like the motor to an automatic window, or a new door lock, CHECK LOCAL JUNK YARDS FOR PARTS FROM A WRECKED VEHICLE. Often times parts are matchable from the same make and model for a few years. Such as the locking mechanism for the door could be the same as one from a few years older or newer.
Lisa Sessions says
When we both lost our jobs due to the economy we were so grateful to have our van paid off. We also have one window that won’t open plus the door locks broken. Unemployed with six kids we just keep driving it until it gets to warn out it needs replaced.
Emily says
The guy at perfection auto glass on 20th can fix your window and its not that much. I know thats not the point of your post. . . . 🙂
Cheryl says
LOL!!! I LOVE IT!!! Way to go girlie! Thanks for sharing this AWESOME video/your story! You are absolutely correct..we really do need to be happy with what we have. Thanks for the reminder…☺
jolene says
I have an Ford Focus wagon. It’s falling apart but it’s paid for. So it’ll do until the right deal comes along. Glad to know I’m not the only one driving a clunker just because it’s paid for.
Sarah says
I am the same way about my old van! It was a hand-me down from the in-laws, and I have driven it to death hauling the kids around. It has a cracked windshield, a string where the emergency brake release used to be, and some sort of funky stain on the ceiling. Nevertheless, I love it because it was free, it’s reliable, and has room for everything I need to take with me. Even though my friends may laugh at it, it’s the one for me. I think there is a lot of freedom in driving a crappy car…no stress about payments, no worry of it getting stolen, and not stressing every time something happens to it. Great video!
Karrie says
Oh my that made me laugh…Yeah, no one would want to steal my van for sure!! ha ha ha…
Jeannette says
You can save money even doing some repair work on your handle or window. I broke my turn signal/light switch in my Sebring and found the part for $58 bucks at auto zone and watched a quick video on YouTube and fixed it. Simple and probably saved 250 that dealer would have charged. Easy to upgrade/repair my cheap grandma type car to still be functional too. Thanks for the video.
Jens says
What a riot…loved hearing the kids hum along with the van! Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning! 🙂
Karrie says
Yeah, those kids sure love to hum along with the “cool vibrations”.. makes me laugh everytime I hear it…
Sena says
Haha….I love your video. I have a 1990 4runner that gets what we call “speed wobbles” starting at about 65mph. I have owned that car for almost 20 years, and it still keeps running…. Now my son drives it. What I wanted to tell you that is that we had the same problem with the door handle on the drivers side. It is an easy fix, about 12 bucks at the auto parts store….although you may want to ask them if it is…because all cars are different. We bought a new part (the opening door thining) removed the old one with a screw driver, and tah dah! Less than a minute. Good luck!