SACRiFICE

I was quite embarrassed that my rant on being frugal, was one of my more highly read post. I really do try sometimes to do things to help around here.  One time I suggested to Rick we make double house payments.  He totally took me up on it.  The last couple of months we have found the need to put that extra money into traveling to special events, replacing air conditioners, and microwave, with a much better alternative.  We were so frustrated that it was taking us from our goal, to pay off the house.

Well dumb idea number two came into my head. Let's sell my beautiful (not the color, or fact I didn't get the sunroof I wanted) 4 RUNNER, and pay off the house. My intentions were, that I could get a new car with lower interest than the house, and maybe the color I wanted.

Tried with all our hearts to get a dealer to buy it.  We weren't dumb, and got informed on about what we should get for a 4 RUNNER WITH LESS THAN 32,000 MILES ON IT, IN MINT CONDITION. You see I only drove it to see local grand children, the grocery store, and to church. I have lived in Houston for 13 years and have never driven "downtown." Hub's hated my 4 runner, he has a long torso and had to contort and twist to even get in it.  So, we take his newer bigger 4 runner everywhere else. This was our second attempt to take it to a dealer. Face book entry October 11, 2013

So, went to see if Toyota Country wanted to buy our 2006, Toyota 4 runner. It is in almost new condition with 31,912 miles on it. I only drive it to see local grand children, to the store, and to church. Rick doesn't fit in, because of his long torso. He dislikes it, and won't drive it. When they called us, I told them exactly what we wanted for it. Come in we can do that...blah, blah, blah. 

The first thing the ask for before we did anything was our license, really who does that? Then they kept asking if we messed with the mileage, if we had taken it somewhere besides Toyota to be fixed. REALLY? I left feeling like we had been interrogated by the FBI! Then if we weren't insulted enough they proceeded to tell us they would give us 4,000 under what we asked. Rick politely got up and ask for our keys to the 4 runner. They kept stalling throwing out ridiculous excuses and offers. We continually asked for our keys for the 4 runner. They wouldn't give them to us. Kept trying to make a deal. I finally went outside found the 4 runner parked around the side of the dealership, put in my other set of keys and drove over to pick up Rick. Who finally got our keys.

It was the most bizarre car experience ever. Needless to say, we will never go back. And I will keep my almost new 4 runner.

All was accurate, except for the last sentence. Kids, talked us in to Auto Trader and Craig's List. Offers the first day were low ball, no one would believe the mileage.  Then things took off, one gentleman from Sugarland a suburb southwest of us, called, and immediately wanted to see it. He loved it! It was going to take him a while to get the money through his 401, but Rick was okay with it.  Well to our surprise he called the next day with the money, and wanted to get it after work. Rick had even turned down an offer for 500.00 dollars more.

We set up the meeting at Bri's and Jarod's house.  Jarod being an attorney and paying special attention to every detail, drew up the bill of sale. My car was really going to be sold!!!  I cried, money was exchanged, and my car for the last 7 years drove away into the darkness of the night. I cried again, I cry a lot.

Then came the thought... Were we crazy? All that money, and no bank open to put it in! Needless to say, I was up the whole night looking out the window, for someone to come take our dream of owning our home away. NO SLEEP for me. I got a little enraged every time I heard Rick snoring through my panic. I have never been so glad to see the sun come up.  I took a quick nap before the bank opened, then we were off.

More crazy question and interrogation at the bank,  Finally money deposited and FINAL payment on the house. We were both so stressed, our joy hasn't hit yet. Rick's van pooling to work, definitely won't be fun. Rick thinks we don't need a second car for awhile, we will see how long that lasts.  Anyway, for now, the word sacrifice is on my mind.  See I can be frugal.

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