Nita's Random Thoughts

Posted: 29 Jan 2012 05:01 AM PST

In the daily grind of modern life, it's easy to take our vehicles for granted as we bustle from work to home to school and back again. When one of life's little surprises sneaks up on us, however, and the family car is compromised by a crash or needed emergency repair, we are confronted with our very real dependence on these machines.

Whether you've been in an accident or your brakes are shot and need replacing, unexpected emergency auto repairs happen to all of us. It's important not to forgo needed repairs even when times are tight. Keeping your car in good condition is not just a matter of the law; car repairs can be a matter of safety for passengers, our fellow drivers on the road and pedestrians.

Don't let emergency auto repairs stop you in your tracks. Without a car, many of us would struggle to make it to and from work or school, buy groceries, bring our children to after-school practices and play dates. Overtime, ignored repairs can become more systemic and costly – meanwhile further reducing the reliability of your car and its life span.

THE BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD DEFENSE: SAFE DRIVING

The best medicine for needed auto repairs is to avoid the damage altogether. Practice defensive driving, wear your seat belt, follow the speed limit and avoid dangerous drivers or hazardous roads. Reducing your driving speed will lessen the effects of fender benders, minimize wear on your tires and lessen the exertion on the engine. Keep all car fluids up to date to avoid straining the car's systems, which if ignored may lead to accrued damage.

A PENNY SAVED: EMERGENCY SAVINGS

Preemptively starting a car or emergency cash fund is a savvy way to avoid getting stuck sitting with a non-functional jalopy. Every week set aside a small sum of cash, perhaps just $10, to contribute to possible unpredicted repairs. Over the course of a year, you will be amazed to realize that you have enough saved to dramatically soften the blow of an emergency auto repair.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: LOANS

Sometimes our auto repairs are not minor or incidental and they surprise us at the least opportune times. When you are facing an emergency auto repair and your bank accounts are tanked out a payday advance is a legitimate resource.

If you are employed but cannot make it to your next paycheck without financing an auto repair, such a loan will give you instant access to cash to the repair. The borrowed sum can be directly debited from your next paycheck in full or incrementally. This option is best for those among us who rely on our vehicles to get to and from our places of employment and would be further compromising our financial positions without immediate repair.

Get back on the road with these simple steps towards financing emergency auto repairs!