I’m sure a lot of you who have been reading since I created this blog, know how my car has been giving me the blues — from the damage to the body of the car to the problems with the engine, I’ve been through it all. I have been stranded on the side of the road due to overheating to ending my work day at 9PM only to find that my engine has completely died. After 11 years of owning Emma, my Impala, I gave up. And well, I’ve purchased a car.

Initially, I wanted the new Kia Optima. True beauty if I am say so. But, once the salesman calculated my note, it was no longer a concern of mine. There was NO WAY I would even want to pay $676/month. Let’s be real here: I’m a single parent whose in school full-time that also works an hourly wage. Living above my means was not an option for me. So I did what a responsible adult would do – I selected a car that I could afford.

First, I had this car:

IMAG1625

…cute, but entirely too small for all that I have going on. Three carseats couldn’t fit in the back. Hell, two car seats couldn’t fit in the back and allow my daughter to fit in the middle. And after a while, all of the

“Mooooovvvee-s” and “Scoot over – get off of me-s”

were driving me insane. So I took it back. Now, I have this car:

IMAG1627

A cute 2010 Hyundai Sonata that had only 22,000 miles on it. It’s a cute car but I’m more interested in longer and wider cars. My plan is to trade it in within two years for something bigger. Nevertheless, as of right now, I am definitely grateful and left with a feeling of accomplishment. This is my first big purchase and it was an emotional experience for me. It’s been a hard couple of weeks saving and penny pinching and to be able to tell someone,

“Yea, I went on the lot and financed my own car all by my lonesome”

Yep, definitely a story I don’t mind telling. I can say that at 23, I financed my own car. I didn’t think I’d be doing this until after I graduated college. But here I am.

So how did I make all of this possible, you ask? Well, I did what I didn’t necessarily want to do, but what was best: I’m currently in the process of moving back to my hometown. My parents left their old house to me which needs a litte remodeling, which by the way, is coming along well. It was hard parting with my townhouse, but such had to be done. There’s relief but there’s a bit of sadness that lingers with me. But when my disposable income increases, I’m sure the feeling will subside. =)

This summer has been quite eventful thus far and I’ve made some major moves in the past few weeks. I’m looking forward to what is ahead.

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20 Comments
  1. Jenny

    June 30, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Congrats on buying a car! This post made me pretty excited to buy my own car. I like how your new car looks. I have my eye on SUV type cars. I hope that after I graduate from college, I’ll be able to purchase my own car.

  2. tiff

    June 30, 2011 at 11:23 pm

    Nice!!!

    Lately, I’ve been driving my parent’s car. I’ve been feeling thankful yet awfully bad at the same time.

    It’s really tough to buy a car yourself when you have all these other expense to worry about. ARggh!!!

    Great new car you have here, I am jelly 😉

  3. Rose's Daughter

    July 1, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    Congrats on the new car!!!

  4. Nicole

    July 2, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Congrats on the new car! Hope everything else is coming along nicely! 🙂

  5. Kim

    July 2, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    Congratulations on your new car. That’s a great achievement. Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment on my blog. I appreciate hearing such kind words and it’s great that others can relate to what I’m going through.

  6. Shannon

    July 2, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    Congratulations on the new car! I hope that one day I can soon get over my fear and purchase my own car. I’m glad that everything’s coming along good for you! 🙂

    1. Carla

      July 11, 2011 at 9:36 pm

      You can do it if that’s what you really want to do. Having your own transportation is beneficial but if I could use public transportation, I definitely would to save on gas. Everything is so far away out here.

  7. Haze

    July 2, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    Congrats on your car girl! Definitely a big purchase but one that is necessary. I love your optimism!

    xxo
    http://www.iamheizl.blogspot.com

  8. Miss Dre

    July 4, 2011 at 11:07 am

    Congrats on the new car!

    I have an award for you on my blog 🙂

  9. Alicia @Mommy Delicious

    July 5, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Those are major moves. But good ones. Buying a car and moving is a lot for anyone to deal with, let alone a single mom. But life has a very funny way of working and working out for the best. Congratulations on purchasing your car! I’m sure it feels really good. And congratulations for not living above your means. Over 600 bucks/month is crazy, but some people will do it. You are so so responsible for thinking of your family first. Kudos to you!

    And btw… I’ve been meaning to tell you that I love, love, LOVE that picture of you on the side of your page. So simple and so beautiful.

    1. Carla

      July 11, 2011 at 9:35 pm

      Aww.. thanks for the compliment! =)

  10. Kathy

    July 7, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Congratulations on your new car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $676 is hella crazy for a monthly payment. You definitely made a smart decision in financing a more responsible amount. The Toyota does look nice and so does the one you end up keep.

  11. Nellie

    July 8, 2011 at 11:51 am

    Congratulations!!! That is a major move, I’m proud of you! I don’t blame you for turning down that $676 a month car payment. That is utterly ridiculous…..The car is truly gorgeous and fits you.

  12. Alexa Atte

    July 8, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    Congrats on buying a new car girl 🙂 I too hope to be able to one day get a car. And I agree with everyone else and you when you say that $676 a month is way too much :-/ but yeah congrats again!

  13. Kiara

    July 11, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    I like both of the cars. Buying your own car at age 23?! That’s a great accomplishment. I doubt I’m gonna be close to 23 when I buy my own car. Congrats!

    I don’t have that much knowledge of cars, mileage, and how much is “too much” to pay for a car every month. I’m only 16 lol.

    1. Carla

      July 11, 2011 at 9:34 pm

      Enjoy your youth while you can.. TRUST ME!

  14. Mimi

    July 12, 2011 at 11:58 pm

    Congratulations! That is such a huge accomplishment. I know exactly how you feel!

  15. Frugalista

    July 13, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Good job on getting what you can afford. It’ll get you where you need to go and that’s what matters most.

  16. Tarah

    July 19, 2011 at 1:56 am

    Thank you for coming to my site. I really appreciate it!
    We all want nice things and I’m sure you deserve it but, one day you will be able to afford the car of your dreams. You are already sowing the seeds for your future. :o)

    ~Tarah
    Tarahandthecity.blogger.com
    Nxtnline.com

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