Becoming an adult and owning a vehicle has proved to be more difficult then I presumed. The days of my grandfather towering over me and teaching me how to repair a car’s engine have been some of the most important days of my life. I pride myself in saying I listened to every lesson my grandfather gave me. All of his advice and teachings have saved me tons of money. They have allowed me to avoid the expensive rates for car parts at the dealership. He taught me how to visit his favorite salvage yard to find car parts. A lot of times people underestimate the worth of a used car part, but the truth is, it still does the same job as a new one. There are many junk yards in Utah where anyone can find what they’re looking for.
I go to a salvage yard to get the parts I need to keep my car working. They believe heavily on the do-it-yourself movement and because of this, they are able to sell the items in their yard for a fraction of the cost a dealership might charge for a brand new part. It can be a little more work than getting a shiny part delivered to your front door, but the work, when compared to the money saved, is worth it.
Looking into the budget, it is a big part of all of our lives. An important factor when trying to repair a car is your budget. How much money will be available to you without sacrificing priorities like rent, food and the well-being of yourself and your family? Whatever sum of money you come up with is your budget. I have learned the hard way, biting off more than you can chew can reconfigure your entire life and that is why budgeting is important. Making conscious decisions on where to prioritize is also important. For example, if the vehicle you are trying to repair is your only means to work, then the vehicle is the priority. Without your job, you may have no food, no electricity, and no home.
Furthermore, there is an article that discusses spending money within the parameter that allows you to still live comfortably. This article is called, “How to Ensure You Spend Within Your Means.” The article defines “living within your means,” indicating the money spent that is equal or less than the total amount of money earned in a month. The article warns that spending more than what is earned can lead to financial ruin. The article also gives four steps to have financial organization and stability. One is to plan. Budget planning is accounting for every single penny that is earned and placing it in a category. It is important to put your plans on paper or wherever it works best for you to follow your plans as the month continues. Two, avoid debt. Trust me, this is easier said than done. But the basic idea is that if you do not have the money, do not buy it. Do not use loans and credit cards unless you have the money available or you at least follow your plans well enough to account for the money throughout the month. Three, boost your income by finding ways to make extra money, like a second job. Four, control impulses. A lot of times we want something and our impulse will cause us to take out loans. Do not allow your impulse to control your plans in budgeting.
I did not know the importance of junkyards until I read this article called, “Open Diff – Is the American junkyard doomed?” This article is an eye-opener. It discusses the uses for junkyards in this digital era. To answer the question it poses, I would save a junkyard by creating a website, placing its items online, and having a place to buy parts from.
All in all, using a junkyard and learning how to DIY can save a lot of money. A lot of times, used car parts with guarantees can be more dependable than new parts. Fixing your vehicle for less allows a sense of accomplishment and freedom a dealership just does not offer.
