For the past few months my car has been emitting a squealing noise from time to time. At the time of my mom's neck surgery, a tutoring student of my mom's was riding in my car with me and mentioned it. The Korean Boy student also has mentioned it (although he thinks my windshield wipers going on when we go over a bump is hilarious.)
I've been worried about it, but have pretty much ignored it. Hoping for nothing to happen. The last week or so, it has gotten progressively worse. To the point that today it was almost constantly squealing.
The people I've mentioned it to think it is probably my timing belt. I think that is very probable. It's probably been about 60,000 miles+ since it was last changed, and 7 or 8? years.
Tomorrow I'm taking it to a place across the street from the school I tutor at. I'm hoping that the guys there will look at it and confirm for me if the timing belt is the problem, or if it might be something else. If they think it is the belt, then I'll have to check and see if the *trusted* person our family has used many, many times is available. It is a 40 mile trip to him.
I've already called my Sabbath School assistant and told her that I probably won't be able to come on Sabbath. I'm scared to drive my car right now more than I *absolutely* have to.
If you recall, my funds are *very* *very* low. Replacing the timing belt will just about wipe them out.
So, I am back to considering the option of taking money out of my ROTH. I need to make sure I can do that without tax consequences or other penalties. There isn't much in there, but it would at least help relieve some of the pressure.
I feel so conflicted with all of this. I want to trust that God will work it all out in the end, but then I know that we're also supposed to do our part.
SD was suggesting that maybe I should check and see if my dad's side of the family's offer to help me buy a new car was still valid. With having no guarantee that I'll even find a job which pays enough to live on *and* repay a loan, I just can't stomach the thought.
Ugh!
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On a lighter note. I redeemed 449 Swagbucks last night for my first $5 Amazon gift card. It says that it'll take between 10 and 14 days to arrive. As of right now, I have 60 SB's towards the next one. 
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Spending Log:
$1.39 - Bananas
Korean Boy finally paid me today. I'll be making a deposit tomorrow.
My car :( ... Spending Log
November 5th, 2010 at 04:01 am
November 5th, 2010 at 11:46 am 1288957600
Jerry
November 5th, 2010 at 12:57 pm 1288961861
Forget about a new car. Basic maintenance like replacing belts is nowhere in the realm of the cost of a replacement car!!!
November 5th, 2010 at 02:27 pm 1288967225
Monkey Mama,
I know it's basic maintenance, you know it is, but ... as soon as any of my family members hear that I'm putting another $6-700 into my car, all I'm going to hear is "You really should get a different car." They think I've put too much money into it already (after the debacle of 1 1/2 years ago) and are willing to put their money where their mouths are. I just have continued to resist.
I'm just slightly panicking - After November expenses + car insurance renewal + Spring tuition payment, I have less than $1000 left. Both November and December are short tutoring months. So paying $600+ for replacing the timing belt ... the thought makes me hyperventilate. (The last time I had it replaced, that is roughly what it cost.)