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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: o2bnocn on December 11, 2016, 04:48:47 pm
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I'm turning 29 this January and its becoming a need to have my license and a vehicle. I'm not finished learning how to drive, and don't have the money for a vehicle. I have drove around the neighborhood, to a fast food joint close by, parking lots, back roads a tiny bit, and one time I hired a professional teacher for one hour. The professional teacher took me on the roads that are considered main but not much traffic. That was a very long time ago. The only person that ever took me driving to teach me was my sister. She told me that she can't teach me with her car because it is financed. When she took me in the past she had an older vehicle.
One of my main concerns is that I will have to take the actual course to drive. I would really rather not so that I could save money in this whole process, and it makes me even more nervous about driving. I know I shouldn't be this nervous but I really am. I can't afford to hire a professional teacher because it cost me $60 for one hour and that was years ago so I'm sure the price has went up as well.
My plan for saving for a car is to just start saving and when I find a good way to save then stick to it. Even if I am only saving $10 or $20 out of paychecks, it is better than nothing. I am just looking for a used vehicle, not a new car or anything like that.
Realistically with my income it is going to be difficult to save for a car. However, I can't keep using that as an excuse. I've applied for better income jobs and I'm just not getting any as of right now. So I am going to start saving and even if it takes me awhile, it's a good start. For the past year I haven't been focusing on this, and recently I tried to start saving but things just keep coming up and there are other things I was putting before this but last year I knew that I should focus on it and now.... a year later... I am in the same spot. So it really is time for a change!
Any suggestions? This is really becoming difficult to deal with on a daily basis with having to always ask for a ride, to the grocery store, to anywhere! Also, it's almost impossible to date and I'm stuck with working at home at the current moment. As much as I enjoy working at home, I also know I could make more income if I worked outside the home.
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getting your licence is the easy part it getting a car that's the hard part because you also need insurance tag registration and you got to be able to repair it if some thing comes up but it makes things a lot easier if you have a car good luck
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You should be more focused on getting your license than a car. Even if you can manage to save up enough to purchase a car you won't be able to legally drive or register it without the license.
The tests are different between states and even cities. You should find out what's on your local test and practice that. I know my test in Florida was easier because it was just a test in a parking lot and no parallel parking. I know other places involve road tests and more location specific information.
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You just have to bite the bullet and do what you have to do. Go to a driving school and learn how to drive so you can get your license first.
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I'm in the same boat, I'm afraid. I really need to start getting my own transportation. I'm going to look into Uber and other sources for the time being.
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If I were in your position, the first thing I would be looking for is a good friend (or family member) to help you out. If you really don't have any friends you could ask, finding one seems like it would be much easier than getting a car or hiring a tutor.
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I don't really know your situation, but you are kind of old to just be getting your license. I say that to say kids these days get their driving license at age 16-21, but I guess you waited, but get a friend to teach you.
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I say if your friends can't help,call a driving school. I know where I live driving schools rent you their car. :)
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my 25 yr old son lives with us has bought a car and paying 183.00 a month for the car . he also has to pay about 500.00 for full insurance every 6 months. we don't charge him rent he gives us some money for food and cable bill he would never be able to buy a car by himself. You should get someone to help you drive like a friend ,relative my husband taught me. Id keep on it driving gives you a freedom but it can be expensive. good luck
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Keep saving for the car, but remember the worst part is the insurance; big expense. And then there's the gas and the maintenance; oil changes, headlights, etc. And if you make a modicum of income, there are many places that will finance your vehicle. Their finance charges will be sky-high, however. :o Try to get a low interest rate from your bank or credit union.
I agree that a friend would be a good way to start to learn to drive properly. I've taught a few people to drive, and I was taught by my aunt and cousins.
After all, it's mostly drive on your side of the road and do a reasonable approximation of the speed limit. Maintain a distance between you and the car in front of you. Go to a DMV and get a Rules of the Road booklet. Be courteous on the road, which may save your life and someone else's, not to mention your blood pressure.
:fish:
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Since your still saving $$$$$ for a car, you might as well take the bus, taxi, or you can use a ride sharing service like uber/lyft.
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Concentrate on getting a license first. Try to save a certain amount for the car each week or every two weeks in a different account and if something comes up pretend you don't know about the side account. It takes discipline to do this but it can be done. With a car you will also need money for insurance, gas etc.
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I would find somebody to help you learn to drive, focus on getting a license first, than, after that you can focus on getting a car!
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Like everyone else said, get your license first. I don't understand why your sister won't teach you, but try to find a friend even if you have to pay them something. You can't buy a car without a license and insurance. Be prepared to pay a sizable amount for insurance. Then make sure you have enough money for gas, oil, inspections, etc.
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Looking back at my driving test, I would say is make sure your familiar with the road/lot your driving test is located. I failed my first driving test because my first driving instructor schedule me from a different test location. The other driving instructor (same company, believed I was taking the lenient/local test location so they prepared me for tht). Second driving test, I passed very easily since I reschedule to my local dmv and know the roads there. Didn't really grill people for parallel parking
Driving takes a lot of practice. Might be intimidating at first, since people always like to tailgate you. But after awhile you stop giving a s*** and do your business. After awhile you get used to driving
Used cars are 50/50. They are good for short term, but the repairs are sometimes to costly to do. Try saving up for a leased car. Leased cars are fully warranted so if there is something wrong with engine/etc you don't pay for any of it. If monthly payment is high, try negotiating with down payment. Although it is not advise to do any down payment on leasing, it could bring down the monthly cost to your liking.
In your situation, I would see if you have a friend you could car pool to work. I seen a lot of people do that at jobs. Saves money, just split gas price. Some people like the company. Not sure about driving to groceries, maybe look for home delivery for grocery. In all else, see if public transportation is an option. Although it could be costly, it could open a lot of opportunities for employment. Also if your really lucky, your employment could cover or pay some of the commuting fees (some companies have discounts on transit).
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Try to get your driver license online first. Then with your license and a credit card you can rent a car at a cheap company. Try to find an experience driver and include that driver in your rental contract. Once you two are in the vehicle, ask the experience driver to teach you safety hints. Also, go to Utube and find videos on safety driving.
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worry abut your license first and then a car..insurance is high..try for your license..even if you fail it will show you where you need to concentrate on
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You are 29 and do not have your DL? I can tell you this...if you do not have a DL you don't need to be driving to burger joints. You get caught or are in an accident with no license you won't have to worry about getting one for a long time. Especially if you cause injury or damage.
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Best of luck to you - it does sound like a lot to figure out. My son who is a little older than you is going through similar circumstances - just hang in there and little by little step by step hopefully things will fall into place for you.
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Worry about getting your license first. Do you have a friend near you to help?
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I would say focus on getting more work from home gigs so you can save more for a car.
I look at it this way - if you are barely scraping by as it is, you're going to have a harder time keeping up with the maintenance, insurance, keeping gas in it once you do get a car.
Just my two cents.
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I don't know what I would do without my license and car! Yes, I do, I would be walking a lot. There isn't public transportation where I live. Too rural.
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also when you save you can take 1 or 2 dollars out of ever shoping trip. its not much but with the other savings it will add up .
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I don't really know your situation, but you are kind of old to just be getting your license. I say that to say kids these days get their driving license at age 16-21, but I guess you waited, but get a friend to teach you.
I'll be 25 this May and I don't have my license, either. It's not that uncommon. My mother waited until she was well into her twenties, too. My partner's mother, who is 45, has never had her license.
JediJohnnie mentioned Uber, which I've used a few times and is awesome. The drivers are friendly, the fare is MUCH cheaper than a taxi, and if you don't live in a secluded town, there's bound to be at least a few Uber cars driving in the area. We live just outside a major city, so there's tons.
In any case, good luck with saving up and learning to drive! And don't feel bad about having waited so long. :) You can do it. Just carve out a couple days a week to have someone teach you--a friend, even a neighbor you're friendly with if they can spare the time--and commit to taking the test. If you've gone so far to get your learner's, you can take the next steps! I'm contemplating doing the same. :)
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My son hasn't wanted to drive until recently - when he was 5 years old a pediatric neruopthamologist told him he'll never fly a plane and if he ever did drive he would certainly have restrictions. He went through drivers ed (Legally required by the state) and hated it. He passed the class with a B. Didn't partake in the driving portion of the test as he wasn't comfortable behind the wheel one bit. Now he's having 2nd thoughts. He's nearing adulthood and the realization of Mom not driving him around all the time is knocking on the door. On the other hand my oldest daughter drives - fairly well. She bought her own truck... is in college and has more financial stress hovering her than what it may be worth. She's naive in that she was pulled over... her tags had expired. And she looked at the officer and said, "What tags?" When he explained it to her she said, "they expire?" OIY - kids these days.