Making a Wish Reality

'tis the season of wishes and dreams...

Whether it's a carefully crafted letter to Santa -- extolling the virtues of the sender (I have been very good all  year etc.) as a prelude to a lengthy list of  "I wants" -- or an unexpressed thought that it would be nice to have a _______ (you fill in the blank), everyone has a holiday wish.

The unexpressed wish in my head was for a new-to-me vehicle.  My present car, purchased second hand ten years ago, is becoming a problem child.   A very needy problem child.  And making me less than comfortable every time I get in it, patting the dashboard "good car, good car" for luck as I turn the key in the ignition.  The problems came to a head a couple of days ago when I was stuck in Friday afternoon traffic and my car began to overheat.  Again.  And I'd just added antifreeze a few days earlier.  I finished my errands and went home to let the car cool down overnight before adding more antifreeze.

Saturday I woke with a mission.  I was going car looking.  Not car shopping.  Just car looking.  After my third stop I was aware that the selection was very sparse and prices were higher than I expected.  Remember, I live on an island.  It has its limitations.

But sometimes events conspire, the stars align, and fate steps in to make a wish reality.  My last stop was a dealership within walking distance of where I live.  I parked my car a short distance away and walked to the upper display area.   Still just looking.  Don't want a truck, don't want an SUV.  Want something compact.   A salesman finished his conversation with another looker and approached me.  We talked and he said he had something in another area I should see.  I followed him.

There, glowing in the sunlight like the emerald in Romancing the Stone, was exactly what I wanted: a four door compact with a VERY roomy trunk.   It was the car I had in my head.  My wish list come to life.

My present car is a hatchback; but I've discovered in owning two hatchbacks that the hatch supports don't last, eventually I end up holding the hatch aloft with one hand while fishing inside with the other.  I carry my kayak equipment with me and need storage room for paddles, life vests, seat backs and assorted other stuff.

After exploring the trunk, I sat in the driver's seat.  Comfortable reach to the pedals and good visibility over the hood.  The car and I were a good fit.  But the price???

Did I have a trade-in?  I pointed to my car a short distance away.  "We're going to make this happen for you today," he said as we went to look at my car.

Back inside the dealership to crunch numbers.  The sales manager approached.  "We're going to make this happen for you today," she said as we walked to my car for her inspection.

More number crunching.  The bottom line was more than I'd planned on spending, but doable with a cash rebate and a generous trade-in allowance.  Again, events conspired.  I never carry my checkbook but had a spare check tucked in my coin purse.

I pick up my new car Monday after work.   It's a car I paid for by quitting smoking six years ago, brown bagging it for lunch every day for eons, and just plain skinny living.  Saving my $$ for the big thing, rather than frittering it away on little stuff.

However you celebrate the holiday season, may it bring you joy; may your new year be filled with peace and prosperity; and may your holiday wishes become reality.

Penny Pincher