When sh*t happens... then what???

My car is in the shop for "you can't drive this car until it's fixed" repairs.  Car problems make me crazy.  What I know about cars you can put in a thimble and still have room to spare.  I knew the car was acting up... I knew it needed work.  I made an appointment at my nearby dealer/service center where I bought the car almost six years ago.  I have been very good about maintenance: getting oil changed regularly, general service, new battery every three years, bought a new set of tires a few months ago.  I thought I would have the car in for repairs for a day or two... cost about $500?  Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

The car is still in the shop, parts are on order, won't have the car back for another 10 days or so.  Estimated total bill?  New battery, parts and labor for repairs?  About $2000.00.  Gasp.

Here's the good news.  Thanks to my cookie jar, I can afford to pay the bill and not lose any sleep.  The cookie jar is an account I set up in my budget to cover "out of the ordinary" expenses.  I add to it on a monthly basis, use it only when I really need it, and try to maintain a healthy balance.

So, what do I do without a car for the next few days?  I considered renting one.  But, that's stupid spending.  Being retired means I don't need to drive to work.  I can't see paying a daily rate for a car that may be sitting unused in my condo parking lot.  I have enough food at home to last for a week or so, there are fast food joints and a grocery store within walking distance.  About the only thing not close by is the post office where I have packages waiting.  They'll still be there in 10 days.  I can wait.

Read a quote recently that rang true with me:

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants." -- Epictetus

Penny Pincher

UPDATE: It's been almost two weeks and the car is still in the shop... waiting for a part that's on back order.  I've been hoofing it... to the post office (2 mile downhill walk, $6 taxi van ride home), the grocery store, the bank, the repair shop for a status update.   Haven't rented a car yet... but am thinking about it for a day or two to get laundry and major grocery shopping done.  We'll see what repair news the end of next week brings.  It's a different life without a car.

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." --  Epictetus

FINAL UPDATE:  Car repairs done, bill paid (total: $2061.16)... car runs like new.  Happy me.  What did I learn?  It's good to have 1) savings, 2) a full freezer and 3) sturdy walking shoes.