New Car

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

New Car

In a decade of being married, Andy and I have only ever had one car that we didn't own outright.

We made extra payments on that car and owned it before the five year loan was up.

Unfortunately, Andy was in a car accident with that car.

It was totaled.

As we tried to figure out what to do,

recognizing that we value not having a car on debt,

we started to see things a little bit differently.

We noted that the interest on car loans were cheaper than the student loan debt we had recently accumulated.

And that the interest on a car loan is simple vs the student loan complex interest.

Although it took a minute for us to wrap our heads around it, it actually seemed to be more financially savvy to put our insurance payout into our student loans rather than towards a new car.

We decided to go for a while without a second vehicle.

But the time has come when a second car seems like the best situation for us.

We began to ponder how to make this happen, and the solutions came.

We were so happy with our last car purchase, that we mimicked it.

Andy did a great job finding a wonderful deal on a 2010 Hyundai Elantra.

We are excited that it also happens to have some great perks - especially the sun roof.

After spending all day at the dealership, the first order of business was a family drive to Park City.

We stopped at Taco Bell for dinner after securing what we came for -

Oakley stickers for Andy to put on his car.

(Yes, he is THAT crazy about Oakley!)

It's only been a few days, but we are already so happy with the flexibility of a second car.

And we are loving that Andy is back in a "commuter" vehicle for going to work

rather than guzzling through insane amounts of gas in the Explorer.

It's been fun!

2 comments:

KristaMarch 24, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Awesome! Looks like a great car!
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MichelleMarch 26, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Nice, good for you!
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.