So I did.
And it’s awesome.
Monthly Archive for July, 2006
I woke up this morning thinking that this is all ridiculous and that I’m going to go buy the car.
I’ve been reading a book on green living and one of the chapters is about how your finances can have a big impact on sustainability. Specifically, where you bank and what funds you invest in.
It concludes that ShoreBank is probably the most responsible bank to place your funds in for checking and savings. Unfortunately, I’m not able to obtain an account with them because they require a minimum balance of $1,500 per month.
Yea. I can’t swing that right now.
The second best thing I can do besides targeting a bank that directly supports my values (such as ShoreBank) is change from my mainstream bank (like Wachovia) and move to a credit union. Credit unions, for those who don’t know, (like me about a month ago) are non-profit, owned by its members and target community involvement.
Since this was the easiest way I could be a bit more responsible with my money while not sacrificing the ease at which it is managed (no minimum balances) I chose to move to my local credit union.
I also got pre-approved at an excellent rate (6.49%) for a loan for the Insight.
So last night I got my parents involved. I still have no idea if this was good or bad. It’s apparent that they don’t see the urgency in this that I do. And, why would they?
Sometimes I expect my parents to see everything my way. But, they aren’t the ones sitting on the internet all day reading and reading and constantly fucking reading about world problems, global warming, wind energy and nohohons. I forget this and think that through long distance osmosis they should be viewing the planet and all of it’s miseries because of my obtained information.
I guess I believe that you’re never too old to change or improve things and in so many words they’ve told me this isn’t the case for them.
It’s disappointing.
The car is rare (especially a used one). So the “another one coming along soon” doesn’t cut it for me. I’ve searched extensively on Craigslist and made phone calls only to exhaust other semi-local options. The next closest one is in Indiana. Is it worth the travel costs just to “save” a thousand bucks?
Now I’m even more frustrated.
I’m obsessed with it. No matter how small the issue may be, I will undoubtedly let it become earth shattering.
***
I called. It’s still there. I haggled on the phone (Jess had advised not to). No budging.
Then I talked to a new salesman. And I ended up yelling at him.
Ahhh.
I’ve heard nothing about the offer I made them. It’s killing me.
People say buying a car is one of the most stressful things we put ourselves through, blah blah blah. Yea. It’s true. Especially when you don’t have Dad there haggling for you.
Should I call them back and see if it’s still there? It’s still on their website…
I went and test drove the Insight today. It’s nice… I really like it.
The dealer was ok. I don’t expect much from car dealers but at least he wasn’t badgering me. I walked in, he handed me the keys and I was off. Yea.
I made him an offer that he refused and then I left.
It pretty much went how I thought it would.
In other news, today I am starting my sculling course. I’m really excited about it as it’s definitely something I’ve wanted to try and serves as a good substitute for the gym. What could be better than being in a quiet boat by yourself rowing around in a river getting exercise? Sounds like a nice way to enjoy the afternoon, to me. ;-)
