Saving Money on Car Repairs

We only own one car and it is almost 10 years old. Thankfully, it is paid off and we are saving up to pay cash when old faithful gives out on us (hopefully not for another few years!). One of the ways we save major money is by doing all car repairs ourselves ... and by that I mean my husband does all the work on the car HIMself.

This weekend was an oil change. While he was at the auto parts store picking up oil (and stocking up because it was on sale), he checked out the cost of new brakes because our back brakes our squeaking. Two years ago my husband replaced the front brakes and we had a mechanic replace the back brakes (hubby didn't know how to do it). Our front brakes are just fine, but the back brakes are making noises! We paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $200-$300 to have the back brakes replaced. The cost at the auto parts store is $25 and they are guaranteed for the life of the car! If they go out, we take the old brakes back and get new ones for free. Because he doesn't know how to do the back brakes, I checked out Chilton and Haynes repair manuals from the library and studying has begun. I'm so thankful to have a husband who is comfortable around cars to do the repairs himself!

I also think it is important for our children to learn about cars so Ella spent some time outside helping Daddy with the oil change this weekend. She loved being out there with him and had no problem getting DIRTY!