The teenager is maturing day by day. We took his "new" car in to have it checked out to make sure everything was up to snuff before I'd let him drive it. Several items needed fixing, of course--a motor mount and a couple of leaks in the oil pan and gaskets and stuff. He got his first real sense of how expensive everything is and how fast money can be spent (and how hard it is to earn it!).
We had left about $350 in his savings account for misc. things for the car. He had a paycheck of about $372 and a birthday check for $50. Guess what the charge for fixing everything on his car was? $775. Yep, all gone. The teenager has no money. hehe. Oh, the facts of life are hitting him hard and fast. Of course, there were other items that need to be addressed at some point like a new muffler and the back windows don't roll up all the way (giggle); but those can wait a little while.
This is his first experience dealing with earning, saving and spending. He is going to learn real fast how to start budgeting items. Of course, he has all these big dreams for a stereo system for the car, tented windows, etc. Now that he's down to $0 (actually in the hole about $500 that he owes us), he'll feel the crunch real fast. We bought his first tank of gas for him, but now he's on his own. His grandparents gave him $50 in Shell gas cards, which was the perfect gift. But, after that....dun dun dun.
Thank goodness school starts on Monday. That will curtail all the joy rides for the most part! He just got the car tonight and has already called to ask if he can pick up a friend after work and then come home. He is just itching to drive that thing!!! How fun for him. I feel good that he paid for it and is learning life-long lessons. I'm proud of him.
Awww, shucks.
7 comments:
Life experiences are very valuable. And gas prices are a killer diller. Ouch.
ptcder
Just curious if your dmv laws are different in your state? In CA, a provisional driver may not transport anyone under 20 years of age in their car for the first year unless someone 25 yrs or older is in the car. They also may not drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first 12 months on their license. (They are issued a provisional license if they under 18.)
Can't remember if you said he was 18 or not...
Those repair bills are an eye opener!!
oh gawd - my ms*sophie is talking buying a car - what with, I ask? yep, a big lesson for yours to be learning now!
Rosa / Sue
So many rules. In the UK you can get a provisional licence at 17 and then drive with anyone in the car, at any time, as long as you are accompanied by a person with a full licence (and of course have insurance).
You then have to pass the theory test before you can take the practical test. That involves driving around for 40 minutes with an examiner in the car. It covers some specific exercises and general driving ability. If you pass that you get a full licence and then are completely unrestricted.
I cannot say that every one who has a full licence is roadworthy! Road sense takes some while to acquire.
"Mr English"
It is an eye-opening life lesson for sure but a much needed one for most teens. I'm sure he will learn to budget his money and be a responsible auto owner. He already sounds like a great kid.
It's outragious how much it costs to have a car worked on today.
And you should be proud! He's learning some valuable lessons that will serve him throughout his life. Good for him! Ah, gas money...those were the days. (Thank goodness they're over!). :)
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