Money Matters: My uncle was a professional mechanic who could diagnose a bad alternator by ear and rebuild a carburetor before most people finished their morning coffee.

His three sons? They could build a running vehicle from a lawn mower, a rusted-out recliner, and two bolts borrowed from a neighbor’s mailbox (don’t ask).

Both of my brothers worked in garages. And me? Gun to my head, if the problem didn’t involve a computer chip, I could fix just about anything with a wrench and a swear word.

But not everyone grew up with that kind of toolbox in the family. And when it’s time to maintain or repair the family car, the consequences hit hard - and fast.

Survey says:

• 58% of U.S. drivers say they can’t afford an emergency repair costing more than $1,000

• 1 in 3 Americans would need to go into debt to cover a $500 repair

• And nearly 43% have already done it—racking up debt from surprise vehicle expenses

When your engine coughs, your budget wheezes right behind it.

That’s why smart families prep before they’re stuck on the shoulder Googling “tow truck near me.”

Here is what on that portioned plate today:

😎 Our Favorite Resources
👍 6 Step Method to Beat Your Next Auto Breakdown
👨‍🔧 How to Find an Honest Mechanic
🤷‍♀️ What’s up Next Week

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⚙Tools

Looking for a user-friendly diagnostic tool for modern autos, check out OBD Auto Doctor 

🚘Support

Need a part for your car? Show up in person or order online: AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts.

Looking for a junk yard or used parts? Checkout Pick Your Part.

👀ICYMI

How to Support Aging Parents Without Falling Back Into Debt

📜Quote

“If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?”
— Steven Wright

Today’s Main Event

The 6 Step Fix for That “Oh God What’s That Noise” Budget Moment

If you’ve ever stared at your check engine light like it was a slow countdown to financial beatdown, this issue is for you.

You’re not alone.

Somewhere between orthodontist bills, grocery inflation, and your kid’s sudden obsession with lacrosse gear that costs more than your first car, your noble family vehicle—the aging steed of the suburban middle class—will break down.

And when it does?
It won’t be convenient.
It won’t be cheap.
And it absolutely won’t care how close you are to payday.

Here’s what no one wants to admit—unless they’re holding a martini in one hand and a $1,200 transmission estimate in the other:

Auto repairs aren’t unexpected.

They’re inevitable.
They’re predictable.
They’re as baked into family life as sitcom reruns and Thanksgiving arguments.

So let’s stop pretending we didn’t see it coming—and start planning like we did.

STEP 1: Stop Calling It an Emergency

The first fix isn’t under the hood - it’s in your head.

You don’t need a better mechanic. You need a mind shift.

A busted radiator isn’t an act of God - it’s a line item. We don’t panic when the electric bill shows up, right? We expect it. We budget for it. Auto repairs should be no different.

You’re not shocked that your 12-year-old Corolla needs brakes. You’re just shocked you didn’t plan for it.

So let’s fix that first.

STEP 2: Your “F* It Fund”**

Call it an emergency fund if you want to be polite.

But we’re allocating $75–$150/month (depending on how many miles you rack up and how many family members treat the minivan like a demolition derby).

That’s $900 to $1,800 a year—enough to cushion most hits. It won’t cover everything, but it’ll keep you from getting blindsided by a $600 alternator bill and seriously wondering if your toddler’s Hot Wheel is worth more than the actual car.

STEP 3: Get Ruthlessly Predictive

Middle-class families budget for school supplies, groceries, holidays—but ignore the stuff that actually costs money.

Print this. Tattoo it on your fridge:

“Every year, I will need:”

• Oil changes (3x)

• Tires (1x every 3 years = ⅓ cost annually)

• Battery (1x every 4 years = ¼ cost annually)

• Brakes (1x every 2 years = ½ cost annually)

• Oh—and mystery repairs ($500, minimum)”

For one average used vehicle, you’re looking at $1,200–$2,000/year. Per vehicle.

Got two cars? Double that.

STEP 4: DIY Repairs — Saving Money, Swearing Loudly

Thinking about fixing some of this stuff yourself? Good. That’s not reckless—that’s resourceful. Or at least desperate in a productive way.

You don’t need a mechanic’s license or a well-lit garage.
Just some tools, an overinflated sense of confidence, and the emotional stability to fail a few times without throwing a wrench through your drywall.

Honestly, YouTube can teach you 90% of what you need. The other 10% is pure frustration and knuckle blood.

Here’s what you can realistically take on—no pit crew, no emotional breakdown (probably):

What You Can Actually Do Yourself (Without a Pit Crew or a Degree):

• Change your own oil (saves $25–$50 each time)

• Replace air filters, wiper blades, cabin filters

• Change brake pads (saves up to $300)

• Swap a battery (easy if you have arms and a wrench)

• Install new headlights or fuses

• Rotate tires

YouTube is your co-pilot.

And don’t forget AutoZone, O’Reilly, and Advance Auto

They’ll test batteries, loan tools, and explain stuff like you’re a 12-year-old… which, Lord knows, has helped me navigate a brake pad or two.

PROS:

• Massive cost savings (you pay for parts, not labor)

• Builds skill and confidence

• Teaches your kids how to be useful humans

CONS:

• You will absolutely bleed at least once

• Your spouse will ask if this is “really necessary” when you’re under the car on a tarp at 7pm

• If you screw it up, it may cost more to fix it later

But hey - that's how legends are born.

STEP 5: The Secret Goldmine — Salvage Yards & Used Parts

You’re not too good for a salvage yard. No one is.

Ask around—there’s likely a U-Pull-It or Pick-n-Pull nearby. These are like thrift stores for car parts, except you wear gloves and maybe bring a crowbar.

Savings? Up to 70% off retail for parts like:

• Mirrors

• Lights

• Alternators

• Bumpers

• Entire doors (!)

Bonus Tip: Call first. Ask if they have the make/model/year you need. Some even inventory their parts online.

STEP 6: Final Cuts - Slash That Auto Bill Like a Bounty Hunter with a Mullet

• Coupons & Apps: Mechanics run discounts, oil change specials, and referral rewards. Use them.

• Local Tech Schools: Auto repair students need practice. You pay parts, they do labor - for cheap. Your Honda might not look brand new after, but it’ll look better than a ‘84 Ford Tempo.

• Negotiate: Yes, you can haggle with mechanics. Especially independents.

• Stack Your Loyalty: Return to the same shop. Loyal customers get better pricing and priority work.

How to Spot a Solid Mechanic:

Let’s be honest - unless you’ve got a hydraulic lift in your garage and motor oil running through your veins, some repairs are going to need a pro.

And the difference between a trusted mechanic and a con man with a greasy rag?

Hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars.

Here’s how to find someone who fixes your car—without wrecking your paycheck:

✅ Ask real humans.
Crowdsourcing in a parenting Facebook group or local subreddit works better than Yelp. You want a mechanic who keeps families coming back—not just one with a fancy website.

✅ Look for certifications.
ASE-certified shops (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) are like the accountants of car repair—they’re trained, tested, and less likely to “accidentally” charge you for an air filter you don’t need.

✅ Check if they explain, not just charge.
Good mechanics teach a little. If they take the time to walk you through the issue, they’re more likely to charge fairly. If they just hand you a number and shrug? Run.

✅ Start with small stuff.
Oil change. Battery test. Brake check. Use small jobs to test how they treat you, your car, and your questions.

✅ Avoid “urgency pressure.”
If the shop tries to upsell with “this HAS to be fixed today,” be skeptical—especially if your car is still running. Legit problems are real, but panic tactics are red flags.

Bonus Tip: Ask This One Question

“Can you show me the old part?”

If they look confused or annoyed, that’s a sign. Good shops expect this and will gladly show you what they replaced. Shady ones won’t.

Until Next Time

What’s Up Next Week

Repairs will happen. So will life. But smart budgeting, DIY courage, and a little grit will keep your family van—and your finances—rolling forward.

Save your sanity. Keep your wheels.

And maybe—just maybe—impress your kids when you fix something without calling a tow truck.

Expecting a little one? Next week, Nico shares his journey through the world of cribs, strollers, and onesies—along with honest advice to help you prepare, breathe, and maybe even enjoy the chaos a little.

Please let us know how we did today by clicking on the survey below.

Email us with any questions!

Until next time—keep more, spend less!

Jim and the Hootsquad

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.