Today’s question comes from Margie at ThirdMom…
The situation:
Couple XYZ have two cars:
Old van that runs fine, is also pretty good on gas, has well over 100K miles, but is needed from time to time for Spouse A’s hobbies.
SUV that’s not too big and pretty good on gas but approaching 100K miles – Spouse B loves this car.
The challenge:
Son is now driving and will need a car to get to and from school next year.
So – Here’s my thought. In my family growing up, the kids got the old cars, and the parents got the new ones. This one’s easy. Spouse A gets a new “gently used” van. This will be easier to get cost wise, insurance wise, and the mom (spouse A) still has the proper vehicle for her hobbies.
Kid gets the old van with these caveats:
- Kid gets a job
- Kid pays own insurance
- Kid pays own gas
- Parents will pay for maintenance, unless caused directly by kid’s actions (ie: an accident)
Of course this means the kid will need to find a job. Boo hoo if that’s not fair, but that’s the way it goes. There are other choices, like public transportation, which would certainly be covered under allowance.
Also – it’s a van. A van that the parents know. A big car. One that might not get totally squished in an accident.
Besides, dude, mom gets a new car before the kid gets a new car.
It’s going to be more expensive no matter which way you look at it, but at least this is cost efficient. AND! Spouse B gets to keep the SUV he loves, at least for the next little bit.
Hey, thanks for answering my question! This is actually what I wanted to do – I’m actually Spouse A and I LOVED that old SUV!! Spouse B, hubby, needs the van for his antiques. But he also decided my beloved SUV had too many miles, so we sold he. And now HE has the new SUV, dear son got a gently used Hyundai with very low miles (dirt cheap, we got a good deal), and I’m stuck with that )(*(&#$*&^# van.
Oh well, the things we sacrifice for our kids.
Now, off to your husband’s site to see his thoughts 🙂
Whoops, I have my spouses backwards, but I think you get the drift. I’m B and I wanted to keep the SUV, DH is A and needed the van (but didn’t like to drive it and therefore bought the new SUV – actually gently used but like new).