A Month of Saving Day 19

Today, I have been thinking of all the sacrifices my husband makes to take care of our family. There are so many things he does to make sure we have everything we need, but one of the sacrifices he makes is driving a vehicle that is paid off!!! Ryan drives a 1999 Ford Explorer that was actually given to us a few years ago. At that time, he was driving 1991 Ford Explorer, so it was quite an upgrade!!! While I am sure he would like to have a nicer vehicle, he also realizes that not having another car payment is better for our family. So, today, our money saving tip is to save for big purchases and PAY CASH! I know that is easier said than done, but it really is an attainable goal. Awhile back, my uncle went to purchase a used car. Now, he probably has enough money to purchase a brand new car with cash, but that's not the point. He walked into the dealership with $8000 in his pocket. I don't remember all the details, but he was able to walk out with a car that was priced well over $8000 initially because he had the cash in his pocket. Most places aren't going to let you walk out the door if you're making a big purchase and willing to pay cash, not to mention paying cash allows you to save all the interest of a car payment. I work with a man whose family needed to purchase a new refrigerator. They saved all their change for one year (now, that's a lot of change), but they were able to buy their brand new refrigerator with the money they saved!!! Whether it's a car or an appliance or some other purchase, saving at least a big chunk of it ahead of time saves you money in the long run. I am looking forward to being able to buy Ryan a "new to us" vehicle one of these days, but we are hoping to pay cash when that day comes.