When money is tight, do it yourself. A little something while steem price is down.

I recently accomplished something that hasn't happened for me in a very long time. I got all three vehicles that we own running at once.

All three at once!

Now for someone with more money at their disposal this isn't really something they would need to be concerned about because it probably would never happen. If one can afford better vehicles and vehicles with warranties a breakdown is inconvenient for sure, but not in the same way when one owns older vehicles that are well beyond the warranty.

Dealing with problems on older vehicles when you don't have a lot of extra money means that finding any way to save money is always a good thing; thus do it yourself is the way to go.

Cars and car engines can seem complicated and intimidating, but a little online research or a trip to the auto parts store can be extremely helpful. AutoZone can often print out step by step instructions for many parts and supply you with specialty tools you might need.

So I had 3 cars with three problems.

First A 2001 Ford Taurus that kept stalling and running rough. I wasn't sure I could fix this one but when running it with the hood up there was a leaking air sound. A flashlight quickly found the problem: a hose with a hole in it. I pulled the part of but broke the clip at the end in the process.
" No big deal" I thought.
Oh no, not carried at the parts stores and obsolete at the dealer. My first trip to the junkyard began. The first place I went was really nice. All the cars were on Jack's in neat rows in a clean gravel lot. I found the part and walked out after spending about 3 dollars. 1st car fixed.

2nd car a Kia Rio. Needed an alternator. Again don't be inimidated, it's really just a couple of plugs and mighty mighty Lefty loosy and the store will test it for you. I found a junkyard open on the weekend. This is how I found not all junkyards are created equal.

Really the first place should be described as a salvage lot or, as they say, pick your part. This place was a junkyard for sure.

While the 1st place was able to say what row and how far down the car I was looking fo was this place said "go left, across the creek, look down the whole row and into the wood."

Eventually I found what I needed. There it is with the hood up.

You probably noticed that the car is not jacked up, a requirement to get to one bolt. I should have taken a picture. Lifted with a loader and stabilized with old tires so I could crawl in the dirt and get my part but get my part I did. 25 dollars and some dirt vs 140 at the parts store. Pluse I wouldn't have this great story.

3rd car was the easiest. Did you know that AAA premier members get 1 free battery a year? Well they do and now my Ford Ranger is running again and up for sale.

Is there a lesson here? I don't know. Maybe step outside your comfort zone. It's super fun to try something new and succeed. I also like saving money. Let me know in the comments if you have a similar story.