6/365: It could be worse

The automobile is no doubt one of the greatest inventions in modern history. It has opened the doors for hundreds of people around the world - jobs that you'd never be able to reach on foot  are now accessible, places you've always wanted to go to but public transport is non-existent, or even just the simple pleasure of going for a drive to clear the mind - the automobile opens up the world like nothing else.

But by golly is it expensive. 

I swear you go through the five stages of grief every time your car makes a noise it never did before or a shudder you've never felt:

1. Denial - "Hmm, that's not my car.. definitely the lorry behind me. Wait, that noise is still there and I'm still hearing it? Can't be that bad if I can't hear it when I turn the music up, right?"
2. Anger - "Oh bugger! This is going to cost me a fortune! Why do I even bother with this bloody car?! Useless thing!"
3. Bargaining - "I'll start catching the train more just so I can keep the mileage low on this car. I really need it to last me as long as possible."
4. Depression - "Trains are more expensive than driving. Why do I even bother? I'll just force myself into financial ruin."
5. Acceptance - "It's ok, I will just go and get it sorted. It'll cost more if I don't sort it out later."

Once you've reached that fifth stage, you're likely £500 out of pocket with some faint ideas of "this time I'll drive more carefully" or "I'll take care of the car more now" but it never eventuates. 

Is this universal or is it just me... today.. after finding out my brakes needed a full repair and near enough a new exhaust to boot. Although I put away a couple of hundred pounds every month for this exact type of situation, it never hurts any less when I have to dispose of the money I've put away for it. I suppose it doesn't help I spent £400 on new tyres less than a month ago too. When it rains, it pours, eh? 

Glad the New Year is going well for my wallet. But hey, could be worse, could be Nicolas Maduro right now.