An Update On My Car, And Life In General

Parent Cafe
1

<p>So my parents and I decided that since they can’t afford a car payment right now, we would spend $1-2K getting my car all fixed up to take to Indiana. Nothing is wrong with the engine or majorly wrong with any of the systems (since we replaced the Body Control Module in November/December), just a lot of little things that were adding up.</p>

<p>At the last update, we had taken it to a tire place because of the low/flat front driver’s side tire and they found that all four were VERY badly worn and needed replacing. We got two used tires and decided to wait until we got it home and get 2-4 new ones (depending on how much the other stuff would cost.)</p>

<p>Took it to a trusted mechanic maybe 3-4 days ago. He is replacing all the hoses and two of the serpentine belts. Replacing the hoses mainly because I’m moving to Indiana, where I’ll have to deal with freezing and below temperatures, and he doesn’t want any gunk or leaks to mess with anything when the fluids expand/contract with the temperature. He is also replacing two of the serpentine belts, says one of them is very worn. The car has a timing chain instead of a belt, so that doesn’t need replacing (huzzah!) Doing a major tune-up…replacing most of the fluids, A/C Freon service, flushing the radiator, etc…we’ll put brakes on at another place with a better price than his when he is done with it.</p>

<p>Basically, he says the engine is running fantastically (because of the low mileage despite the age) and it should do fine in IN.</p>

<p>As for the problem of the battery, wherein it was losing charges quickly even though I was driving it at least every 3-4 days: he gave the battery a full charge, then took it out of the car and let it sit, and found it was STILL losing charge. Since the battery was only approximately 6 months old, my good ole mom called the company and got them to give us a freebie replacement :D</p>

<p>There are probably a few other things he’s doing that I’m forgetting, but those are the major things.</p>

<p>Life in general: I’ve been doing the normal “student home for the summer” appointments…I went to the dentist today, going to the doctor to get some paperwork and possibly some immunizations (new tetanus boosters, TB test, etc.) tomorrow. Will go to the opthamologist sometime soon. </p>

<p>Also, the thing I’m most proud of: I have started exercising and am starting Weight Watchers tomorrow! It’s a VERY small amount of exercise, but better than nothing is what I tell myself (about 10 mins. of cardio each night.) Tonight was my 4th night in a row.</p>

<p>I have struggled with my weight my whole life, and every other time I’ve tried weight loss it’s been because my family was doing it or my parents wanted me to. Now I’m finally doing it for ME, because I want to. One of my best friends is going to do it with me & help hold me accountable. Please keep your fingers crossed for me and send me good thoughts that it sticks!! I am hoping to be able to keep it going once I get to Indiana…especially since my tuition will include access to a gym and a nutritionist, which should help.</p>

<p>Also, if you’re interested, I will be leaving SoCal on July 22nd. My parents are being gracious enough to make the road trip to Indiana with me. We’ll take 3 days going through New Mexico, Oklahoma and then to Indiana (where mom’s best friend lives, who is like family.) We will stay with her for roughly two days and then I move in to embark on the next chapter of my life! I get more excited each day!!! :D</p>

<p>You parents have always been such a great support system in the past…thank you for the continued support and encouragement! I will of course continue to keep you all updated. I hope all of you are well.</p>

2

<p>If I remember correctly you will be at ISU. They recently renovated their gym/exercise area and it seemed to be inviting to the entire student body. If you aren’t familiar with Midwestern food, it is a bit heavier than CA cuisine, so be careful. We love cheese and potatos. Terre Haute is a very affordable place to live and there are plenty of mechanics if anything needs to be done once you are here. There is also no emission requirements in Vigo county. </p>

<p>Good luck with all of this.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for all of the information, MizzBee! Yes, I will be at ISU. They are very proud of the new Rec Center and showed it to us when I was there interviewing…it was very nice! SSU, where I just finished my Undergrad work, has a Rec Center that is less than 10 years old that was very similar to the one ISU just had finished.</p>

<p>When I first got accepted, I did some poking around online and found some site that suggested the difference in Cost of Living to be as much as 95% (IN being cheaper, obviously). Not sure if that’s true, but it does seem like my money will go farther.</p>

<p>I did notice the difference in food when I was there, but I don’t think it will be too hard to manage. I’ll be eating mostly on campus, as my job comes with a meal plan as part of the compensation, and they have some national franchises where I can acquire nutrition information and such. So hopefully that will help!</p>

4

<p>Congrats–sounds like things are really moving forward for you. Great that your folks are driving out to IN with you. Have a great time as you begin this new chapter!</p>

5

<p>Thanks HImom! I’m actually very excited that my parents are coming with me; they’re so much fun to travel with! I think it’s going to be a wonderful adventure, as I’ve never driven through so many states before and all of the states will be ones I’ve never seen before.</p>

6

<p>It has been wonderful watching you grow. My D just finished up two years in Indiana. She found the price of gas, apartment to be much cheaper. She felt food was more expensive.
One problem she had was with car registration. Make sure your car registration is up to date including your smog. In order to register a car in Indiana you need to be an Indiana resident with a Indiana drivers license.</p>

7

<p>Best exercise in the world is walking. Just start walking. Set small goals, down the street. Then twice down the street. Get and mp3 player and play favorite music.</p>

<p>The buddy system is a great idea.</p>

8

<p>I am excited about all of your plans. Good luck! :)</p>

9

<p>mom60–I have heard varying information on this, but I think, since I am still a CA resident, that my car can stay registered here while I am a student in IN. Have to do more research on this.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the encouragement and advice!</p>

10

<p>Your car can stay registered in Ca. The problem might come in if you need a smog next registration round and the car is not in Ca.</p>

11

<p>Ouch…I think it will need one next year (to register for 2014). That could get interesting.</p>

12

<p>Now that you are a graduate student, is there a benefit to changing residence to IN? If Ca will accept a smog certificate from IN, there are two counties here that have emision testing, so it could be done with a little roadtrip (both near Chicago).</p>

13

<p>MizzBee–I may change residency my second year of grad school depending on my assistantship (they pay tuition, but might only pay the in-state portion my second year.)</p>