save enough money to buy a newer car

I am marking this one as complete! I don’t have my car yet, but I will start my car payments in about a month. I was able to put enough down on the car to make payments manageable, so I think I was successful with this goal (although the goal changed somewhat within the year I was working on it).

I am buying a new car.

Over the past year, I had started dipping into the money I was putting aside each time my car needed work done on it. After breaking down 3 times in 4 months and many $ later, I have decided it’s time for my first ever brand spankin’ new car. :)

Granted, with a new car, I will have monthly payments, but I shouldn’t need to get the car repaired anytime soon. Also, I was able to save a good chunk for a down payment, so my monthly payments won’t be too high.

I’m looking forward to starting a new phase in car ownership! :)

1) Setting aside the money into a different account other than the one I pay my everyday bills out of. This way I won’t touch it by “accident”.
2) Direct depositing a set amount of money from my paycheck each week so it’s saved before I see it.
3) As I clean out my house, selling items on eBay. Putting this money into the same account.
4) Tax refund goes directly into this account.
5) Any additional “unexpected” money that comes in gets put into this account, too.

This has been working. I check in on the account only to add up and see what progress I’ve made. My paychecks are FAR from huge, so I’m trying to make time work for me as best I can. My current car runs well and is very reliable right now (knock on wood), so I’m not in a hurry, but instead trying to plan ahead.

That’s all I’ve got right now. If anyone sees this and has any suggestions, I’d love to hear them. My goal is to be able to pay cash for a NEWER car than what I currently have. I don’t want to have monthly payments, but I don’t necessarily need a brand new car, either. :)