It’s finally happened. I have to trade in my trusty truck for my trusty bike. For a little while anyway. I have been having problems with a cylinder misfire on my truck, and after trying several do it myself repairs I had to take it to the shop to get the problem diagnosed. The prognosis? Serious internal engine damage in the number two cylinder. Kinda funny when you think about it.

I have been without my truck for eight days and am in no hurry to get it back. My bike takes me most places I have to go. Work, grocery store, trivia night,  almost anywhere really. I have even managed to get in a rafting trip without it. I’m staying in great shape and racking up the miles!

I guess one not so great thing is getting a date when I don’t have a way to pick said date up, especially since I don’t look like this guy quite yet.

That and I was really making some headway into paying off the one credit card I have. I found out recently that my credit score is 100 points above the national average, something not many of us can say these days. It may take a serious hit though since I will be pretty much maxing the card back out to pay for the repair work. I considered just selling the truck and going carless, but it’s nice to have it for the rafting trips and heading out to the trail heads when there are time constraints. Plus I REALLY like my truck.

I will utilize the resolve and strategy I have been using to get my debt back down, namely paying off everything I spend and a bit more every time I charge something. I have also been looking at all the crap I've accumulated and ask myself, ’do I really  need this?’, the answer seems to be increasingly, ’no’.  I've been asking myself the same question every time I see some neat little gizmo or doodad I think it might be awesome to own. I realize that the money I spend on something new could instead go to pay off more of my debt or fund a future trip. If I don’t think I need it I won’t get it. The only exception to this has been going to see a movie a couple times a month and dinner out about three times a month. Again though, I pay those off and a little extra within twenty four hours. Alas, even my trusty bicycle has needed $80 in repair in the last week. I had to replace the front tire and front derailleur. A paltry amount though compared to what the truck will end up costing me. Even though I will be pockets turned out broke for a while,

 I won’t let this time of great repair and setback hold me down, I will emerge stronger and triumphant!

 Until next time, remember to believe in yourself even if no one else does!