5 Easy Money Hacks for Fixing an Engine on a Budget
Even though transportation only accounts for about 17% of the average household budget, the family car is usually crucial for getting to and from work, dropping kids off at school, running errands, and numerous other activities. Car-dependent family routines can come to a catastrophic halt when the car’s engine breaks down. Even worse – the minimum average cost for engine repair can be anywhere between $2,200 and $4,000.
However, if you’re raising a family on a budget and need urgent car engine repair, you do have options. Here are 5 financial hacks to help you get your engine repaired and on the road sooner (and for less money).
1. Network With Family, Friends, Neighbors, and Local Auto Salvage Businesses
Remember when you were a kid riding your bike? You probably spent a lot of time repairing it and bartering or trading for parts. Even with car engine repair, you can network with friends, family, and everyone in your immediate area who may have a spare engine or parts available. Check out local auto salvage and junkyards. Many might have an engine or engine parts, that may serve your needs.
2. Scour Online Marketplace & Auction Sites for Engine Repair
Gearheads always find ways to connect in the real world and online as well. Check out websites like Amazon, Engine Parts, CarParts, and Craigslist to look for people trading, bartering, or selling engines or engine parts. You’d be surprised how many options you have for saving money online.
3. Start a Locally Sourced Crowdfunding Campaign
You could start a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign. It’s the equivalent of an online pledge drive designed to solicit donations for worthy causes. If you network with everyone at work, your neighborhood, family members, and those in your social media community, you might just solicit enough funds for the repairs.
4. Barter Your Specialized Skills With a Local Mechanic
Good mechanic shops are always backlogged with work. They almost always need help with non-mechanic related work. Are you a writer, good with math, a website developer, graphic designer, or possess some valuable work skill? Barter your skills with a good mechanic to work on your engine. Offer to do accounting work, website design, file organization, or whatever valuable non-mechanic work is available.
5. Volunteer Your Engine for Rebuilding In An Automotive School
Find every automotive school, high school and college with engine repair courses in your area. Inquire if you can volunteer your engine to be rebuilt in an engine repair course. You might be able to help a student get a good grade and get your engine rebuilt.
Make a Plan and Stick to It
You don’t have to pay a lot of money to get your engine rebuilt. Think outside of the box. Brainstorm financial hacks that can get your engine repaired at a fraction of the cost. In the end, you’ll be happy you did. You’ll save some of your hard earned money and have your car up and running in no time.
How have you saved money on car repairs? Share with us in the comments below!
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.