My car's broken and I'm a single mom!

@Tatsuya (1149)
United States
January 8, 2007 11:58am CST
I just found out when I went to go get my oil changed that my head gaskets are cracked! I can't believe it! I have no money to get it fixed at all! A mechanic told me it could cost up to $700 to fix it! I only get $288 a month. I am not working because my youngest is pretty sick. She has bleeding on the brain and a heart murmur. What should I do in a situation like this? Any suggestions would be great! I also can't get a job without a working car. I'm really stuck. Advice please!
9 people like this
37 responses
@hazydazy (783)
• United States
9 Jan 07
I can help...I think. Add me as a friend and I can give you some information about a local dealership that will help you. Please contact me.
2 people like this
@Tatsuya (1149)
• United States
10 Jan 07
I've added you as a friend, and thank you so much! God bless you!
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
8 Jan 07
Do you have family/friends close by that can help you get around while you save the money up for the repairs? As the others have posted, the mechanic might be willing to set you up with a payment plan.
1 person likes this
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
9 Jan 07
I agree. It sounds like you need financial or other help that your family might be able to provide. Perhaps they have a car that they could lend you? Or let you borrow some of the time? I feel so badly for your situation and I wish that I knew what else to offer.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
9 Jan 07
I feel really bad for you and hope something will change for the best. That happen to my sister and she is a single mom with three kids when her car broke she didnt have money either, so she used one of her kids bike to go to the store.I know its not the answer but it will help in a pinch. Im sure you can always turn to your friends or family thats what they are there for. best of luck to you
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
9 Jan 07
First things first. Tell me about your car. Make, model, year, engine, how was it running when you got this diagnosis, and anything else that you think might be important. There are some auto parts stores that probably carry something that MIGHT help in this situation. Even if they work it would not be a permanent fix, just a temporary one. A junkyard might be able to help you in this situation. If they have the necessary parts. Ask around and see if anyone you know might be willing to suggest one. Another possibility is trying to work out something with an independent shop.
• India
9 Jan 07
mind blowing story yours. i can just pray to god everything comes positive in your way keep faith god bless you prays the lord
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jan 07
if you know anyone who works on cars you can buy your own parts and save about 500 bux you are paying mostly labor for 700 dollars thats just ridiculous if you ask me also try cragslist for work at home they have some really good ones good luck
@wahmoftwo (1296)
• United States
9 Jan 07
Ok... I have a few suggestions. If you are up to it you could try to find work you can do at home. Go to www.chacha.com and sign up to be a guide (it is legit and doesn't cost anything). I think the person who suggeste babysitting for extra cash was on to something as well. Don't hesitate to ask anyone for help. What about the baby's father or the baby's father's family. Surely they would want you to have transportation availible to that child. Lastly there is always prayer and even if you don't attend church you might find one that is willing to help you. Good luck and God bless.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 07
First of all I am so sorry to hear about you Babies Sickness, that must be hard and scary for you. I hope that you have got the Car sorted by now. If not why not try to see if they will let you pay so much.
• Malaysia
9 Jan 07
phew, what a tall situation. i know how hard it is. i think you must raise some donations for your kid. the situation is so tall and i do beleive you don't have any time and any space to go to work.i hope you could success to do it
• United States
8 Jan 07
Did the mechanic also tell you that anti freeze is getting in the oil. If so, then there is not much that can be done without getting it fixed. And it is labor intensive. Now, this mechanic, is he a true mechanic, or a kid at a quick lube place? The only thing that I can suggest, is to try to get a loan, or work out a deal with the mechanic, so that you can have a job, car, and take care of your child. Good Luck.
@Tatsuya (1149)
• United States
9 Jan 07
Yes it is mixing in with the oil. When I went to get my oil changed they said they couldn't change it because it was a liability. Thanks, I'll try and talk to a mechanic.
• United States
9 Jan 07
Have you tried going to the welfare office? My neighbors are having issues with their van--an internal water pump or something like that. She said they went to the welfare office for some type of assistance. She said it took 15-21 days to find out if they were approved though. It is definatly worth a try. I'm not sure where you go to get the help but if you called, I'm sure someone could point you in the right direction.
@manong05 (5027)
• Philippines
9 Jan 07
My answers will be based on the following assumptions. First, you don't have any friends or relatives whom you can borrow money from. (if you have then that solves your problem) Second, You can't find a job unless you have a car. Based on these assumptions, I would think that you are left with no other option for the moment but forget about the car and find yourself a job that doesn't need a car. Meanwhile since you are at home looking after your youngest, I would advise you to just let your friends know your problem. They might not be able to extend financial assistance but who knows they might connect you to someone who is able to.
• United States
9 Jan 07
You should try working from home. Apply to LiveOps.com or ChaCha.com Selling Avons is a great opportunity.
• India
9 Jan 07
SO SORRY FOR THAT WHAT HAPPENED BUT IT'S OKAY MAN NJOY UR REST OF UR LIFE
• Australia
9 Jan 07
Sorry to hear about your situation, there are a few good ideas mentioned already. I would be checking with ALL the local charites in your area. Good luck
@venshida (4836)
• United States
9 Jan 07
Do you have any family, you can rely on. Have you thought about some on line work? How about suggesting to the mechanic use use parts? If you have a credit card, you might want to consider using that since its a emergency. I hope things improve soon.
@keencom (16)
• China
9 Jan 07
I am sorry to hear that and good luck to you?
@stvenvoon (254)
• Malaysia
9 Jan 07
If didnt read ur post i really dont know there got so pity ppl in Mylot ? But ur situation is said until very very pity and stated to make me feel curious did it really got so pity women in here and she still can said how pity is her in Mylot ?.? Didnt she will headache and sad?? Did it didnt need money to online to Mylot ??
• Ireland
9 Jan 07
On no, I am so sorry to hear that! Do you have any car insurance or is there any benefits you could claim to get your car sorted. Its neccesary for you to have access to a car i bn order to get a job etc.. I don't know what it is like where you live but there should be some kind of help available. I hope it works out!!
@wepay2 (346)
• Australia
9 Jan 07
save up or pay it off over time use public transport get parents to help get all of you kids fathers to help the $288 per month include all your benifits and child support? i doubt it