Recently I was featured on SmartyPig after a pretty mundane trip to the mechanic. Like most of you out there, visiting the mechanic can seem like a near death experience. An experience that can leave you feeling pretty great about yourself or one that leaves you in the gutter, savings depleted and crying for your mother. To be honest, I was close to the latter but with the help of SmartyPig I made it out alive without freaking out and crying.
Background:
Over the past few weeks I’ve put a small amount of money into my ‘car problems’ goal; we’re talking $50-$75 a month. No skin off my nose.
Situation:
I took my car in for a routine oil change where the mechanic brought a few things to my attention. My engine belt was severely worn. We’re talking, “Sir this could snap at any point in time. You’re lucky.” To my reply, “Uhhh cars wear belts too?” Apparently they do and apparently mine was looking really really bad. As well as the worn belt was the wonderful news that my tires were worn unevenly resulting in a tire rotation.
Resolution:
After everything was said and done I owed Jiffy Lube $117.40 which isn’t a lot of money but unexpected charges are never fun. I’m glad I had a random car fund setup.
So after all of that, Sarah F. at SmartyPig saw this tweet:
Which prompted the SmartyPig team to reach out on Twitter to eventually take the conversation offline where (after a few emails) I thanked those guys for not only their product but the quick turnaround.
It’s funny, this is what I do on a daily basis but it still feels so good when someone else out there reaches out and does the same thing to me.
THANK YOU SmartyPig. I’m a big fan and will continue to be one of your customers.
-drew
