Took my car over to Toyota for its normal maintenance (06 Corolla). Got a call that the mechanic recommends $460 worth of work be done.

1. Transmission flush.

2. Air filter.

3. AC filter for the cabin.

4. Drive belt is starting to crack.

Needless to say, going to see if I can do #2 and #3 myself. My dad wants to see if we can do maybe #1 and #4 ourselves, too.

Stuff like this is why I don't have a PS3 yet. This is why the mainstream pricing for consoles is $200 and lower (emphasis on lower). This is why less than half of Gears players played on a HDTV. Because most folks have fun things like this that take priority over large (but fun) purchases.

But, what's nice is I didn't freak out about it. That's not pocket change! But right now I'm taking a personal finances class, and my first goal from that class is to get a start emergency fund going ($1,000). Even though its not at the $1000 I wanted to have saved up or even the full $460, just having some money in savings (about half) took a LOT of worry out of things. I could get used to that!

*happy dance*

I tell you what - this class I'm taking has already been worth the money I paid to take it! This sort of peace of mind, financially, is addictive. We'll get things taken care of, yeah, and I'll be right back on getting those savings built up. Once I get that taken care of? I'll be working on knocking out my personal debts. After that? 3-6 months worth of expenses/savings as a real emergency fund.

After that? I'll be saving a lot of my money, and will also have a lot more money to work (and play) with in the future. Including setting some money aside for a PS3.

edit/update: The mechanic wants $31 to replace the air filter, $52 to replace the cabin air filter. I can buy those for $18 and $13 each, respectively. Guess what I'm going to be doing myself so I can save $52?