My van needed $1,100 in brake work on a Tuesday and I paid cash from the coffee can

Karen Carter · 2026-10-16T05:25:04.68975+00:00

Last Tuesday the shop in Beaverton quoted me $1,100 for new pads, rotors, and a caliper on my work van, and I did not blink because I had been stuffing $40 a week into an old coffee can since January. I stood at the counter and counted out the bills while the guy watched, and he asked if I wanted to finance it instead, which I turned down flat. Six years ago that same kind of bill would have gone on a card and sat there for a year, so it felt like a real win even though the van was still broke. Now the can is empty again and I am back to $40 a week, which is fine, but I keep wondering if I should raise it. Does anyone else keep their car fund in cash, or is that just me being stubborn?

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My van needed $1,100 in brake work on a Tuesday and I paid cash from the coffee can | Budgeting Wins - Thought Shares