The family car is intrinsic in the family budget. We don’t really give it much thought on how much we spend to keep it running. Surprisingly, even the ever increasing fuel prices did not dent our driving habits.
However, our kids are growing up and needing to learn a life skill called driving. The family car can not be used for practice as it has a manual transmission and the kids only want to learn automatic cars. (Well, to be fair – Jessica is trying her hand on the manual gears). So we set out to get a second car. Forgetting for a moment the cost of buying the car, and just considering the insurance for a young driver and the registration of the vehicle. NRMA Insurance qouted $2500 to insure the car, plus $1000 to register the car. Since this is a yearly cost, it dawned on me that it costs us $300 per month for the privilege of owning a car – and that’s before you can put a drop of petrol to go anywhere. It is absurd I tell you – makes me want to teach my kids how to ride a bike to the train station 🙁
Mikey, Pinky’s son, is so eager to drive. In fact, his whole summer vacation in the Philippines was devoted to practicing. Unfortunately, here in the States, he needs to get a Learner’s Permit first, which won’t happen until his 16th birthday. It’s quite hard for him to understand the need for insurance and why the cost is higher for first time drivers. And of course, not to forget, his own car!
Good luck, Celine. I was once like you and Mikey. Eager at every opportunity to be behind the wheel. I started driving when I was 14…never got a Driver’s License. But that was in the Philippines…where there’s an easy fix if something ever goes wrong. Lucky for me…but don’t take that route! When I came here and had kids, I became a more sensible driver and so far, I’m proud of my good driving record.
Toni