One Year On

It’s now roughly a year since my Mondeo killed itself on the outside lane of the M1. It’s pretty scary how time flies sometimes. At the time I was lucky, because despite certain essential bits of the engine having effectively exploded I was able to coast/chug across to the hard shoulder. I suspect that whatever it looked like from outside the car caused some brown trousers on the part of other drivers, but there were no collisions or dangers.

That was really my last “oh shit!” moment when it came to finances. I honestly didn’t know how I could work it out to sort out a replacement vehicle, what the hell I was going to do with Mondeo, or even what I was going to do while waiting for a replacement vehicle. I spent a couple of very cold hours on the hard shoulder of the M1, waiting for the recovery vehicle and trying to work out what I could do next. I was pretty sure that repairing Mondeo was unfeasible – which was confirmed once the recovery people turned up and did their diagnostic tests – so I knew that was likely out.

Fortunately, I got somewhat lucky. Once I got home I was able to get in touch with the people handling my bankruptcy, explain the situation, suggest a plan of action, and within an hour they’d agreed to it, which freed up a certain amount of money. I also organised an advance on my pay with my employer, allowing me to rent a car for two weeks until I got paid. It was a real juggling act, but I got through it.

And in the end I got the Slab, which has so far served me well. I got a good deal on it, although there were some things I didn’t consider at the time- particularly what amount of vehicle tax I’d pay on the thing.

I did OK in the end, and things have continued to improve ever since then. I hope I’ll never be in that situation again, but as with so many things, if it does happen, I know I can handle it again.