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Q: I recently got a new job; however, I’m making approximately $400 less, a month. I have a car payment of $343 and would much rather rid myself of the car payment then have to move my 7–year–old son and myself into a small apartment. Currently, I rent an awesome home and am tied into a lease anyway.

My dilemma is that I really do like my 2002 Chrysler and I’m very afraid if I sell it, which just thinking about going thru that hassle is enough of a deterrent, that what I’ll be able to afford to buy, might be something that isn’t as dependable. I have roughly $1500-$2000k that I can allot towards a used vehicle, such as a Honda perhaps. I thought maybe it might be best to dump the $1500-2000 onto the pb of my loan (I owe $9,800) and maybe with income tax pay it down even more.

I’m a single parent and need reliable transportation…something that’ll get me from point A to point B ok.

My credit sucks as I’ve consider refinancing; however I don’t know that I’d even qualify.

For some reason, I’m just extremely indecisive about what is best to do for me and my family. Any advise would be most welcomed.

Thank you.

I'd go talk to a dealer, discuss options, and see what you could get for trade-in on the Chrysler. $343 a month is a pretty heavy car payment if you ask me... I bought a little focus that was very dependable for $200 a month, for only three years. I mean, if you've only got a year of payments left on the Chrysler, than by all means keep it, but any more than that I think you should look at other options.

Rating: 5

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question...that's great advice! :-)

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I've been in the advice column over five years now so I think I've pretty much heard it all... the love, the hate, the random insanity. I don't take it too seriously, so I'm not always giving the best advice, but my column is fun to read!

I am a 23 year old electrical engineer, a feminist, a Christian. I don't know everything but I can sure pretend to.

Disclaimer: Now that I'm on advicenators I'm getting even more questions every day. It's fast and easy for me to answer them, yes, so at least I'm answering something now, but if your question contains the words "there's this guy that I like..." chances are I won't get around to it. I'm only answering interesting questions that I haven't answered before. Register at the site and ask everyone for advice if you must have an answer, because if people read my column and boring love advice was all they found, they'd never come back.