I can't win

Here's my dilemma. The registration on my car is expired, by a few weeks. I blame the US Postal Service. Why aren't you forwarding my mail from my old address? Specifically my Vehicle Renewal Form? I have better things to do than remember when my tags expire.

Anyway, no big deal, I can easily renew my tags online, right? Wrong. Not when your vehicle has to be emissions tested.

OK, still no big deal, I could do that during lunch today, no problem. Wrong again. According to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's emissions testing website, under the helpful "Testing Tips" section: "1996 and newer vehicles with on-board diagnostic (OBD) equipment will not pass emissions testing if the check engine light is on. It is advisable to have the vehicle tested to determine the reason for the light being illuminated."

First, because pointing out someone else's mistake will make me feel better, let's take a look at the grammar mistake in the first sentence. You never start a sentence with a number (in this case "1996").

OK, second, my check engine light has been illuminated for the better part of the year. Why? Because only recently was I able to determine what is wrong with my car. Apparently coolant is leaking into the engine through a cracked head. So why don't I get it fixed? Because at a minimum, it's likely to cost me around $1,800-$2,000. Sure, no one wants to pay that, but I'd bite the bullet if I thought it was worth it. Here's the deal, though, my car is probably worth $2,000. Why would I put that much money into my car when it won't increase its value? Why don't I trade my car in and add the cost of repairs as a down payment on a new one?

Because then I'd have a car payment, that's why.

Maybe it's time to get a second opinion on those repairs. And/or buy a bike. And/or move somewhere with good public transportation. I'm leaning toward one of the latter....