big damage

managed to call the car garage where my car is awaiting repair now. i had rehearsed all my lines in hokkien and mandarin about how i am going to talk to the uncle before i call them. and guess what? i was not prepared mentally when i nice sweet girl answered the phone. and she spoke in perfect english too... haha! anyway, she told me they have done an initial check and found problems with the radiator and the air con. hmmm, just as i had expected. and that they are calling up the spare part people to check the prices before they call me for the got ahead to do the repair. whatever the case, she advised me that the estimated cost would be in the range of s$800-plus! wa... what a big damage! but then again, i guess it is about time too. a 4-plus / 5-yr old car will need to go through all these repairs. had seen it coming. if not today, maybe next week. or next month. i supposed it is an investment if i want to keep the car till it reaches its 10 year coe lifespan. nice! hmmm, considering my car has full of scratches and dents, perhaps i should also ask the workshop to do repainting? then it will be like having a brand new car all over again! weeee... well, the sudden need to pay for car repairs reminds me of one conversation (or rather, it was more of a heated argument) i had with james (my ex) many many years ago. we were discussing about money issues and he insisted that there was no need for him to save. to him life is about enjoying and spending. that was what salaries are for. but i argued that it is a good habit to put aside a small amount regularly in case of rainy days (like car break downs, hspitalisation, etc). he did not agree. he said his parents could provide for him in all emergencies and even after they die, he would inherit their house and all their savings. so... this was one of the things that we did not see eye-to-eye... hmmmm...