4 things you need to be ready to replace

It seems like nothing is cheap these days. Dinner and a movie is probably close to a hundred bucks (if you’re eating a nice meal), a brake job can cost $350, heck even mailing a letter costs much more than it did 20 years ago. If you’re not prepared for the rising cost of “stuff,” you need to be. According to WiseBread, here are four things that you need to be prepared to replace…

Tires: I’ve had to put a couple tires on my car on two separate occasions over the last 4-5 years. I’ll tell you one thing: it can definitely do damage to your wallet. Those four tires probably cost me between $900-$1,000. If you’re not ready when the time comes, you’re definitely going to feel the sting.

Major appliances: Fortunately, most appliances have a pretty decent lifespan, but when that clock runs out, it’s a good idea to be prepared. When was the last time you price-checked refrigerators, washers, or dryers? Sometimes, you can troubleshoot an appliance and fix it yourself for $50. Other times, you’re dropping a grand on a new appliance(s) that you weren’t planning on replacing.

A mattress: Most mattresses will last longer than the recommended 8 years to be replaced, but if your mattress starts causing you pain, there’s really only one way to fix it. You’ll have to open up your wallet and get a brand new one.

A vehicle: While replacing a blown-out tire can be painful, replacing a blown engine is way worse. If you find yourself on the side of the highway in a car that has given up on you, you don’t have too many options. Walking isn’t realistic for the vast majority of us, so a new (or used) replacement will have to be found.

No matter what you’re having to replace, it’s important that you have an emergency fund that is stocked and ready to go. You may not enjoy saving the money now, but you’ll be glad you did when your car is broken down on the side of the road.