Our Holiday Murphies and How Much They Cost Us

Ms 99to1percent

Blogging about Personal Finance along with a little touch of humor. Immigrant who started from the bottom and now I’m here…to tell my story, inspire and learn from others. Paid off $40K in student loans before graduating. CPA. Saved a $100K emergency fund in my 20’s. Hopping to pay off $500K+ mortgage within 5 years at 39. Hopping to become financially independent at 45. Happily married. Mom of 1.

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24 responses

  1. The cab ride stuck out to me!

    We’ve found ourselves in circumstances – usually caused by me 🙂 – that required us to either stay overnight somewhere or find another way to get home.

    Those extended fares + mandatory tips for certain times and distances can really, really add up.

  2. Ugh. Sorry to hear all this happened in such a short span of time. I guess you can’t win them all. I also drive a 2006 vehicle. It’s needed some one-off repairs but still runs well and thankfully we have not had the cold weather that you have.

    Oh and work should definitely reimburse you for the taxi. I’d fight that one if they don’t. After working until 11, it’s the least they can do.

  3. Joe says:

    Whoa, that sucks. These murphies seem to come in bunches, that’s for sure. Maybe it’s best to just huddle at home for a few days so you can dodge the rest of them.
    Our EF is 3 months in cash. We have a lot in bond funds as backup, though.

  4. JoeHx says:

    Ah, the old leave-something-on-the-roof-of-the-car mistake. I think everybody has done this or will do this at least once. My brother once left his iPad on the roof of his car!

  5. Teri says:

    That’s a frustrating amount of Murphies for your family to experience all at once and around the holidays. Glad you are all safe! Being stranded with a car that won’t start is sooo frustrating!

    We have a modest emergency fund that could carry us through about 4 months of a job loss or a slew of Murphies all at once.

    I love your blog by the way!

  6. Bad things come in threes if your superstitious. But in all serious sorry to hear about the string of bad luck. Stuff happens so it’s good to be prepared.

  7. Kris says:

    Oh wow, sorry to hear about these occurrences in short time span. Funny thing is when crazy stuff happens, it’s always comes in bunches like a domino effect.
    Leaving stuff on top of the car happens a lot. We left groceries on top of the car a couple of times when we put the baby in his car seat.

  8. doh! gotta slow down and take a breath. get your head in the game y’all. hope you paid the ticket right away. those multiply like bunnies if left unchecked.

  9. Rocky says:

    $150 taxi ride? This is why Uber and other ride hailing apps are making a killing.

    Be careful around those Murphies! Great work as always!

  10. Mrs. Groovy says:

    I was thinking of the movie “Raising Arizona” with Nicolas Cage and praying you didn’t leave the baby!

    You ran into a bit of bad luck but I hope you get reimbursed for the taxi. I would have taken one too if it was sitting in front of my building. At that point using Uber would have been work.

  11. Mr. Groovy says:

    Sorry about this, Ms99to1, but Murphy #2 made me chuckle. When I was in college, way back in the early 80s, we loaded up our friend’s car and headed back to Long Island for Christmas break. Anyway, after a few blocks or so, my friend asked where his boom-back was (that’s what we called big radios back in the day). No one knew. Then our friend, the owner and driver of the car, glanced up at the sun roof and saw the boom-box sitting on the car’s roof. It was a Festivus Miracle. Four idiot 19-year-olds got into a car, drove a few blocks, and didn’t manage to send an unsecured boom-box sitting on the car’s roof crashing to the pavement. Thanks for sharing your Murphy story, Ms99to1. It’s a good reminder that that irritant is always lurking and you best be prepared for him. Cheers.

  12. Great post! We have had a whole lot of Murphies lately as well – squirrels in our attic, frozen pipes, and broken heater! The key is being prepared and taking them in stride.

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