Breanne Boyle of Ask Patty post about her car’s first major breakdown, what she did, and steps on being prepared for the inevitable next one.

And the breakdown was severe. The blown car alternator knocked out all power, including any available to recharge her cell phone. Thankfully, there was a highway phone (remember them?) nearby so she could called AAA.

From her experience and tips from the Automotive-Articles blog, Boyle recommends:

1. Be Prepared – Set aside money monthly in some sort of car repair fund. (We’d also add keep your cellphone fully charged as much as possible.)
2. Stay Calm – Use the time waiting for the tow truck to do some shopping for repair places.
3. Review your Options – Boyle seriously wants you to consider warranties.
4. What NOT to do – Avoid pay day loans like the plague.
5. Get the best interest – If you do have to take a loan to repair your car, look into the interest rates of your options. That bank loan may be your best savings when compared, for example, to maxing out your credit cards again.
6. In the meantime – Is alternative transportation that bad?

Via Ask Patty