Financial Chaos when an unforseen (or five) event happens

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Well it certainly was not easy to pay others my own income during surgery and recovery.     I am happy that I haven't fallen behind, but I certainly haven't jumped ahead either. 

2026 was already a personal low income for me, due to elder care, my own health and recovery.   Throw in some plumbing issues, increased taxes and then our Daughter's collision, things have gotten tight. 

She is ok.   Her car however (which she purchased by paying off my late Aunt's auto loan, getting a great vehicle with low mileage) was totaled.  She got in the middle of a road rage/race situation on 95, and two other's ridiculous driving caused her to end up rear ending one of them.  We know this from the dashcam footage her camera was able to catch.  Ever a daughter, ever my child, no matter how old she be. 

To add insult to injury, she did not have collision, as she had paid off the note.  In researching possible new to her automobiles, it became obvious that right now, she cannot afford to get a safe car that meets her needs and wants.  She prefers an SUV, as she is quite petite, and likes to be able to see things from a higher perspective when driving.  I need to know she has a car with the most current safety features.  The one thing her vehicle did not have, was front breaking assistance.  

DH researched tirelessly.  Then we discovered that due to her fico score, and a smaller down payment (3500) the apr being offered to her for a car loan was just to high for all of our liking.  After much discussion, the decision was to give her my SUV (a 2020 Rogue) with 75k miles.  Well mantained, it was the smart decision.  My Father rarely drives his vehicle, and has agreed to 'share' it with me.  My Sister also works from home (she lives with us also)  I am lucky to have these options.  

So we were driving to her city to take care of final paperwork arrangements on 95, which was bumper to bumper traffic.  Ironically, all of what I am about to tell you happened in the very area of her accident.  As we were in the left lane, my husband said what is this, the engine light just went on.  Then the car's temperature starting rising quickly.  Dear Lord, now what is going on.  After a very stressful few minutes we were able to get over to the breakdown lane, and check under the hood.  Fluids were all fine (just had the oil changed and tires rotated last week) Car cooled down and we made it to an Auto Zone, where they ran a diagnostic that came back engine fan module needed to be replaced.  Great. 

So to make a long story a bit shorter.  I got the car to our mechanic, who agreed it was working haphazardly, sometimes fine, sometimes the blade turned with a stop and start.  The part needed was $600 from a dealer, $400 from Napa.  Ugh.  He then did a Google search for the part number, we got it online for $204 shipped.    Phew. 

Next issue.  He was backed up.  It is still driveable, though with no ac or fans being able to run.  He can work on it the 17th.  Added stress is that we leave for our first mini trip since November the next day.  Daughter is an hour away.  We are going to make this work.  She needs a car.    Though she is blessed with great coworkers, who have been helping her get to work, she is also able to walk to work in just 20 minutes.  She has been making due.    Insurance is scheduled to start, I have paperwork done, and she has an appointment at Motor Vehicle.