Relationships and buying a used car have a lot in common. You have to ask the right questions before you get in a relationship with a person (and while you are in a relationship) and when you buy a used car. If you don't ask the right questions, there will be surprises that catch you off guard and could cause bitterness. For relationships and the used car, it can be expensive if you don't ask the right questions.
We recently purchased a used van (that I LOVE) from a friend that I also love! We were eager and excited, and we exchanged the necessary & required information. They were wide open with us and answered all of our questions. However, I don't think we asked enough questions or the right questions (they were totally honest & would have answered any questions if we had asked them).
The van needed four new tires and all of its 100,000 mile maintenance work done a week after we bought it. I expected to get an oil change and to buy a 2nd key (it only came with one), but we expected those things because they told us and we asked about it. We did not ask if they had done the 100,000 mile maintenance, so that's on us. It had 107,000 miles on it, but neither of us even thought about it, nor did we research questions that we should ask when buying a used car. We paid for that- $1,600 more dollars to be exact. Were we bummed? Yes. Are we bitter? Heck no! We didn't ask the right questions.
If you are trying to get in a relationship, just starting a relationship, or smack dab in the middle of one, you need to be asking the right questions. You can't be bitter about a relationship gone wrong if YOU didn't ask the right questions or seek advice from those who knew what they were doing.
I love our van and we are doing everything possible to keep it in great condition and running for a very long time. I love Rob and we are doing everything possible to keep our marriage in great condition and running for a very long time! We ask for help when we need it. We ask each other questions all the time. If you don't do these things, you are going to have regrets and surprises (not the good kind!).
What's a good question to ask before getting into a serious relationship? What's a good question to ask your spouse occasionally?
