Since I didn't get my bank information in on time to get direct deposit for my taxes, I was among the disappointed masses who had to wait an extra few months for my rebate check from Uncle Sam. Low and behold, it was supposed to be mailed by the fourth of July but it was sitting in my mailbox by the fifth.

I opened it with a child's anticipation and a mind racing with things I could buy. First up, paying off my credit card which would eat about half of it. Up next, something FUN and just for ME! I'm not usually one to spend money on designer duds so maybe I could treat myself with this...or should I pay a student loan payment. I should probably save it for all the future stuff I need to buy - like a house or a new car, mine is getting old.

So old in fact that later that day, getting ready to run errands including deposit that rebate check, my car made the saddest sound- no sound at all. The battery was dead. My heart sank but my friend said to me, "No problem, we'll just jump it." I was so happy when we (number one, figured out how to jump a car with my jumper cables that I had only used once) but also so happy to hear the engine turn over and stay chugging. My car hit the decade mark this year and now sounds  a little like chitty-chitty bang bang. 

Thinking the battery had just died somehow, we drove it around town for about half an hour to charge it and headed to Margie's for a latte. When we were walking in, I turned to lock the doors with  my key chain and the headlights barely flashed. I thought, no no no! So I just went in for coffee and prayed the car would start when we left. It didn't.

I hopped on the phone and called a barage of friends when one answered and came to my rescue. So we picked up another car and IMMEDIATELY drove to the car place that's fixed my car before. Alas, my car broke down the same day I got my rebate. Blessing or a curse. At first, I thought of it as a curse, ruining my chance to get designer duds. Then my dad turned me around.. "It's a blessing, at least you have the money to pay for it now! "

And he's right, it's all in how you look at it. Ironic timing yes, but better than if I had no extra funds at all. Also - lucky for me it turned out to only need a new battery, the alternator and starter were fine, though I feared the worst.

Anybody else getting a rebate check just in the nick of time or other ironic timing stories?