<prompt> Human: Hey guys! So to make a long story short, I own a 2007 taurus se with 119k on it. Recently the car has been giving me various intermittent issues and I suspect now that the trans is going. I have not had it checked out completely because I have no money for repairs. Also, my husband and I just recently filed taxes and now owe 800 in taxes. We have changed our filing status to married 0 but Im not sure if this will prevent this from happening again.I was also overpaid at work to the tune of 2,500 over numerous pay periods, which I am paying back at 100 per check biweekly pay. I did give a lump sum of 1,250 towards this balance. My husband, after numerous 2k cars that died, got a lease on a 2016 focus. We cannot afford another car payment on top of this one but we were in a desperate spot and needed a reliable car now. So here we are. I need a new car. I need 500 in dental work, my husband needs 400 worth. I work about 40 mins away but my job is currently paying 90 tuition for me to go to school for an associates. We have 2k in savings, around 1,800 in CC debt. Rent is 530 a month, car payment in 207. Car insurance is 370 a month. Combined, we make about 2,400 a month. Internet is 70 at month, Netflix and hull around 20 a month. We have cheap cell phones, 100 a month for both combined.I also owe 12,000 in student loan debt I am paying at 131 also the month.Clearly we are doing something wrong since we are unable to save at this point. What is the best way to plan at budget? What is the best option for us regarding my car? I just feel so overwhelmed and defeated right now. I just dont see a way out and I feel like nothing is getting easier no matter what I do.  <response>: after numerous 2k cars that died, got a lease on a 2016 focusThere is a happy middle ground in there that you appear to have missed. Right now, youre doing a 207 car payment and 370 in insurance. Thats 25 of your take-home. Or more than your rent. Put another way, that lease - for which you will see no residual value - will have cost you north of 7200 by the end of the year, or 21,000 at the end of a 3-year lease.So, solutions? Do an early lease termination and buy two more beaters. I can only assume your insurance is so high because you need comprehensive and have ticketsaccidents on either of your records. Moving to something you dont need comprehensive coverage on will save you a thousand bucks a year.People tend to neglect total cost of car ownership. The capital cost of a car matters some, but the ancillary costs - like the insurance in your case - is what will eat you. 