Look for Cheaper Repair Options

Remember there is always the a number one way of doing things and then, on the other hand, the way that will probably work most of the time. For example, if you have a minor leak in your car - you can use Stop Leak and keep an eye on the oil levels as opposed to a major repair. Sometimes, if money is tight, the B level solution will do quite well.

Editor's Note: I have also found that if you tell a mechanic you are strapped for cash, they can sometimes give you a range of repair options. They would prefer to put a new transmission in a car rather than repair an old one because it's more money for them and easier for them to guarantee, but when they know that's out of your price range, there often are other things they can try that are cheaper and may also fix the problem.