Asking for Input for Future Life Choices

It's been awhile...again. I honestly keep forgetting I even have a blog until other people post on theirs. It's so bad.

So far this semester hasn't been too bad. One of my classes requires me to make art lesson plans for K-3rd graders, so that's been interesting. It's actually a lot harder to do than it sounds! When we get older, the creative bones that kids have aren't as in tact, so trying to come up with some of these projects has been a challenge. One of my most successful projects was inspired by the book, Stellaluna (the goal was to base your project from a book). Grab some canvas, fabric paint, tissue paper and elmer's glue and you are all set to go! I had my invisible, nonexistent "students" draw bats with glue/fabric paint (the glue did not work out as well as planned so we had to go over that with the fabric paint after it had dried) and let them dry overnight. Since the glue flattened out, Allie and I had to use a hair dryer to dry the fabric paint so the project could be finished in time for class. After that, we tore up some tissue paper and paper mache-ed over the bats. That way it was like an embossed kind of project. Only the one turned out well enough to see in a picture, so here's that:

Also, my shop has been doing pretty well, too! I've sold about 10 scarves, maybe 7 bowl cozies, 1 fleece jacket, and two sleeping bags, so my gas tank thanks those who have bought the few products I've got down pat. I'm pretty happy with how it's been going, and I seem to get one order right after another. So thank you! I definitely appreciate the business. Although I can't take full credit for the work... I have had a little bit of help in the office.... ;)

In other news, I may be starting an exciting new chapter in my life in the next month or so. An opportunity for a job change has presented itself and I'm attempting to take the bull by the horns and just go for it. I had an interview yesterday at one of the area hospitals to be a Nutrition Assistant. The position offers a guaranteed amount of hours every schedule, a higher pay wage, and plenty of opportunities to pick up extra shifts, including holidays with increased pay. And, if I really wanted to,I could even keep my current job while going to school AND working this hospital position. And it's just as far out as my current job, so I can't really lose if I get it! My fingers are super crossed, because the more I think about it, the more anxious I get.

I could really use a steady, reliable amount of hours, and a pay raise on top of it. One of my favorite parts? I'd be constantly moving, and from what I've heard, you move so much at this job that it is easy to lose that extra bit of poundage most of us have going on. And who doesn't love that? I'd essentially be getting paid to work out in a way! And did I mention that my shifts would end at 8pm so I still have plenty of time for school work, housework, and quality time with my friends and family?

Seriously, this job is everything I need and more.

I've been figuring out the anticipated earnings and everything, and even with all of my current bills plus my car insurance (when that comes back in June), I would still have plenty of money for gas at the end of the month. Add that to my current earnings and I'd actually be able to start paying off some of my student loans before they gain a ton of interest! Essentially, the current plan is that I'd put my fabric store pay towards my student loans and the hospital pay towards the rest of the bills.

The only thing that needs to happen now is for them to call me and let me know if I actually got the job or not. I'm not going to get my hopes up too much, but it never hurts to start planning early, right?

So here is my dilemma (if I were to get the hospital position):
I currently drive a 1999 Ford Taurus. While I absolutely love and adore my car, I'm also old enough to realize that the car is only a few years younger than I am, and cars don't last as long as the average human. I WILL eventually need a new car. When? I don't know. I don't think anyone knows. But I do know that it can't possibly be too long from now.

My question to all of you, friends, family, random adults with more financial experience than I have, is, given the age of my car, and my current student loan amount of just over $5000:

If I were to get this hospital position, and keep my current position at the fabric store, should I initially save up a few grand and put a down payment on a new(er) car? Or should I put as much as possible towards my student loans before they start accumulating interest? Or, the last option, split the extra money in half, and put some towards my loans, and some towards saving for a car?

I'd greatly appreciate your input and knowledge. I'm currently leaning towards the half and half fund, but I need a few extra reassuring opinions from experience if at all possible. I don't want to have a car payment when I move out on my own, but I also don't want a lot of interest on my loans.

Please help! Thank you so much in advance, and please, if you have any suggestions for cars to look into, I'd appreciate that as well. Gas mileage and safety ratings are always important!