Getting Antsy

June 28th, 2016 at 08:05 pm

I still haven't been able to find a single construction company to come out and give us even as estimate. Frown

Which is quite depressing... Really I should keep trying and keep calling, but I'm nearly burn out about the entire situation. Part of me feels like it's time to take a step back and just wait another year.

My car has been having problems again. Also it's time to replace the timing belt as normal maintenance which I was quoted around $800 last year when I inquired.

Husband's car is very old, and it's only a matter of time before it's unfix-able. Both of us are feeling car strained. The conversation of purchasing nused cars and forgoing the remodel for now, has come up several times. It's a very real possibility that both our cars could break down at the same time, and we would be left scrambling for something. We'd like to avoid that and take our time finding a good deal, and selling ours while they still have any value.

Or we could just take a year off from big expenses, pay off the LOC, save, and purchase some smaller quality of life things like some new appliances or a couch. We are squeaking by on 20+ year old appliances, which are quickly deteriorating. For example my stove's screen is going out and I have to beat on it to see the oven temperature, set the timer, etc.

I'm worried if we decide to purchase a car then our stove or washing machine will go out, or if we get the remodel then our car(s) will break down. Ugh. I keep going back and forth, and second guessing myself. How do you ever decide what to focus on?

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Getting Antsy”

Petunia 100 Says:
June 28th, 2016 at 08:28 pm 1467145711
1467145711

Sometimes one thing becomes urgent and makes the decision easy.
Just keep piling up the cash until one choice becomes clear.
ThriftoRama Says:
June 28th, 2016 at 09:55 pm 1467150917
1467150917

I agree with Petunia. Maybe this is all a sign that it's time to step back and rethink priorities. Although, I am surprised no one has come to give estimates.
livingalmostlarge Says:
June 29th, 2016 at 01:33 pm 1467207207
1467207207

I'd start saving cash and then as everything will fail all at once, murphy's law, you'll be glad you did. I'd look at longer term cash flow over remodel and appliances. Car needed to get to job and make money. Or even repair to car at $800 on your monthly budget is substantial amount. That being said a decent car for $5k i bet can be found. But the monthly payments will eat into your budget.
snafu Says:
June 29th, 2016 at 04:26 pm 1467217564
1467217564

Short term, I suggest shifting focus to research what is needed in vehicles, best value in $ 5K - $ 8K range, insurance implications and operational cost from something like Lemon-Aid. Does dad still do maintenance on your vehicles? With appliance replacement likely needed before year's end, take measurements and work out what features you will actually use. I've always scooted to the library to check 'Consumer's' Best Buy list. Stoves tend to be sale priced in September and October when new models go to the show room. Would you consider scratch/dent often out of sight on side for example? It's ok to ask for a bigger discount or a better price in line with your budget.
Bluebird Says:
June 29th, 2016 at 05:03 pm 1467219791
1467219791

I know you have your heart set on the addition, but do you really need more space? How many square feet, bedrooms and bathrooms do you currently have? Of course, I like to think I need more space, too. But in reality, I don't. Our house is small by today's standards and compared to 99% of our friend's houses. But I love my house, it's old, it has character. We've remodeled the kitchen, made improvements, and fixed deferred maintenance items the prior owners failed to do. Ours is 1,675 sq. ft. for 2 adults and 2 children, and we only have a small basement and no attic. It forces me to keep less things and makes life simple. There's less rooms to clean, lower utilities, lower taxes, less financial stress overall, etc. It gives us the financial freedom to do other things that are important to us. Can you finish the improvements you've been working on, decorate a bit, and then see if you're content before embarking on the addition? You might find that you're very happy with the house as it is! :-)
klarose Says:
June 30th, 2016 at 05:05 pm 1467306324
1467306324

I think for now we are just going to continue to pay down debt and save as much as we can. Then we will decide where to apply the savings later.

Father-in-law still does the car maintenance unless it is something major. Good idea on the floor model or dented stove. Wouldn't bother me at all.

The addition is an eventual need. We don't really need more room or stuff. We NEED a basement, due to living in tornado alley, and we have close friends who lost their house to one. The basement is also needed to replace the duct work, which means no AC until the basement is done. Only one tiny bathroom in the house. And it's located off the kitchen, opposite end off the house from our bedroom. We don't have any closets.

So while we are okay without another bathroom or a closet for now, a basement is a really a high priority before we have children. Husband is very scared of storms. Also since we have no closets all our "extra" stuff such as Christmas decorations have no where to go except into a bedroom. Which will eventually be needed when we have children. At this time I don't even have a place to store extra blankets! Yikes.
rob62521 Says:
July 1st, 2016 at 01:34 am 1467336895
1467336895

I think you are smart to save for whatever is coming down the pike.

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Getting Antsy

7 Responses to “Getting Antsy”

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