Thursday, August 10, 2006

Days 8 and 9

The last 2 days have been a total quilting bust! Not a single stitch sewn. Not even a piece of fabric fondled. :-( Just haven't felt like it. But there's still a few hours today so right after supper I'm headed into the sewing room and starting over with a fresh start on my hour a day.

It's a good thing I joined the no-buy challenge cause I'm going to need to stretch that out for a few more months. Like 36 months! We bought a new car today. Well we haven't signed the final papers but did put down the deposit and it will be there tomorrow afternoon. We got a Honda Element. It's so BUTT UGLY it's kinda cute. :-) It's also the best thing from all the research we've done for David to use as a daily driver and get his wheelchair into easily. We did look at small cars that got better gas mileage but it's been so long since he's had to put his chair in a car - especially 2 to 4 times a day - that we went with the vehicle that would be easier for him to use. And it should get 8-10 mpg more than his truck does so that's a plus too. We opted for the 36 month financing in order to get a really good interst rate and have it paid off quickly. And the payment will only be about $25 more than what we've been paying on our ATVs (which I just paid the last payment on) so I know it's well within our budget. Just kinda scary to commit myself to almost $500 a month for a car payment!

Now don't get me wrong. David and I make a very nice income and can well afford this. We paid our credit cards off last year and have mostly kept those balances off. When we bought our ATVs we did not pay the small minimum payment but split the purchase amount into 12 payments so it would be paid for in one year. We have a very small house payment and our land is all but paid for. In fact I'm going tomorrow to pay off the last of it almost a year early just to get that payment off of us. Oh, yeah and we have no children so none of those expenses. LOL!

But for many, many, MANY years we were dirt poor and in many ways still have this mentality. Which is not a bad thing. In fact more and more I'm trying to get back to that old "can't afford it" mentality. Sometimes I find myself rationalizing a purchase that I "want" but don't "need" by saying, "we can afford it, why not!" And while with this large car payment we'll still be able to afford all the little luxuries I'm tring to get back into that "dirt poor" mentality. Sometimes I think I was more creative then. When I had to use what I had and not just go buy the perfect fabric. When I had to really, really NEED something to spend money on it.

Then as if we hadn't spent enough money today I bought a new recliner. Mine died this past weekend and I've sooooooo missed it! It's been messed up for years and been getting worse and worse until now it won't fold back up or recline all the way back and has a definate list to the right! So the old chair is out and has been replace with a new one. And it's already been nap-tested. :-) Still navy blue to contrast best with my cat's fur. But Sam is in mourning. He likes to get on the foot rest when I have it reclined and lay by my feet. Well the foot rest on this one is longer than the old one but not as wide. So his VERY WIDE body does nto fit. LOL!

So not a very good start on that "dirt poor" mentality thing, huh? New car and new chair. I think maybe I'd better go play in my scraps. At least those are free!

11 comments:

Kim West said...

Congrats on the new car and chair - sometimes things are a "must" - I desperately need new livingroom furniture, but mine will just have to get us by for a few more years even though it is in sad, sad shape. I want my kids to be a bit older before I buy new furniture - also hopefully we can get by till just before or just after our next move in four years.

Vicky said...

Well, in spite of spending major bucks today, it sounds like you had fun! And you didn't buy fabric! LOL

Enjoy your naps! Mr. Kitty will figure it all out!

((HUGS))

Susan H. said...

You go girl! I really cannot think of anyone that deserves a few luxuries more than you and David. I know I do not tell you often enough how VERY PROUD I am of you and David. I have never known anyone that could make squeeze pennies until they screamed for mercy like you have had to in the past. I am so glad that is your past and not your present. I also know you well enough to know that will never be your future.

Just got home from pageant practice. My EARLY birthday present arrived today and now I am going to play with it for a while. I will probably regret it in the morning, but, oh well...

Susan said...

On the other hand, it sounds as if these were more needs than wants, and not fabric, so there isn't a problem. I just know tomorrow you are going to put your nose to the needle and sew, sew, sew!

Unknown said...

It's so BUTT UGLY it's kinda cute.

LOL!!! Sounds like you have everything in order. Sometimes I wish it would go that way around here. This week I ended up having co-pays at the doctors office, prescriptions filled, BAH! Some weeks, we get really pounded. Oh well, that's how life goes!

just jenn said...

I was so happy to read that you and your husband went through the trying times of being poor and stretching things from paycheck to paycheck but were eventually able to get out of it and afford the things you want. My hubby and I just got married and we are definitely in that state. Thanks! :)

The Calico Cat said...

I too am about to jump in on the "dirt poor" mentality - check my blog to see why! >^..^<

Passionate Quilter said...

good going Nancy. I know it's hard to part with $$, but sometimes it just is necessary. And sounds like your purchases were! And I know what you mean about being poor--it was very hard for us when we first got married. Thank God credit cards weren't as common, because who knows what would have happened. Instead we just did without! Go figure! :) enjoy your new purchases without guilt--and I think once you have done without things, you'll always be cautious in the future.

McIrish Annie said...

Nancy and your DH think like us. we make a good living but try not to "get crazy" with spending. Too many people in this country live paycheck to paycheck or beyond their means and don't save for the future. A new car and a place to put your feet up sound like good investments!! Enjoy...

Hanne said...

Congratulations on your new car - and recliner!
Better than thinking dirt poor is to think Less Is More.
You will get so used to not buying fabrics east and west once you get the hang of it, and the purchases you do will be so much more special to you :-)

KC Quilter said...

Nancy, I agree--the new recliner and car sound like "needs" rather than "wants" so "good for you". I know the feeling though. I always have a major meltdown after we make a high-dollar purchase, such as a new car or my Bernina!!! That "being poor" mentality never seems to wear off.