Haha, no, that's not the deal. She can 'suggest' you ask a bazillion dollars for it, that doesn't make it real.If and when you sell that mobile home for what you currently OWE on it, and can prove that to me with the paperwork, THAT's when I'll kiss your fat ass on main street.I might be cheap, but I aint easy.

Well yeah, but Im waiting on what the realtor thinks we should list it for....thats at least a start. As much of a stressball that I normally can be, I'm not worried at all about selling this place.

Shades, I don't think 400 is a bad payment for a new vehicle. Gotta pay the thing off eventually. From what we were told, if Marcies credit was up towards mine, we'd qualify for zero down. Of course, Id still like to have a bit in the bank to pay for some points to lower the rate down more if possible.

We are going to discuss all the fine print stuff when we see the realtor later this week or next monday.

Just to give you an idea -- my credit score is 800 (or it was when I purchased my place in May) and they were very hesitant to let me get 100% financing -- I had to prove that I had six months in reserves. You also shouldn't have to pay to lower your interest rate if your credit is good. If you really are going to buy, you should find a good buyer's agent (paid for by the seller) who can help you with all of this. And again, don't forget closing -- It set me back well over $5K.

Also, check out Suze Orman's stuff (I think I suggested Young, Fabulous and Broke to Marcie before). It is very easy to damage your credit score, but a lot harder to build it back up.



I still think it is excessive -- especially if a budget is already tight. Yes, you have to pay it off -- but you didn't have to buy such an expensive vehicle in the first place. I've no idea how much you guys make, but just for the purpose of this exercise, let's say you make $40K a year -- that means you gross about $3,333 a month. Budget experts say roughly 60% of that should cover all your committed expenses (taxes, food and clothing, all bills, insurance premiums, rent, car payments...) [note: the remaining 40% gets divided among retirement, long term savings, short term savings and "fun money"].

Anyway, 60% of $3,333 is just under $2000 -- of which you'd be using 20% for your car payment alone. Remember -- another 20-25% will be taken out in taxes. Which means you are down to approximately $1200 for everything else -- credit card bills, rent, food, clothing -- everything. Certainly doable -- but it just seems unnecessary to dump 20% of your committed expense funds into a car.

LOL, isn't the $400/mo for a motorcycle?

, isn't the $400/mo for a motorcycle?

yep

Joking aside, you two really aren't settled enough to be even thinking about buying a house. Don't buy into the "American Dream" crap that has the vast majority of this nation in debt up to their eyeballs. Act your wage. It's completely insane to be thinking about making such a major financial commitment when neither of you are in anything resembling a stable and permanent employment situation.

You two are heading for the edge of a cliff at top speed with no brakes.

You should be in a permanent employment situation for a minimum of 5 years, with all existing debt paid off, before even considering purchasing a house.

I wish I had $400/mo.

"You should be in a permanent employment situation for a minimum of 5 years, with all existing debt paid off, before even considering purchasing a house."

That's probably why I don't have $400/mo.

You should be in a permanent employment situation for a minimum of 5 years, with all existing debt paid off, before even considering purchasing a house.

I totally agree, and that is what we would like to do, IF we can find something. The housing market...it isn't even funny out here. Rentals are just as bad, if not worse. We just got a call back today and are going to look at a potential rental house tomorrow. When we came out here, there wasn't anything available and we couldnt keep our stuff in a rental truck until we found a place either.

Worst case, find an inexpensive used travel trailer/camper and put it in a campground or something until things improve. I've done that myself.

Hell, I once lived in a tent in a KOA for 6 months before finding a suitable rental. Just had to move one campsite over every couple of weeks to comply with their rules.

That actually could be an option....although I haven't heard of anything for sale...although I havent looked at all for them either...will have to keep that in mind for sure. Either way, we dont have anything with a fifth wheel and Marcies car doesn't have the towing for that kind of weight if it was just a regular ball hitch set up.

Ya have to think outside the box and be creative. There are always options and that's just one. You can always have the person from whom you purchase the thing move and park it for you, or go with a smaller pop-up type that are very light weight which her car would pull. I wouldn't go to the added expense of a 5th wheel type as it's a temporary fix.

Could try to get Mason to haul it for you, but I bet he's really expensive.

Wow. Now I'm sorry I even took the time to comment (not that you responded anyway).

Sell it and anything else you can find to get a better down payment for your house/closing costs.

Could try to get Mason to haul it for you, but I bet he's really expensive.

Lol...I think he just does FL to WI runs mainly from what Ive read lately...although I thought he came through this neck of the woods in the last month or two.

Wow. Now I'm sorry I even took the time to comment (not that you responded anyway).

I read your reply...just hadn't replied to it.
Well yeah...I was hoping to get the bike for 100 bucks plus a smile, but that wasn't an option. I bought the bike in NV when we were teaching down there. However, we both resigned when Marcie was hired in MN for the following school year. I worked two jobs to help pay for the bills and the bike as well. Up there, money was really tight and we almost sold it. Down here, that thought hasn't crossed our mind because money hasn't been as tight as it was then. Now it is because we are unemployed...but Marcie is working and I have an interview tomorrow. If I get that job, we will be making quite a bit more than we made this past year. If I don't take this job, I could easily get a CDL and drive truck locally for the oil companies would result in my making at least twice what I made last year alone...not to mention her pay. If, long term I didn't have a job or we were stuck in a situation like back in MN, we would seriously think about selling the bike.

Anyway, 60% of $3,333 is just under $2000 -- of which you'd be using 20% for your car payment alone. Remember -- another 20-25% will be taken out in taxes. Which means you are down to approximately $1200 for everything else -- credit card bills, rent, food, clothing -- everything. Certainly doable -- but it just seems unnecessary to dump 20% of your committed expense funds into a car.

Well My take home pay didnt have taxes taken out as Wyoming has no income tax. I had various other stuff taken out...federal taxes, SS, Medical, Union stuff...etc. We do have a running budget that I have on Excel so that I can see where our money is going and how much we have left over...etc. We opened up a Money market account a few months back to put money into in order to start building up a savings. We are also working on lowering our debt, in that we have paid off quite a few things this past year. We aren't investing anything yet as a financial advisor told us to focus more on getting our debt paid off / down first.

Yeah, it's for a ridiculously tricked out (read: expensive) Honda Goldwing that's only used occasionally, but is absolutely crucial to Ziggy's self esteem. It's half a freakin house payment, but hey, he's gotta fit in somewhere.

lol...outside of pictures, you haven't even seen my bike. I would hardly call it tricked out. I've done or modified about five things on the bike since I got it....all for about 300 dollars. Also...never said it was crucial to my esteem at all...good try though...points for tryin. Its half a house payment because my house payment is low. What should I do...get a higher house payment so the difference between the two is greater?