What EF do I REALLY need?

[snafu]

Fizgig: Thanks for the update. Have you re-visited your kitchen remodel plan? It's smart to add value to your home - one part of the '3 legged stool' investment plan. With the value of homes in your neighborhood in mind, re-check costs for your new kitchen. In our area tradesmen are readily available and 'bidding' on small jobs. Appliances are on sale and/or are negotiable. You may find your initial $12K -14K is under $8K.

[red92s]

My general philosophy on purchases is not to buy anything unless I really have to, but to buy exactly what I want once my hand is forced. (Within reason)

I'd say I more or less subscribe to the same philosophy. My major purchases are always very well researched and I have a very concrete idea what I want. Additionally, I've fallen for several cars as well, so I know the feeling.

[TBH]

My general philosophy on purchases is not to buy anything unless I really have to, but to buy exactly what I want once my hand is forced. (Within reason)

This is great.

This is what I'm trying to learn how to do. We're trying to upgrade our house right now and I am determined not to settle this time. From the moment I saw our current house, I knew I couldn't be happy here for more than a few years, but it was such a practical choice that I talked myself into it. I do think it was the right decision at the time. It allowed me to work part time while DS was a baby, and we've built up our retirement funds while living here.

This time, if I can't find THE perfect house, or if we can't afford it, we are staying put in our current house until we can. I'm not buying a "just for now" house again.

Wish me luck.

[Fizgig]

Fizgig: Thanks for the update. Have you re-visited your kitchen remodel plan? It's smart to add value to your home - one part of the '3 legged stool' investment plan. With the value of homes in your neighborhood in mind, re-check costs for your new kitchen. In our area tradesmen are readily available and 'bidding' on small jobs. Appliances are on sale and/or are negotiable. You may find your initial $12K -14K is under $8K.

Nope, I'm not even entertaining the thought for probably another year. Contractors aren't exactly hurting for work in my area - I live one mile from Galveston Bay, right where Hurricane Ike passed through. Maybe a quarter of the homes in my neighborhood are still uninhabitable, and quality contractors are charging a serious premium.

I've done small improvements to the kitchen - paint and a kitchen cart for more storage. It's workable and I'll get a fabulous kitchen one day.