The Money Tree

Kitchen renovation: A lot. But we planned for it and paid for it. We love it.

Lawn mower: I have no idea. I wonder if we can get through the next six weeks without mowing? Will the weed eater do a good enough job? I mean, it's essentially the same thing, but smaller. Like the Dirt Devil to a Dyson. Right? Our yard is small...

Dryer: About $800. But then we should maybe get the washer too so it all matches, because, you know, that's important to some people. Me? I couldn't care less. Husband? Likes the matchy-match. I'd almost rather hang dry on a clothesline if it saves us money at this point. Actually, who needs clean clothes? Highly overrated.

THE KICKER 90,000-mile check up for Honda Odyssey: $375. Except Husband already GOT the check-up (at a different mechanic) and I got it again. Let's hear it for marital communication! Then the check-up revealed another $450 of repairs (something about engine mounts being cracked). Then the problem still wasn't solved. The result: no transmission. Now we're looking at new cars.

Jimminy Christmas, people. THIS is why I'm in the fetal position watching disc 2 of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.

Comments

[Christine]

Ouch, ouch, and double ouch. Hire your lawn done for the rest of the year!

[Jill@Who Could Ask for Anything More]

I'd offer to send a bundle of cash your way but our money tree died a couple months ago when the last nail was driven into the addition to our house.

[Clemntine]

Kitchen: SO COOL and TOTALLY worth the $$

Lawnmower: get a goat. Problem solved. You're welcome.

Dryer:Kenmore Elite at Sears is a Consumer Reports Best Buy. Retail $570 (probably $800 w/ tax, delivery, etc. though)

Van woes: you've just stated the reason that we make a "car payment" to ourselves out of every paycheck. When we reach the point of diminishing returns on whatever we're driving, we scoop up our little pile o' dough and go looking for a new used car (or van, as the case may be). May your shopping be brief and fruitful.

[diatribal]

Um...ouch. That's about the only thing I can say! We are feeling the same pains, daily. Good luck and get used to bologna!

[Julie]

Oh I feel your pain. I hate it when stuff piles up. There was one 4 month period where we had:

1. Dishwasher broke - $300
2. Dogs tail amputated by vet + meds - $1000
3. Ran over rock in road in rental car in Kauai, blew 2 tires - $1100 (Next time buy the insurance
4. Hubby's car died, paid cash for used car $3,500

There was something else too that I must have blocked out - I know total that we laid out like $7000 - luckily we had it in our "Emergency Fund". (Thank you Dave Ramsey!)

[My Twenty Cents Keeps Moving]

i love Mr Darcy

[Lisa P from California]

The motor mount thing is a common problem on the Odyssey. I have a 2002 Honda Odyssey and was told 6 months ago that the motor mounts would need replacing...at my expense. The topic came up in discussion with a friend and she said to google "motor mounts and Odyssey" and a wealth of information would appear. Apparently, this is a manufacturers issue that Honda is very much aware of. My friend printed out alot of the info/letters etc off these websites and contacted someone at the corporate office. When she (politely) informed them that she was well aware of the mechanical issue and it's common occurance, they not only fixed the motor mounts, but did it at their cost. They contacted her local dealer to make all the arrangements. I haven't pursued the situation with my Odyssey yet, but when I do you can bet I'll be walking into the dealership with a folder of information and without my checkbook!

[margalit]

You might want to try either freecycle or Craigslist for a free or very low cost temporary dryer until you can afford the matchy matchy one your husband likes. I've recently done this, gotten a free gas dryer that works pretty well, and eventually will be replaced by the dryer I really want...when the free washer I got on craigslist dies.

One thing I've discovered is that people who move almost always give away or sell for a song the existing washer and dryer in their new home. The choices are myriad!

[dcrmom]

YEOW!!!!!!! That's painful. Although I wish our car would die. I want a new one sooooo bad but we can't justify it. What would you charge me to come crack my engine mount? On the DL of course. ;-)

[Jeana]

Well I know, speaking for myself, watching Colin Firth as Mr Darcy is usually sufficient balm for any wounds I've incurred, financial or otherwise.

[Heather @ Desperately Seeking Sanity]

This too shall pass...

I know, I know... not quick enough... :)

[Jenny from Chicago]

There is nothing that the fabulous discs of the BBC's Pride and Predjudice cannot cure. You are doing all the right things...

BTW, I only wish Jane were prettier than Elizabeth in that one. I think it throws off the whole dynamic. Colin is dreamy though, right?

[Kelly W]

So funny that disc 2 of P&P is your happy place. If Jon comes home to me watching that, he knows I am upset about something...

[Robin (PENSIEVE)]

What happened to "bad news comes in threes"?

Wait a second, you DO just have "three"...the kitchen is HARDLY "bad news"...just a WHOLE lotta money. This, I know!

[Rocks In My Dryer]

Oh NO! Call me and I can tote you around town. You can use our lawnmower too.

So...what new car are you getting? I promise, you will adore the new Odysseys.

[Simple_Chic]

Oh ouch! You're not alone in feeling the money crunch. It seems like every time we turn around something has decided to quit on us. New washing machine, new coffee maker, car repairs, laptop, lawn mower and our most recent Kaput - the stove. Luckily I have prepared for such things and did my shopping ahead early so I knew what I wanted and how much I could spend. This will pass, but I wish it never happened to begin with.

[Katrina (Callapidder Days)]

Oh, no, I'm so sorry. I hate when everything hits all at once like that...

[Shalee]

Hey, I watched the same disc yesterday! I've only got an hour to go...

Oh man. Borrow the lawn mower. Surely someone will help you out for a month. Tell Hubs to quit with the matching idea. Mismatching won't hurt you for a while, plus when you get the other matching piece it will be on sale.

The car? That sucks. I think you should get one like Shannon's, except I would want the British lady talking to me.

If you need a cheap vacation, then bring the family to KC. We'll put you up and play games. Saving money would never have felt so good.

[Jill]

Ugh! I can totally relate. We just spent a buttload of money on car repairs ourselves. And doesn't it always seem that everything breaks at the same time!! What's with that?

[New Diva on the Blog]

The marital communication or lack there of is hilarious, mostly because it hits so close to home for most of us I'm guessing.

[Janice]

OY! When it rains, it pours. We had the dryer issue last year and ended up with the Whirlpool front loaders that do 24 towels at a time! These are awesome machines and hubby does 75% of all laundry. Gosh, usually Hondas go more than 90K, my Accord had 133K before we traded it in for my 2006 civic. Good luck and may the money fairy throw buckets of cash into your lap!!!!

[Pam]

Thanks for sharing with us - I'm sure most of can relate all too well! Enjoy P&P and when you're done, go for Sense & Sensibility. I just wish there was a decent version of Persuasion out there.

[Mrs.Pear]

Yikes!

I hate it when you finally save up for something great, your budget is all in line, so you get that something great and then you have nasty surprises!

I am so sorry!

[TaunaLen]

Oh I LOVE Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy! Hope things are better soon.

~TaunaLen

[Fiddledeedee (It Coulda Been Worse)]

I'm going to have to quit complaining about our Odyssey now. The engine check light came on and we had to have a systems check to the tune of $120.00. The problem? A $10 gas cap needed to be replaced. Got it home and discovered a nail in the tire.

Our mechanic told us that our engine harness problem was due to vermin chewing through it. So our insurance covered most of it. It's been a good van though.

Money. I wish I could print some up.......