Now Bring Me That Horizon ~ It Begins P115

[creativeamanda]

I like how the fuzzy Disney Math sort of won out in the end. Save $50 to spen $100 more. . .

 

[TarzansKat]

I like how the fuzzy Disney Math sort of won out in the end. Save $50 to spen $100 more. . .

Oh, I am all about the fuzzy Disney math. Take for example, my stay at the Wilderness Lodge last year. There was some serious fuzzy Disney math going on there.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I do remember when park hopping was standard with any multi-day ticket -- oh, how I miss those days!

Yippee for saving money and adding the hoppers -- I suddenly became much more excited after I added PH to our tickets -- I think it is the idea of the freedom it engenders -- to be able to go anywhere and do anything on a given day is so freeing!

 

[maroo]

Park hopping was such a cool bonus on our last trip!!! We sure did use it to the fullest!!!!

 

[TarzansKat]

Yippee for saving money and adding the hoppers -- I suddenly became much more excited after I added PH to our tickets -- I think it is the idea of the freedom it engenders -- to be able to go anywhere and do anything on a given day is so freeing!

That's exactly it. A small price to pay for the feeling of being able to do whatever you want in whichever park you want whenever you want.

Ah.

It's so pirate.

Park hopping was such a cool bonus on our last trip!!! We sure did use it to the fullest!!!!

I love it!

 

[TarzansKat]

And it's not that I'm a normally indecisive person. Not at all. But as you can all see, it took me a while to decide to really add on the park hoppers and go ahead and do it. But once I made the decision to do it, it was done.

It reminds me of a description of one of the main characters in Twilight. She agonizes over decisions, but once she makes one, she just follows that course of action. The actual decision making is the hard part.

And so I bring you yet another chapter entitled, "Ah....TK does not know what she wants..." Said of course in that funky can't be mistaken for anything else Tia Dalma voice.

I get to a certain point where I can't write about this trip and I can't write about this trip because I have so much real life going on that it's getting in the way. I'm sure you can all identify, as much as we love the DIS and as much as we love going to the World, we have a whole life to live for the rest of the year and those decisions affect everything.

So this chapter really isn't about any decisions to do with the trip other than whether or not to take it.



I know. I know.

I'm not worried about this. Whatever happens is going to fall together the way it was meant to, and I'm a very faithful person, so however it works, to my mind, is what was meant to be.

Let me explain.

No.

Is too much. Let me sum up.

DH and I have started looking at houses. Between the $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers and the drop in the market, now would really be a good time for us to consider home ownership. And I can't believe I'm saying that. Because I was so anti-house. In all honesty, DH is way more on board with the whole house thing than I am.

I love our apartment. I love our open floor plan, love that I have no maintenance costs, love that our heat is included, and it's beautifully landscaped around here so there's plenty of room to take walks (we have a hiking trail), for DS to run around, and for me to work out (there's a small gym). All in all, there are some excellent amenities here with very little cost to us, considering that it's all included in the rent.

And we're stuck on the town we live in. And we don't want to live anywhere else, which gives us a very narrow spectrum of opportunity. In our price range, there are very, very few houses on the market. But we love this town, and we love this school system, and dagnabit, we're not budging. I'd rather live here in my apartment than move elsewhere.

I'm not a fan of capes. I find them usually to be small and cramped. And if they're not dormered on the top floor, extremely claustrophobic. CP, back me up here. We actually went to look at one this past weekend, and no joke guys, I had a mini panic attack on the upper level. It was so closed in, and the slanted roof, and just thinking about makes me a little panicky. Yikes! I could regale you with everything that was wrong with that house: cracks in the ceiling, mold, rotting floorboards. It was as nightmare. With a beautifully redesigned kitchen. That was the only selling point.

But the other cape we looked at this weekend...

With just under 1500 square feet, and almost 1/2 an acre of fenced in yard, and a fully finished basement....well, that cape was dormered on the top floor. And its biggest issue is that it needs to be brought into this century. It was built in the 50s and I'll be surprised if it was ever updated.

But, I admit it. I did something you're never supposed to do when buying a home.

I got emotionally attached.

I fell in love.

In love, people. I love that house. I could go on and on about it, but this is a pre trip report, so I'll leave it at that. Now, my real estate agent has gotten the disclosures for me and we'll be going over those today.

Because the other problem is that this house has been sitting on the market for about five months. To which TK says, what's wrong with it? And of course the listing agent says they've had "a lot of interest." Well, duh. Of course they're going to say that regardless of whether or not they have because they want to sell it. I work in sales, I'm no dummy.

I bet you're wondering where the tie in comes to the trip if it hasn't become obvious already. And of course, this all hinges on my hearing the disclosures and discovering what, if anything, is wrong with this little gemstone.

I had planned to use part of a Roth IRA, specifically set aside for when DH and I wanted to buy a home. I've had this account for a long time, but, well...I hadn't checked it in a long time.

You all know where this is going, right?

Holy depreciation, Batman!

:::sigh::: I almost cried. DH and I know we're lucky. We could have a zero balance, right? Or we could have what we do which is about $4000-5000 less than what we did about 4-5 years ago. And guys, I've been so financially responsible with paying off the student loan that we are just starting to feel comfortable with the level that our liquid cash is at. I can't empty out a savings to buy a home, we all know how that story goes. You have to have money set aside when you buy a house, and given that this house needs a TON of cosmetic work, we at least have to have some from the get go.

Enter the seeds of doubt.

I had other plans for this year. Specific plans. Family plans, shall we say.

And I have a Disney trip planned. That all told, is going to run me around $2500.

So here we are again. Whereas before I had non tangible worries about these types of situations, now I'm actually faced with them.

And, honestly, I don't know what to do.

I want it all. I want the house, I want the trip, and I want to go ahead with the family stuff.

It all can't happen. The finances aren't able to support all of that. At least, I think they aren't. There's not enough in the Roth to manage a down payment on the house, although that depends on the selling price since we do qualify for an FHA loan. We have to leave money in liquid savings because if we buy a house you can guarantee something is going to cost money. Something is always going to cost money.

Our cars are older. Eventually, those are going to need replacing, most likely my husband's before mine.

And there you have it. The point of indecision. What to do, what to do.

Yesterday I thought about what our priorities are. What order should that list go in. Is it the lure of the $8000 tax credit that makes me want to buy a home when we potentially can't afford it? Is it better to stay in the apartment, continue with the family stuff, and take the trip, because that's something that makes me happy?

I don't know. When do I stop going to Disney?

Do I have to grow up?

I guess this fits better into my pre trip report than I thought it did.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'll back you up anytime about the claustrophobia, TK! We have a very open floor plan with high ceilings just because I hate feeling closed in.

The house you have fallen in love with sounds wonderful -- aside from needing a ton of work.

What a connundrum you are in, TK! I always wish that we could just have it all -- it would make life so much easier, wouldn't it?

I know that whatever happens, you and DH will end up making the right decision for all of you -- I just hope it includes the Disney trip so that I can read the TR!

 

[If U Had Wings]

TK, So sorry this all has you a wee bit stressed. A home is such a big decision. The house sounds lovely, but your right. They do cost money. I think I owned my condo for all of a month, hadn't even moved in yet, when I got socked with a $2,000 bill.

Once you sit and work it all out with your dh you'll make the right decision for your family with our without a Disney trip this year. And as great as Disney trips are, I have to admit that nothing beats my own 4 walls.

 

[maroo]

So this chapter really isn't about any decisions to do with the trip other than whether or not to take it.

is right!!!! Oh my goodness!! This is going to be some kinda update!!!

I'm not a fan of capes. I find them usually to be small and cramped. And if they're not dormered on the top floor, extremely claustrophobic. CP, back me up here.

What is a cape? I am from Mississippi, people. Mississippi. We don't have "capes"...unless you are dressed up like Batman. Sounds like we should later in this update.

But, I admit it. I did something you're never supposed to do when buying a home.

I got emotionally attached.

I fell in love.

In love, people. I love that house. I could go on and on about it, but this is a pre trip report, so I'll leave it at that.

Aw...I think you SHOULD fall in love with a house. If you are not in love when you leave it...then don't buy it! Because that is a big investment. If you don't leave the house with those butterflies in your stomach...that gotta have it feeling. Then don't even pursue it. That is my view, anyway.

Holy depreciation, Batman!

Now I need a cape!

Family plans, shall we say.

Ok...forget the Disney trip.

I could have so much fun with this.

But.

Nah.

I want it all.

Now that about sums it up, doesn't it!

Don't we all. Want it all.

The point of indecision. What to do, what to do.

I don't know. When do I stop going to Disney?

Do I have to grow up?

How sad. What a sad question.



But, there is not a doubt in my mind.

I know you will make the right decision.

 

[MRYPPNS]

$2500 will buy you a lot of diapers.....just sayin'

 

[TarzansKat]

I'll back you up anytime about the claustrophobia, TK! We have a very open floor plan with high ceilings just because I hate feeling closed in.

We actually have cathedral ceilings in our apartment, which I just love.

I just hope it includes the Disney trip so that I can read the TR!

Well, shoot, now I have to go.

TK, So sorry this all has you a wee bit stressed. A home is such a big decision. The house sounds lovely, but your right. They do cost money. I think I owned my condo for all of a month, hadn't even moved in yet, when I got socked with a $2,000 bill.

The bonus to this place is that all the kitchen appliances are new. New thermopane windows, new furnace. Basically it's got good bones, it just needs major cosmetic work.

Once you sit and work it all out with your dh you'll make the right decision for your family with our without a Disney trip this year. And as great as Disney trips are, I have to admit that nothing beats my own 4 walls.

That's true. You know I'm not even considering what a huge tax break it would be for us, regardless of the credit.

What is a cape? I am from Mississippi, people. Mississippi. We don't have "capes"...unless you are dressed up like Batman. Sounds like we should later in this update.

Ha ha. Welcome to New England.

A Cape style house is one that has two levels, sometimes called one and a half levels. It's a two story home where the top level is almost flush with the roof line, leaving little to no attic space. So basically, unless your cape is dormered (which means they've bumped out the back or front to make it a square room) you have slanted ceilings on the top floor. It can be problematic if you have a tall husband (which I do). Fortunately, the one we looked at was dormered. Unfortunately, it also had lower ceilings, but it wasn't uncomfortable for me, just DH. He could literally touch the ceiling without really reach his hand out very far.

Aw...I think you SHOULD fall in love with a house. If you are not in love when you leave it...then don't buy it! Because that is a big investment. If you don't leave the house with those butterflies in your stomach...that gotta have it feeling. Then don't even pursue it. That is my view, anyway.

I did fall in love with it, which worries me. I don't want to make any rash decisions.

Ok...forget the Disney trip.

I could have so much fun with this.

But.

Nah.

Four words.

Debt to be repaid.

For meaning, see previous pre trip reports / trip reports.

How sad. What a sad question.

You know, I have been so financially responsible for so long. With everything. I don't even want to talk about how much I budget, how much I question every purchase, how much I think about all that money that I used to pay off the student loans. And every time I think about something like that, I always think about this great line in latest Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

"There's plenty of money out there. They print more every day. But this ticket, there's only five of them in the whole world, and that's all there's ever going to be. Only a dummy would give this up for something as common as money. Are you a dummy?"

I know it's "just" a quote from a movie, but it really makes me think about what's important in life.

But, there is not a doubt in my mind.

I know you will make the right decision.

Wow, you all have so much faith in me!

$2500 will buy you a lot of diapers.....just sayin'

That it will, my dear. That it will.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

All caught up here too.

When do you have to grow up? When do you stop going to Disney? But all kidding aside, I understand where you're coming from. That's a tough call.

Laughing at the No Way Jose calling you... "teeeeeekaaaaaay"

 

[maroo]

To, TK!! How r u? I am dying to know what happened with the house.

 

[TarzansKat]

All caught up here too.

When do you have to grow up? When do you stop going to Disney? But all kidding aside, I understand where you're coming from. That's a tough call.

I don't want to grow up. I think I have a serious Peter Pan complex going on right now. There are also a lot of other things I don't want to do like...well...work, but you know, that dang health insurance gets in the way.

Laughing at the No Way Jose calling you... "teeeeeekaaaaaay"

I know there's one with my name on it. I just know it.

To, TK!! How r u? I am dying to know what happened with the house.

Hi, hon! I'll post a little update here for all of you. Mom and I went to look at the house again, this time armed with a notebook and measuring tape to really give it a serious look.

And all was going really well until we hit the basement. You see, the first time we'd seen the house, it was sunny out. Well, Saturday it was pouring buckets.

Thank goodness. I don't think I've ever been so grateful for rain in my entire life. Because the new windows? Leaking in certain areas. And the basement? A ton of water damage and patchwork we hadn't noticed the first time around, and it looked like a potentail foundation issue! To which the realtor also mentions that it's probable that the home inspector wouldn't be able to get behind a particular wall to tell us what's there, and that was when I was done.

And quite frankly, I'm having a hard time with the whole home buying process in general. I know we're just getting into spring, and a lot more will be coming on the market, but I'm frustrated.

I just want to live in a nice town with a good school system for DS. I won't compromise on that. And I love my apartment, so we don't "have to" move. It just seemed like a good time with the $8000 tax credit. But because we've been so responsible about paying off DH's student loan and because my Roth IRA has tanked (which I was planning to use for a down payment), I just don't know if buying a home is in our comfort zone.

I won't stop looking, but I'm also looking to switch agents. The one I have keeps showing me things that are out of my price range, and quite frankly, it's depressing. What part of, I need to be able to heat this house, not just pay the mortgage, is so hard to understand?

And I'm so sorry to unload all this, because I know this should be Disney related, but it really is.

Because I think so many times about whether or not to cancel this trip. And that's a whole other post.

 

[maroo]

Aw...I am sorry about that other house! But that rain was certainly helpful!

I can't remember where I read it...but somewhere I read that you should actually look at a house in the rain before you buy it. To check water runoff and such... Sounds a little silly...until you posted your story!

Your relator sounds like a car salesman! "But if you finance it THIS way..." I say fire her.

So...how funny is this...

I have thought of you over the past several days as I have been watching the news. Jack the pirate seems to be causing some trouble on the global front!

 

[TarzansKat]

I can't remember where I read it...but somewhere I read that you should actually look at a house in the rain before you buy it. To check water runoff and such... Sounds a little silly...until you posted your story!

I have now learned why that statement is true.

So...how funny is this...

I have thought of you over the past several days as I have been watching the news. Jack the pirate seems to be causing some trouble on the global front!

There have been quite a few pirates in the news lately!

But not of my favorite dreadlocked, rumsoaked variety.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Sorry to hear about the place, but at least you found out before you got further along in the process.

I had the same problem with a realtor I was using once too. I kept having to say - I don't care what the bank has said I can afford, listen to me when I tell you that I know I'm only comfortable at a lesser amount. It was very annoying. I ended up using a different agent, but the condo I bought I actually found on a website and had my agent bring me there. She was never on top of things.

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a bummer about the house, TK, but how lucky you were able to see all of that before you had moved forward even farther on buying it.

 

[maroo]

Sorry to hear about the place, but at least you found out before you got further along in the process.

I had the same problem with a realtor I was using once too. I kept having to say - I don't care what the bank has said I can afford, listen to me when I tell you that I know I'm only comfortable at a lesser amount. It was very annoying. I ended up using a different agent, but the condo I bought I actually found on a website and had my agent bring me there. She was never on top of things.

I bought a condo, too. And what I love even more than my condo, is the monthly PAYMENT for my condo! He he. More money for DISNEY!!

 

[maroo]

There have been quite a few pirates in the news lately!

But not of my favorite dreadlocked, rumsoaked variety.

You mean they ALL aren't of the "dreadlocked, rumsoaked variety?"