Stuff needs to quit breaking!!!

[Gina]

Ugh... it has been the summer of stuff breaking. At the end of May, my laptop (our only computer) died and had to be replaced. Two weeks ago, my phone died, and also had to be replaced. Saturday, my A/C died!! Had to have the condensing unit replaced. I've had to dip into the Disney fund, which makes me .

It's hard enough to save for a trip as a single parent, and this is not helping. But it makes me even more determined!! DS and I will just be eating a lot of cereal for dinner for the next 6 months. But seriously, I'm sick of stuff breaking!!

Just had to vent with my budget buddies...


-gina-

 

[hambirg]

Ugh... it has been the summer of stuff breaking. At the end of May, my laptop (our only computer) died and had to be replaced. Two weeks ago, my phone died, and also had to be replaced. Saturday, my A/C died!! Had to have the condensing unit replaced. I've had to dip into the Disney fund, which makes me .

It's hard enough to save for a trip as a single parent, and this is not helping. But it makes me even more determined!! DS and I will just be eating a lot of cereal for dinner for the next 6 months. But seriously, I'm sick of stuff breaking!!

Just had to vent with my budget buddies...


-gina-

Vent away! I know exactly how you feel. In April my dryer and dishwasher both went out. In June, it was my microwave and vacuum cleaner. In July we picked up a nasty computer virus that rendered it completely unusable. I hurt my back at work and haven't been released to go back for over a month now and yesterday my car started to make a weird noise. Oh it gets worse. . .I did something very stupid. I bailed my ex out of jail to the tune of my $1000 emergency fund. . .right before I hurt my back at work and he hasn't paid me one penny of it back and it doesn't look like he has any intentions to. WAIT! My 14yr old honor student got picked up at the mall with a few friends yesterday for shoplifting!!!!. . . .right as people were showing up at my house for my son's 10th birthday party!!!!

Yesterday I wanted to jump off a bridge. . .or dig a hole and crawl in it. BUT today I'm feeling better. . .did a lot of praying. . .and realized that somehow I will get through it. I'm just now trying to see maybe some of the positives. . .I found a great, inexpensive computer guy, I will NEVER do anything like that for my ex again. . .probably not anybody else either. . .and maybe getting caught will prevent my daughter from becoming a career criminal.

So lots of prayers for you. . .one day at a time!

ETA- I've also learned that I need to start thinking ahead about when things might break and budget accordingly. The dryer was over 20yrs old, and the vacuum I knew was almost out of life too. I know some things are unforseeable. . .but I'm going to try and plan those other things better. . .like I know I'm going to need tires soon. It never ends.

 

[Gina]

Holy cow, you win, my friend!! And you're right, it does seem to never end... But like you, I've been trying to find the shiny side of this coin. The new condensing unit "only" cost me $870 out of pocket after the home warranty company paid the covered costs (instead of the $1500-2000 it would have cost me), I am extremely lucky to have landed the job I have in May, and get vacation days right from the get-go which meant I don't have to lose the past two days' pay, and my electric bill should be a lot lower since the A/C wasn't running from Saturday afternoon until late yesterday!

I hope your weird car noise ends up being nothing!!

 

[hambirg]

Holy cow, you win, my friend!! And you're right, it does seem to never end... But like you, I've been trying to find the shiny side of this coin. The new condensing unit "only" cost me $870 out of pocket after the home warranty company paid the covered costs (instead of the $1500-2000 it would have cost me), I am extremely lucky to have landed the job I have in May, and get vacation days right from the get-go which meant I don't have to lose the past two days' pay, and my electric bill should be a lot lower since the A/C wasn't running from Saturday afternoon until late yesterday!

I hope your weird car noise ends up being nothing!!

I'd rather not be the winner in this case. But thanks, I needed to get that out. Keep your chin up, and I'm gonna do the same.

 

[ls1222]

Oh my goodness.........I can so relate! Started out the summer with central air breaking (needed a new compressor) 1150.00 then I needed new tires 700.00 both vehicles needed brakes 500.00, dishwasher stopped working 300.00 and last week got hit with a 900.00 dental bill!!!! Needless to say, Disney is not in the cards this year ( We will be going to the ocean for a week on a budget! I have been struggling this week with not leaving for Disney as this is the week we usually leave. I guess we should feel fortunate to be able to pay for the expenses!!

 

[disneylove69]

Vent away! I know exactly how you feel. In April my dryer and dishwasher both went out. In June, it was my microwave and vacuum cleaner. In July we picked up a nasty computer virus that rendered it completely unusable. I hurt my back at work and haven't been released to go back for over a month now and yesterday my car started to make a weird noise. Oh it gets worse. . .I did something very stupid. I bailed my ex out of jail to the tune of my $1000 emergency fund. . .right before I hurt my back at work and he hasn't paid me one penny of it back and it doesn't look like he has any intentions to. WAIT! My 14yr old honor student got picked up at the mall with a few friends yesterday for shoplifting!!!!. . . .right as people were showing up at my house for my son's 10th birthday party!!!!

Yesterday I wanted to jump off a bridge. . .or dig a hole and crawl in it. BUT today I'm feeling better. . .did a lot of praying. . .and realized that somehow I will get through it. I'm just now trying to see maybe some of the positives. . .I found a great, inexpensive computer guy, I will NEVER do anything like that for my ex again. . .probably not anybody else either. . .and maybe getting caught will prevent my daughter from becoming a career criminal.

So lots of prayers for you. . .one day at a time!

ETA- I've also learned that I need to start thinking ahead about when things might break and budget accordingly. The dryer was over 20yrs old, and the vacuum I knew was almost out of life too. I know some things are unforseeable. . .but I'm going to try and plan those other things better. . .like I know I'm going to need tires soon. It never ends.

Is your ex still out on bail? You should be able to take it back if you are the one who's name is on it for paying. He then goes back in which is fine. DD should also start earning some money by babysitting or collecting cans. She can buy the new vaccuum she'll need for doing those extra charges.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I too can sympathize, I was just complaining about this to DH last week.

Three kids need braces now, so far the first one will be $1400, I haven't gotten the other two in yet.

Dh blew a tire, $90.

The a/c went out in my van, I asked DH to take it in to get it fixed. All they did was charge the freon and he didn't question it although I had money set aside at the time to fix the problem (probably a leak) $115. One month later, my a/c doesn't work again so now I'm just going without in NC where it's been 90-100 degrees all summer.

My washer started leaking water from underneath, alot of water. After alot of persuasion (pushing) I finally got DH to take a look at it and he was able to fix it for the price of a $22 part.

Next week will be another child's orthodontist appt. and two eyeglass appts. Luckily we have insurance for the eye dr. so that will be $15 per child plus a small amount for glasses.

And we lost $600 of income, it looks like that is going to be permanent.

 

[dawson5]

I just got a quote to have our leach field replaced on our septic. $5600 --thankfully no back up into the house. (I can't use my washer at home, been hitting the laundromat. Trying to decide if it would be cheaper to have the septic pumped again or continue with the laundromat. It's the same money. I miss using my washer when I want but do enjoy having all the laundry done in about two hours.)
A month ago we got a bill that we didn't know we had coming, $3500 for the hospital on the stent operation on my husband. We had already paid the $1500 deductible and thought we were set.
I also have a Senior in HS this year, lots of nice bills coming.

On the bright side, I think we might be close being able to deduct the medical on our taxes.

 

[karice2]

I am not sure where you are located but when my washer went up I went to Craigslist and found one for about $100. It was almost new, it was just that the couple who bought a house had a new set they were bringing in and wanted to get rid of the one that came with the house.

For computer virus stuff, try one of the local community college tech programs. Luckily, I work with a bunch of geeks so I don't pay for that stuff.

I feel your pain about the AC though, my unit is so old it was made by Montgomery Ward. It went out earlier this year, I thought I would have to replace it but I made friends with an AC guy and there were just two wires burned out. Only cost me $100 instead of $3500 to replace.

But I have all of you beat. I bought the house that Jack built with a bunch of hidden repairs. I could go on for days about it. Most of the stuff my Dad and I have been able to repair over the years. Not this one though, I have to pay $15,000 to have one section of the foundation repaired.
That is the worst section, total cost to do the entire foundation is about $32,000.

I win.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I just got a quote to have our leach field replaced on our septic. $5600 --thankfully no back up into the house. (I can't use my washer at home, been hitting the laundromat. Trying to decide if it would be cheaper to have the septic pumped again or continue with the laundromat. It's the same money. I miss using my washer when I want but do enjoy having all the laundry done in about two hours.)
A month ago we got a bill that we didn't know we had coming, $3500 for the hospital on the stent operation on my husband. We had already paid the $1500 deductible and thought we were set.
I also have a Senior in HS this year, lots of nice bills coming.

On the bright side, I think we might be close being able to deduct the medical on our taxes.

You sound like me! I guess I should have joined this thread instead of starting one. We have had so many things happen lately, from needing tires on two cars, 2000 in dental bills for me, 3500 in medical bills for DD who had kidney stones. cheer camp for DD, car repairs on two cars, glasses, contacts, oh I could go on & on. We have blown through about eight thousand dollars of our savings in a short amount of time. Now, just today, our sewer line is blocked or something. When I say that I am praying that it is not expensive to fix, I really mean it. We need a break. DH says that we have been snake bitten.

I also have a senior in HS, a DD who will be cheering (traveling some) and Christmas right around the corner. I am a SAHM, who really needs to go back to work to help out with all of this. I guess I will be looking for something soon.

 

[dawson5]

You sound like me! I guess I should have joined this thread instead of starting one. We have had so many things happen lately, from needing tires on two cars, 2000 in dental bills for me, 3500 in medical bills for DD who had kidney stones. cheer camp for DD, car repairs on two cars, glasses, contacts, oh I could go on & on. We have blown through about eight thousand dollars of our savings in a short amount of time. Now, just today, our sewer line is blocked or something. When I say that I am praying that it is not expensive to fix, I really mean it. We need a break. DH says that we have been snake bitten.

I also have a senior in HS, a DD who will be cheering (traveling some) and Christmas right around the corner. I am a SAHM, who really needs to go back to work to help out with all of this. I guess I will be looking for something soon.

We just finished travel baseball. Wouldn't have done it if we had known we would have these bills.

I am a SAHM also. I did get lucky finding a job at night, I get to clean offices (woohooo! not like i don't do enough cleaning ). Every little bit helps though. We were hoping to put braces on the middle one first of the year, need to find out if it would be a good idea to do it now and how it will help/hurt the medical deduction on taxes. Don't remind me on tires, I'll be needing new soon. Hubby says not until after the first of the year, thankfully I have that set aside in the fund for that.

 

[eliza61]

Ugh... it has been the summer of stuff breaking. At the end of May, my laptop (our only computer) died and had to be replaced. Two weeks ago, my phone died, and also had to be replaced. Saturday, my A/C died!! Had to have the condensing unit replaced. I've had to dip into the Disney fund, which makes me .

It's hard enough to save for a trip as a single parent, and this is not helping. But it makes me even more determined!! DS and I will just be eating a lot of cereal for dinner for the next 6 months. But seriously, I'm sick of stuff breaking!!

Just had to vent with my budget buddies...


-gina-

Sorry Gina,
I think I'm one up on you girlfriend.
Unfortunately all my major appliances are between 17-19 years old. which means every thing is pretty much at "end of life".
So far I have replaced my washer, dryer and air conditioning. I have had my leaking roof fixed also.
We have burned through our emergency cash wad. It seems so easy to burn through it but so hard to build it back up.
Luckily we did not have any trips planned for this year, outside of some local beach trips.

I feel your pain.

 

[DawnM]

We had that trouble a couple of years ago.

First our stovetop wouldn't boil water for a full 45 minutes!

Then the fridge started making odd noises and wasn't cooling properly.

The final straw was when we received a recall notice on our dishwasher that said, "Stop using immediately! Fire hazard!"

To top all of that off, our heat pump stopped working that summer.

So, $10K later, we had it all replaced.......argh!

Dawn

 

[JoiseyMom]

I feel the same way...I am hemorraging money!! It started in May when my dryer died. DH replaced both washer and dryer. Then the was the 2 different pool parts for about 1k. The plumber for the stuffed drain that caused a major leak in my basement. Supplies to fix the very wet destroyed cabinet under my sink (thankfully DS did the labor). The weed wacker DH had to replace. Oh, I forgot the garage doors that we did at the beginning of the year...also about 1k.

Then there was the sleep study for 5k that dh needed, he was diagnosed with Sleep apena. Good news is our 3k deductible is met, and now we are covered 100% with no co pays. But I am paying off the hositpal for around 2k.

Did I also mention my DS is getting married in a month! Ok, 2 tuxes (a tux for a 9 year old is the same as for the rest of the wedding party), 1 bridesmaid dress (thankfully a reasonable price), 1 mom of the groom dress (also got a great deal), 3 pairs of shoes, under garments, ummm...gift. I need a pet sitter, and trying to figure out hair and makeup right now. I think we are the only ones, wedding party, not staying at the hotel by the venue, but staying home instead.

Let see...the puppy we didnt need but DH adpoted to keep our other dog company, since our oldest dog is getting to the point where we should be putting him down (costs of that too , emotional and financial).

Ok...I think that is it!! At least I hope that is it!!

 

[Gina]

I feel so bad for all you guys... I think we all need a

It's just so frustrating, isn't it, when you try and try to maybe get ahead a tiny bit, but the universe always seems to conspire against you?? But it really does help to just vent about it, at least for me... so I thank y'all for letting me do that.

 

[hambirg]

Is your ex still out on bail? You should be able to take it back if you are the one who's name is on it for paying. He then goes back in which is fine. DD should also start earning some money by babysitting or collecting cans. She can buy the new vaccuum she'll need for doing those extra charges.

I'm not sure it works that way here. . .but trust me I already threatened him with that thinking that might get something out of him. . nada. Also. . to be perfectly honest. . .I have a fear that he just might flee if I really did that. . .then I would be on the hook for A LOT more. Ugh! The DD is already on that. She is going thru her room for our upcoming garage sale. . .and spent 2 hours on RewardTV last night doing online surveys. . .lol! I'm feeling pretty good that she "get's it."

And thanks again for letting me vent. . .it's nice to know you are not alone. It's not something that I can easily talk about with family and friends. Funny how that works sometimes, huh?

Prayers to all of you and things can only get better, right?

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I am sitting here right now waiting for the plumber to come out to look at our sewer line.. ya'll say a prayer for me.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

That you for the prayers!! It was a tree root and they got it with this wire thingy and it was only 252.00 I am telling you, I thought we were about 150ft from the street but it is more like 400, so if they had had to replace the line, which goes under the circle drive & the main drive at the end, and through a ton of trees, THAT would have been several thousand dollars. Whew, we dodged it this time. Thank you Jesus.

 

[karice2]

Now that you got the roots out of your sewage line. It would be good to get that root kill stuff. You can find it in the plumbing section at Blowe's or Homeless Depot.