YAY I'm cashing in on the equity in my house so I can travel MORE :)
May 10th, 2005, 09:38 PM
#41
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello GreenDragon, good wishes to you for your future. You have been through some tough time obviously, but with hard work and dedication your life is good now. Best wishes to you and your entire family.
And may I add your thread caused some very interesting and heartwarming post, especially at the end of today (May 10th). We can get travel information in so many places but reading the last posts brings a human touch not only to travel but to day to day life that a travel guide could not.
A reminder that we all deal with trials and tribulations. But we all carry dreams within our soul that we hope will fullfilled. And we all wish to be respected no matter our financial situation, our lifestyle or our background.
In spite of a few trolls, a few that get ugly from time to time it seems to me that the great majority of people here on Fodors are truly wonderful people, the kind of people our world needs. People that are interested in the whole world, that search for information and truth. That care about others, no matter what burdens they have. That have hearts of gold.
May all your dreams and wishes be realized. Peace.
And may I add your thread caused some very interesting and heartwarming post, especially at the end of today (May 10th). We can get travel information in so many places but reading the last posts brings a human touch not only to travel but to day to day life that a travel guide could not.
A reminder that we all deal with trials and tribulations. But we all carry dreams within our soul that we hope will fullfilled. And we all wish to be respected no matter our financial situation, our lifestyle or our background.
In spite of a few trolls, a few that get ugly from time to time it seems to me that the great majority of people here on Fodors are truly wonderful people, the kind of people our world needs. People that are interested in the whole world, that search for information and truth. That care about others, no matter what burdens they have. That have hearts of gold.
May all your dreams and wishes be realized. Peace.
May 11th, 2005, 06:14 AM
#42
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
tedgale:
Good story, thanks for sharing.
Scarlett:
Our SIL was a cop in Mecklenburg County NC about 12- 13 yrs ago and he and our daughter are now saving for a family trip to London as they love it and their daughter who is a straight A student is crazy about British history and insists she is going to college in London and will live there.
Good story, thanks for sharing.
Scarlett:
Our SIL was a cop in Mecklenburg County NC about 12- 13 yrs ago and he and our daughter are now saving for a family trip to London as they love it and their daughter who is a straight A student is crazy about British history and insists she is going to college in London and will live there.
May 11th, 2005, 06:55 AM
#44
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dsm22, I am so sorry you lost your barn and cows in a fire. That must have been devastating. We have a farm, too, mostly corn and cotton. It is definitely not a big money-maker, but for us, at least, it is a side-line.
What I am getting from all these discussions is that there is never a perfect time to go on a trip. If we wait for that to happen, we probably won't travel!
What I am getting from all these discussions is that there is never a perfect time to go on a trip. If we wait for that to happen, we probably won't travel!
May 11th, 2005, 07:58 AM
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For those still cautioning and worrying:
We are moving in with my parents so we can take care of them. They do not want to move again, so we are getting a place we can take care of them while they age. While my father isn't a millionaire, he does have long-term care insurance for both of them, and a substantial retirement savings -- more than enough for both of them to live on for over 30 years, with some left over for my inheritance. I'm an only child.
My dad is incredibly active and will likely continue 'hobbies' that make money -- like computer network consulting and teaching.
The two months I save for a vacation each year (probably about $3000) isn't much compared to the $15000 I will be saving each year, and will allow me to actually LIVE life for a while.
The previous vacations you've looked up were all paid for by either parents or friends -- or were mostly dirt cheap, like the first one I took back in 1996, before I even met my husband.
Never went on our 2003 honeymoon, that kept being postponed due to finances. That comes this September finally, 4 years after our marriage.
And yes, I am cashing in on the equity on my house to pay off credit card debt. The new house will be a new debt -- yes, I could have transferred the equity over, but we already have 50% down. No big need to, and the relief from the credit card debt is a very good thing.
Rest assured, folks, I do plan (sometimes overplan) my finances and my life. Anything I don't plan, my incredibly organized father does. Yes, the parents have living wills, and I have power of attorney already. We are prepped for disaster, should it occur. We are even planning on paying our housing expenses out of a joint account, where our checks are all direct deposited.
Satisfied?
dsm, I'm so sorry to hear of your tragedy. I understand what it is to work for years and not see the light. Keep saving, it will definitely pay off!!!
Thank everyone who gave such well-meaning advice, I do appreciate it. While I think I got everything, it's good to look over the suggestions to make sure I have prepared. This is a big step for both of us. Neither of us will be dependent on eachother, but we look forward to being a family together.
PS -- I'm not moving in with my parents, like a failed twenty-something that can't keep a job -- I work a lot, and make good money -- they are moving in with ME so we can take care of them. Why do people insist on seeing the worst side?
We are moving in with my parents so we can take care of them. They do not want to move again, so we are getting a place we can take care of them while they age. While my father isn't a millionaire, he does have long-term care insurance for both of them, and a substantial retirement savings -- more than enough for both of them to live on for over 30 years, with some left over for my inheritance. I'm an only child.
My dad is incredibly active and will likely continue 'hobbies' that make money -- like computer network consulting and teaching.
The two months I save for a vacation each year (probably about $3000) isn't much compared to the $15000 I will be saving each year, and will allow me to actually LIVE life for a while.
The previous vacations you've looked up were all paid for by either parents or friends -- or were mostly dirt cheap, like the first one I took back in 1996, before I even met my husband.
Never went on our 2003 honeymoon, that kept being postponed due to finances. That comes this September finally, 4 years after our marriage.
And yes, I am cashing in on the equity on my house to pay off credit card debt. The new house will be a new debt -- yes, I could have transferred the equity over, but we already have 50% down. No big need to, and the relief from the credit card debt is a very good thing.
Rest assured, folks, I do plan (sometimes overplan) my finances and my life. Anything I don't plan, my incredibly organized father does. Yes, the parents have living wills, and I have power of attorney already. We are prepped for disaster, should it occur. We are even planning on paying our housing expenses out of a joint account, where our checks are all direct deposited.
Satisfied?
dsm, I'm so sorry to hear of your tragedy. I understand what it is to work for years and not see the light. Keep saving, it will definitely pay off!!!
Thank everyone who gave such well-meaning advice, I do appreciate it. While I think I got everything, it's good to look over the suggestions to make sure I have prepared. This is a big step for both of us. Neither of us will be dependent on eachother, but we look forward to being a family together.
PS -- I'm not moving in with my parents, like a failed twenty-something that can't keep a job -- I work a lot, and make good money -- they are moving in with ME so we can take care of them. Why do people insist on seeing the worst side?
May 11th, 2005, 08:09 AM
#46
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My advice is to never take out your home equity if you can help it and ,in fact, pay down as much on your house's principal when you can. It may be twenty years from now but a lot of Americans will be scortched when the budget implodes along with the economy and the real estate bubble pops.
May 11th, 2005, 08:44 AM
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, but in 20 years, the house will be paid off! (15 year mortgage)
Right now, this area is HOT for real estate. As an example, the 70K house I bought 3 years ago doubled in value.
The house we are buying is in a newer area, without a lot of development around, but in 20 years, it will be booming. Since we don't plan on selling until my parents either pass away or have to go to a nursing facility, then we are in for the long-haul, come what may.
Right now, this area is HOT for real estate. As an example, the 70K house I bought 3 years ago doubled in value.
The house we are buying is in a newer area, without a lot of development around, but in 20 years, it will be booming. Since we don't plan on selling until my parents either pass away or have to go to a nursing facility, then we are in for the long-haul, come what may.
May 11th, 2005, 11:54 AM
#48
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GreenDragon, I was nosy and headed over to your website, and I have to say, the story about your parents is SO romantic, it brought tears to my eyes! You and tedgale get the prize for the most romantic stories this week!
