Posted on 01/11/2011 6:09:45 AM PST by CSM
She has house fever!
Dear Dave,
Weve got $1,000 in our starter emergency fund, and weve paid off the last of our debt. Were renting, but now my wife really wants to buy a house. On top of this, she wants to go the route of 100 percent financing and argues that a mortgage payment wouldnt cost any more than were paying in rent. Shes extremely upset because Im against the idea. How can I explain to her that this is a bad plan?
Alan
Dear Alan,
It sounds to me like this girl has a bad case of house fever. I think she probably knows deep down this isnt a good plan, but shes found something she really likes and is mad because youre not going along with the idea.
When you buy a home with nothing down and no money in the bank, youre inviting Murphy and his three cousinsBroke, Desperate and Stupidto move in with you. The roof will start to leak, and your central unit will die before youve lived there six months. In other words, youll find yourselves right back in another mess just because you didnt have the maturity and wisdom to wait until you had your fully funded emergency fund in place, plus a 20 percent down payment on that house!
Heres another thing. The idea that you save money because your house payment is the same, or even less than your rent, is one of the biggest myths out there. It costs more to own a home, period; especially on a short-term, monthly basis. As a homeowner, youre exposed to all kinds of things you never have to worry about as a renter.
We all have times when we get excited by something we want and do things we shouldnt do. Ive done it, and Ill bet you have, too. But in situations like this, youve got to sit down and talk things out. Im not sure how to get your wife to realize this or act more mature, but I do know that people who charge into things of this magnitude without thinking are the very ones who end up in my office for financial counseling or filing bankruptcy!
Dave
Celebrate after the win
Dear Dave,
My wife and I bought a franchise and are opening our own business next month. Weve got $35,000 saved up, but my wife feels like the business is going to consume us for the next two or three years. She wants us to use about $3,000 of our savings and take a cruise before we open for business. What do you think?
Chris
Dear Chris,
Heres a good rule of thumb for opening a new business: Everythings going to cost twice as much as you think and take twice as long as you expect. Im sure youre both smart people, but youre probably not exceptions to this rule when it comes to opening and running a small business.
Every single dollar connected with your business could mean the difference between survival and going under. I can understand where your wifes coming from, but at the same time, I think this idea is really unwise. Youve got to look at the big picture. You guys are going to be heartbroken if you have to close up shop in a few months because you ran out of money. On the other hand, if you work hard, stay smart, and make this thing a success, you can take a cruise later and really celebrate!
Basically, right now youre unemployed and have $35,000 with which to start a business. Its time to rev up your engines and get to work. The time to celebrate is after youve wonnot before you begin!
Dave
Happy New Year fellow Dave Ramsey fans. I hope you are all wierd!
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“Murphy and his three cousinsBroke, Desperate and Stupid...”
LOL! I love Dave! :)
After January 25th I’ll be a ‘Free Agent’ and released from that stupid contract I signed 15 years ago. ;) and I can’t WAIT to tackle my finances. So many things have had to be put on hold...it’s really been bugging me!
The good news is that I don’t have to support a ‘worthless cause’ any longer and what I earn is mine to keep, save & invest for MY future; not squandered and lost!
There was nothing like being married to a spendthrift junkie to really hammer Dave’s messages home! :)
“I hope you are all wierd!”
I qualify.
Did you mean, “wired,” or did you want to see if we were paying attention?
Please send up a flare when the celebration begins! We’ll join you and light up the whole country with the festivities! (They’ll just think it’s the candles on my birthday cake.)
Doh, I meant weird....we need to all be weird...
Let the festivities begin!
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