Moving/Money Matters

ccole2127 · December 2008

DH and I are planning on moving into a home closer to fam and his job before the baby is born but we are also trying to pay off debt and maximize our savings to have more disposable income.

Anyone planning on moving into a new home before or as soon as the baby is born? If so, how has your house search been going?

If the move is new baby-motivated how have you been balancing this out with budgeting for other money moves such as new car, more savings, baby stuff, new furniture, remodeling, getting rid of debt, etc.

Even if you're not moving are you having a time trying to balance the budget to accomodate for future expenditures? Please share.

rebus82 · December 2008

I'm just having a problem making DH realize that baby stuff isn't free and that means he can't go out and spend $100 on video games without consulting me first. He seems to think that a lot of the big stuff will be bought by family so we'll only need to supply a few basic large items.

I pointed out to him that I have no siblings and his family gave SIL absolutely nothing of value at her shower a couple weeks ago, leaving my parents to buy "all that stuff" that he thinks we won't have to buy. I hope it made him realize he's anass and that a crib is a lot more important than Fallout 3.?

DSteed-to-be · December 2008

We plan to buy a home and move back home (we're 10 hours away now) within about 3-4 months after the birth. Right now, we're living on my husband's income and use mine to pay off our CC (almost there!) and then will put mine into savings for our house (which we already have over $14K in, thankfully) until my paycheck runs out about 6-7 weeks after the birth (I'm not returning to work).

We're really counting on our families to help us with the big items (my cousin is giving us her daughter's never-used crib b/c she co-slept and the 2 boys they're now adopting are too big for it and is giving us all her cloth diapers; we're collecting gift cards for Christmas and hope they can pool together for car seat and stroller; we're expecting our parents to buy their own PNP for their own houses and we'll get ourselves one until we get the house because the crib won't fit in our current apartment).

Most people give toys and clothes as shower gifts, so we aren't planning on buying too many of those and just focusing on the must-haves for sleep and safety. Anything else is considered a luxury for us until we get the house and have room and more money (because my husband will have more income after he gets a real job -- he's finishing up his PhD until the baby comes) to get more.

Ace1599 · December 2008

We are not moving any time soon, but definetly trying to prepare for future expenses and pay down some debt. I am actually thinking about taking Dave Ramsey's fianancial peace course. My job is offering the course for $75 in Jan..so I think we are going to do that in hopes of getting a mutual understand of our debt/finances, as well as budget.

MommaDall · December 2008

We live in a 1 bedroom condo downtown and with the housing market the way it is right now, moving is NOT an option. We'll just have to get creative with the space we have and make do for another year.

Rinners · December 2008

We are planning on moving this next spring. Its not so much the money matters of things as it is our neighborhood. When we moved in here things were great, then all 3 of our neighbors sold their homes and some new neighbors have come in. One of them is Great, the other 2, rather annoying.... So we chose not to deal with this anymore, and since we dont exactly have what we really want in this home its become apparent that we are moving. We will be saving money in the long run as we are moving to the next town over where I grew up, and will be moving in with my parents. My dad owns his own business in construction and we will be planning/building our dream home. However in the mean time, 3 months ago DH and I cut up all our credit cards, started paying as much on them as possible. We also sold one of our vehicles and car pool to work. (that alone was a $20,000 loan gone!) We had realized back in April before our mc that we had to get our money matters straight. Its never a good thing when you have to buy all your groceries on a credit card! Since we have been really good about sticking to the plan at least 3 out of our countless credit cards have been paid off. So hey at least its a step in the right direction!

cedens · December 2008

we are actually still trying to pay off debt from our wedding- that was this past August- we paid majorily in cash but there were last minute things that needed to be charged- (BIG MISTAKE)- i went through our CC bills and income and came up with a plan of attack to get the bills down- a certain amt per month and we should be, not debt free, but drowning less-

by the time the baby is born- i really really need a new car, as my 2-door won't be much of a good thing in a few months (sits low to the ground and hard to get out of- kinda sporty like) and especially no good once the baby gets here- i have put tooo many cars seats in the back of that thing and getting kids in and out of it is just not what i will want to do!

as for purchasing the baby stuff- like furniture and bedding and stuff- i will wait til the shower and see what i get and then possibly go from there- i am not gonna worry about that stuff til i get closer to labor.

we are lucky enough to have a house already, however, there are many things that need to be done to baby proof it- including some remodeling- (the hardwood floors are unfinished and need sanding and sealing)- but if you think about it, we still have some time for that cause the baby won't be mobile til prob a year and a few months later from now.

NewlywedNVA · December 2008

rebus82:
I hope it made him realize he's an ass and that a crib is a lot more important than Fallout 3.

Love it! And I'm totally in the same boat. Your DH may want to consider Gamestop or something where he can rent games instead of buying them - we made that change years ago, and it's prevented a lot of video game-based fights!

emaria · December 2008

we're planning to move to houston before the baby is born because our business will thrive better there (we have a waterproofing and restoration company and it rains more there than here). ?it is baby motivated in a sense because we definitely will need the better income and because our house isn't necessarily baby friendly (we have tile throughout the house and live on the water). ?we've also been selling a few things - our boat, my car, dh's truck (we're going to buy an suv as a family vehicle and then also have dh's work truck). ?in the mean time we're trying not to eat out as much and saving up for the move. ?plus we've been looking up foreclosures in the houston area (we're talking 4/5 bedroom, 3,000 sq ft houses for $50,000 and the like). ?buying a foreclosed home would definitely be awesome! ? ?

ccole2127 · December 2008

rebus82:

I'm just having a problem making DH realize that baby stuff isn't free and that means he can't go out and spend $100 on video games without consulting me first. He seems to think that a lot of the big stuff will be bought by family so we'll only need to supply a few basic large items.

I pointed out to him that I have no siblings and his family gave SIL absolutely nothing of value at her shower a couple weeks ago, leaving my parents to buy "all that stuff" that he thinks we won't have to buy. I hope it made him realize he's anass and that a crib is a lot more important than Fallout 3.

though I want to LOL i know that you are very serious and I would be furious too! I'm just lol cus it sounds like something you would see on a sitcom. He's such a idealist to think hey all we need to buy is a couple of diapers, a lil bit of formula here and there and may even suggest Hey you can BF to save some more money! lol

It was great that you had the SIL anecdote to give him a dose of reality. I think alot of men have this conception about all furniture baby or regular being cheap until they walk in the store. Its like they have limited concept of money when it comes to domestic stuff.

ccole2127 · December 2008

DSteed-to-be:

We plan to buy a home and move back home (we're 10 hours away now) within about 3-4 months after the birth. Right now, we're living on my husband's income and use mine to pay off our CC (almost there!) and then will put mine into savings for our house (which we already have over $14K in, thankfully) until my paycheck runs out about 6-7 weeks after the birth (I'm not returning to work).

We're really counting on our families to help us with the big items (my cousin is giving us her daughter's never-used crib b/c she co-slept and the 2 boys they're now adopting are too big for it and is giving us all her cloth diapers; we're collecting gift cards for Christmas and hope they can pool together for car seat and stroller; we're expecting our parents to buy their own PNP for their own houses and we'll get ourselves one until we get the house because the crib won't fit in our current apartment).

Most people give toys and clothes as shower gifts, so we aren't planning on buying too many of those and just focusing on the must-haves for sleep and safety. Anything else is considered a luxury for us until we get the house and have room and more money (because my husband will have more income after he gets a real job -- he's finishing up his PhD until the baby comes) to get more.

Congratulations on so many levels...the baby, the growing savings, the tangible and intagible support of friends and family, and the DH getting that PhD!!! Just having the crib (even though I'm not ready to have one in the home) would make me feel better. Hope everything continues to work out...you're on your way babes!!

ccole2127 · December 2008

Ace1599:
We are not moving any time soon, but definetly trying to prepare for future expenses and pay down some debt. I am actually thinking about taking Dave Ramsey's fianancial peace course. My job is offering the course for $75 in Jan..so I think we are going to do that in hopes of getting a mutual understand of our debt/finances, as well as budget.

I know! I find myself watching Suze Orman more and more!

madonnadouwanna · December 2008

While I'm not in the same exact boat, we are definitely refocusing our spending. We bought a house a couple of years ago and will continue to live there. We are preparing to remodel our guest bedroom into a nursery (room desperately needs updates, i.e. better electrical, lighting, etc.). I handle all of the bill paying and we've gotten our CC's down to just about nothing. My goal is as of the first of the year is to put at least $100 a month into a savings account strictly for the baby and supplies. DH's parents said they would purchase the crib and changing table or dresser (they did the same for his sister). I'm sure my parents will purchase the stroller or car seat and my grandparents will be generous and buy the other. DH's sister is giving us all of her toys, walkers, etc. so we'll be using that stuff. I'm very good with money and DH and I have seperate accounts and a joint account which helps us limit fighting about money. IMO, I would try scoping out garage sales, moving sales, etc. to purchase used toys/clothes and register for diapers, etc. even. They may not be fun, but at least it won't be such a sticker shock when the baby is here. Good luck!!

ccole2127 · December 2008

MommaDall:
We live in a 1 bedroom condo downtown and with the housing market the way it is right now, moving is NOT an option. We'll just have to get creative with the space we have and make do for another year.

I know! Our house isn't in the best of shape to compete in this market so I kind of feel even more anxious about selling. A 1br condo in downtown Chicago sounds so Urban Chic/Bachelorette style. Guess you'll be or have already been watching loads of HGTV on Urban Home Baby Makeovers.. I know i've seen an episode on that!

ccole2127 · December 2008

Rinners:
We are planning on moving this next spring. Its not so much the money matters of things as it is our neighborhood. When we moved in here things were great, then all 3 of our neighbors sold their homes and some new neighbors have come in. One of them is Great, the other 2, rather annoying.... So we chose not to deal with this anymore, and since we dont exactly have what we really want in this home its become apparent that we are moving.

I KNOW! My wonderful QUIET neighbor moved after 3mons of living there and now we have these not so quiet neighbors. Futhermore not so much my development but the surrounding neighborhood as really changed so we really wanna bail. I'm glad you guys was able to get rid of that much debt. DH & I are kind of in a pickle b/c we want to pay off most of the debt which means less savings but also want to Save more for new home....so its like which do we choose?

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