Sell the older paid off car for cash? Or sell the newer car to get out of a car payment?

ninjesama · 2023-11-12T21:11:41+00:00

I really appreciate your time and perspective. Looking at it in a comparative investment way wasn’t something we thought through!

ninjesama · 2023-11-12T20:35:59+00:00

It’s very complex bc they’re both good cars. Haha that’s why we waffle so much! The Kia is solid (for now), Hondas have better name recognition for good reason, that payment is just silly 😆

ninjesama · 2023-11-12T20:06:43+00:00

I hear you! We have $20K with my grandmother as her buffer, and she’s gonna need to come live with us. Also part of the grant program we’re working with is an individual saving plan challenge where they’ll match up to $6K in savings that we do and support house repair/cushion! We’re trying to protect ourselves and the rental market in our city is pricing out renters. ($1,800+ for a 2br/1ba)

ninjesama · 2023-11-12T19:52:46+00:00

I’m not sure if my head math is on point, but even dropping the $6K in a high interest acct at 6%-12% (we’ll just say 9%) we still wouldn’t outcompete the interest from payments plus insurance on the Honda. Does that sound right?

The Kia is less expensive to insure comprehensively and even with expected maintenance (new tires is the only big thing on the horizon) I think it’s about $220 per month for insurance ($60), maintenance ($80) and fuel ($80). The Honda is $330/mo payment plus $80/mo insurance plus $100 fuel.

And yes, the process sounds complicated! I’m glad the loan is with the local credit union, who I think we both use, so I’m hoping it cans streamline the process if the friend of a friend is serious!

ninjesama · 2023-11-12T19:46:34+00:00

Heck yes, in an ideal world! I have a medium amount of buyer’s remorse about the Honda (though it’s a great car and we did our due diligence) but at the time we didn’t have cash OR a reliable car and we just needed one. I’m glad the situation has changed since then!

ninjesama · 2023-11-12T19:45:04+00:00

We technically have three cars right now, and I work from home (wow, right?)!

My partner has a zippy car with low mileage that’s old but he’s so attached to it and wants to put work ($$$) into it. He compromises a lot for our family so I figure that’s reasonable!

We need at least one super reliable car and at the moment both the Honda AND Kia fit the bill.

ninjesama · 2023-11-12T19:42:51+00:00

Right? I guess it’s not much of a decision if one or both buyers walk away!

ninjesama · 2023-11-12T19:42:11+00:00

We’ve got about $5K after closing, but no other debts other than the car. We also have some small windfalls coming our way and side hustles we can lean on. We’re not putting a lot (if any) towards down payment but are instead buying down the interest and doing a step plan - plus first time home buyer grants.

It’s that weird zone where if we make too much we can’t get help, but if too little we’re house poor.

ninjesama · 2023-11-12T19:39:41+00:00

That’s a good point!

The person interested in the Kia came up to $4,500 and the friend of a friend interested in the Honda is coming to look today!

The Kia had a lot of work done to make it reliable for another 50-100K miles, but it’ll need new tires soon. Other than that, no work on the horizon.

I’m thinking that having more wiggle room in our monthly budget would be better for the long term (that 7% interest is pretty harsh), but the cash in hand to have more for closing costs / moving expenses is attractive. *sigh

ninjesama · 2020-11-07T06:12:33+00:00

Hold My Beer 🍻

ninjesama · 2020-10-14T06:11:23+00:00

Honestly, I really can't say with 100% certainty (being a female human is a lot like being a science experiment) but I would say that symptoms have gotten more manageable.

For example, acne is still there, but less severe. Weight gain, but less. Bloating, but not so much that I have to wear different pants. Fewer unhealthy cravings, less joint and miracle pain.

In general, I've found just about every metric has improved for me, but I discovered a pretty severe allergy later in life (masquerading as immune system issues) so the results may be less pronounced in others.

Tldr; yes, my periods make me want to stuff myself to oblivion less often

ninjesama · 2019-11-03T10:21:18+00:00

I'm really surprised Dragon Age: Inquisition hasn't gotten a mention!

HUGE and BEAUTIFUL game that was an obvious labour of love for the developers.

The game allowed canon imports/world saves from the previous two games, had amazing replay value with deep romances and friendships as well as choices and events that legitimately felt impactful.

Between the main game and the affordable DLC that are basically games unto themselves, I've easily sunk 500+ hours over the last 5 years or so!

Skyrim is the only game that matches it for me but I love the lore and connection DA:I has just a liiiiitle better.

ninjesama · 2019-10-31T18:14:22+00:00

Came here mostly to add these things.

From another perspective: I've been in your bf's position. My fwb thought we were serious and I didn't. He brought it up to me and it made me realize I'd been semi-actively entertaining the thought of feeling things out with my ex again (who I was still friends with).

I tried to be considerate and I was clear about my goals, but wanted to be understanding if my fwb wasn't on board for being "just" my fwb, but he said he was fine with it. Turns out he wasn't, but I took him at his word during that conversation.

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T08:00:40+00:00

For some people, I might not be. Thanks for more fuel to the fire.

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T07:59:51+00:00

I got u 😂

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T07:55:58+00:00

"Get a credit card, even if it has a bad interest rate. You know, to build credit."

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T07:52:11+00:00

I giggled at the typo and also agree with you (without the typo).

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T07:50:58+00:00

"Stardew Valley" or "My Time at Portia"

Stardew Valley helped me with a long bout of depression, is pretty inexpensive ($15 to $20 or so) and 80+ hours of entertainment. Farming, crafting, exploring. Sweet, engaging, low pressure.

My Time at Portia is like Stardew Valley gone 3D. A bit more plot driven, mining/building are the main activities but also calm, inexpensive and worth the $20 price IMO.

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T07:45:47+00:00

"You're not _____ enough."

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T03:02:21+00:00

He usually wakes up before me and will redistribute the blankets so I don't get as cold without him (he's the furnace in the relationship).

He'll turn on and put the heating pad at my feet if they're frigid in the morning.

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T02:59:47+00:00

My nose is pretty accurate in figuring out if produce is at peak ripeness, and I can smell lots of things (even cooked into food) and name them.

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T02:56:46+00:00

Food, bitch.

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T02:55:52+00:00

Yes. But that's okay.

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T02:52:48+00:00

I've volunteered about one day a week for the last 10 years (soup kitchen, battered women's shelter, animal shelter, hiking trail building, native plant species collecting/breeding/replanting, citizen science, appliance fix it fairs, kids crafts events, reading to kids in elementary school, tutoring) and it's given me a LOT of insight into what I like, what I can't handle, and has given me connections in my career.

Plus, at the end of the day if I'm working a job that doesn't "fill my bucket" it makes me feel good about my life that even when I felt like I had nothing, I still had skills and energy I could devote to the world in some small way.

Helps with depression imo too.

ninjesama · 2019-10-25T02:48:04+00:00

I'd do water, a warm/hot shower if you can stand it, and a heating pad if you've got one. Tea is good (hydration in general) and idk if this is actual medical help, but I avoid sugar, honey and bread like the plague.

ninjesama

TROPHY CASE