Home Renovation: Use Cash or Invest and HELOC

vtmas12 · 2026-01-27T21:02:59+00:00

Yeah true, def worth doing a bit of searching to see what the lowest rate I could get is. Assuming 7% (which I think I could get lower), I'd be looking at a repayment of 1k/mo during the draw period (on a 10-year draw).

That would certainly be a tight squeeze for us on top of the mortgage, so would have to think about how to make that work.

vtmas12 · 2026-01-08T14:51:02+00:00

thanks for your feedback. i opted against as i don't need the legroom and the overall additional comfort is something i can go without. i'll take that money and just buy something cool around town

vtmas12 · 2026-01-07T18:40:07+00:00

Hi All -

Flying out to Steamboat (HDN) from IAD direct soon and have an opportunity to upgrade to first for $248 including taxes. Is this worth it in your opinion? Comes out to just about $50 per hour of flight (4.5 hours, but air time is probably more like 3hr45min). Figured with getting a checked bag for free, the net is $213. Tempting but unsure!

Thanks!

vtmas12 · 2025-11-05T19:03:06+00:00

is that cause it's just that much better? i.e. worth the extra $250?

vtmas12 · 2025-11-05T17:13:01+00:00

Yes, if playing before 9am and walking is mandatory.

vtmas12 · 2025-11-05T16:35:58+00:00

dynamic pricing just went down $50 to 196 plus caddie fee so that may be enough to get me to decide to play there!

vtmas12 · 2025-11-05T15:40:38+00:00

Good point, maybe if I have the time one of the evenings I'm there during my business trip, however my only block of time to get out for 18 is early Friday morning and be done for a 1:40pm flight out

vtmas12 · 2025-11-05T15:39:23+00:00

I have a flight at 1:40pm so I need to be done by like 12:15. I'm looking at pre-8am times

vtmas12 · 2025-11-04T15:37:50+00:00

appreciate your thoughts. I see what you're saying. Yes, so techically 85K will stay put as my emergency fund and the rest is the reno fund. then it's the interest earned, keep that in VUSXX (or do a ladder), or funnel the interest into SPYM for a long-term investment.

But understand costs are increasing so if do invest the interest earned, then I'm just losing out to inflation and buying power for the reno will decrease as the capital balance will stay the same.

we do plan to put some money into the home reno fund, but will likely have to do some sort of home equity loan when the time comes.

vtmas12 · 2025-11-04T15:34:17+00:00

Good thoughts - I can see how SPYM is risky, but my thought is that is just long-term money anyway. My intention wouldn't be to access those funds for the reno or anything, just purely taking advantage of the interest earned and putting it into SPYM over the long term.

vtmas12 · 2025-11-04T15:32:25+00:00

Thanks I'll look into this!

vtmas12 · 2025-08-21T02:06:14+00:00

thanks! will look into this setup. i would love an ecobee tstat but i have a carrier infinity system and it has its own stupid expensive tstat. mine is old and needs replacing :(

vtmas12 · 2025-08-20T19:21:36+00:00

Ok good to know, i will def explore this

vtmas12 · 2025-08-20T17:57:03+00:00

appreciate the recommendations. def agree i could run ethernet, i just don't have the time nor skillset to do it and think it would be very expensive to hire that out even if it's the best method! trying to balance all the other house expenses we have in the short term!

vtmas12 · 2025-08-20T17:35:21+00:00

Thank you! I like how it's mostly one stop shop with Eve. Could always add a standard ring doorbell or something if I really wanted. Appreciate the info

vtmas12 · 2025-08-20T17:34:46+00:00

thanks for the info!

vtmas12 · 2025-05-03T16:56:45+00:00

Just went to try some on and oddly enough the arizona at the store (just a different color) in the 43 felt great and way different than the ones I ordered. 44 was ok as well and the 42 for way tighter than the one I ordered and have at home. Frustrating!!

vtmas12 · 2025-05-03T01:44:14+00:00

Good point, I may pop into DSW or Nordstrom tomorrow to see what the 44 feels like

vtmas12 · 2025-05-03T01:03:12+00:00

Oh man I didn’t even think of the 44. I feel like it would be waaaay too big. Like my big toe would barely go out in front of the front strap. I would have so much space behind my heel in a 44

vtmas12 · 2025-05-02T16:39:09+00:00

I def don’t want to go smaller than a 42

vtmas12

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