Air conditioner ka-putt

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Air conditioner ka-putt
2
Sun, 08-07-2005 - 1:44pm

Well, our 16-year-old air conditioner has breathed its last. Fortunately, it's not 105 degrees out like it was a few weeks ago. But it's still hot.

A new AC plus installation starts at $3500 and goes up, depending on the air conditioner we choose.

We are scrambling around deciding how to pay for this. I think I will probably pay it with money I had set aside for taxes, and then replenish the tax fund with my next paycheck or two from my company.

It's very expensive. But I want to share what has *not* happened. We have *not* gone looking for a credit card with enough available credit to cover it. We have *not* gone looking for a company that can install on a payment plan (we're dealing with an independent contractor, who is trustworthy and cheaper than the big guys who can offer financing). We have *not* even considering paying for this with credit. We have *not* gone asking for help from friends or family. In fact, we have *not* even considered tapping our emergency fund. This is not an emergency--merely a minor bump in the road. Perhaps most significantly, I do *not* have a sick feeling in my stomach about it.

Two years ago, I would have been feeling sick and discouraged. Three years ago, I would have been having a full-blown panic attack, crouched in the kitchen sobbing into a napkin.

Today, I am rolling with the punches. We decide which of our various funds the money comes out of. We write a check to the nice neighborhood AC guy. We have cool air. No muss no fuss.

Nice feeling. This is freedom.

:) :) :)

Heather

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-08-2005 - 12:18pm

Good luck Heather

All my best,
Danni

Avatar for mymartes
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-08-2005 - 2:38pm

Good for you, Heather.

This is one of the reasons why it's so important to save money.

MYM