How to convince dh to sell stuff?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2008
How to convince dh to sell stuff?
7
Wed, 07-16-2008 - 4:26pm

I have been reading Dave Ramseys book and I see a light at the end of the tunnel.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Wed, 07-16-2008 - 4:38pm

sidenote: love your screen name. Our family dog Peanut died this morning. She was a 15 year old pug dog.


Instead of hearing your husband whine (sorry but he probably will) about how you are ripping all family activities from him (selling camper and boat) can you present him with some solutions BEFORE you talk to him? Do you have friends that have a boat? Perhaps they would let you guys "borrow" it once a month? Do you have other means of camping? Tent camping?


You are making large reasonable requests IMO. Also, if you get rid of the truck - do you have another vehicle? will you purchase a vehicle with better gas mileage? Be prepared for him to be resistant to your plans.


You have good ideas - could you tell him that once your other debt is gone (in a few years) you will agree to repurchase a camper under the agreement you save up half in cash? Perhaps that will give him a light at the end of the tunnel?


I assume w/a boat and such you carry insurance. Selling that will eliminate insurance too. Smart move.


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2008
Wed, 07-16-2008 - 4:47pm

Many state parks have cabins that allow you to still experience the great outdoors.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2008
Wed, 07-16-2008 - 4:47pm

Thanks for your reply!

Avatar for mahopac
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-1997
Wed, 07-16-2008 - 4:59pm

I agree with beepsmom that you might not want to ask him to sell everything immediately.

One way to look at the cost of ownership of the camper and boat is figure out how much you pay for it each year, and divide that by the number of times you've used it. If the camper is costing you $3444/year and you only used it twice in the last year, then you paid $1722 every time you used it. What would you do with that $1722? Would you substitute camping with a more expensive vacation, or would you give up going away from home at all? If you paid $15,000 for it, and you expect to use it for your family vacation 15 times, then $1000/use might be worth it, since you probably can't stay in hotels for $1000 every time you go on vacation - or could you?

If you sell the lake boat and use the $10,000 to pay off your LOC, will you buy another boat in the near future and incur more debt?

What is the truck used for? Is it a third vehicle just for fun, or is it your husband's regular transportation?

You may have already answered all those questions in your own mind, but it's just food for thought in case you haven't. If it really is worthwhile to get rid of all of these things, and you're sure you wouldn't substitute more expensive purchases for them, then you might want to use the cost-per-use argument with your DH. I know that argument has shocked *me* into action more than once.

Another is the "relative value" argument. Is the value of these combined "fun" things equal to the value of something else that is necessary? Is that a sensible way to spend your money?

Kelly

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Wed, 07-16-2008 - 8:22pm

Just remember don't give these things away. If they don't bring in the money to cover what you owe

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 07-17-2008 - 9:35am

Honestly - I think the best thing to do is suggest it and hope that he agrees.

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Thu, 07-17-2008 - 9:49am

Excuses: Tent camping works just fine for most folks and you can always rent a boat for the few times you will be using one.


stacy