I think I became so frugal it hurts to buy something big/important!

[phatchristy]

We bought a new heat pump and I bought a high efficiency one (one that would also qualify for the $1500 tax credit) and likely spent about an extra $700 to buy a better unit with a full 10 year parts and labor warranty (trane). Anyhow, I researched a bunch, got the company I went with to match the lowest bid for the unit I wanted (got about $600 off just doing that).

At the end of the install the guys said that I got the best price they'd ever seen on this system (and I believe it with the amount of work I did).

But, it hurt somehow spending the $$$! I think I have to stop myself from thinking like this. We are savers, and I know that part of being smart about money is getting the higher ticket items at a good price and considering qualtiy as well as price.

[bigteamug]

I am so with you there...did I mention that we'll be replacing our furnace, too?(that is, if there is any money left after we deal with the safety issues...). Don't forget to check and see if your local utility does rebates, and there may be a federal"cash for appliance clunkers" program that could go retroactive and save you a little more yet....that is, beyond the income tax credit.

And also remember your savings of fuel/electricity - heating bills for prior people in our house went up to $500/month, which is why the furnace is an issue...

[2cutiekitties]

I think you should be celebrating! You put your frugality to good use and got an amazing deal

Congrats!

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by bigteamug

I am so with you there...did I mention that we'll be replacing our furnace, too?(that is, if there is any money left after we deal with the safety issues...). Don't forget to check and see if your local utility does rebates, and there may be a federal"cash for appliance clunkers" program that could go retroactive and save you a little more yet....that is, beyond the income tax credit.

And also remember your savings of fuel/electricity - heating bills for prior people in our house went up to $500/month, which is why the furnace is an issue...

There is a $125 credit from our utility company as well. I wouldn't doubt we'll save $500-600 a year on utilities. I try to remind myself!

[daytripper75]

Would it help to close your eyes and imagine what life would be like without the heat pump? I'll bet the money in the savings account would pale in comparision to what it would actually be like to live without it.

It is hard to spend when you've gotten used to saving but rejoice in the the fact that you guys had the money there when you needed it and that you knew enough about frugality to get an excellent price!

[phatchristy]

All that being said I just found out that my mom has had the same furnace since 1962. ACK!

She keeps the heat at like 50 something during the winter and it's still over $400 a month!

I told her that a new system would probably pay for itself in a few years only!

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by daytripper75

Would it help to close your eyes and imagine what life would be like without the heat pump? I'll bet the money in the savings account would pale in comparision to what it would actually be like to live without it.

It is hard to spend when you've gotten used to saving but rejoice in the the fact that you guys had the money there when you needed it and that you knew enough about frugality to get an excellent price!

One thing I definitely learned:

It pays to research, get a lot of bids on the unit you want and haggle!!! I mean the difference is big! Get the company you want to match your lowest bid. The bids differed by nearly a thousand or so for the same unit! And with the economy being bad people really wanted the work. Because even with the tax credit people aren't buying!

And, if you're going to get your hvac system replaced it's so much about the installation too! I searched the BBB, online and family reviews, etc. Because you don't want a headache/drama to deal with there either!

[lmonter]

Yeah, it still hurts to part with a chunk of change, regardless. No matter how much research you've done and the screamin' deal you managed to put together and that you *really* need the item rather than it being a want, yeah.

Almost similar position here - we sold a car for not much less than we bought it new for, and rather than getting a minivan (we need to stuff 6 people into a vehicle, 4 of them will be in carseats!) with all the money from the proceeds, we're scaling down and getting a less expensive vehicle so we can save our money for repairs and to live off of. But we *could* go blow the whole wad on a pretty, shiny, 1-3yo minivan if we were so inclined (but I'm not at this point in our financial, unemployed life).