pk1023 wrote:
You know, I guess I should reply to my own thread!
I am betting I am the most pitiful of all however. We bought a small 21 foot Skyline Nomad for around 9000 plus hitching.
1. we only put down $250, yikes
2. 8 year loan thru the credit union down the street. (Lampco, named after the NOW defunct Guide Lamp Co of Anderson, you know back when people lived in Anderson! :) )
3. Accepted theirs, probably shouldn't have!
4. You know we always pay more, but the 122 bucks a month seemed good.
One thing I have learned here is the value of investing. This is a totally different thread, but the WORLD HAS CHANGED. Investing money over 1000 dollars is the ONLY way to turn percentage profits. Savings accounts are dead! Now a days you have to accept the risk yourself. This is, I think, because of the nature of computerized trading technology. Our information systems have allowed capital markets to push down the risk profile onto individuals. I think that's good and bad. But, mostly good!
No, I think I may be more pitiful. I am going to answer this so you don't feel alone, there are likely many more like us who are afraid to post because of the few judgy "pay cash or don't buy it" types. Some people are more well off and can pay cash or very short term finance. That's good, they are blessed and I am truly happy for them. For others like myself, if we did not accept a payment plan, it would be near impossible to aquire any big ticket items at a time when they would be the most usefull.
1. $1000 down (Borrowed because we were between paydays)
2. 12 year loan (Yes, 144 payments on an entry level price leader TT)
3. Accepted theirs, 3.9%
4. Wanted to keep they payment as low as possible so we could still go camping! We actually got the $133 a month they were advetising.
We have stuck with the payments, only have 3 years left. At this point the payment is almost all principal so it makes no sense to pay it off early. Even after DW lost her job, the payment was small enough we were able to keep it and go camping local every couple months.
I am very handy and have handled all our maintenance and minor repairs. Our TT is in great shape and I expect many more years of service and memories. It is the perfect floorplan for our family and camping style, I have no need to trade it in.
Would I do it again? Yes! We have had this TT since before the kids were born but we got it with a family in mind. It was versitile enough to handle our family when it expanded to an unexpected 3rd child, and when DW's aunt comes along (most of the time). It gives me peace at night knowing my ASD son can't just wander away (I would not be able to camp in a tent with him). When we ask the kids what their favorite activities are, camping is always at or near the top of the list, even if it is just our local get away. As they say, memories are priceless, and we have made lots of memories with our TT. I have watched too many people (some close family) toil and save only to become ill or die before harvesting the fruits of their labor. I have learned while it is important to save something for the future, it is just as important to live in the now. If that means I have to make a payment, so be it.
