Local minor stresses
Dec. 2nd, 2003 10:39 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jayJL is in town... first call at home was at 7:20am, four others before 8:30. I wish he could consolidate his calls, instead of relaying each new tidbit or development as he learns about it.
I'm at home for the second morning in a row, listening to a underground mole telecon. One car (the van) I'm worried about driving prior to trading it in... the other car (convertible) is in the shop for electrical work. Yesterdayhopeforyou was kind enough to give me a ride to/from work in the afternoon.
I'm making decisions with ongoing implications for our household... at this point, I've decided that we have to replace the van, even with another 6 years of payments looming. I've spent time applying for auto loans, finally getting a good deal (4%, 72 months) through our credit union (so I can set up payroll deduction). And I looked at new cars online... considered the merits of the Honda Odyssey vs. the Ford Freestar... opted for the latter because of its safety features (side-curtain air bags, traction control and a reversing sensor system that beeps as the rear bumper approaches an object) despite the Honda being probably more reliable (and $2K cheaper). Besides... as a US government employee, I feel some ethical obligation to recycle my large-purchase tax dollars back into the North American economy.
I wish there were hybrid engines or fuel cells available now for larger vehicles, but that will have to wait until our next new car (in another 8-10 years, typically). I then used a buying service at the credit union and found a Freestar with the right equipment and not too many unwanted options (like powered sliding doors... sigh) in the colors thatpatgreene wanted (blue and grey). In Seaside, near Monterey. The buying service negotiated a price $250 over dealer invoice, which was good enough. But the trade-in... they were willing to drop off the new car, sign the documents in my driveway, and take away the old car. But... my nightmare scenario is that the old car then breaks down before they get it back to the dealership, and then the purchase contract becomes a legal morass. So patgreene and I are going to drive the old car down there tomorrow. If it makes it the 100 miles there, I will trade it in with a clear conscience.
Other household decisions... I'm finishing a refinance deal on my house, trying to lower and lock in my interest rates (from 7-3/8 to 6%) before the current budget and trade deficits inevitably push up US interest rates over the next few years. But over the weekend I received a package from the lender listing a huge quantity of fees... and a prepayment penalty. Unacceptable. I contacted my mortgage broker yesterday and threatened to call the whole thing off. He told me to ignore the lender's pro-forma documents, that the "real" documents would be courier-delivered today. A notary just called me, he'll be here at noon. If I'm lucky, the reduction in mortgage payments will compensate for the additional car payments... still, tossing around and rearranging tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars does still leave me a bit vigilant and stressed.
I'm at home for the second morning in a row, listening to a underground mole telecon. One car (the van) I'm worried about driving prior to trading it in... the other car (convertible) is in the shop for electrical work. Yesterday
hopeforyou was kind enough to give me a ride to/from work in the afternoon. I'm making decisions with ongoing implications for our household... at this point, I've decided that we have to replace the van, even with another 6 years of payments looming. I've spent time applying for auto loans, finally getting a good deal (4%, 72 months) through our credit union (so I can set up payroll deduction). And I looked at new cars online... considered the merits of the Honda Odyssey vs. the Ford Freestar... opted for the latter because of its safety features (side-curtain air bags, traction control and a reversing sensor system that beeps as the rear bumper approaches an object) despite the Honda being probably more reliable (and $2K cheaper). Besides... as a US government employee, I feel some ethical obligation to recycle my large-purchase tax dollars back into the North American economy.
I wish there were hybrid engines or fuel cells available now for larger vehicles, but that will have to wait until our next new car (in another 8-10 years, typically). I then used a buying service at the credit union and found a Freestar with the right equipment and not too many unwanted options (like powered sliding doors... sigh) in the colors that
patgreene wanted (blue and grey). In Seaside, near Monterey. The buying service negotiated a price $250 over dealer invoice, which was good enough. But the trade-in... they were willing to drop off the new car, sign the documents in my driveway, and take away the old car. But... my nightmare scenario is that the old car then breaks down before they get it back to the dealership, and then the purchase contract becomes a legal morass. So patgreene and I are going to drive the old car down there tomorrow. If it makes it the 100 miles there, I will trade it in with a clear conscience.Other household decisions... I'm finishing a refinance deal on my house, trying to lower and lock in my interest rates (from 7-3/8 to 6%) before the current budget and trade deficits inevitably push up US interest rates over the next few years. But over the weekend I received a package from the lender listing a huge quantity of fees... and a prepayment penalty. Unacceptable. I contacted my mortgage broker yesterday and threatened to call the whole thing off. He told me to ignore the lender's pro-forma documents, that the "real" documents would be courier-delivered today. A notary just called me, he'll be here at noon. If I'm lucky, the reduction in mortgage payments will compensate for the additional car payments... still, tossing around and rearranging tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars does still leave me a bit vigilant and stressed.
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no subject
Date: 2003-12-02 11:23 am (UTC)-J
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Date: 2003-12-03 01:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-02 11:38 am (UTC)You could look at it this way: car payments are a known monthly expense that you can budget for, while the periodic multi-thousand-dollar repairs on your current vehicle aren't on quite such a dependable schedule. =)
I wish he could consolidate his calls, instead of relaying each new tidbit or development as he learns about it.
Why don't you ask him to do that, or at the very least not to call you at home before 8 AM? You do know that just because the phone rings doesn't mean you have to actually pick it up, right? ;)
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Date: 2003-12-02 12:27 pm (UTC)Shhyeah. That's what *I* told him. And there's any number of legitimate reasons to not answer. Like "I'm getting the kids ready for school", or "I'm in the shower", or simply "I'm busy". (I personally favour "Something was on fire so I couldn't pick up," but then that's me, and I would consider JL's behaviour creepily stalkereqsue...a harassment charge could be brought up.)
I really think JL consumes too much of his time and attention...the guy has too much time on his hands. He needs a hobby other than his job. Maybe a girlfriend. Anyway, *some* distraction.
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Date: 2003-12-03 01:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-03 01:24 am (UTC)Actually, I use caller ID heavily nowadays, given collection agencies and telemarketers... and sometimes I screen out JL as well. Especially the early or late calls. I no longer jump Pavlovian-style out of, um, bed with my partner just because the phone is ringing (this used to drive
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Date: 2003-12-03 12:21 pm (UTC)Well, gee, I can't begin to imagine why. Heh. I'm sure I told you my funny story about someone feeling compelled to answer the phone, no? I won't repeat it here, but ask me offline about it.
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Date: 2003-12-02 11:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-03 01:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-02 11:53 pm (UTC)I get easily overwhelmed by it all.
My thoughts are with you.
we like our little Insight (honda) but it is way to small for your needs.
I was thinking the electric cars are becoming more and more common.. but there is no american manufacturer yet?
no subject
Date: 2003-12-03 01:29 am (UTC)I'd love to drive an Insight, though... maybe I could cajole you into letting me try it someday?
no subject
Date: 2003-12-03 09:45 am (UTC):)