One thing I always liked Nick Lachey on Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica was that he had his eye on the money. This was sometimes taken to silly extremes, like the time he hired some pretty lazy guys from a local temp agency to lay down sod. It just as often made some sense however, like when he uttered the classic line: "Jessica Simpson, you did not spend $1200 on sheets."
In my marriage, I'm the one who keeps his eyes on the money... and that has been the source of some stress lately. The expenses (here and here) incurred at the beginning of May continue to have financial repercussions. I just don't feel like I'm getting ahead. This feeling is somewhat illusory, however; any temporary poverty on our part is largely to an aggressive repayment schedule on debts incurred before our marriage. Part of me is quite determined to get all that behind us on a schedule I set up some months ago... which is already about two months behind where I would like it be. At the same time, I see that this "tightening of the belt" may actually be choking us financially... because there are large expenses we haven't been able to avoid, and there a couple of trips we very much want to take this summer (one to one of the Disney parks, the other a wedding in the Great Northwest in July.)
Of course, any real estate deliberations only increase my discomfort. Mrs. Geek and I decided to stop and have a look at a property for sale just down the hill from us last night. It was new construction, about 2400 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths, one "bonus" room, with hardwood floors, granite and marble counters, CAT 5 networking, two car garage, 80 square foot yard, interesting view, and a number of interesting upgrades. In all, a very satisfactory place to live, except for the price: $868K. It will probably go for more than $900K. The mortgage payment on a regular 6% 30 year mortgage for this little slice of heaven: $4689... which more than I take home every month. The interest will be tax deductable, it's true... but still... I get slightly depressed when I hear Mrs. Geek say "It [staying in the area] all has to work out somehow."
said drgeek
on 2005-06-13 at 4:38 p.m.
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