My contribution to the economy...

**hollyhill** · 03-11-2009, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by suki

Hubby and I have no debt outside of our mortgage, which is small and financed at a great rate. We are able to make extra principle payments each month.

My tax return in addition to my savings means we're ready to do some somewhat significant spending. We'll be buying in the next few days:
- Laptop computer (for hubby's writing) - found a great deal for $550.
- Washer & Dryer (mine are 18 years old and ready to be replaced) - still researching but expect to spend about $1,300 on the set.
- Auto Repairs - my classic car needs a muffler, tires, a brake job and a tune-up approx. $500
- Yard/Garden - Bench $100, tools $50, riding mower (used) approx. $500

It is our plan to research prices/brands to get the best value, but then to purchase locally to keep the money in our local economy. Of course the repairs will take place in a local shop.

Anyone else plan to put some money into your local economy with your tax refund or saved funds soon?

Way to go Suki!
You are an inspiration!

**freebs** · 03-11-2009, 01:42 PM

Yes we are stimulating the economy here too:

we bought the following

Semi trailer for storage
6 months worth of animal feed
bundle of landscape timbers
4 rolls of fence
rented a fork lift to do some work we needed help with
run electric for some new outside lites
new bbq grill
new matress set
gun

I think that is all....lol. it sounds like alot but most was bought on sale!

**ncarr** · 03-11-2009, 02:55 PM

I finally bought the kitchen aid stand mixer I've been wanting.... it was worth every penny! homemade bread is a cinch now!

**JanieD** · 03-11-2009, 03:40 PM

We're spenting some cash & helping the economy too. $750 last month on a heating repair (local company) & truck repair (dealership out of town). Both we're unplanned. Honestly, its tough watching the savings disappear.

Guess that's why we still haven't bought a new mattress set. Its been first on my list for months. Time to research & buy $500 (local unless I find a better deal). We may need a new bed $300 (local carpenter), if we get a larger mattress. I keep putting this off since I'm not sure exactly what I want. Time to get those decorating books out!

We're also having a TV stand made within the next month or so. We bought the TV in January 2008. So, I need to call & get this in the works since the carpenter stays busy $300 (local). Just keep putting it off for some reason.

I'd love a hutch & should have bought the one at the thrift shop last month. It was only $200! Hope I can find another deal like that soon. Until then I'll hold onto that money.

I think that's enough spenting for awhile, but I may need some new sheets if we get the larger mattress.

**HappyMama** · 03-11-2009, 03:50 PM

Yeah!! Enjoy your purchases. It is always nice to be able to get what you need and already have the money set aside for it.

**heartofmine** · 03-11-2009, 06:13 PM

Just spent $250.00 yesterday for a starter for my car. Had to stimulate or walk.

**bluedog** · 03-11-2009, 06:25 PM

Glad to think about this as a contribution! Will be needing to put house on market soon and need yard spring clean up.so called local small repair guy today to come help me. My back will simply not tolerate the amount of work that needs to be done this year. Also plan to use state refund to detail 10yr old truck which I will keep until it falls apart! Fed $ will go to savings. Hope this doesn't sound too "un-frugal"

**redhead68** · 03-11-2009, 06:57 PM

I love the idea of advertising on Craigslist for somebody to haul away brush from our backyard. We don't have a truck, and it never dawned on me that somebody might love to earn a few extra bucks doing this for us!

**dcompton** · 03-11-2009, 09:58 PM

Well, it wasn't with tax refund, but last month I bought a mattress set and chest, about $1100. I am happy about it every night when I go to bed.

**craftypam** · 03-11-2009, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by suki

Hubby and I have no debt outside of our mortgage, which is small and financed at a great rate. We are able to make extra principle payments each month.

My tax return in addition to my savings means we're ready to do some somewhat significant spending. We'll be buying in the next few days:
- Laptop computer (for hubby's writing) - found a great deal for $550.
- Washer & Dryer (mine are 18 years old and ready to be replaced) - still researching but expect to spend about $1,300 on the set.
- Auto Repairs - my classic car needs a muffler, tires, a brake job and a tune-up approx. $500
- Yard/Garden - Bench $100, tools $50, riding mower (used) approx. $500

It is our plan to research prices/brands to get the best value, but then to purchase locally to keep the money in our local economy. Of course the repairs will take place in a local shop.

Anyone else plan to put some money into your local economy with your tax refund or saved funds soon?

Hi,

Just noticed you are buying a washer and dryer. You didn't ask for my 2 cents; but I thought I'd tell you my experience. I walked into the store to buy a washer; looked at a front loader. The price was kind of steep $1000; After further looking at it It uses 1/3 of the water, 1/2 of the soap, better on clothes (no agitator), spins so fast your clothes need to dry for a shorter period of time and you can wash many more clothes.

Pam

**WV_mom_of2** · 03-12-2009, 12:55 PM

Does the 700.00 we spent to fix a broken water line count? We hired two local guys who own their own companies to come and fix it.

I also get my hair cut and sometimes colored by a girl who owns her own shop in town. She charges a little more than Walmart but I get good conversation with someone I've known for years and she always does my hair just the way I want it!

I've also started buying my animal feed from a store in town that is locally owned. I always buy my sunflower seeds for the birds and the rabbit food there but I've started getting my dog food there too!

**rainbowgc** · 03-12-2009, 01:32 PM

We had our cars detailed by local guys.

**JanieD** · 03-12-2009, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by heartofmine

Just spent $250.00 yesterday for a starter for my car. Had to stimulate or walk.

You're not going to believe this, but I had to get a starter for my car yesterday (Wednesday). Honestly, I'm getting a new car one part at a time it seems. Another $160 to the local mechanic. Go economy, go!

**suki** · 03-12-2009, 05:18 PM

It does take the sting out of spending to think of it as helping others out. We work so hard to pinch pennies and have money left over each month that sometimes it can be really hard to let go of the purse strings and spend. For me, it's difficult to buy things I need/want vs. helping the kids out (college aged) but not this time. I feel I've given them a great start in life, am there for them without coddling them and by golly it's okay for me to spend my money on a new washer/dryer!

We went washer/dryer shopping and all I've really considered so far is front load for the same reasons given by craftypam above. A year ago when I realized I needed to replace my old ones soon, I did some research and started saving with a brand new front load in mind. I found a really great deal at the local appliance store yesterday (beat the big box stores in price and service) and I believe I'll be buying it tomorrow. I just want to check a couple of things before I make my final decision. The appliance store owner was very informative and we've known him most of my life... so, I trust his advice. Letting go of that much money in one chunk is probably the toughest decision right now.