This is what the house has cost so far
Sears: $4034.23
Linen N Things: $585.28
Lowes: $778.48
Home Depot: $815.90
Walmart: $205.30
Amazon: $431.42
Plumber: $345.00
Here is where I list what I spent money on and where I saved money. First the positive.
Lowes: $60 in coupons used
Home Depot: $50 gift certificate from realtor used
Sears: shopped sales, clearances and the outlet store
LinenNThings: Nothing under 30% off was bought (and yes we made sure they didn't just jack the price up to put it on sale)
Walmart: Got what we could here because it was cheaper than any other place.
Amazon: I was picky about the microwave, needed one that doubled as a convection oven and was reliable. They were the cheapest. By combining this purchase with a cheaper stove, saved about $400-700 overall (Double ovens on freestanding gas stoves are expensive).
Plumber: First quote was $1600. Second was from a guy who actually knew what he was doing AND was cheaper.
Now, what I bought.
High efficiency steam washer, refrigerator with french doors and bottom freezer, gas stove with 5 burners and convection oven, microwave that can act as a convection oven, trim (to replace badly mistreated trim), tools for both inside and outside, queen bed set because our current bed will not fit in the bedroom (turning our king into a basement guest bedroom), paint, primer and painting tools, curtains and curtain hardware (we have more windows than walls seriously but at least we never have to turn lights on until its dark out), door locks and door handles (outside doors), radon test kit, etc.
AKA, lots. I now have a 10% coupon for Lowe's good through 1/15/2009. Of course. But I am sure we will find a use for it.
So a little less than $7200. I suppose that's not actually bad considering. Wait till we price out replacing the casement windows with new casement windows.
Oh, I also got the first electric and gas bill for the house. 9 days cost $23 plus $64 that the previous owners didn't pay (no worries, I expected that and was grateful it was so little). I suspect part of that was the gas water heater having to heat up all the new cold water pumping through it. The house water has been turned off a couple of times in the past month. At this rate, the house will be cheaper than our current place for double the space. I will reserve judgment till after I see the first water bill.
This weekend we are finally moving in. Once we are in I think the little projects will be easier to accomplish.
Okay starting to have some real numbers
December 4th, 2008 at 05:31 pm
December 4th, 2008 at 05:41 pm 1228412486
December 4th, 2008 at 05:55 pm 1228413308
December 4th, 2008 at 06:38 pm 1228415927
December 4th, 2008 at 06:49 pm 1228416558
I think Sears and JC Penny's will give you paper blinds for any bare windows until you can make curtain purchases. They actually look kind of nice, in a modern, pared down kind of way.
Lowe's right now offers a $20 rebate gift card for the purchase of $100 worth of gift cards. Give yourself all those gifts and it is like 20% off. You can buy online and print off rebate form online. Or can do it in person.
December 4th, 2008 at 06:51 pm 1228416660
As far as I can tell, no dryer is rated energy efficient though there is a companion dryer to my washer. We just aren't inclined to spend money on something that we only use for towels and bedding. Especially since we can just run lines in the basement during the winter. We live in a dry climate so no worries about the humidity getting too high.
December 4th, 2008 at 07:01 pm 1228417264
As to the windows, we want the insulation of the curtains for our large drafty windows. Think 72" X 67", 72" X 48", 7 more 41" X 48" and larger. The financing wasn't used to cover the windows, it was used to buy appliances and bed. The washer, stove and bed were the only items financed.
I make no excuses, we could have waited for the cash and simply left the house empty till February but I am anxious to move in and get to work on all the projects. I also have no objection to financing so long as it doesn't actually cost me anything.
December 4th, 2008 at 08:55 pm 1228424105
December 4th, 2008 at 11:12 pm 1228432372
December 5th, 2008 at 12:55 am 1228438545
December 5th, 2008 at 08:07 pm 1228507658
I am definitely a person that uses credit to my advantage. Since the Sears card offered 10% and that's better than 1% back, I used that for those items eligible for the discount.