Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:26:31 -0700
Reply-To: BA <oddstray@ODDSTRAY.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: BA <oddstray@ODDSTRAY.COM>
Subject: Re: No F#%*#@&ing Way...I won't be One of Those!!
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2007081402482723@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
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We aren't financially in dire straits. In fact, we're embarassingly
(for our pinko leanings) comfortable. But we look at the continuous
stream of cash going to keep 'Esme' happy. And we happily choose to
continue.
It's important to include *all* the values into the value equation.
Our tax consultant had been nagging us to buy a bigger house, to get
the associated tax deductions. But our financial advisor ran the
numbers. He looked at what we might gain by investing in the real
estate of a bigger house, versus other possible investments for that
outlay. His conclusion was, "If you want a bigger house, it wouldn't
be a financially silly thing to do. But if you don't want a bigger
house, it isn't financially silly to remain in your condo and invest
the 'house' money into some other investment."
That's sorta' the thinking we apply towards aiming wads of cash
towards keeping 'Esme' happy. A *huge* immediate-gratification return
she gives us is the pure enjoyment of where she can take us. Another
really important longer-term return she gives us is having a 'disaster
survival vehicle'.
B&S
'87 Westy 'Esmerelda Blanc'
SoCal
On Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:39:09 -0400, you wrote:
>I have read so many postings about the hard times and how the Van must be
>sold to make room in the garage, the wife wants it out, we need the cash,
>etc. Well, tonight I put my fist down and I says nooooo way! I am really in
>the most intense financial scrape that I have ever known (self induced
>towards a comfy retirement) and an easy way to ease the pain right now would
>be to sell 'Fritz' so I really stumped my SO when I told her tonight that I
>would not sell Fritz, no way! What the hell would I drive to the tip? (of
>South America...stay tuned.)...Man, I have had so many of these vans and
>would you believe me if I told you that I lived in a 71 Dormobile (Tortuga)
>on Catch 22 beach in 1977, would you believe me? Hell yes you would, but
>would you believe that I sold it (and I regret that)? Now that's a little
>harder to believe! Like so many other things, we just go right through them
>without thinking. The reason would be a replay of that record, blaming a
>divorce, breakup, marriage, room in the garage, bla bla bla. But no more.
>This is the one and yes, Fritz is taking me back to my homeland, to the tip!!
>Please excuse the rant but it is as if I can resurrect my VW ills with a
>little good.
>My grandson has been begging me ,'please don't sell Fritz, Granpa!' He'll be
>happy tomorrow!
>So I won't be one of those!! Cheers. Miguel
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