Does anyone else feel this way?

When you're about to get into your house and don't know what your other bills are going to be (electric, heat, water, etc) and think...omg...can we do it?

I'm totally stressing right now.

Some people say that you grow into it, it's so much scarier on paper....then there's my father (the supportive person that he is ) who says...I don't think you guys can afford it.

I really don't need this stress right now.

Message edited 11/9/2006 10:10:03 AM.

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

Ask the sellers what their monthly bills are for the house.
That way you are able to have a rought estimate.

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

absolutely. I have a spreadsheet with all our bills, estimated household bills (all over estimatign) and we have enough $ left over (plus a decent amount in savings) and im still freaking.

It will all work out!

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

We just closed a few weeks ago - and yes, we felt like that. But, I think so long as you bought in a practical price range, and did your math - you'll be OK. You'll find a way to make it work - even if you have to sacrifice some things - but it'll be well worth it! Good luck & congrats!

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

I think it's much scarier on paper. Unfornately we have had to sink so much $$ into our house since we moved in last year, it makes me sick to my stomach to even think about it. I'm not talking cosmetic work either... things that we had no idea we were going to have to do.

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

you can cal lthe providers and ask them what the average bill was for that address...

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

sorry to hijack for a minute -


but the house we are (hopefully) buying has been empty for a month. if i call the companies, can they give me previous months as well?

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

It is way scarier on paper. When Danielle and I were in the market for a house, she kept saying that we werent going to be able to afford everything, and now that we are here almost a year, I can honestly tell you it isnt that bad.

We split the payments up between the two of us. Danielle pays the big mortgage, and her credit card, and school loans.

I pay the Smaller Mortgage
All Utilities
Cable
Phone
Cable Modem
Cell Phones
Lowes Card
Car Insurance
My credit card
Pet Insurance
Car Payment
Landscapers
Newspaper
and what ever else comes in

We still have money for gifts, traveling and going out to eat. We just dont go crazy....

Scott

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

I totally need to get a job and put Jared into daycare for 2 days...

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

DH definetly does, especially being in the mortgage business he sees a lot of people living lifestyles they can't afford. You learn to live within your budget once you know how much everything will cost though.

It is a very stressful time, take a deep breath

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

It is definately scary- I remember thinking we must be on drugs to think we could do it - but honestly, it really has been fine.
Try to relax, it'll work out!

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

We sat down with my FIL and went through what he pays for each utility, and then asks us what additional expenses we incur each month and we rounded up, so we could protect ourselves and we felt much better after that knowing we can afford it.

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

dont stress. It will come all together.

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

Stef - I am right there with ya.
I am sooooo stressed out over this

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

I feel that way and I'm not even in the market yet for a home because I feel this way...

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

I almost pulled the plug on the whole deal yesterday for this same reason.
I have a ginormous daycare bill to think about in addition to ALL the other stuff so I am terrified...

It's so scary and I haven't slept in days.
But we are gonna move forward because there will never be a money tree to make me feel better...

And it could be worse, you could have a Dad with his head in the clouds going do it, do it without really thinking about what we are getting ourselves into...he got mad at me yesterday when I said I wasn't sure about signing the contracts...I know he is excited, but jeez...

Now if only I didn't feel like I was going to vomit at the thought of the check I have to write out now...

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

We made a spreadsheet on Excel and tried to guesstimate our monthy expenses. It helped us have a clearer idea of what the bills were going to be.

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

That's why I'm so afraid to take the plunge but we've started looking..............

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

We both are working full-time right now and things are manageable although at first I was terrified. I think once we have kids in a few years we're going to definitely have to budget hardcore and cut a lot of nice things out.
Childcare issues scare me - I want to continue to work but I don't want to leave our future kids with a stranger. Don't you just love Long Island?

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

It's definitely overwhelming. We're waiting now for our Closing Date and just thinking about writing those HUGE checks and then getting into the house and paying those bills is making me sick !! - I keep telling myself once we get used to in after a month or two, the shell-shock will wear off and we'll be ok ........TELL ME we'll be ok !!!

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

I remember being in the same spot 4 years ago. Actually 4 years ago Dec 10.


When we went to contract we were hyperventilating. It's a huge deal..

At the closing I was sick as a dog with bronchitis and I'm sure everyone in the room was happy to be with me..

We were terrified and everyone kept saying don't worry it will work out..etc..

We still worried, we fought, we were at each other's throats at one point, but we made it through. I was also out of work when we closed.

Talk about stress..

It worked out. We make our payments fine, we have money left over and it all worked out.

It was the most stressful thing we have ever had to deal with.

There were many times we were going to call it off and I'm glad we didn't.

I know it's hard to think like this, but as time goes on you also will make more money. While that's no guarantee, it did happen for us.

It makes sense that as you go on in your career and gain more experience you will earn more money.

Re: Does anyone else feel this way?

of course you think that way! I think there is a way to obtain past bills on that home actually or at least the area.

One way to control it is budget billing which is an average of the last 12 months. Our electric has been the same for the last 4 months which is great for us to plan budget wise.

You really can make it work despite how scary it is and how negative some people can be. Some months may be harder and you eat lots of pasta or keep the thermostat lower and bundle up.....

the point is, you make it work because having a home is that darned important! Remember....it's yours!