MomOf3Stars

ucsd_ucla-dad: Sadly we are on opposite ends of the country. My DH currently has 4 Mustangs scheduled to restore in the next year!! Being in the Northeast, no matter how well stored these cars have been most require extensive work (usually frame up restorations). On the investment front, one of his customers did a full "Eleanor" restoration a few years ago, had about $40K total into the car and has it listed online somewhere for $60K. A nice profit if he gets that much for it. On the other hand, we also have a 67 Mustang Sedan sitting in our garage right now from a frame up restoration my DH did about 4 years ago for a relative bc the relative had sudden financial problems and my DH (being a softie) traded him a truck we had for sale for the Mustang. We have been trying to sell it here and there ever since but no takers as a standard Mustang Sedan is not as popular or worth as much as the fastbacks.

emeraldkity4

Pacific NW | At the pawnshop, the needs and the sacrifices are getting bigger | Seattle Times Newspaper

I wish I had something to pawn.
Our refrigerator just died after we went to the grocery store, the radiator in my car has to be replaced and the keyboard wore out on my laptop.
I think I can fix the keyboard, but the other things are beyond that.
( we are using a camping ice chest- now when I buy ice cream I have to eat it all!)

MomOf3Stars

EmeraldKitty: If only internet postings were worth money!! Can't we get paid to do this all day? How about a Garage Sale? I live in the Boonies and never make less that $400-$500 on a sale. My kids old clothes alone are a huge seller and we all have junk around the house we don't really need. What the heck, lease out the hubby for a weekend to some cougar down the street. It won't kill him!! LOL :P

jude_36

emeraldkity, check out the freecycle in your local area. Lots of people would rather give away a working fridge than have to pay to have it disposed, and most charitable organizations won't take them.

emeraldkity4

Thats what I am gonna do- I did notice that people who were remodeling had some available, looking to find one in our area. Afterall I don't need a SubZero.

( I am also weeding out our home library to the used bookstores- Ive never made much on garage sales though- we live in a cheap area- people want a bargain!)

ellemenope

Great article about the pawnshops, EK. Felt bad for the guy who had the $3K (!!) mortgage and had lost his job.

mommusic

$3K mortgage guy evidently was making good money but didn't sock enough away for a rainy day.

I felt worse for the people already on the edge and now unemployed and disabled or pregnant.

BCEagle91

"I think I can fix the keyboard, but the other things are beyond that."

Just plug in an external keyboard. You can usually get them for $5 at a used computer parts store.

emeraldkity4

Just plug in an external keyboard. You can usually get them for $5 at a used computer parts store.

I already have a bluetooth keyboard (of course bluetooth wasn't turned on)
But the last few models of laptops have keyboards that you have to take the frigging computer apart to swap them out instead of just removing the clips on top- they quoted me $600! haha- they have got to be kidding.(
If I can't fix it, I can get a replacement for $100.( & I found instructions on how to take it apart online)

We have been putting the maximum into retirement savings, that Hs company will match, since we had lost a lot in tech stock awhile ago- plus made the illadvised move of borrowing from retirement for D's tuition, one year. ( and the mortgage the year after that)

Im also in the position of being in school- and networking for jobs that will pay well- or quitting school and working for not much money.
Because of learning/disability issues, I unfortunately can't do both, although I am going to try.
We live in one of the most expensive areas in the country, with the highest inflation, but we have lived here all our lives, its not like we moved here on purpose!
We are researching where to move- I'm leaning toward Portland ( where older D lives )

ellemenope

Heck, you probably have friends who have external keyboards laying around from when they switched from their desktop model to laptop! Wouldn't even cost you $5.