Comments on: It’s (Still) All About The Benjamins http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/ The Story Of Two Young People Falling In Love With Their First House Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:29:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Cindy http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3510 Cindy Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:11:28 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3510 I love this idea. I often make purchases on store credit cards even though I have the money available, but it usually cause there are "extra points that month " or some other catch, but I never would have thought to invest the money and get some "free" money in the meantime. Thanks for sharing! I love this idea. I often make purchases on store credit cards even though I have the money available, but it usually cause there are “extra points that month ” or some other catch, but I never would have thought to invest the money and get some “free” money in the meantime. Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: Teeni http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3498 Teeni Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:30:57 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3498 Well, this is probably not the norm, but my husband and I went to a strictly no-debt lifestyle. We got tired of finance charges, juggling no-balance accounts that inevitably go high-interest when we're not paying attention and the monthly payments that accompany a lifestyle of debt. So, we now pay for EVERYTHING in cash. We have opted for much more budget conscious choices with this house than with our last (bank- and credit card- financed) home. It is worth it to sleep easy at night! Well, this is probably not the norm, but my husband and I went to a strictly no-debt lifestyle. We got tired of finance charges, juggling no-balance accounts that inevitably go high-interest when we’re not paying attention and the monthly payments that accompany a lifestyle of debt. So, we now pay for EVERYTHING in cash. We have opted for much more budget conscious choices with this house than with our last (bank- and credit card- financed) home. It is worth it to sleep easy at night!

]]> By: YoungHouseLove http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3484 YoungHouseLove Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:20:48 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3484 Lauren, you are so on the money girl. Knowing when you can do it yourself (and when to put down the drill and call in the experts) is an invaluable tip when it comes to fixing up your home on the cheap. God grant us the knowledge to know the difference! <br> xo, Sherry

Lauren, you are so on the money girl. Knowing when you can do it yourself (and when to put down the drill and call in the experts) is an invaluable tip when it comes to fixing up your home on the cheap. God grant us the knowledge to know the difference!

xo,
Sherry

]]> By: Lauren http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3483 Lauren Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:17:28 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3483 From what I've recently found out, the best way to save on house projects is to get one's parents to pay for everything! While this may sound bitter, it is actually an observation accompanied by a feeling of disbelief. In the past four months, I have watched a few friends have their parents provide these younger (20-early 30s) couples with their house downpayments and renovations. I am not describing a gift of "here's a washer and dryer" - I have watched exchanges from a few thousand dollars to upwards of 30k. In fact, I know a couple (both beyond age 35) who are getting their formal wedding covered and a gift of a huge plot of land. So, if you had helicoptering Baby Boom parents, all you need to do is ask. Cabinets covered! The best way to save is by knowing when to DIY and when to hire for it. Most projects are cheaper by DIY, but the ones that I can really mess up, I hire for them. From what I’ve recently found out, the best way to save on house projects is to get one’s parents to pay for everything! While this may sound bitter, it is actually an observation accompanied by a feeling of disbelief. In the past four months, I have watched a few friends have their parents provide these younger (20-early 30s) couples with their house downpayments and renovations. I am not describing a gift of “here’s a washer and dryer” – I have watched exchanges from a few thousand dollars to upwards of 30k. In fact, I know a couple (both beyond age 35) who are getting their formal wedding covered and a gift of a huge plot of land. So, if you had helicoptering Baby Boom parents, all you need to do is ask. Cabinets covered!

The best way to save is by knowing when to DIY and when to hire for it. Most projects are cheaper by DIY, but the ones that I can really mess up, I hire for them.

]]> By: YoungHouseLove http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3481 YoungHouseLove Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:52:05 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3481 Love those money tips chicas- thanks for passing them along. And as for where I got the wavy white dish, it's actually a giant faux clam shell from zgallerie.com that I use as a fruit bowl. John surprised me with it last year for my birthday and it's been everything from a dining room centerpiece to part of my holiday decor- that shell gets around! <br> Oh and since there seems to be such an interest in contractor negotiation tactics, I'll be sure to write something up for all you home improvement bargain hunters asap! <br> xoxo, Sherry

Love those money tips chicas- thanks for passing them along. And as for where I got the wavy white dish, it’s actually a giant faux clam shell from zgallerie.com that I use as a fruit bowl. John surprised me with it last year for my birthday and it’s been everything from a dining room centerpiece to part of my holiday decor- that shell gets around!

Oh and since there seems to be such an interest in contractor negotiation tactics, I’ll be sure to write something up for all you home improvement bargain hunters asap!

xoxo,
Sherry

]]> By: Nicole http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3471 Nicole Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:24:42 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3471 I love your kitchen! The after is just stunning, love all the white! I did want to know where you got that wavy white dish type thing that is on the counter. I have been looking for those for a while now and can't seem to find it anywhere! I love your kitchen! The after is just stunning, love all the white!
I did want to know where you got that wavy white dish type thing that is on the counter. I have been looking for those for a while now and can’t seem to find it anywhere!

]]> By: McGee http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3466 McGee Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:52:51 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3466 Just a little tip here: we signed up for a credit card with a rewards program that includes Home Depot. So everything we charge earns points that we can redeem for Home Depot gift cards. This paid for our built-in entertainment center, part of our new fireplace (tile was from Lowe's) and part of the paint we used on our home's interior. Count us among those who'd love to hear your tips for working with contractors! Just a little tip here: we signed up for a credit card with a rewards program that includes Home Depot. So everything we charge earns points that we can redeem for Home Depot gift cards. This paid for our built-in entertainment center, part of our new fireplace (tile was from Lowe’s) and part of the paint we used on our home’s interior.

Count us among those who’d love to hear your tips for working with contractors!

]]> By: Joi http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3465 Joi Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:11:09 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3465 Your kitchen is stunning! And those counter tops are so dreamy! Great job : ) Your kitchen is stunning! And those counter tops are so dreamy!

Great job : )

]]> By: Tiffany http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3462 Tiffany Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:33:44 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3462 A co-worker turned me on to www.ebates.com. Before you shop, visit ebates and set up a free account. Then choose the store you want to shop from the ebates site (west elm, Target, Walmart, Shutterfly and so many more often mentioned on this blog) and it redirects to that store's website. If you purchase during that same session it keeps track and gives you a percentage back. Once per quarter they send you a check for your purchases. Sometimes they even offer a gift card bonus on your first purchase. I used this to buy several things from my two moodboards and will have a nice check coming back to me soon. Also, I search for coupon codes online a lot and get free shipping or discounts off of purchases. We saved $500 bucks that way remodeling our guest bathroom. A co-worker turned me on to http://www.ebates.com. Before you shop, visit ebates and set up a free account. Then choose the store you want to shop from the ebates site (west elm, Target, Walmart, Shutterfly and so many more often mentioned on this blog) and it redirects to that store’s website. If you purchase during that same session it keeps track and gives you a percentage back. Once per quarter they send you a check for your purchases. Sometimes they even offer a gift card bonus on your first purchase.

I used this to buy several things from my two moodboards and will have a nice check coming back to me soon.

Also, I search for coupon codes online a lot and get free shipping or discounts off of purchases. We saved $500 bucks that way remodeling our guest bathroom.

]]> By: Aliya http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/09/its-still-all-about-the-benjamins/comment-page-1/#comment-3461 Aliya Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:21:12 +0000 http://www.thisyounghouse.com/?p=3319#comment-3461 Ditto! We did the same thing @Sears when buying a fridge, washer and dryer this past year. I'd say you have to "know thyself" when you do something like this, though - not a ggod idea if you're the spendy type. Ditto! We did the same thing @Sears when buying a fridge, washer and dryer this past year. I’d say you have to “know thyself” when you do something like this, though – not a ggod idea if you’re the spendy type.

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