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  1. daveswoodhauler Minister of Fire

    joined: May 20, 2008
    1,837 posts
    Massachusetts
    $15,000? yahoo!

    I'd buy:

    a small used bass boat to take my kids fishin in....like a small crawdad with a small trolling motor
    a used popup for taking the fam camping....gettin tired of the tenting thing with 3 littles guys
    a used crew cab pickup to haul the boat/popup in
    any money left over, a solar hot water system for the house
    #26

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  2. TMonter Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 8, 2007
    1,266 posts
    Hayden, ID
    Remodel both Bathrooms and our Kitchen. The Kitchen isn't too bad but is in need of new counter-tops to replacing the aging creme colored Formica. New Formica that is salt/pepper pattern would be fine.

    The bathrooms are Harvest Gold/Orange and are need of serious redecorating. I was thinking if I get the chance gutting the main bathroom, repairing the floor which was particle board and not duraboard/membrane and installing a new tub/shower countertop and toilet.

    This last year I did all new windows, doors, sliding door and new flooring/carpet. I'm still installing the new trim as time allows but it's slow going since I'm out of town working in Portland OR during the week.
  3. Archer39 New Member

    joined: Sep 23, 2009
    220 posts
    Pottstown PA
    I would put it towards my lawn care business I have been wanting to expand. I am sick of working for other people and have been dieing to go full time on my own. If i had any extra (i highly doubt it) me and my wife would go somewhere on a short vacation. Probably somewhere north.
  4. smokinj Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 11, 2008
    15,542 posts
    Anderson, Indiana
    15k would be a chipper and I in business......And send my part-timer to climbing school! lol
  5. vvvv New Member

    joined: Feb 23, 2010
    1,449 posts
    MAINE
    totally aesthetix?
  6. ddddddden Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 20, 2009
    1,170 posts
    Central Va
    +1.

    If I had to spend it on a convertible, I'd get a z3 3.0. Widespread reports of problems with cracking of the rear floorpan + diff mount though, so make sure you inspect that. . .probably more common on M Roadsters that have been tracked / driven hard. If you want to save $, look at the '96 z3 with the 1.9L four cyl. Only ~140hp, but that may be all the GF wants/needs. Nobody makes a better I-6 than BMW, but the I-4 is better on gas, and handles a lil' better since the nose of the car is lighter.
  7. ddddddden Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 20, 2009
    1,170 posts
    Central Va
    +1. :)



    If I had to spend it on a convertible, I'd get a z3 3.0. The 3.0 motor is a nice evolution from the 2.8. Widespread reports of problems with cracking of the rear floorpan + diff mount though, so make sure you inspect that. . .probably more common on M Roadsters that have been tracked / driven hard. If you want to save $, look at the '96 z3 with the 1.9L four cyl. Only ~140hp, but that may be all the GF wants/needs. I really like the BMW I-6, but the 4 is better on gas, and handles a lil' better since the nose of the car is lighter.
  8. btuser Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 15, 2009
    1,884 posts
    The island of Rhum Boogie
    15 grand? No home improvement? Can't pay down bills?

    I think the original post's spirit of intent was spend 15K and have nothing tangible to show for it, because even a boat (nothing more than a hole in the water into which you pour money) can be considered an asset.

    15k would definately be time off. I think I'd like to see Europe, or South America, or the Middle East. Some parts of U.S., Alaska, Appliachain trail. Yeah! Definately travel. Its one thing to see a movie, but quite another to know what it smells like.
  9. ColdNH Feeling the Heat

    joined: Oct 14, 2009
    479 posts
    Bow, NH
    Like everyone else said, those are some tough rules to abide to, the house could eat that 15k up easily, new paved driveway, new deck, new floors in the kitchen, etc.. so could bills

    Rule abiding I would get that slightly used/almost new bow-rider I have been lusting for the entire summer. I am actually currently contemplating selling my 2 seater convertible (honda s2000) so I can have some boat money.
  10. TMonter Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 8, 2007
    1,266 posts
    Hayden, ID
    Energy efficiency wise and generally speaking our house is in great shape. We use far less power than other people with 4 kids, we heat with wood and everything in the house is functional. But functional in terms of the bathrooms, it would just be nicer to have them cleaned up better, have properly ventilated fans ect in the house. Plus the bathroom is very dated however because we don't buy things on credit (we pay cash) the bathroom remodel will have to wait for more savings.
  11. begreen Super Moderator

    joined: Nov 18, 2005
    36,433 posts
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Replace the formica with a solid colorcore. We used white solid colorcore on our countertops installed 16 years ago and they still look great. If it gets a mark you can sand it out without worrying about sanding off the top layer and exposing the black laminate underneath.
  12. Capt Burning Hunk

    joined: Jun 13, 2009
    124 posts
    Michigan
    Well, this is what I just did with a 1/3 of that 15k:

    It is an all stainless steel Mountain Top Custom Kennel dog box I just had built. It took three months, I'm glad it's finally here! It's nice if I travel around the Mid-West to field trials.

    Attached Files:

  13. precaud Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 20, 2006
    2,272 posts
    Sunny New Mexico
    Take some of it and book some time with a competent therapist. Sounds to me like you could use it.
  14. Battenkiller Minister of Fire

    What kind of dogs do you run? I just lost my little setter groan at 14 years old. She was a field trial dog that I got to hunt a few birds in my spare time. I didn't really understand what field trials were all about. I thought she'd tag along and sniff out some grouse and point nice and pretty. Which she probably was doing... out of my sight, three counties away.

    Great dog, with an unbelievable spirit. She'd point anything, even a fly on the wall. The breeder really knew his stuff. I sure didn't, but I miss the hell out of her anyway. Here she is in one of her more subdued moments, warming herself by the hearth.

    Attached Files:

  15. firefighterjake Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 22, 2008
    13,521 posts
    Unity/Bangor, Maine
    Ah, it's fun to dream.

    First off, kudos to you for thinking of your wife first and foremost . . . sounds like you truly are in love . . . and that right there is worth much more than $15,000 . . . finding that special person is really priceless . . .

    If I were me and I came into that money . . . and I was going "crazy" by not paying off bills or spending it on the house renovations . . . ah, easy answer . . . I would use it to take my wife to Europe . . . see the Scandinavian countries, Ireland, Scotland . . . and "skip" down to Germany and Austria . . . meet some of her cousins and relatives that she only met a long, long time ago.
  16. TMonter Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 8, 2007
    1,266 posts
    Hayden, ID
    White definitely wouldn't go well with the kitchen Decor I'd consider a salt and pepper pattern but budget would also be an issue. In the meantime getting all the trim up in my place an purchasing a finish nailing gun instead of constantly borrow a friends are next on my priority list. I'm keeping an eye out on craigslist for a Porter Cable FN250 or similar pneumatic nailer.
  17. vvvv New Member

    joined: Feb 23, 2010
    1,449 posts
    MAINE
    propane powered nailers / hoseless are sweeter!
  18. Flatbedford Minister of Fire

    I'd split between the restoration of the old truck and what ever Mrs. Flatbedford wanted. Due to the home improvement restriction I suspect we would be on a European vacation.
  19. glenng New Member

    joined: Nov 9, 2006
    121 posts
    Nice box. I just let em ride in the cab with me. We`d miss each other too much.

    [IMG]
  20. Archer39 New Member

    joined: Sep 23, 2009
    220 posts
    Pottstown PA
    Me to, but he always wants to drive.

    [IMG]
  21. firefighterjake Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 22, 2008
    13,521 posts
    Unity/Bangor, Maine
    From the looks of him I wouldn't argue with him . . . I would let him take the wheel. ;) :)
  22. stee6043 Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 22, 2008
    2,086 posts
    West Michigan
    I think I'd go ahead and take a 3 week motorcycle ride to Alaska....with a rental motorcycle.
  23. Battenkiller Minister of Fire

    Just don't let him drink. Nice to have a FT DD.
  24. Jack Straw Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 22, 2008
    2,040 posts
    Schoharie County, N Y
    The nicest 1980's jeep cj7 I could find for the money.
  25. firefighterjake Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 22, 2008
    13,521 posts
    Unity/Bangor, Maine
    Wait a minute . . . DD . . . this harkens back to Dixie's thread . . . are we talking about darling daughter, darling dog, designated river or drunken driver? ;) :)

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