How much should I spend today?

[thyme4change]

After years of discussing, my husband gave me the green light to do what I need to do. We need one new exterior door, but I'm thinking of buying 2 or 4. I also still haven't bought the new dining room table I've been looking for. We need a chair for our TV room because the other one is crap, and of course the bathroom remodel.

Part of me says that I have a while to execute each of these. The other part says that we are so weird about these types of things that just because we have the whim today, a year from now I might have the same list of things that need to be done.

Should I just whip out my trusty Visa and go, go, go?

[so1970]

with exterior doors go with wood if you can not only effecient but beautiful as well.

[thyme4change]

I was going to go Steel. I thought that was better than wood. No?

[HoneyBBQ]

I've bought some great furniture on Craigslist. I saved a ton of money that way. It's something to consider since it sounds like you have a lot on your 'to do' list.

[Jake 48]

What is your budget for the bathroom remodel?

[so1970]

i was always taught wood then vynil then steel.

[thyme4change]

Dec 29, 2010 11:12:14 GMT -5 Jake 48 said:

What is your budget for the bathroom remodel?

Well...Pretty sizable. We haven't decided which of the bells and whistles we want, and depending on what we are going to get will determine how much we are going to spend. We have to go to the studs, we have to update some of the plumbing and we need to replace our water heater. Right now we have about $25k sitting around waiting to be spent on house "maintenance." Although we have resources if we need to go over. The last thing I want is to wish we had spent more. That is where I am with our kitchen and it sucks!

[quotequeen]

$10k.

[thyme4change]

I better get busy!

[Jake 48]

I have done 3 complete bathroom remodels down to the studs, I always found that the sub floor was junk and had to be removed to the floor joists. the good thing though if you know what you want for flooring, vinyl or ceramic you can easily add more floor joists to take the bounce out of the floor at this time. the only other suggestion is make sure your bath exhaust is sized properly and vented to the outside. good luck!

[thyme4change]

I'm in Phoenix - concrete slab - no joists, and no bounce.

But yes, I definately need a good exhaust system. The bathroom is moldy because now it doesn't vent at all. I foresee a lot of spending on things that aren't very exciting - plumbing, exhaust system, probably some wiring. No one ever walks into your house and says "I love what you've done with your ductwork."

[thyme4change]

By the way - you might find this funny, or sad, or horrifying. When my husband and I were discussing it. His words (and I will quote him) were "Screw investing this year. The market has let us down - you know what hasn't let us down - THINGS."

LOL.

[Epiphany]

Ok here's my opinion and order of events:
Buy exterior doors today or tomorrow so you can get the tax credit for doors and windows (increasing efficiency meeting certain standards). Go with wood or steel but definitely not vinyl and make sure it meets efficiency standards for the tax credit.

shop for a dining room set online and visit local stores in your free time.

formulate a plan and list for the bathroom remodel and hire a contractor. We did a full masterbath last year and it took 4 months 8k and I am an interior designer. We got tile discounted through reps, bought vanity off ebay and did much of the work ourselves. You need a good plan in place. Defiantly don't skip and use vinyl instead of ceramic tile. Maybe even meet with a designer or someone who can help you decide your needs and not just a contractor who will build it. We did little extra touches like installing a four plex outlet and holder for all my irons and blow dryer, heated floor, built in closets, big shower, etc. Don't rush this one