MBAVisionary
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California and the Long Island / NYC area are comparable when it comes to cost of living from what I've read. Those expenses month to month really start to add up.
Leaving Long Island for Texas
- Thread starter MBAVisionary
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California and the Long Island / NYC area are comparable when it comes to cost of living from what I've read. Those expenses month to month really start to add up.
MBAVisionary
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To MooreBonds:
2. I have a general feeling that particular recruiter got recognition for simply having people walk through the door regardless of whether they were qualified. Clearly if he looked at my resume he would've seen that I didn't have a professional background in marketing. He asked me specifically about marketing policies that I've implemented. It's been over a month since the interview and not so much as an e-mail asking what my status is or if I'm still looking. Sure I could message him back, but based on the limited number of jobs posted and the way our last conversation went, it seems like a lost cause.
3. I included a cover letter with the resume and filled out a form they required. I went into their office, said I mailed my information out to them in July. They said there's no telling what happened to it and asked me to fill out the form again. I sat down and one of the receptionists is asking what to do since all my information was already in their computer system. Lame.
I have made them very clear in my last meeting there with two people, indicating I did not want to be a bank teller again. Nor did I want to do one of those jobs that is all sales, where you get put on probation if you don't meet your numbers for a week. I have friends / ex-coworkers who have had those types of jobs and hate it. He seemed to have a difficult time finding anything that even remotely fit my criteria. His speciality is banking and he encouraged me to look at the company's websites directly, which I have and continue to do. The other woman I spoke to that day said she deals with people who have been doing clerical / administrative work for several years.
Will touch bases tomorrow to see if anything has changed with them.
Gave up too easily probably because: a) my heart isn't in banking b) the first phone call I got I was spoken to in such a condescending way I didn't feel like arguing. It is my tendency to diffuse conflict by just ignoring it. I've seen the part-time and full-time teller jobs paying 11-13/hr. I'm exploring every other option than to do that again. I spent 40k+ on college not to work a job that leaves me at the poverty line...A decade doing jobs that involved almost no brain power and so much repetition I could do it with one eye open. No more.
During that time period I applied to 20 other positions. If one person or company brushes me off I go onto the next one. I am clear about what I want. When I see something that fits the criteria, I apply for it. It's 2:30am now and I'm still looking. That's how serious I am about my job search.
2. I have a general feeling that particular recruiter got recognition for simply having people walk through the door regardless of whether they were qualified. Clearly if he looked at my resume he would've seen that I didn't have a professional background in marketing. He asked me specifically about marketing policies that I've implemented. It's been over a month since the interview and not so much as an e-mail asking what my status is or if I'm still looking. Sure I could message him back, but based on the limited number of jobs posted and the way our last conversation went, it seems like a lost cause.
3. I included a cover letter with the resume and filled out a form they required. I went into their office, said I mailed my information out to them in July. They said there's no telling what happened to it and asked me to fill out the form again. I sat down and one of the receptionists is asking what to do since all my information was already in their computer system. Lame.
I have made them very clear in my last meeting there with two people, indicating I did not want to be a bank teller again. Nor did I want to do one of those jobs that is all sales, where you get put on probation if you don't meet your numbers for a week. I have friends / ex-coworkers who have had those types of jobs and hate it. He seemed to have a difficult time finding anything that even remotely fit my criteria. His speciality is banking and he encouraged me to look at the company's websites directly, which I have and continue to do. The other woman I spoke to that day said she deals with people who have been doing clerical / administrative work for several years.
Will touch bases tomorrow to see if anything has changed with them.
Gave up too easily probably because: a) my heart isn't in banking b) the first phone call I got I was spoken to in such a condescending way I didn't feel like arguing. It is my tendency to diffuse conflict by just ignoring it. I've seen the part-time and full-time teller jobs paying 11-13/hr. I'm exploring every other option than to do that again. I spent 40k+ on college not to work a job that leaves me at the poverty line...A decade doing jobs that involved almost no brain power and so much repetition I could do it with one eye open. No more.
During that time period I applied to 20 other positions. If one person or company brushes me off I go onto the next one. I am clear about what I want. When I see something that fits the criteria, I apply for it. It's 2:30am now and I'm still looking. That's how serious I am about my job search.
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rescueme
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Yes, the tower/building was "twisted" and they thought they were going to have to tear it down, but didn't.Yup. The highlight of the weekend is going to Amarillo.Some of you young 'uns (and non-Texicans) may not remember the tornado that went through Lubbock in about 1969. It left an imprint on one of the tall bank buildings.
Left there late '67 (military) and volunteered for Nam (long story) rather than stay there. That tells you how much I hated it
.MBAVisionary
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Yes, the tower/building was "twisted" and they thought they were going to have to tear it down, but didn't.
Left there late '67 (military) and volunteered for Nam (long story) rather than stay there. That tells you how much I hated it
You volunteered? Wow, that says a lot!
I drove through a couple areas that looked frozen in time. I enjoy driving through open spaces. Visited Cresson Ranch a few weeks ago for a motocross event. Open land as far the eye can see.
rescueme
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Just take the first hour of the movie "Born on the 4th of July" and you will understand the era I grew up in (both father and future FIL - he served in the "Bulge") had a different view of the situation at the time. Ron Kovic/me shared the same image - before and after our respective "service" to our country.
I learned the truth, after I arrived in-country, but that's another story (not to be discussed in this forum)...
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MBAVisionary
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The important piece for me to remember is that actions speak volumes. Whether I'm digging up a lead, doing research on a company before I apply and the daily job search. It all is on me to take the initiative to get the process going. A hope and pray mentality only does so much. Emotions typically get in the way of clarity. Successful people keep on trying even with rejection.
Last but not least thanks to all those who have commented. I honestly do appreciate it, even if we disagree. I hope none of my comments / responses were taken the wrong way.
Last but not least thanks to all those who have commented. I honestly do appreciate it, even if we disagree. I hope none of my comments / responses were taken the wrong way.
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MooreBonds
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I was actually afraid that I was coming across a little sternly...I realize that you only use one or two sentences to describe different situations that could have pages written to fully detail them, and it's difficult to convey it in such a short summary. I just don't want you to go through all the efforts of digging up all these apparently halfway promising leads and then just not feel up to following through all the way to the absolute dead end.
NYEXPAT
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Another one who grew up in Huntington, Moved to Peru and not a day goes by that i do not think about Little Vincents (Village Pizza for you old folks)or a Gyro at the Mediterranean Snack bar.
MBAVisionary
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Little Vincents is great if you're up late and need a bite. I don't eat pizza though and thought it tasted like cardboard, so that might be why I wasn't a huge fan.
MSB rocks. So close to where I lived and everything was made fresh.I'm guessing they don't have good pizza in Peru?
MBAVisionary
Recycles dryer sheets
I was actually afraid that I was coming across a little sternly...I realize that you only use one or two sentences to describe different situations that could have pages written to fully detail them, and it's difficult to convey it in such a short summary. I just don't want you to go through all the efforts of digging up all these apparently halfway promising leads and then just not feel up to following through all the way to the absolute dead end.
I appreciate the concern. I actually didn't go through a whole lot of effort to find that lead, two clicks on craigslist. Sometimes I've found it to be intentionally vague, at least on a semi-public forum such as this.
I am turning a negative into a positive though, have a couple more leads that are of higher quality. People who work at companies in the area and might be able to get me an "in". Applied to 10 positions in the last 10 days, bringing my number up to 54 total. Also gotten some rejections. I take it for what it is. What's meant to be will be.
BigMoneyJim
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Recruiters and temp agencies don't find jobs for people, they find people for jobs.
I felt most of the ones I interviewed with were just adding to their resume banks without a specific real job in mind for me. However a select few seemed to have appropriate jobs and even got me one or more interviews. I tried to stick with those types when I found them.
I keep hearing it's much easier to get a job if you're already employed. In 2001 after looking for months I dumbed down my resume and applied for a retail job and held it for 5 months before getting back into my field. I wasn't getting ahead, but I was treading water financially.
I felt most of the ones I interviewed with were just adding to their resume banks without a specific real job in mind for me. However a select few seemed to have appropriate jobs and even got me one or more interviews. I tried to stick with those types when I found them.
I keep hearing it's much easier to get a job if you're already employed. In 2001 after looking for months I dumbed down my resume and applied for a retail job and held it for 5 months before getting back into my field. I wasn't getting ahead, but I was treading water financially.
MBAVisionary
Recycles dryer sheets
BigMoneyJim, thanks for the comment. Yeah I'm learning that it's every man for himself in the career world. Can't depend on anyone else other than yourself to get in the door and get promoted when the proper time comes.
They say it is much easier to get a job when you're already employed. The exception, or at least what I like to believe the primary exception would be if you have relocated to a new area. My experiences over the next months will tell me whether this is really true.
Up to 75 jobs I've applied to so far and I keep on going. Can't stop now, I'm almost at the finish line!
They say it is much easier to get a job when you're already employed. The exception, or at least what I like to believe the primary exception would be if you have relocated to a new area. My experiences over the next months will tell me whether this is really true.
Up to 75 jobs I've applied to so far and I keep on going. Can't stop now, I'm almost at the finish line!
East Texas
Full time employment: Posting here.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2010
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- 746
Are you tied to Austin or can you move to San Antonio?
MBAVisionary
Recycles dryer sheets
Tied to Dallas right now. Lease, bf / his job and friends here. There are plenty of opportunities in the area, I see thousands of job postings (Find jobs in Texas | Indeed.com). Really trying to find the right fit.
By right fit I mean not working at a supermarket cashier or other type of non-thinking job that would've been okay five years ago but now would be a very destructive career move.
MBAVisionary
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Update: Up to 102 jobs I've applied for, been on 3 interviews in the last two weeks. One was with a CEO who later told me they got a lot of candidates for the position and it was difficult to make a decision, but I would be considered for other positions that may open up, etc. The other I met with two VPs and a Manager. Spent about 4 hours interviewing in total. Crossing my fingers, but still actively looking.
Got $50 back from my Citicard thank you points and $75 is coming to me from FatWallet's cashback program with our AT&T U-Verse contract. I'm doing the Income-Based Repayment program with my Sallie Mae student loans. Apparently I now fall under the following category:
"If your reduced payment under IBR does not cover the interest on your loans, the government will pay that interest on your Subsidized Stafford Loans during your first three years in IBR. After three years, and for all other loan types, the interest will accrue but not compound. That means it will be added to your principal, but interest will continue to accrue only on the original principal amount."
My car will be paid off in 2 months and my required student loan payment looks like it will be 0 for the next 12 months.
Partner is getting a raise at his company which helps out, though I still am not trying to take advantage. At this rate he probably will be able to retire at 50 or earlier if he chooses to.
Got $50 back from my Citicard thank you points and $75 is coming to me from FatWallet's cashback program with our AT&T U-Verse contract. I'm doing the Income-Based Repayment program with my Sallie Mae student loans. Apparently I now fall under the following category:
"If your reduced payment under IBR does not cover the interest on your loans, the government will pay that interest on your Subsidized Stafford Loans during your first three years in IBR. After three years, and for all other loan types, the interest will accrue but not compound. That means it will be added to your principal, but interest will continue to accrue only on the original principal amount."
My car will be paid off in 2 months and my required student loan payment looks like it will be 0 for the next 12 months.
Partner is getting a raise at his company which helps out, though I still am not trying to take advantage. At this rate he probably will be able to retire at 50 or earlier if he chooses to.
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MBAVisionary
Recycles dryer sheets
Hey guys and gals! Just wanted to give you a quick update...
I have a job now and will be starting next month! Really came down to the wire. Kind of a long story...
Almost got a position paying 30/hr (60k/yr), but the company couldn't guarantee a start date for me. Went on 3 interviews, met 5 employees there, know two other people who work there personally and spoke to 3 different recruiters. After all this, they still weren't able to give me a start date. Ultimately, I had to make the decision to move onward
Starting salary is 35k (equivalent to 67k where I was on Long Island) but there is definitely room to learn / grow and I really consider this the start of working in a new industry. Been in banking for 6 years on and off with little growth to show for it. Definitely thinking more strategically this time around.
As for my personal finances...
1. Have 2500 in credit card debt to pay off, may do a 0% card so the interest doesn't keep racking up. My debt to credit ratio is still relatively low, I have about 14k of total available credit. Finance charges are about 25-30/month.
2. Car is paid off in full.
3. I have almost 0 in savings for all practical purposes.
Still a work in progress, but at least the boat isn't sinking anymore.
I have a job now and will be starting next month! Really came down to the wire. Kind of a long story...
Almost got a position paying 30/hr (60k/yr), but the company couldn't guarantee a start date for me. Went on 3 interviews, met 5 employees there, know two other people who work there personally and spoke to 3 different recruiters. After all this, they still weren't able to give me a start date. Ultimately, I had to make the decision to move onward
Starting salary is 35k (equivalent to 67k where I was on Long Island) but there is definitely room to learn / grow and I really consider this the start of working in a new industry. Been in banking for 6 years on and off with little growth to show for it. Definitely thinking more strategically this time around.
As for my personal finances...
1. Have 2500 in credit card debt to pay off, may do a 0% card so the interest doesn't keep racking up. My debt to credit ratio is still relatively low, I have about 14k of total available credit. Finance charges are about 25-30/month.
2. Car is paid off in full.
3. I have almost 0 in savings for all practical purposes.
Still a work in progress, but at least the boat isn't sinking anymore.
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- 23,059
Congratulations on the new job. Seems like things are really looking up for you.
East Texas
Full time employment: Posting here.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2010
- Messages
- 746
Thank goodness for good news! I'm glad everything (finally) worked out. Best of luck.
Congratulations.
Welcome to Texas.
Welcome to Texas.
MBAVisionary
Recycles dryer sheets
Thanks for the well wishes. Here's my game plan.
Pay off credit card in 2 months.
According to Salary Paycheck Calculator:
Your Pay Check Results
Bi-weekly Gross Pay : $1,346.15
Federal Withholding : $173.46
Social Security : $56.54
Medicare : $19.52
Texas : $0.00
Net Pay
$1,096.63...
* 2 = 2193.26
* 4 = 4386
After my credit card is paid off, I plan on putting 35% (~800) of my pay aside each month in a special account for my student loan debt. This will be done through an ING automatic transfer on the days I get paid so I don't even think about it. After a year I will have 9600 saved. In 5 years the loans will be paid completely, assuming my salary remains the same.
I also need to establish an emergency fund. I'd say 6 months right now of my mandatory expenses on a month to month basis. 1000/mo with a portion of rent factored in, so 6000 in a liquid savings, checking or money market account.
I will continue looking online for projects I can do on the side to generate additional income and methods of advancing my education without going over budget. Thoughts?
Pay off credit card in 2 months.
According to Salary Paycheck Calculator:
Your Pay Check Results
Bi-weekly Gross Pay : $1,346.15
Federal Withholding : $173.46
Social Security : $56.54
Medicare : $19.52
Texas : $0.00
Net Pay
$1,096.63...
* 2 = 2193.26
* 4 = 4386
After my credit card is paid off, I plan on putting 35% (~800) of my pay aside each month in a special account for my student loan debt. This will be done through an ING automatic transfer on the days I get paid so I don't even think about it. After a year I will have 9600 saved. In 5 years the loans will be paid completely, assuming my salary remains the same.
I also need to establish an emergency fund. I'd say 6 months right now of my mandatory expenses on a month to month basis. 1000/mo with a portion of rent factored in, so 6000 in a liquid savings, checking or money market account.
I will continue looking online for projects I can do on the side to generate additional income and methods of advancing my education without going over budget. Thoughts?
MBAVisionary
Recycles dryer sheets
My biggest challenge at this point is getting my earnings up to snuff. Starting work in an industry I have no experience in, but can have high earnings potential over time once I get to a senior manager type role (possibly with another company altogether but I'm not sure). 35000/yr gross salary is not a lot of money. Especially if I want to retire by the time I hit 60, invest in a townhouse, house or even with renting.
Short-term, I'm plugging the hole in the boat while slowly emptying out the water that has bogged it down.
I'd like to be making 50k+ in the next three years once I have more experience in this industry. Professionally I've been very passive and need to make up for lost time. My partner has moved repeatedly and made quite a few sacrifices over his career path to make close to 6 figures before 30. He also has over ten years experience under his belt in the same industry, which definitely helps. I don't expect to be at his level and understand the concept of sewing seeds and reaping the harvest.
I'm a bit anxious, but doing my best to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. Feel free to chime in on how you took control of your careers and boosted your earnings over time.
My experience working from 1999 to 2011 at 4 companies tells me the following...
Work hard, get noticed, keep looking out for opportunities and don't be afraid to jump ship if you have to. I've seen people who started at a company the same time I did make 3 or 4 jumps when I only made one. Every 6 months they applied to an opening and got the position they applied for. Situations can arise in a company where one mistake is on your record and it prevents any type of promotion / transfer for 6 months to a year.
Make a mistake each year of some type and kiss your shot at getting a promotion or transfer goodbye...
I keep reminding myself to focus on things I can control here and now. The past is over and done with, the present is all I really have control over. Not everyone is successful right away and we have all faced setbacks along the way. For every success there can be many, many failures.
I'm breaking down my goals month by month and reviewing them to keep myself motivated and on track. Have a couple competing priorities on my mind. Between the cards, student loan, saving for retirement, living expenses. Moving out of my parents house was one of the better decisions I've made, but it carries the weight of being a responsible adult.
Short-term, I'm plugging the hole in the boat while slowly emptying out the water that has bogged it down.
I'd like to be making 50k+ in the next three years once I have more experience in this industry. Professionally I've been very passive and need to make up for lost time. My partner has moved repeatedly and made quite a few sacrifices over his career path to make close to 6 figures before 30. He also has over ten years experience under his belt in the same industry, which definitely helps. I don't expect to be at his level and understand the concept of sewing seeds and reaping the harvest.
I'm a bit anxious, but doing my best to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. Feel free to chime in on how you took control of your careers and boosted your earnings over time.
My experience working from 1999 to 2011 at 4 companies tells me the following...
Work hard, get noticed, keep looking out for opportunities and don't be afraid to jump ship if you have to. I've seen people who started at a company the same time I did make 3 or 4 jumps when I only made one. Every 6 months they applied to an opening and got the position they applied for. Situations can arise in a company where one mistake is on your record and it prevents any type of promotion / transfer for 6 months to a year.
Make a mistake each year of some type and kiss your shot at getting a promotion or transfer goodbye...
I keep reminding myself to focus on things I can control here and now. The past is over and done with, the present is all I really have control over. Not everyone is successful right away and we have all faced setbacks along the way. For every success there can be many, many failures.
I'm breaking down my goals month by month and reviewing them to keep myself motivated and on track. Have a couple competing priorities on my mind. Between the cards, student loan, saving for retirement, living expenses. Moving out of my parents house was one of the better decisions I've made, but it carries the weight of being a responsible adult.
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MooreBonds
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
You didn't pose a real-estate question....but couldn't help commenting.
Every situation is different, but many on this forum are DIYers to various degrees. A townhouse's monthly dues of several hundred dollars can add up quite a bit over time. Think long and hard about buying a townhouse, versus being a DIYer and taking on that risk of the roof and yard maintenance on your own with a smaller house. Over 10-20 years, those monthly fees can add up big-time. Well, my personal situation is only having worked at my family's construction company for 8 years, followed by my current employer for just over 4 years. I did get an offer from another company back in Feb, and put my 2 week notice in....and then promptly had a much more generous compensation package given to me by my current employer, which caused me to stay.
So, having worked for just one "real world" employer (i.e. not the [-]overly dysfunctional[/-] special situation of working for family), my advice is limited, but here it goes:
It sounds like you have a good fearless attitude of getting out there and improving your career path, which is great! I'm a little more comfortable in my position given my past sacrifices, so I can look more for 'quality of life' aspects of the job rather than what will get me to the FIRE line sooner. As I mentioned above, don't be afraid to look for new positions at your own/other companies and apply. Also, if you get a job offer from someone else, don't be afraid to show that to your current employer to try and negotiate a better situation at your current job (salary and/or position). HOWEVER, it can backfire, either in being fired, or having them trust you less and think you'll just repeat it again down the road. All depends on the industry and employer.
Also, remember one thing I learned the hard way: when I started working for the non-family employer, I had a rosy view of the job world. I thought only my family was back-stabbing, made me suffer through the younger-brother/son' syndrome (i.e. you're too young to know anything), lacked productivity, etc....boy was I wrong!
Just because you bust your butt and do a pristine, PERFECT job doesn't mean it will amount to a hill of beans. You WILL be ignored, looked over, have your creativity/production stolen from you and your efforts 'shared' with your boss/co-workers, etc.. Peoples' personal traits WILL get in the way and make life hell at times. Realize this. Don't think it's a simple as
Working extra hard + having a job = great raises/promotions
First and foremost, know how to recognize peoples' traits early on, and know how to work with those, and in spite of those. If your boss ignores you, DOCUMENT things. Don't be afraid to know how to politically hold your ground when you are correct, but also know how to do it politely as possible so you ruffle as few feathers as possible. You will have to bite your tounge many times over the long haul. It's tempting to go for a short-term victory, but sometimes it could lead to losing the battle (in the form of promotions/raises).
One other bit of advice - be wary of jumping ship too many times. If your resume shows 10 different employers over 5 years, future employers will assume they'll be #11 with their company occupying another 6 month stint on your resume, and they'll have to look for another person to fill your role 6 months from now when you inevitably jump ship again as you did in the past. While your courage to constantly look and better yourself is commendable, being too aggressive could carry long-term negatives. Don't jump ship for just a meager amount or role...make it count
. And learn as much as you can from wherever you are, as it may take a while to get to the point of being able to learn new things at an existing job.
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MBAVisionary
Recycles dryer sheets
Thanks for your reply again MooreBonds.
On the subject of real estate, we're looking at townhomes in the area. Here's the current state of our apartment:
-1275/mo for 1285 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
-3rd floor, with the a/c on 24/7, temperatures are still about 80 inside. It gets as hot as 110 here during July / August. I say this not to bitch, but the result is electricity bills of over $220/mo.
-Water is about 40/mo.
-Washer / dryer rental about 35/mo.
-Gas is around 30/mo (for hot water heater)
For rent alone, we're paying 15,300 each year or half the cost of a new car without a single dollar of equity. We both have good credit scores, mine was 761 when I checked in June 2011. His is slightly slower I believe, like 740s.
The townhomes we've looked at run about 150k. Taxes in the area are around 2.2%.
1783 sqft unit we looked at the other day had HoA fees of 99/mo.
1763 sqft unit was 198/mo.
2055 sqft unit was 225/mo.
2202 sqft unit was 231/mo.
Reasons why we shouldn't do it include:
•Credit Card Debt - 3k for myself (soon to be 0%), around 10k for my partner (not sure what his APR is).
•Car Loan Debt - Just got a new car after his 2002 model kinda blew up. New head gasket after thousands were spent on other repairs 2-3 years prior. Owe about 20k.
•Emergency Fund - I basically have 0.00 with the move, though my car is paid off and worth 14k.
•20% down. Wouldn't be able to do this until 2013 sometime most likely.
•Uncertainty about the housing market. Will prices remain stable or tank some more. Don't want to end up under water like some of our friends in Florida.
Reasons why we should:
•Much lower monthly payment. I'm not really sure how much lower right now, looking for a good calculator to use.
•Building equity.
•More privacy
•More space
I still need to reply to the rest of your comment, but am going to step out for a bit.
On the subject of real estate, we're looking at townhomes in the area. Here's the current state of our apartment:
-1275/mo for 1285 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
-3rd floor, with the a/c on 24/7, temperatures are still about 80 inside. It gets as hot as 110 here during July / August. I say this not to bitch, but the result is electricity bills of over $220/mo.
-Water is about 40/mo.
-Washer / dryer rental about 35/mo.
-Gas is around 30/mo (for hot water heater)
For rent alone, we're paying 15,300 each year or half the cost of a new car without a single dollar of equity. We both have good credit scores, mine was 761 when I checked in June 2011. His is slightly slower I believe, like 740s.
The townhomes we've looked at run about 150k. Taxes in the area are around 2.2%.
1783 sqft unit we looked at the other day had HoA fees of 99/mo.
1763 sqft unit was 198/mo.
2055 sqft unit was 225/mo.
2202 sqft unit was 231/mo.
Reasons why we shouldn't do it include:
•Credit Card Debt - 3k for myself (soon to be 0%), around 10k for my partner (not sure what his APR is).
•Car Loan Debt - Just got a new car after his 2002 model kinda blew up. New head gasket after thousands were spent on other repairs 2-3 years prior. Owe about 20k.
•Emergency Fund - I basically have 0.00 with the move, though my car is paid off and worth 14k.
•20% down. Wouldn't be able to do this until 2013 sometime most likely.
•Uncertainty about the housing market. Will prices remain stable or tank some more. Don't want to end up under water like some of our friends in Florida.
Reasons why we should:
•Much lower monthly payment. I'm not really sure how much lower right now, looking for a good calculator to use.
•Building equity.
•More privacy
•More space
I still need to reply to the rest of your comment, but am going to step out for a bit.
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