Oklahoma Suzie

I think you should go for it. Hey, you only live once.

littlehud

Sometimes we need to do something just for ourselves. I say buy the machine. Your birthday is special and you deserve to have something that makes you happy. Go for it.

grannypjb

If you really interesting in purchasing a sewing machine, do not purchase one that all of the little cutesy things on it. Just make sure it will sew a good 1/4" and do a great top stitch.

sandpat

While its your birthday and thats important...it will make you feel better in the long run to actually be a grown up independent woman. That means taking care of business first. For yrs. I actually would sit on the curb by the mail box and cry over the bills coming in because it seemed they overwhelmed me. Then I decided I could do something about it. I got a second job, when that wasn't enough, I got a third job.. Do whatever it takes..if you want a new machine..sell some of your junk on ebay and you'll soon have enough to pay for it! Good luck and Happy Birthday!

loves_2_quilt

Pay the bills first. Find something to put your pocket change in and put it in DAILY, you will be suprised how quickly it adds up.

I am in a position now to go and get the machine I want, but I am not going to do it. It is a greed not a need, so I am saving my pocket change until I get enough. When I get enough, I will decide then if I really want to spend it or save the money for the future.

Myself, I would not feel right if my bills weren't caught up.

DD

Barbm

It looks 50/50 here. get the machine/pay the bills. Let us know what you decide.

just a thought- we are all talking about getting through this moment- this need vs. this months bills. What about next month and the next month after that? Will the same bill problem be happening? Perhaps it's time for Consumer Credit Counseling. There are free (note that- free) services available- take advantage of them. They will sit down with you and your bills and get you on the right track. Sometimes it takes someone else to put it in perspective and give you the pat on the back for doing it.

Debt is not a good thing if you can't handle it. So it may mean not getting that machine you want right now, in the long run you will benefit from good credit and the perks of that good credit- picking and choosing a good interest rate when you must (not need) to purchase a bigger item (such as replacing a car or buying a home).

I'm lucky to have a small second income that provides all the fun I need for my quilting habit. I have a notary service for my work that I use for fun or save. It is actually helping to give my daughter some extras for her wedding or I gave my son $100 to help with the cost of one book for this semester of college. It's the little extras I can do without forcing the budget into a downward spiral of debt. If they don't need something, I splurge on some fabric.

bearpaw

OK - here's my 2 cents. I say pay your bills. Then save for your dream machine. You've been using this machine and could probably use it until you can save enough to buy the new one. I found that there will always be something that we absolutely have to have, but what good is it if you never get out of debt. A long time ago, my DH and I agreed that we would not buy anything until we had the money for it. I put us on a strict budget and although it does take a while to save for things, it's such a great feeling to be able to buy them AND pay them off.

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

shellyp

First I want to tell you happy b-day. It sucks that you have bad things happen around your birthday.

Here's where I stand on the purchase, I have found that spending any significent amount of money while depressed is not a good thing. Especially if it's something your going to have to make payments on. Maybe once you have another bill or two paid off, then get the machine you want. I know how it is when looking at these new ones...I have my eye on a new one too. I currently use a $70 one from Walmart. But it is paid for. Right now I want to get a few bills paid off before I get into another payment. I will feel so much better using it if my bills are paid, and I can afford to buy something to use it on.
Hang in there. Your situation will get better in time.

english rose

Firstly, haveahappy birthday.
I am in the Pay your bills camp. I always think hard before buying something I want but dont necessarily need. If debt piles up, all you can think of is that, your cannot always remember what it was you so despaerally wantned.

Look to the future, soon the sun may shine.

Carol W

I would go to your local (and reputable) quilt/sewing machine shop. Talk to the shop owner and see if they have a fairly new pre-owned machine.

You might be able to pay your bills (I don't like to owe anything to anyone) and still get a fairly decent, not to old pre-owned machine.

Good luck!!

Let us know what you decide to do!!