ButterflyGirl

Kim, I think they do. I'll have to check into that- thanks for the suggestion! Since we're (hopefully) moving into a different town, the electric company out there is different. I have $150/month budgeted for electric, which should be just about on par in the summer, and lower in the winter/spring/fall. Our electric bill right now runs around $100 in the summertime. We're pretty conservative with our thermostat! I actually called the elec. company over there and had them give me average elec bills for some of the new homes there that are the same floorplan as us, and they were all under $150. We are getting the extra insulation as an upgrade, so hopefully that'll help at least a little bit. By the way, I should add that this home is not 100% certain- we don't even have a contract on it yet. We have to wait for the property to become available first (concrete shortages certainly aren't helping), so cross your fingers for us that one becomes available (and NOT on a premium lot) soon!

LegoMama, My children are still young. Also, I shop using coupons and buy most things on sale. I am quite certain my food budget will increase as these kids get older! Sam, I have accounted for all of the things you've mentioned that we'll need when figuring out our monthly food/gas/misc. budget. I've overestimated some of the utilities (water, electric, etc.) My new house will include blinds- it is an upgrade we are choosing. As for the fancy curtains- well, we'll just have to wait until we can save up a little money for those! I do adore the curtains and decorating in model homes, though! At first I think we will stick with paint to customize- it's cheap, and looks good! Ours only comes with the oven/range & dishwasher, so we will be purchasing the micro, fridge, washer & dryer before moving in. It's one of the advantages of building...at least we have time to save up for this stuff! Oh- and since we are currently in a rental house, we already have all of the lawncare items- mower, weedeater, 20 foot ladder, various lawn & garden "grooming" equipment, etc. No additional rooms to furnish, so we're good to go. Tell me more about these thermostats. Anything to save money is my cup of tea!

Vaughn, Great suggestion! Thanks!! Here's what we are going to do until then: we're going to take an extra $230 or so from each of my husband's paychecks and put it into our savings account. This way, we are essentially living off of what we'd be living off of once we're in the house. Also, it'll be a nice way to build up a little extra savings, for appliances and the little incidentals. What do you mean by this, though: but if the deal is that you'll pay off a car or something that will free it up then don't forget about the new car you'll need later? Sorry- I can be a little dense at times!

It's a NEW HOUSE. As in, comes with a WARRANTY. We are buying new appliances, which I would imagine would be under warranty for at least one year. Other than the occassional blown lightblub, what exactly do we need to worry about needing to repair?

Yes, we have a 401K-type of fund that there is no penalty for withdrawal from (if you have a good reason). Our medical is pretty good, as we have an HMO, so no paying 20% over a huge deductible. Our savings will be pretty much nil as we'll need to buy appliances for our home and need the money for closing costs. We are a family of 4. I currently spend around $200/month on food (give or take $50). I should probably add that we have "made it" on $400/month after bills for the past 3 years, but that was as renters- not homeowners. We will have a warranty on our home, though, as it is a new build. Guess I am just having cold feet. Just thought of something else- that $600/month is after overestimating our bills. Example: our electric bill is usually around $80 (add about $15-$20 to that in the summertime). I am figuring in $150 for the electric bill, just in case it's higher in the new home, etc.

Just wanted to get a few opinions out there. Again, this is after all bills, mortgage, utilities, etc. are paid. The $600 would have to be enough for food, gas for the cars, toiletries, clothing, etc. We live in Florida, if that makes a difference as far as cost of living goes (not too high out here). This would also only be for one year- after that, we will have much more disposable income.

I mean- I know you'd have to be a complete salamander to accept the first offer you get if it's not that great, but do most people just contact the first lender/mortgage broker and go with them if the rate is acceptable, or is it normal and customary to call around to a few different places for a pre-approval? TIA!

If you opted out before having closed on the house, they must have obtained the information from public records, right?

I'm not positive about this, but I think that some CAs have a DOLA as the date the account was opened with the OC. Nonetheless, I would think the CA would have to delete in November of this year, based on the DOLA they have listed. As a matter of fact, I think that other posters on this board have said they've had success in disputing such accounts as obsolete 2-3 months before the actual 7 years is up, so you might get this off your CR as early as next month. Have you disputed the TLs with the OC and CA yet? I'd bet you'll have some success in getting at least one of them deleted!

Thanks, Jessica! That's good to hear! Would you suggest that I just let this one ride out until it's obsolete, then, or should I go ahead and send a DV letter? Worst case, if I let it ride out and then they start reporting, I can just dispute it then and send a DV then, too, right?

Jeune, The letter does state on the back that I have 30 days to dispute validity. Say they come up with some flimsy paperwork or something that they claim is full validity, but in reality is not...wouldn't that increase their liklihood of reporting to the 3 CRAs? I guess my main concern is this: Midland is not currently reporting to any CRAs. Is this because it just hasn't "hit" my reports yet, or is there any chance that it never will?

If I request validation, won't that guarantee them reporting to the CRAs? Or is that something that will definitely happen regardless, and anytime now? What do you mean wanting to get rid of their contract with the OC? Thanks for your advice!

Thanks for your reply, but I *can't* dispute it as Not Mine, because it's not even on my credit reports. How long will it take to hit my CRs, or is there any possibility that it won't?

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Sorry- wrong board.