tech update

[alexandrogynous]

i am seriously contemplating an iphone. i know all the things i said about it one short month ago are still true (ie, it's too expensive, i hate cingular/att and want to switch and it'll be better and cheaper in a year or so when they've worked out all the bugs). but dammit, i saw one for the first time today and it's really an awesome and well-

Comments

[2greyrooms]

1) I think you should get yourself an iPhone. It's so rare that you splurge on yourself and gadgets are just so much fun and provide hours of amusement.

2) Car wise, I think you should get a new car. You're almost 30 years old (damn, I said it again!), you make good money, you work hard, and you deserve a new car with a warranty so you never have to worry about a mechanic. Only oil changes for you from here on out! I suggest the Vibe, Honda Civic, the Honda Fit (which is small, but my Mom has one and it's SUPER configurable), or a Prius. Buy a Tom Tom GPS system; the factory installed ones look nice, but are a total rip off. You can buy one to put in your car for about $400.

3) If you're serious about staying at the Hop for the next 2-3 years or so, you should think about real estate now while rates are still good and it's a buyer's market. Paying off your student loans is important, but you should rest easy and let the government do it for you. Real estate is always a worthwhile investment and the interest is tax-deductible! Every month you are throwing away $1000; you could be building equity with that! Invest in yourself and buy a townhouse or condo (even though you say you're anti-condo) or a small cottage or something. The Hop has excellent incentives for you to buy a home. I think they'll give you up to $5000 or something. Look into it!

[alexandrogynous]

1) i think you're right. i'll probably make a final decision on monday when i go play.

2) i'm up for new. gently used doesn't bother me, but it's hard to find recent models that are both used and stick shift. but i cap it at five years because the sickly mazda is just getting to be too much of a pain in the ass. it gota clean bill of health six months ago, and already there's scads of things wrong with it and falling apart and whatnot.

3) i know, but real estate scares the shit out of me. and you know i'd end up being that one on the block who brings all the property values down because i can't be bothered about little things like cutting grass and whatnot. and i am *firmly* anti-condo. i hate them passionately. town house? maaaaaybe.....but damn. i just moved all my shit. i am so not mentally prepared for moving again...

...but it would be nice to live somewhere that ups could perhaps leave a package...

[2greyrooms]

I forget, why are you so firmly anti-condo? It's basically an apartment that you own. You're so funny.

Move to a townhouse in Hampden or something without a real yard.

I'm not saying move tomorrow...I'm just saying you should maybe starting looking at what incentives are out there and putting some feelers out.

[alexandrogynous]

i'm anti-condo because they all seem to be newly or recently built, and i really prefer old buildings. if i could buy a condo that was in a historic building, i would be more inclined to shell out the cash. but most condos are just linoleum and drywall havens, and i can't see owning something like that.

hampden's kinda cool.