Seriously bummed right now

Over the weekend something terrible happened.  Actually it proabably happened during the day Friday.  Our stereo receiver went out.  I mean, bam, stopped working all of a sudden.  This is downstairs on the big TV, the home theater, the XBox system, etc.  It was about 4 years old.  They just don’t make them like they used to.  My parents had one that lasted literally 20 years.  Their current one is 14 years old.  Mine lasts 4 and kaput.

Now I found a decent one to replace it for about 350 dollars.  Why am I put out?  Normally I’d have slapped that sucker on credit and not though twice about it.  These days, the thought of  using credit is as abrasive as sandpaper to my face.  The last time I used credit specifically for a purchase was about a year ago.  I just don’t like doing it anymore.

Years ago we learned a hard lesson with doing that.  I did in fact by the TV, the stereo, the speakers (all 6 of them) on credit.  Would I do that again? Hell and no.  I use those items a lot lately and that’s another reason I’m saddened by the loss of the receiver.  Not to mention, now more than at any point in my life, I want to get out of debt with a burning passion.  This year has been very good on the debt front.  It could have been better.  The election cycle brings a lot of uncertainty and the financial crisis is not exactly a sun shine and lollipop situation.  So my motto for a few weeks will be:

Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Our vehicles are going to be paid off in the next two months and I think I will use that as an opportunity to treat myself to a new stereo receiver.  That line of paypal credit keeps taunting me though… damn you paypal, damn you!!