New House or New Bass

[Acoustic356]

So, my wife green-lit my dream bass. Deposit paid, balance is due... $12K

My wife found her dream lake house, deposit is paid, and now she wants to pivot and use the 12K for closing costs.

$1200 deposit will be lost...

We both agree that we don't want to touch savings because there are some minor upgrades that she wants to do to the house.

So... which stays... the lake house, or the bass?

 

[Old Blastard]

Well, sounds like you have no choice in the matter. If you don't go along with the house, the resentment will grow and blossom and bring forth fruit in the form of perpetual hostility.

Maybe she'll Feel guilty and find a way to get you that bass. Maybe she won't. Relationships are like that.

Don't ask me how I learned this.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Sounds like the two of you need to have a serious talk about how to handle money.

You are pulling the trigger both on a $12k bass, a lake house down payment, are willing to kiss away $1.2k, and don't have sufficient savings.

Short of that, if you give up her dream house to fund a personal vanity purchase, I can see resentment growing. Can you talk with the builder, and agree to a less expensive bass (in the future), so you don't lose your deposit - BOTH of you save so you can get something down the road, if it is truly in your budget?

 

[turf3]

Yep, y'all need to discuss priorities.

Unless you are making serious coin playing bass, there's no way anyone with sense would recommend spending money on a depreciating asset (fancy bass) vs. an appreciating one (lake house), if you've only got enough for one.

Did you not know that you were looking for a house when you contracted for the $12,000 (!!!) bass? How did this little minor matter of buying a house get overlooked?

 

[Al T.]

It's not really fun to play a nice bass while you're living in your car. Do the smart thing and live to tell the tale.

 

[Gorn]

You can get a house for twelve grand? Get the house.

(I reread the OP and see I was wrong. I still think he should get the house.)

 

[matty1039]

What's the situation with the bass? Can you delay it a while and still get the same one? It sounds like a custom build so would you just be able to re-order it when the timing was better? Houses are harder to come by.

It sucks that you were that close to getting your dream bass, but I say go with the lake house. It is going to be a better investment in the long run and your family will make memories there for years. Don't let the resentment of not getting what you wanted fester. Let it go and enjoy a cup of coffee on your new porch overlooking a lake. (I'm taking a lot of artistic liberties. I have no idea if you have a porch or how close it is to the lake, but you get the idea.)

Also, the bass is just for you, but the house is for your family. It really does suck to be that close to your dream bass, but the lake house is the better option.

 

[two fingers]

So, my wife green-lit my dream bass. Deposit paid, balance is due... $12K

My wife found her dream lake house, deposit is paid, and now she wants to pivot and use the 12K for closing costs.

$1200 deposit will be lost...

We both agree that we don't want to touch savings because there are some minor upgrades that she wants to do to the house.

So... which stays... the lake house, or the bass?

The house. All day every day and twice on Sundays. I can play any old bass sitting on the porch of my lake house. Get the house.

 

[Wanker_Joe]

I wouldn't trade my time playing bass by the lake with a few cold beverages on a hot summer's day for anything. Pure bliss. Get the lake house!

 

[T Bassman]

As long as the property will appreciate, and it’s something you’re family will use to build memories, I’d back out of the bass purchase. Plus ‘mamma happy, papa happy’….

 

[MVE]

House.
Real Estate is the best investment anyone can make.

Your 12k dream bass will get boring in a few years and you will sell it for 3k to fund your next “dream bass”.

 

[andyroo]

House for sure. The house will likely appreciate in value... the bass sadly will not.

 

[ardgedee]

Are you on a waiting list for the instrument build, or is it under construction? If you're on a waitlist, can you sell your place in line to someone? You should talk to the builder about your options before walking away from the thousand-plus you could be using to furnish your new house.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I'm probably in the minority of TB, but I would never pay that much for a bass.

But the house, always the house, especially a lake house. Bass is fun and all but a lake house is something that will pay off in so many other ways. YMMV

 

[bigthemat]

my question is how did you get your wife to say yes to a $12000 bass? My wife gets mad if I spend a couple hundred on a needed piece of gear (yet her $200 hair appointments are totally fine.... but I digress)

For reals, get the house! Real estate will do nothing but increase in value, especially with how the market is going right now.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

Why are you asking this question HERE? It's almost like you've already decided and are seeking confirmation bias from your bass brethren. Sadly, we're a little more responsible. Surprisingly. Get the damn house.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

What does a $12k Bass have to offer??
I think the house would be a no brainer.
If anyone wants a $12k bass they should be able to afford both the bass and the house and another house without breaking the bank.

im floored by this.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

I'm probably in the minority of TB, but I would never pay that much for a bass.

But the house, always the house, especially a lake house. Bass is fun and all but a lake house is something that will pay off in so many other ways. YMMV

Wipe a zero off that price tag and I'm still against paying that much. USA Fenders can fetch that much here, and better can be had for cheaper. This coming from a Fender die hard.

 

[Stewie]

We’re sorta looking for a lake house, but I’ve already sold off my excess gear and am happy with what I have, so the choice is obvious to me

 

[4SG]