I was an Other. We would like to do cash but we do the in store financing for the most part. We ALWAYS pay it off but its a way for us to make payments. We also look for who we know that can do the labor and also what rebates are available. The utility company paid over half the cost of new insulation.

__________________
Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

This is pretty much us too. I put cash, although we frequently put it on a credit card, but since we don't carry balances on a credit card I didn't want people to think I meant paying for it over time. So we charge and then pay off when the bill comes due if it's smaller. If it's large, we're like oregano and take it out of savings or wait. I also would NEVER go into debt for home improvements unless it was an emergency. And just like oregano (again) it takes us so long (longer than her 6 mos!!) to finally make up our mind and stop procrastinating that we can afford it by the time we finally decide to do something.

__________________

I put credit card. We put everything we buy on our credit card for the points or cash and then we pay it off at the end of the month. I know this doesn't work for some people, but we have got some serious expensive items with our amazon points. We got a $500 snowblower for $100 and our $800 camera for $100. Not to mention countless books, toys, and gifts over the years off of amazon. I love getting stuff on there with the gift card points. So when we put in our patio this summer I used our amazon credit card and got $300 in amazon gift cards for it. I used those to buy a kitchenaid knife block, a really nice skillet with lid, and some other stuff. I think we still have a free balance on there. So, if anyone is interested in free stuff, rebate points work great for us. Erin

__________________

This is exactly what I do. Gotta love those CC points

__________________

We use store financing. That way we plan to pay it off monthly until the promotional period ends. This always works well for us and allows the cash we have to accrew interest during the promotional time period instead of just paying them and forgoing any additional earned interest in our savings account.

__________________
Mom to Kaylee (10/2006)
Waiting on our second bundle of joy to arrive January 2009!

We just started a project to finish our basement this week. We are doing 1/2 cash and 1/2 HELOC. We have enough in savings to pay for the whole thing in cash but we did not want to use up that much of our liquididty. We could also pay off the entire HELOC but want to keep enough cash on hand for other things that seem to come up. That being said, we are very diligent about making significant monthly payments on the HELOC. The interest rate is so low on the line and it is tax deductable so it works for us.

Don't worry, it will get better

We only pay cash for home improvements. Our mudroom is still unfinished, we need a new floor in the bathroom, and I soooo need a new washer and dryer. It will all get done in time. How much time is anyone's guess.

__________________
Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cash, or credit cards IF you have the money to pay them off.

What I am doing now is budgeting one project for each year. Take on one project at a time. Even if it takes you 6 months to complete.

__________________
YOU ONLY ACCUSE THOSE WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DOING YOURSELF ......

I should vote "other" as well. We do a combination of things. For emergency or repairs which if not made will cost more later down the road, we'll generally finance if the cash isn't there. When the shingles on our roof were breaking down (sediment was in the gutters), we used an equity line to replace the roof before it started leaking. When our heat pump died one summer (we had limped along with repairs before that), that was financed as well. For non-emergency repairs, I'll save the cash. Generally speaking, we don't buy things just to upgrade; we tend to replace as appliances, etc. wear out.

__________________
Michele
Member of the Welcome Wagon
http://mommysavers.com/boards/how-navigate-mommysavers/

I pay cash for the little repairs and then sometimes I have got to tap the HELOC if its major. I had to replace the back deck and I didn't have the money and didn't want to use up all my savings so I financed it. BUT I paid cash for a bits and pieces. I haven't added anything since and have made substantial payments since. When it is paid off I will be geting a new roof on the HELOC most likely.

__________________
Grace

Wife to Stoney

Mommy of Sarah (8.5), Hannah (7), and John(5)