I read today that my natural gas utility will raise its delivery and usage rates by 10% October 1. I am now seriously considering a solar-powered hot water heater. To you people south of the 40th parallel, I say do not scoff. My grey-skies PNW environment is actually a good area for solar energy. Germany is closer to the Arctic Circle, and it's one of the world leaders in use of solar energy.
The photovoltaic panels, it is reasoned, will not return our investment until 2046 -- our electrical use is pretty cheap, about $40/month on average. Whereas, if natural gas costs rise at 10% per year, we'll have payback for the heater within five years. The minimum HELOC charge would be $15.06 -- pretty affordable.
Actually I am jumping the gun about the subject title. I will be free and clear of that scooter debt in two weeks. I do recognize I have some abnormal queasiness about debt, what I post in concern about my peers is of course a projection of my own fiscal anxieties, but like many other people I can rationalize with the best of them.
Debt is personally acceptable if:
the interest rate paid on the debt is lower than the savings rate or the rate of increase on a necessity (utilities, for example).
it's cheaper than paying full price for an item.
it's incurred for an appreciating asset.
the interim between debts
September 11th, 2006 at 07:31 pm
September 12th, 2006 at 06:29 pm 1158085754
September 16th, 2006 at 02:55 pm 1158418542