We just closed the deal on the refinance of our house last week.

After several attempts at getting it done, we finally found a company that could give us the rate we wanted, and more importantly, get our house appraised so we could qualify for the loan (this is a problem in my area, as there are no comparable homes in the area that have sold in the last year).

We locked the rate at 5.25% on a 15 year mortgage (an absolutely spiffy deal!) and after all was said and done, we got a check in the mail for $1,309 (I had made a couple of payments on the place between the time we started and when we finally closed the deal).

Free money (well… kinda)!

We had a few plans for it… new dining room set, perhaps part of a down on a new car for me, or just paying down on of my credit cards. Instead, my kids took it.

When I got home last night, my youngest attacked me the moment I entered the door. “I need a saxophone TONIGHT!!” he proclaimed.

Shit!

With everything going on, I had forgotten that I’d signed him up for band when the school year started. We quickly jumped in the car and raced down to the music store. Upon arrival (10 minutes before they lock their doors for the night) we scrambled to the instrument desk and I inquired how much a sax was.

$1,500 to start.

After the paramedics revived me… I asked if they had any used ones on hand of good quality that might allow us to actually things like food for the next few weeks. They did, and my son walked out the door with a lovely alto saxophone for the low-low price of $883.39. He assured me the entire time that he was going to be serious about learning to play it, practicing and participating in band activities.

I’m glad to see my son is sincere in his committment to this, because if he changes his mind, he’s dead.