Hil, I don't envy you. I hate trying to figure that kind of stuff out. Also, I have no advice, so I'm also not helpful.

Snow pictures: [link]

Hil, that's very smart of you, though I know how frustrating figuring out that kind of thing can be. I haven't worked a car into my budget yet.

vw, are those gross icicles inside or outside the house?

Leasing is usually not a very good option. I think there are some situations where leasing is a better plan than buying, but buying the car is (in my understanding) almost always better.

Yeah. My parents lease their cars, but having a new car every few years is important to them. Having a car that'll get me from point A to point B in relative safety, and which I'll have for the longest amount of time and the lowest amount of money, is what's important to me right now.

vw, are those gross icicles inside or outside the house?

Inside. Aren't they disgusting? Oh, and now they're melting, but re-freezing to the stairs, so there's ice on the stairs...kind of dangerous, in my opinion.

I say, "pretty!" when looking at those pictures, vw. I suspect this is because I am sitting on my ass in CA, and haven't shoveled show in years.

Thanks, Sparky!

No problem, Sail. I'm always happy to offer up help I only have to facilitate, not actually supply. Hee!

Hil, the DH and I have been writing down every penny we spend for a month in an effort to actually cut expenses and come up with a budget we can live with. Fortunately, we are probably living in the cheapest space we can hope for, all things considered, so actual packing and moving is not on the near horizon.

Sparky, insent.

but having a new car every few years is important to them.

This is one of the aforementioned circumstances -- getting a new car every few years is one of the upsides of leasing.

Having a car that'll get me from point A to point B in relative safety, and which I'll have for the longest amount of time and the lowest amount of money,

Yeah, you want a nice "certified, pre-owned" vehicle. Used, but not too used.

If you're not sure you're going to replace the car, don't lease. I leased, fell in love, and bought it. Way too expensive, but that's love for you. Won't lease again -- I'll just do the up front work to make as sure as possible I won't want to replace it after three years.

Having a car that'll get me from point A to point B in relative safety, and which I'll have for the longest amount of time and the lowest amount of money,

See, that's such a benefit. I had Sherman for almost 5 years *after* he was paid off. That's 5 years without a car payment, which, let me tell you, helps a lot. And I plan to have the still-unnamed-Echo for a long damn time as well, since I have 4 more years on the loan.