# Un-fun Purchases of 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 20, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263 "2018-10-20T21:15:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/41 "2018-10-21T14:17:31Z")
I’m a piker in comparison to what I’ve read here. My starter motor failed a few weeks ago. After it was replaced my vehicle would not start correctly. It was a classic “weak battery” sort of start. Charging my battery did not help. Longer story short: I bought a new battery ($110) which did not help. At this point the shop graciously, and at no charge, looked at their installation and found an electrical short. Problem solved. Good. Bad? Now I have _two_ perfectly good batteries. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/42 "2018-10-21T14:28:12Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > What have your Year of Our Lord 2018 “not fun” car/house/etc expenses been? _ **$13,000!** _. In my diesel vehicle, I mistakenly put DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) into the fuel tank. DEF is highly corrosive, and it got into the fuel injectors (I did not try to start the engine). $13,000 to replace fuel tank, fuel pumps, and fuel injectors. That was 3 months ago and I’m still walking funny from that one. Ouch. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/43 "2018-10-21T14:30:26Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > I think you owe an explanation for the six cans of beer. Yeah I know weird - never imagined it could do that. That was the first thing wifey said when she came downstairs - “why is there beer coming out of that case on the floor over there?” ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/44 "2018-10-21T15:02:05Z")
car insurance now with 2 more drivers on the books, 5K a year and none of us have accidents tickets or blemish, this is the cheapest insurer in the area and still we’re fucked over. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/45 "2018-10-21T15:11:28Z")
> [@chela](#): > > car insurance now with 2 more drivers on the books, 5K a year and none of us have accidents tickets or blemish, this is the cheapest insurer in the area and still we’re fucked over. Yikes, that’s painful ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/46 "2018-10-21T16:54:14Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > Oops, forgot about Bax Dog’s $3500 ACL repair. I’m glad he’s not in pain, but now he’s occasionally favoring the other knee. Oy vey, I’m seeing another surgery looming. Ooh, I feel you on this one. Sonny’s TPLO cost around $4000, and his pre-op blood tests uncovered he has canine chronic hepatitis which has cost us another $3000 or so this year. At least the CCH, we paid in smallish increments: ultrasound here, biopsy there, expensive meds, etc. Those were my un-fun purchases. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/47 "2018-10-21T17:09:59Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > My mom has been pestering me to get railings on my front steps for over 10 years. I had a little extra money this year so I finally did it. But first I needed my front steps rebuilt as they were too crumbly to properly support the railings. And while I was doing that I needed to fix a slab of patio that was sinking and tilted towards my foundation. > > $2300 later I’ve got railings, new steps and a level patio. Zzzzz… Wow, the levelness is . . . stunning. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/48 "2018-10-21T17:11:49Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > _ **$13,000!** _. In my diesel vehicle, I mistakenly put DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) into the fuel tank. DEF is highly corrosive, and it got into the fuel injectors (I did not try to start the engine). $13,000 to replace fuel tank, fuel pumps, and fuel injectors. > > That was 3 months ago and I’m still walking funny from that one. Ouch. Ooof, that one hurt. Sorry, bro. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/49 "2018-10-21T17:17:58Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Ooh, I feel you on this one. Sonny’s TPLO cost around $4000, and his pre-op blood tests uncovered he has canine chronic hepatitis which has cost us another $3000 or so this year. At least the CCH, we paid in smallish increments: ultrasound here, biopsy there, expensive meds, etc. > > Those were my un-fun purchases. I didn’t know doggies could get hepatitis, sorry to hear this. Our issue with Bax is that he’s a very strong and agile athlete and I’m pretty sure fixing the other ACL will equal him eventually tearing the other side again . . . wash, rinse, repeat. His two littermates from the rescue organization also have ACL problems; in fact, I think every pitbull-owning friend I have has paid for at least one similar knee/leg surgery for their pup. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/50 "2018-10-21T18:18:09Z")
$450 for my horse’s colic. $400 for a new home thermostat. $2500 in taxes. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/51 "2018-10-21T21:10:01Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > I didn’t know doggies could get hepatitis, sorry to hear this. > > Our issue with Bax is that he’s a very strong and agile athlete and I’m pretty sure fixing the other ACL will equal him eventually tearing the other side again . . . wash, rinse, repeat. His two littermates from the rescue organization also have ACL problems; in fact, I think every pitbull-owning friend I have has paid for at least one similar knee/leg surgery for their pup. Which surgery did he get? TPLO replaces the CCL with metal plates, so no change of injuring the same side twice. Sonny has had both his knees done the same way (metal plates) so I know at least we won’t have that issue again. And yes, he’s a pit bull mix. My other pup, George, is also a mix, but with less pit bull (AmStaff) than Sonny (only half) and he hasn’t torn either of his. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/52 "2018-10-22T01:45:27Z")
All in one month new roof 10K new heat pump 6K, new computerized information system in car 1K, taxes 2k homeowners insurance 1K. I sold the house, we close on Nov 5 ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/53 "2018-10-22T09:52:19Z")
Definitely one of the lower ones on here in terms of cost, but about £200 for new brake pads. The car only cost £550 several years ago, and it seems to be getting ‘quirks’ lately (glitchy fuel gauge, doesn’t want to go into reverse in the mornings), so it was a pretty hefty proportion of the value of the vehicle, which makes it feel like more. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/54 "2018-10-22T12:27:02Z")
$260/mo to keep my daughter on my medical plan, as the insurance provided by her employer is poor, at best. She makes a whopping $12/hr, working 30-35 hours/week (only management works FT and has access to good insurance). Insurance is $90/biweekly, $70 copays and $5k deductible. My insurance has $25 copays and $2k deductible (but for the both of us, and I kill the deductible in March). She has one more year of eligibility on my plan, so she will need to figure out something. Luckily, I can afford to cover her. Kind of. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/55 "2018-10-22T16:02:10Z")
Mother’s funeral Followed by roof repair on mothers house. Followed by the water heater at mothers house. Mix well with lawyer for idiot child. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/56 "2018-10-22T16:28:42Z")
My serpentine belt got shredded somehow driving home last Thursday. I was a half mile out of the office and the battery light comes on. I pull over and open the hood. Belt is all ripped up and loose. I yank it free and chuck it in the trash. Luckily I just put in a brand new battery, so I start it up, turn off everything electrical that I can except for the headlights, and start anxiously driving the 11 miles home in rush hour traffic. I get within a _block_ of my regular mechanic when the power steering fails, and I _just_ get the car to roll into a space in front of their garage. While I had it there to repair that, I had them do a bunch of other maintenance stuff, and $1000 later, I’ve got a running car that’s now up to date on all of its stuff. Just sent in a 33% deposit on the $15,000 contract to rip out all of my stupid grass that’s mostly weeds, replace it with mulch and gravel, and rebuild with stone the wood beam retaining walls/planters that are falling apart and look like total shit. Hopefully we’ll no longer be the “scary house” on the block. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/57 "2018-10-22T17:00:06Z")
About $50,000 to rip out and replace our mud room entry way. All we saved was the foundation. A spring of water had been keeping the crawl space under it flooded with a few feet of water. Ended up finally destroying the joists and floor so we had to do it. Got the spring taken care of with a French drain inserted under the footers, and of course we are no longer in fear of literally stepping through the floor (that happened to two people.) Anyway, it’s much nicer now, with heat and everything, but so much for a new car for a while. Two doggie emergency visits too. A 100 mile drive through mountain ice and snow at 1am is always a joy. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/58 "2018-10-22T17:04:38Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > My serpentine belt got shredded somehow driving home last Thursday. I was a half mile out of the office and the battery light comes on. I pull over and open the hood. Belt is all ripped up and loose. I yank it free and chuck it in the trash. Luckily I just put in a brand new battery, so I start it up, turn off everything electrical that I can except for the headlights, and start anxiously driving the 11 miles home in rush hour traffic. I get within a _block_ of my regular mechanic when the power steering fails, and I _just_ get the car to roll into a space in front of their garage. While I had it there to repair that, I had them do a bunch of other maintenance stuff, and $1000 later, I’ve got a running car that’s now up to date on all of its stuff. That’s convenient- when my serpentine belt came apart a couple of years ago, I found out two main things- one, it failed because the water pump bearings had worn to the point that the pulley was canted and let the belt slip off, and two, the water pump is powered by the serpentine belt, along with the power steering, A/C, and alternator. Our main high-dollar un-fun expenditures this year are: [ol] [li]$520 - New tires for my pickup- about 30k earlier than the tire mileage claims would indicate. Luckily I convinced them to prorate the cost of the new tires accordingly.[/li][li]$700 - New tires for my wife’s car- no proration necessary; hers just flat wore out.[/li][li]$150-ish - Dishwasher repairs[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/59 "2018-10-22T21:58:29Z")
Got a call from the dentist’s office today. After filing the claim for the implant it’ll be another $800 from me. My insurance sucks. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263/60 "2018-10-22T22:20:50Z")
So far, $1300 for evaluation of a lesion on my cat’s paw with no diagnosis. This is in addition to the $2000 so far this year for their physicals and his dental check. Now they want another $3200 to amputate the toe ( and for an echocardiogram to evaluate his heart murmur) even though he currently has no visual symptoms or lesion. (The vet says because it has been coming and going for 3 months he is worried about a tumor or osteomyelitis). I think I may have to tack on extra for a second opinion. This is in addition to replacing 2 sets of sheets and the comforter he left little bloody footprints on as well as whatever it is going to cost to get the blood out of the carpet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263.md?page=4)