The Story of the Free Couch…

My brother’s father-in-law is selling his second home here in San Diego. He lives in Northern California, isn’t particularly interested in trying to move a living room set, and needs a little help in the process. My brother called and asked if we wanted the couch set with the caveat that we take the hot tub in the backyard to the landfill.

Slightly desperate for couches that don’t smell like dog pee (thanks to the house-sitting incident)… cancel that… DESPERATE for couches that don’t smell like dog pee, I called my husband to ask if he could do the job.

(For those who are wondering why we didn’t get some cheap couches off Craigslist yet, I read a Time Magazine article about bed bugs that gave me cause to think twice about touching other people’s furniture. At least I know this set is bed bug free.)

I called my husband to ask if he’d be willing to do the job – assuming he wouldn’t. Silly me. I forgot who I married.

I told him the story and he said, ‘Does the hot tub work?’

‘No sweetie, it’s old. It just needs to be thrown away.’ I said.

‘But is it broken?’ he asked.

‘I’m pretty sure’

‘Could I fix it?’

‘No. We’re…’

‘But I could try’

‘Um. Let’s just take it to the…’

‘I’ll call our neighbor to help. I’ve always wanted a hot tub.’

‘Honey, I only want the couch set. I don’t want a broken hot tub…’

‘I think I have some concrete in the garage. I could pour a pad over the weekend. Tools! I’ll need to pull out my tools. I’ll borrow the tow trailer from grandpa…’

I could hear him furiously scribbling on his note pad.

I clicked END on my cell phone. My part of this conversation was obviously over.

The best part about my husband, he can fix anything. The worst part about my husband, he can fix anything and he knows it.

All I wanted was a couch that doesn’t smell like pee. Now I’m knee deep in a broken hot tub with a husband happily puttering around with his tool belt envisioning outdoor sports watching and beer drinking while sitting in his hot tub.

Sometimes, that man can really make me laugh.

[[ Thanks Stef. I really appreciate the couches]]

Posted by Beks on December 7, 2010 at 10:02 PM in Living Frugal, Money & Relationships | 18 Comments »
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is not allowed.

Newer Posts Older Posts

Nicole responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 1:00 am
That is hilarious! Only your man : ) Glad you got the new couches, those ones are nice!
Claire in CA, USA responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 2:57 am
Oh girl, we married the same man. Mine can fix anything, which is such a blessings. And, he can fix anything, which is such a curse.

He is very innovative. He wants to heat his garage, so that he can work out there when it’s really cold. He started describing the wood burning stove he was going to build, when I piped in “What kind of white trash contraption are you thinking of building now?” He laughed so hard, he almost hurt himself.
Indian Thoughts responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 5:49 am
Congrats for the couch and isn’t it so good that u can get them without spending anything!
Mar responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 8:08 am
More proof that nothing is EVER really free – there’s always a cost, catch, etc.

Enjoy the couches and maybe the hot tub.
Nichole@40daysof responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 8:18 am
The germiness of an old hot tub filled with warm water where bacteria can grow, creeps me out almost as much as bed bugs. Here’s to not only fixing, but germ killing the old hot tub.
Andy responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 9:18 am
It sounds like this arrangement worked out for both of you. I hope you enjoy your new couch AND hot tub!

My husband is the IT version of yours and yes it’s a blessing and a curse. Give him two wires and he will build you a computer. Anytime anyone is getting rid of anything computer or tech related he takes it and gives it a second life.

We have some very interesting gadgets in our house now along with a never ending supply of wires, monitors, and hardrives. I finally had to “banish” his stockpile to a spare bedroom because I couldn’t deal with it being everywhere. But hey – my computer always works. Gotta love ‘em
Budget Confidential responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 10:29 am
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure! And you are potentially keeping not one, but TWO large items out of a landfill. Great job!
Lizzie responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 10:32 am
That is hilarious…..only your husband!!!
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Hilarious post! And awesome on the free score of those couches!
DH @ The Money Blog Revisited responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Awesome!!! I really don’t understand why you’re not as excited about the hot tub as your hubby? I would love to have a hot tub at home! Just think about all the times where you can just lay out there and relax with a magazine and a cold beverage I think you’re going to love that hot tub! It’s going to be so relaxing and fun to have one!
Starr responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Adjust your budget to take the extra utility costs into account. Hot tubs aren’t free to run.

Enjoy the free new furniture!
Vicki responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Beks – thanks for the laugh!!! I loved the part where you did the END on the cellphone. That is priceless!!!!
Dylan responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Totally agree with you re: 2nd hand furniture off Craigslist and bed bugs. *shudder*

Yay for snagging a free couch set! And hot tub.
Marianne responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
‘The best part about my husband, he can fix anything. The worst part about my husband, he can fix anything and he knows it.’

I understand entirely. *sigh* We are married to the same kind of men. I currently have an incinerator in my back yard because he got a free oil barrel from work and wouldn’t it be better to incinerate all of our yard waste etc. than mulch it or bring it to the dump or whatever it is normal people do? Our new work building came with some old hot tubs and he wanted to do the same thing. Thankfully, the construction crew hauled them out of there before they ended up in my backyard.
Beks responded:
Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
At least I’m not alone! ; )
Liz responded:
Posted: December 9th, 2010 at 2:17 am
Well, you ARE getting new couches. And maybe he’ll be able to fix it and you two will actually both enjoy it.
JMK responded:
Posted: December 9th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Other considerations (in no particular order):
1. Make sure your fencing is sufficient to prevent neighborhood children and pets from getting into the yard. Legally you may only need fencing for a real pool, but you don’t want a problem.

2. Check your insurance policy regarding liability for injuries, and costs for replacement, water damage to the foundation/property (yours and your neighbors)

3. In addition to utility costs, allow for chemicals and a test kit. Does it need a new cover to keep the heat in and critters out? If it comes with one, price out a replacement and if it’s going to be significant start planning now for the future replacement.
mikey responded:
Posted: December 9th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
hehe