Sounds like us (52 years this year). The key thing you said was "We live below our means." which most people don't do today.
When I hear about high "median home" prices research and you see this...but in my 20s I'd be looking at something like the old house like the second picture with a few...
Thankfully I received what I ordered. What's so sad has been said here so many times: they made really good attachments. I've been using my 7ft rear blade last few days and it's fantastic. I had a long wait but like others assumed they were just that busy. I wouldn't have done a chargeback since...
I'm thinking you (and I) would be foaming at the mouth if we paid a few $thousand months ago...past the time we could reverse credit card charges with only the hope of recovering a fraction of the money.
Some people (like Ted) cannot handle money and it's like an addiction. There's never enough...
I recently went with standing seam. Twice ribbed/screw metal price. I had it insulated also and heavy rain last night barely could hear it. I'm sure heating bill was less also.
Similar experience I worked at a local K-Mart when I was 18 at Christmas. The manager had me go to each register with a shopping cart putting money in cardboard boxes to deposit at the bank in my car.
I'm sure the manager thought what thief could imagine robbing a kid in jeans and t shirt...
Hakko make good equipment.
Those wanting to save money try Blow Off spray or a compressor blow gun. It takes practice but heat connection with spray nozzle close. As soon as solder melts air blast it. Of course bits of solder goes everywhere which you remove with a fairly stiff brush similar to...