Originally Posted by DEK
bab: I can keep it on layaway for about another month. Between savings and severance I can go about 5-6 months before I would have to slit my wrists. We can't live on my wife's salary alone. My wife could support just us (mortgage, food) but I have child support payments, car payment, credit cards, etc. that she couldn't handle.
I don't know the law there, but here your wife isn't responsible for your child support payments. If your salary is zero, so should your child support be. Also consider selling the car. Concentrate on clearing the credit card as soon as possible too.
Originally Posted by DEK
I'm a computer programmer and the job market is way down. In fact, our new company is big on out-sourcing (many jobs sent to India) which adds to the possibilty of losing my job.
Since you don't know how much longer you may or may not have, you at least still have some money coming in to build up a buffer. But I wouldn't be waiting around while they dither about deciding on your fate. I'd be out looking for a new job NOW.
Originally Posted by DEK
As for having the new bike for something to do, I already have a bike for that. Actually, I have 2 - a '73 Motobecane and a '01 Specialized Hardrock.
And this is probably the crux of the issue. Buying a new bike when I already have bikes and I might lose my job.
Well, and I'm only speaking for myself here, with two bikes in the shed I wouldn't even be looking at new bikes, no matter how good a deal you find. Are your existing bikes really that unsatisfactory? Maybe you could sell the Specialised.
If you can get the money back that you've already put down (I suspect there'll be a penalty, but I'm sure they can't keep all of it) I'd say forego the new bike until your situation is more stable/certain. On the other hand, how much difference will $500 (less whatever you've already paid) make?
I guess all I'm saying is, ultimately it's solely a matter between you and your conscience. The fact that your having enough doubt to post here about it says a lot though. It sounds like a conflict between your conscience and your desire - which one wins is up to you.