Totally agree, having a little cushion helps ease the stress. I cracked a crown last year—out of nowhere—and was glad I'd tucked some money aside. Dental surprises always seem to pop up at the worst times...
Same here, dental stuff always catches me off guard. A couple years back, my dentist suddenly told me I needed a root canal—talk about unexpected expenses. Luckily, I'd been setting aside a bit each month, so it wasn't a total disaster. Personally, I prefer monthly payments for braces too; feels less overwhelming than paying upfront and leaves room for surprises like that...
"Luckily, I'd been setting aside a bit each month, so it wasn't a total disaster."
Haha, smart move. I tried upfront savings once, but then my car decided it needed new tires...typical. Monthly payments just feel safer—less chance of my wallet having a panic attack.
"Monthly payments just feel safer—less chance of my wallet having a panic attack."
I completely understand that feeling. When I first considered braces, I thought saving upfront would be best, but life always seems to have other plans. Last year, just as I'd finally built up a decent savings cushion, my washing machine decided to flood the laundry room... talk about timing. After that little adventure, monthly payments felt like the wiser choice for me too. Still, I suppose there's comfort in knowing you've got a bit tucked away for emergencies.
Have you found that monthly payments help you manage other unexpected expenses better, or do you sometimes wish you'd stuck with upfront savings? I'm curious how others balance these things out.
After that little adventure, monthly payments felt like the wiser choice for me too. Still, I suppose there's comfort in knowing you've got a bit tucked away for emergencies.
I get the appeal of monthly payments, but honestly, they stress me out more. Last summer, our AC broke down right after we signed up for monthly orthodontics payments... felt like drowning in bills. I'd rather bite the bullet upfront and know it's done.
