If it were in my retirement, I wouldnt be able to buy appliances, and would lose my savings, living paycheck to paycheck. I dont want to do that.
Say I spent that money today on appliances and furniture... Id be right where their liquid asset requirement needed to be. Then would anyone think that was wrong? Nope.
So instead Im going to put it on cash cards, that way I can buy those things once I get the house. As Im sure everyone knows you cant buy furniture when you dont know the layout and you cant get appliances when you dont know your kitchen measurements. I dont think its wrong, but wasnt seeking advice in the matter.
The original post was just inquiring about others strange USDA stipulations. To see if there is anything else I should prepare for.
I feel fine with my morals, thank you 
@jcstarkey8826 wrote:If it were in my retirement, I wouldnt be able to buy appliances, and would lose my savings, living paycheck to paycheck. I dont want to do that.
Say I spent that money today on appliances and furniture... Id be right where their liquid asset requirement needed to be. Then would anyone think that was wrong? Nope.
So instead Im going to put it on cash cards, that way I can buy those things once I get the house. As Im sure everyone knows you cant buy furniture when you dont know the layout and you cant get appliances when you dont know your kitchen measurements. I dont think its wrong, but wasnt seeking advice in the matter.
The original post was just inquiring about others strange USDA stipulations. To see if there is anything else I should prepare for.
I feel fine with my morals, thank you
I agree that gift cards would not be immoral.. Everyone knows that gift cards can't be redeemed for cash and that they have no cash value, it says so right on the card. sure you can sell them for cash value on the gift card exchange market, but they aren't a liquid asset at that point.
A lot of people go and take out loans or store ccs for furniture, appliances, etc. I always believed in paying cash for those things... I mean, lets face it, a new couch from a store is a semi-luxury item. I don't believe in financing luxuries.
But again, everyone's moral compass is different 
FICO 9: 
Filed Chapter 13 on 6/1/2017 after job loss. Discharged 6/1/2022.
Goal: Gardening!
Filed Chapter 13 on 6/1/2017 after job loss. Discharged 6/1/2022.
Goal: Gardening!
@webhopper wrote:
@jcstarkey8826 wrote:If it were in my retirement, I wouldnt be able to buy appliances, and would lose my savings, living paycheck to paycheck. I dont want to do that.
Say I spent that money today on appliances and furniture... Id be right where their liquid asset requirement needed to be. Then would anyone think that was wrong? Nope.
So instead Im going to put it on cash cards, that way I can buy those things once I get the house. As Im sure everyone knows you cant buy furniture when you dont know the layout and you cant get appliances when you dont know your kitchen measurements. I dont think its wrong, but wasnt seeking advice in the matter.
The original post was just inquiring about others strange USDA stipulations. To see if there is anything else I should prepare for.
I feel fine with my morals, thank you
I agree that gift cards would not be immoral.. Everyone knows that gift cards can't be redeemed for cash and that they have no cash value, it says so right on the card. sure you can sell them for cash value on the gift card exchange market, but they aren't a liquid asset at that point.
A lot of people go and take out loans or store ccs for furniture, appliances, etc. I always believed in paying cash for those things... I mean, lets face it, a new couch from a store is a semi-luxury item. I don't believe in financing luxuries.
But again, everyone's moral compass is different
I dont find it immoral at all. If I were the lender, as this isnt a USDA stipulation, I would feel comforted knowing someone didnt want to put themself in that situation just to get into a new home, but rather wait and be as prepared as possible... thats just me though.
I think my moral compass is fine, just not made of ivory 
thanks for the feedback!
Is your Ira a Roth Ira? If so, has it been open for 5 years? I believe after five years it's a penalty free withdrawal. I believe you can put up to 5k a year in it. If my numbers are off someone correct me but this could be your solution.
@jcstarkey8826 wrote:If it were in my retirement, I wouldnt be able to buy appliances, and would lose my savings, living paycheck to paycheck. I dont want to do that.
Say I spent that money today on appliances and furniture... Id be right where their liquid asset requirement needed to be. Then would anyone think that was wrong? Nope.
So instead Im going to put it on cash cards, that way I can buy those things once I get the house. As Im sure everyone knows you cant buy furniture when you dont know the layout and you cant get appliances when you dont know your kitchen measurements. I dont think its wrong, but wasnt seeking advice in the matter.
The original post was just inquiring about others strange USDA stipulations. To see if there is anything else I should prepare for.
I feel fine with my morals, thank you
Starting Score: 617 EQ 10-17-11401k 
Figured I'd throw my $0.02 in You could always put the money in a short term CD, maybe 6 months or 12 months. Wouldn't be sitting in your account and would make a tiny return off of it and get it back quick enough that you could use it again.
In a CD its still liquid assets
FICO 9:
Filed Chapter 13 on 6/1/2017 after job loss. Discharged 6/1/2022.
Goal: Gardening!
Filed Chapter 13 on 6/1/2017 after job loss. Discharged 6/1/2022.
Goal: Gardening!
Just throwing in my .02, Jazzy is actually right, it is actually a USDA stip. Even though the USDA Direct would probably be more strict in terms, USDA Guaranteed also have to comply with those stipulations. The program as whole is in fact in place to be a last resort to those who cannot obtain financing or come up with down payment money. It has many similar characteristics of a DA program, where if you have a certain amount of money available to you, you are discouraged/disallowed to accept the benefits of the program. ALL lenders are required to make sure that the applicant has exasperated all other options and are truly in the very low income or low to moderate brackets. SO in truth it is fraudulent if your LO tells you to basically get rid of the money, or in other words get rid of any proof that you have expendable money. And, yes they advise people to do the same all the time, just like any other sales consultant. At the end of the day if you feel no remorse towards it that is totally up to you, cops aren't going to come knocking on your door asking what happened to that 7k you had the other day. But in the bigger picture, yes it does take from available funds to the more needy.
BTW I'm not judging you I'm just letting you know, because I don't think you understood whose restrictions they were and for what reason.