What You Don't Know Will Cost You

(How a $30,000 Quote Turned Into a $300 Fix and why Curiosity is Key to Financial Growth)

August 5, 2025

One of the biggest selling points when we bought our home was the sunroom. It has beautiful floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors on all sides. It’s the perfect space to relax, sip tea, and take in the backyard view.

But over time, things changed. The mesh screens were damaged on all sides, and the seals between the doors were falling apart. The room still looked good, but it was losing its functionality.

This week, I finally reached out to a door company to get a quote to replace the glass doors. I just wanted a number to plan and budget.

When the rep came to the house, he took one look around and said,

💬“you’re looking at, at least $30,000.”

My husband didn’t even blink, just politely said, “No thank you.”

But the rep sat down anyway and walked us through the options, including one that hit $45,000. We told him straight up we couldn’t afford that, and we weren’t interested in upgrades or redesigns.

Then he passed.

💬“Wait… why are you trying to replace the doors in the first place?”

We explained: the mesh was torn, and the seals were crumbling.

He looked at us and said something that changed the entire direction of the conversation:

💬“That’s it? You can just bring the screens to your local hardware store and have them redone. The seals? Call our service department, they’ll replace them for a fraction of the cost. You don’t need new doors.”

We stared at him in disbelief.

That $30,000 + renovation instantly turned into a few hundred dollars in basic maintenance.

The Lesson: What You Don’t Know Can Cost You

We were relieved but also stunned. Why didn’t we think of that?

Simple answer: we didn’t know.

And this is something I constantly remind my financial coaching clients:

✨You can’t blame yourself for what you don’t know. But once you know better, it’s your responsibility to do better.

We often carry shame or regret over past financial decisions. But the truth is, most of us are doing the best we can with the knowledge we have. That’s why staying curious, asking questions, and researching before spending is one of the most powerful tools in your money toolkit.

Practical Tip: Ask Before You Act

Before you spend money, especially a lot of money – ask yourself:

• Is there a smaller fix or workaround?

• What’s the real issue I’m trying to solve?

• Have I looked into all the options?

• Do I know someone who’s done this before that I can ask?

Even better, write these questions down and keep them somewhere you’ll see them. On your fridge, your phone’s notes app, or your financial journal.

Final thought: You Don’t Have to Know Everything – Just Be Willing to Learn

We’re not expected to have all the answers. But we do have to take ownership of the journey.

So, the next time you’re about to swipe your card or sign a contract, pause and ask:

“Do I have all the information I need to make the best decision right now?”

That one question might save you thousands.

Want more practical money lessons like this?

Visit www.brownfinancialsolutions.com/blog for real stories and real strategies to help you manage your money with intention.