Can you believe it? We actually got a quote from a roofer at exactly the time he said he would get it to us! I can hardly believe it. And to top that, we met another roofer yesterday. Maybe spring is just slow to spring this year?
The first quote is for the cottage. And I had just called on Tues. When we were up there for the long weekend, D and I decided it was time. We've owned it for 8 years now and it had been replaced 2 owners before. It was a do it yourself job and I humbly would suggest I could have done much better. Even the roofer called it a bit of a mess.
So it is time. I don't have confidence it can make through another winter. The quote is in the $4500 range for a one floor 700 square foot property. We have $6000 set aside for it so am happy to come under. We are going to confirm the job tonight and it should be done within a month.
The roofer we met yesterday was for the sun room and we were told the quote will arrive via email. It hasn't gotten here yet but D has worked with the company before and he is optimistic. We also asked for an entire roof quote as a fyi to see if what we've put aside is on target with current rates. They are hopefully going to be replacing a window or 2 for us as well.
If this quote is reasonable, they've got the job. I'm not going to chase the last roofer who was here 2 1/2 wks ago for his quote if they are not interested enough in the job to reply.
I did book the cool trip to Scandinavia and Russia for later this summer. It more than makes up for my cancelled one to Iceland and Stockholm last month as well as my cancelled time off last summer due to my office move. I'm a bit overwhelmed from the excitement and scope of it. Time to look into getting a Russian tourist visa.
Showing posts with label budgeting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budgeting. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Mini Wrap Up
Even though we are still the month to go before the new year, I am already thinking about it. You see, I gage the end of the "year" relative to my last working day which is 1 1/2 weeks from now. And we fly out west the next day. So, I've been wrapping up my 2010 spreadsheet and going through what happened financially this year.
Each year I end it by declaring to D that we will not have any huge capital expenses next year and each year there is something. So this year as I am a creature of habit, I shall declare the same thing and hope for the best.
No I don't regret buying my laptop and the pipes at the cottage needed help and part of being a condo owner is that you may be called upon to pay extra levies for capital projects. Of course the biggies were D and I both needing to change our jobs. 2010 has shaped itself into one upheaval kind of year.
On the other hand, I made it to Europe 4 times in 2010, saw some absolutely fantastic places and I'm hoping the momentum of it all will carry me into 2011 to further new adventures as I slowly plug along the mortgage payment road. There has to be something to balance out the boring.
Each year I end it by declaring to D that we will not have any huge capital expenses next year and each year there is something. So this year as I am a creature of habit, I shall declare the same thing and hope for the best.
No I don't regret buying my laptop and the pipes at the cottage needed help and part of being a condo owner is that you may be called upon to pay extra levies for capital projects. Of course the biggies were D and I both needing to change our jobs. 2010 has shaped itself into one upheaval kind of year.
On the other hand, I made it to Europe 4 times in 2010, saw some absolutely fantastic places and I'm hoping the momentum of it all will carry me into 2011 to further new adventures as I slowly plug along the mortgage payment road. There has to be something to balance out the boring.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Coordinating
Due to the increasing business expenses I have, I've decided to create a new savings account in my system to handle end of year cash flow issues and impromptu workshop expenses.
This has been long overdue. It also represents my renewed commitment to stream line work costs easier and cleaner.
I got confirmation of my article acceptance to the trade journal I subscribe to. It is going to be published in the next issue.
This has been long overdue. It also represents my renewed commitment to stream line work costs easier and cleaner.
I got confirmation of my article acceptance to the trade journal I subscribe to. It is going to be published in the next issue.
The cottage got closed up (plumbing wise) with great success this weekend. It would have cost us over $200 to get it done professionally. So we spent part of it going out for a celebratory dinner instead. I believe it is going to be a yummy yearly tradition.
For you foodies out there, I had a curried butternut squash soup to start, a braised lamb shank over garlic mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables and a maple walnut tart with homemade vanilla ice cream. A real stick to your bones meal and a rare meat meal for me nowadays.
I'm really enjoying being at home for this week off, though as I type this, I realize I spent very little of it at home today. I drove out to visit an aunt who just came out of surgery. She cannot move well so I brought lunch and offered to get groceries and stuff.
She isn't a true blood relative rather the aunt of a guy I used to be engaged to. When our relationship ended, I stayed in touch with her and 12 years later, her turning 86 at the end of the month, we are still going strong.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Fun Money
Last workday of the week for me. I have tomorrow off. Yeah! I am looking forward to reading a few books that I just got from the library.
There is some sudden interest in a couple of items we have for sale. Hopefully they will sell quickly and easily.
We decided to build in more fun money in our budget. Recently, with our new found enthusiasm for mortgage prepayments etc. we have gone way over board on using every single penny towards our cause.
It has left us with that characteristic feeling that tells us we need to lighten up.
We've been watching some debt tv shows and it really hit home when people who make less than 50% of what we do have more per week in their recommended entertainment budget than we do and they were talking about $25!
So what we are going to do, starting August, is to put all of our extra income and sales money into an account and see what it amounts to, as a start. Then decide what fun thing to do with it.
Because my base debt extra payments are calculated on base income, we still meet our goals on time instead of maxing out prepayments and waiting for when we are allowed to start again -- as in the case of the ski condo.
Next week the last prepayment allowable will be made and I cannot make another one until May 2010. Our focus will then switch to the house prepayment until that is maxed out etc. etc. jumping from one to the other.
After I realized that, I wonder what I was thinking?! Bring on the Fun Money!
There is some sudden interest in a couple of items we have for sale. Hopefully they will sell quickly and easily.
We decided to build in more fun money in our budget. Recently, with our new found enthusiasm for mortgage prepayments etc. we have gone way over board on using every single penny towards our cause.
It has left us with that characteristic feeling that tells us we need to lighten up.
We've been watching some debt tv shows and it really hit home when people who make less than 50% of what we do have more per week in their recommended entertainment budget than we do and they were talking about $25!
So what we are going to do, starting August, is to put all of our extra income and sales money into an account and see what it amounts to, as a start. Then decide what fun thing to do with it.
Because my base debt extra payments are calculated on base income, we still meet our goals on time instead of maxing out prepayments and waiting for when we are allowed to start again -- as in the case of the ski condo.
Next week the last prepayment allowable will be made and I cannot make another one until May 2010. Our focus will then switch to the house prepayment until that is maxed out etc. etc. jumping from one to the other.
After I realized that, I wonder what I was thinking?! Bring on the Fun Money!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Getting Closer
Right now we are a 2 car couple. I am revisiting getting rid of one of them. So, I've decided to calculate how much my car and cell phone is costing me. (If it were not for my perception that I need a cell phone because I own a car, I wouldn't have a cell phone at all)
My 1997 car cost $ 710/yr for insurance and licencing.
Gas costs are approximately $ 1863/yr. (I walk to work so my car is only used for cottage runs and some weekend outings--which is about the same km as he puts on his car with driving to work) I do find the gas costs high as my car is all wheel drive. I was told that had I been driving something like a Honda Civic, my gas costs for similar mileage would be halved.
My "pay as you go" cell phone cost $ 67.80/yr. (It's never on and used for emergencies. Most of the time, the time gets wasted--I guess that is a good thing that I do not run into emergencies much!)
Maintenance this yr cost $ 512.91 (ball jt replacement) and $ 50 in oil changes.
Total $ 3203.71/yr or $ 266.98/month.
Do the above numbers make you cringe too? Or do you think I am trying to cut corners where there are none? Would you pay that amount to stay mobile?
My husband drives the identical yr and make of car. He doesn't feel that it is worth getting rid of one. It would mean doubling the mileage on the other car and increasing the wear and tear. The only thing we would save is on maintenance, cell phone and insurance. The total gas costs would be the same.
My 1997 car cost $ 710/yr for insurance and licencing.
Gas costs are approximately $ 1863/yr. (I walk to work so my car is only used for cottage runs and some weekend outings--which is about the same km as he puts on his car with driving to work) I do find the gas costs high as my car is all wheel drive. I was told that had I been driving something like a Honda Civic, my gas costs for similar mileage would be halved.
My "pay as you go" cell phone cost $ 67.80/yr. (It's never on and used for emergencies. Most of the time, the time gets wasted--I guess that is a good thing that I do not run into emergencies much!)
Maintenance this yr cost $ 512.91 (ball jt replacement) and $ 50 in oil changes.
Total $ 3203.71/yr or $ 266.98/month.
Do the above numbers make you cringe too? Or do you think I am trying to cut corners where there are none? Would you pay that amount to stay mobile?
My husband drives the identical yr and make of car. He doesn't feel that it is worth getting rid of one. It would mean doubling the mileage on the other car and increasing the wear and tear. The only thing we would save is on maintenance, cell phone and insurance. The total gas costs would be the same.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Utilities
I would like to think that I do a pretty decent job of conserving resources. My utility payments are made automatically each month out of a checking account. The bills are sent online. We recycle, compost and produce 1/2 bag of garbage a week. Once in a while I am drawn to take a closer look at a utility bill to see if my efforts are bearing fruit. Then I get frustrated.
For example, my most recent hydro and water bill just came in. We used $37.24 worth of electricity from the end of August to end of Sept. (we live in a high summer heat and humidity area so we do use air conditioning) For water, we used $14.50 worth for the month, for a grand total of $51.74. I do not find those numbers over the top.
We've incorporated the changes that most have talked about ie. the low flow shower heads, the new bulbs, shutting lights off in rooms not used etc. etc. Heck, we even buy homes that have a lot of natural light so no lamps are turned on until dark.
It is the "other"charges that make the entire bill add up to $128.77! I am sure that I'm not the first one to rant about this and I realize that I am helping to pay for the infrastructure that brings these services to my home but come on!
For example, my most recent hydro and water bill just came in. We used $37.24 worth of electricity from the end of August to end of Sept. (we live in a high summer heat and humidity area so we do use air conditioning) For water, we used $14.50 worth for the month, for a grand total of $51.74. I do not find those numbers over the top.
We've incorporated the changes that most have talked about ie. the low flow shower heads, the new bulbs, shutting lights off in rooms not used etc. etc. Heck, we even buy homes that have a lot of natural light so no lamps are turned on until dark.
It is the "other"charges that make the entire bill add up to $128.77! I am sure that I'm not the first one to rant about this and I realize that I am helping to pay for the infrastructure that brings these services to my home but come on!
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