I'm planning to go to my 5 year college reunion! No big summer vacay though - I've only been at my job a year so I don't have enough vacation days for something big.
A canoe sometimes takes a ride on the top of my car. There's a strap that goes around it to secure into position. At high speed, that strap vibrates and makes loud noise. I tie old socks around the strap in strategic locations to dampen the vibrations and eliminate the noise.
So the town you live in still has little bookstores and a little hardware store and a thriving commercial downtown with clothing stores, shoe stores and the like?
You're lucky. In most of the country, those businesses have been crushed by big corporate firms that use their access to cheap credit to take over the whole space that used to be occupied by small local businesses.
All those small firms tried your strategy of providing what their customers wanted and adding value. Some did better than others, but even the ones that did so very well ended up getting crushed—because it turns out that providing the lowest price is the killer app for businesses. And it turns out that cheap credit (together with the scale that it enables) is the key to providing the lowest price.
Wow. Reading this, I'd wonder if any renters would dare to purchase their first home.
Where to start? First of all, the "average" size house is not 2700 sq ft. And these prices for each category are way out of proportion. For just getting into a house, there is no earthly way anyone needs to spend $2000 to cover windows. Start with miniblinds - add 'window treatments' or whatever later, as you have the money. Same goes for appliances; sometimes the big box stores aren't the best for prices. The mom and pop stores will often give you a sizeable discount if you buy several appliances at once.
The landscaping category has already been covered by others. Of course you may pay a good chunk if you're building a new home yourself; otherwise work with what you have and upgrade as you're able.
When I moved to Philadelphia after college, one of my biggest surprises was the city tax, which I had incorrectly assumed was only for people who worked in the city (my job was in the suburbs). Nope -- turned out you got taxed if you lived in Philly and worked elsewhere.
Prior to moving to California, I had only lived in New England or Mid-Atlantic states. I am LOVING my utility bills out here. I didn't turn my heater on once this winter, and only used the AC a few times last summer.
When I was little, my mom would take scissors to my dad's old socks and create wrist warmers for my sister and I to wear when playing outside in the winter. We layered them under our coats and mittens, so if snow snuck between the two, our wrists would stay mostly warm and dry.
My summer vacation, as usual, will be a trip to Portland OR and its environs - an escape from Phoenix heat for a week or so, combined with visits to my sister and her family and my son and his family, including the newest, my grandson who will be 2 by the time I see him this summer.
We are going on vacation to cape cod. We rented a small house within walking distance to the beach and bike trails. We don't have a budget, but plan on cooking our own meals to save money.
This year, we'll probably just day trips to the beach. I tried to plan a bigger trip with my daughter, but we couldn't get our schedule together. I love the beach anyway, so I'm good to go!
I'm planning to go to my 5 year college reunion! No big summer vacay though - I've only been at my job a year so I don't have enough vacation days for something big.
A canoe sometimes takes a ride on the top of my car. There's a strap that goes around it to secure into position. At high speed, that strap vibrates and makes loud noise. I tie old socks around the strap in strategic locations to dampen the vibrations and eliminate the noise.
We just got back from our big summer vacation. We went to Las Vegas for 4 nights to celebrate our first anniversary.
The timing for our big summer trip is dictated by the academic calendar at the university that we both work for (between the spring and summer terms).
So the town you live in still has little bookstores and a little hardware store and a thriving commercial downtown with clothing stores, shoe stores and the like?
You're lucky. In most of the country, those businesses have been crushed by big corporate firms that use their access to cheap credit to take over the whole space that used to be occupied by small local businesses.
All those small firms tried your strategy of providing what their customers wanted and adding value. Some did better than others, but even the ones that did so very well ended up getting crushed—because it turns out that providing the lowest price is the killer app for businesses. And it turns out that cheap credit (together with the scale that it enables) is the key to providing the lowest price.
Our entire family is packing up and going to visit the oldest daughter in North Carolina for a week in July. Fun times are planned :)
Yes, going to Branson Big Cedar Resort. SO looking forward to it!!
community college classes in Chicago are around $400. Same thing with learning massage therapy. Not worth it, comparing it to other things on the list
road trip! southwest.
Wow. Reading this, I'd wonder if any renters would dare to purchase their first home.
Where to start? First of all, the "average" size house is not 2700 sq ft. And these prices for each category are way out of proportion. For just getting into a house, there is no earthly way anyone needs to spend $2000 to cover windows. Start with miniblinds - add 'window treatments' or whatever later, as you have the money. Same goes for appliances; sometimes the big box stores aren't the best for prices. The mom and pop stores will often give you a sizeable discount if you buy several appliances at once.
The landscaping category has already been covered by others. Of course you may pay a good chunk if you're building a new home yourself; otherwise work with what you have and upgrade as you're able.
Yellowstone for us this summer~
Tweeted reply:
https://twitter.com/#!/KelRo1/status/204998472812855296
Like you on FB.
I'm hoping to make it to Chicago this summer but, due to a series of rather large medical bills, we might be staycationing instead.
When I moved to Philadelphia after college, one of my biggest surprises was the city tax, which I had incorrectly assumed was only for people who worked in the city (my job was in the suburbs). Nope -- turned out you got taxed if you lived in Philly and worked elsewhere.
Prior to moving to California, I had only lived in New England or Mid-Atlantic states. I am LOVING my utility bills out here. I didn't turn my heater on once this winter, and only used the AC a few times last summer.
This summer I am getting married, so my vacation will be our honeymoon. Our plan is to camp some to save some money.
When I was little, my mom would take scissors to my dad's old socks and create wrist warmers for my sister and I to wear when playing outside in the winter. We layered them under our coats and mittens, so if snow snuck between the two, our wrists would stay mostly warm and dry.
Me either! I consider eating in front of the TV a better occasional indulgence. I'd much rather get crumbs on my couch than my sheets.
My summer vacation, as usual, will be a trip to Portland OR and its environs - an escape from Phoenix heat for a week or so, combined with visits to my sister and her family and my son and his family, including the newest, my grandson who will be 2 by the time I see him this summer.
We are going on vacation to cape cod. We rented a small house within walking distance to the beach and bike trails. We don't have a budget, but plan on cooking our own meals to save money.
I liked your post on facebook
This year, we'll probably just day trips to the beach. I tried to plan a bigger trip with my daughter, but we couldn't get our schedule together. I love the beach anyway, so I'm good to go!
Commented and liked on Facebook as well! :)
https://twitter.com/#!/missluckybreaks/status/204977506279899136
No, our money is going towards visiting various colleges. Short visits so not much of a vacation.
Liked you on FB!