Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Winter House Projects

G-man grew up fishing.  I don't understand the attraction....but whatever.  He spends his internet time looking at fishing stuff, chatting on fishing forums, discussing lures.....not my bag baby.

The other day, the topic of "winter" hobbies came up, and what are all these men (there are women on these sites, but they are few and far between) doing while they are waiting for the weather to warm up and they can hit the water.  Of course, some are hard core and go ice fishing.  But most have some other hobby they do during the winter months.

And one guy....who normally I would have hugged for this, but in this case has started a bigger discussion.....says he does the indoor house projects that his wife wants done.  In his opinion, why waste a beautiful spring or summer day on the house when you can go get stinky and touch fish that are happier in the water than being yanked from their homes with a sharp metal object in their mouth (gee.....tell me how you really feel Mysti.....)

House projects.  Now G-man wants to work on all the inside house projects we have talked about, which includes but is not limited to: 
  • Putting a new floor in the powder room (the lovely peel and stick tiles have come loose, and some have broken due to the cold).  
  • Painting the office.  
  • Painting the living room.
  • Building a desk for Sassy.
Great idea....except....this stuff costs money that we don't have right now!  Alot of this stuff is "dream" stuff for updating the house.  Painting the office and living room probably requires 4-5 gallons of paint (for walls, ceiling, and trim), plus supplies (roller covers, tape, etc). The office and the living room will "need" new window blinds as well as painting (5 windows), or we leave the blinds and they are cream and the new trim is white (the blinds are great, and we would order the same ones, just in white.  Then I would try and sell the ones we have).   The flooring in the bathroom will be 2 boxes of the flooring we want, plus a new wax ring for the toilet that has to come out to do the job.  

Sassy's room....a whole other ball of wax.  She is growing up and would like some more "grown up" things in her room.  Depending on what we decide will determine where her desk will go (her room is tiny), and thus the size.  And whatever else.....a chair, shelves, etc.

He wants to do this so he has more time to fish.  I understand his point.  I just don't have any idea where he thinks this money is coming from!!!   We need new tires for his car (which I think we can cover between the money in the car maintenance account and some overtime money); we just got some medical bills in (which will get in line with the $315 we are still paying on my surgery last year); my car needs to be looked at due to the tires leaking (I am at a loss on this one).

I will admit, there is a part of me that wants to do SOMETHING on the list.  We have $175 in the "fun project" account....which is also our new furniture account.  I told him IF we agree to take that money towards one of these projects...it will be that much longer before we can get new furniture.  He said "ok" but in G-man world that means "ok, until you figure something else out, right."  I am trying to not use that money for "life" stuff, as we really do need the furniture and such.  But if push comes to shove....

We are not getting a tax refund (the numbers aren't final yet, but we owe a small amount, which will come from the "taxes" account).  Overtime is hit or miss.  I am trying to find a new job.  The recent changes in taxes on our paychecks leaves our checks a bit smaller.  Gas seems to be going up again.

I love that he WANTS to do this stuff, it just isn't in the current budget.  Sorry hon....you may have to miss a day of fishing this summer to do the projects when we actually have the money!

11 comments:

  1. Just wanted to let you know the seals on the tires are probably cracked and just need re-sealing...My daughters tire kept leaking and because of the temps fluctuating the seals crack....She had them re-seal and never had a problem since...Lisa

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    1. That is what we were thinking...do you recall the cost to fix it?

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  2. That does suck that he's in the mood to get stuff done now vs later. Would the painting be that much more expensive? It sounds like the cheaper of the tasks, but probably not the best of ideas while it is very cold and you cant air the house. I guess that in the long term, maybe that calls for a "Winter Projects" budget.

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    1. Paint is actually costly. $25-30 a gallon, times 4 or 5. Plus supplies.

      We usually have a "house project" account going, but right now, it is empty. I don't think it needs to be separated into seasons...but right now it is empty. Until the more pressing items are taken care of...all the projects are on hold (unless of course an urgent repair is needed, but none of the above qualify for that).

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    2. I always find it funny when you hear design shows saying to " just paint, it is so cheap!!"

      It can be cheap yes and it looks it and holds up about as well.

      A can of good quality paint in my area runs no less than $50. Needless to say, it gets pricey really fast.

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  3. I recommend that you turn your "fun project" account into a tire account, since tires are very important and keep your whole family safe. Not fun to purchase, maybe, but as they say, it's the only thing between you and the road, and should never be skimped on. So, don't wait to replace those.

    And you don't really need blinds, right? If your blinds work, I think that should not even be on the radar when you have other things to worry about like taxes to pay and tires that need replacement. And medical bills, etc. I know what it's like to want to buy new stuff, but when it comes to things like blinds of a slightly different color, that seems like an easy thing to cross of the list and forget about. I know what it's like to owe tax money, too - ugh! I'm afraid to do our taxes this year.

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    1. Money for Taxes and G-man tires is already set aside. My tires...not sure if it is something that can be fixed or if I need new ones (plenty of tread left, it is just the leaking). If I have to pull from the "fun" account, then so be it. But like I said, if I must, I must.

      The blinds...those are a total "want" because I want them to match the paint (slowing changing everything over to white from cream). Notice they aren't in the original list...I mention them because I know how I get, and if they don't match, it will cause me anxiety. Stupid, I know. But this is why I tend to not start a project until I can do it ALL....the loose ends drive me insane and tend to make me want to just "take care of it."

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  4. Go to home depot and all paint stores. Some times a color is mixed that the home owner hates. I have purchased 5 gallons of paint from home depot for $5.00 a gallon.

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    1. The ceiling and trim will be "white" so no discount paint there. The other colors....I will look and see. I have colors picked out already, and maybe I can find something close. Our HD and Lowes doesn't usually have a large selection of OOPS though.

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  5. Do you have "Freecycle" in your area? Craigslist? You could probably find some of your items and items for the kids at next to nothing prices! Just gotta have patience and use some creativity with what you can come up with! Good luck!!

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    1. Yep. The desk we are going to have to build as it needs to fit an awkward space. I got her current set on Craigslist for $50.

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