1. Septic systems.: $180 to get the thing dug out. $200 for a new sewage pump (the old one gave up the ghost after > 20 years in that filth), $185 for the pump out (and cheap at that), and $180 for the plumber. Total:$ 745.
2. Lawn tractors: $85 for a maintenance kit (oil and air filters, oil, spark plug) and a new set of blades. After examining the deck, a mounting bracket has to be re-welded and one of the bearing sheaves has to be replaced due to excessive play. Estimated cost: around $200. Total: $285 (estimated), not including two round trips (so far) to the Deere dealer.
3. New tires. The Odyssey will need new tires by the end of summer. Estimated cost: around $450. P225/60R16's ain't cheap.
Running total so far: $1480.
I'm sure there'll be more, but I don't even want to think about it.
Oh crap. Sometime this summer, the furnace needs to be serviced.
Then there's property taxes in the fall.
Andre
Had to have the plumbers in twice this past year to fix problems related to well pump cut-off switch and filters. Recovered the roof last year (that was fun....I had to lift and remove all the asphalt shingles myself), had to replace the weed-eater last month...need paint for the exterior trim and doors at $24 a pop.
Property taxes, vehicle insurance and maintenance. Yes, I am on an austerity programme.
-Crandell
1. Children - I know, this fails the politically correct test, but its the truth. Anyone want to adopt 6 grown children?
andrechapelon2. Lawn tractors: $85 for a maintenance kit (oil and air filters, oil, spark plug) and a new set of blades. After examining the deck, a mounting bracket has to be re-welded and one of the bearing sheaves has to be replaced due to excessive play. Estimated cost: around $200. Total: $285 (estimated), not including two round trips (so far) to the Deere dealer.
Andre, you should have bought a GRAVELY instead. My 15 year old 16G GRAVELY has only cost $127.00 a year to maintain. It pushes snow and cuts grass, and nothing on it has ever needed to be rewelded. My Uncle still has the 1963 Model L walk behind my father bought new, its only been rebuilt once and still cuts his lawn.
andrechapelon3. New tires. The Odyssey will need new tires by the end of summer. Estimated cost: around $450. P225/60R16's ain't cheap.
Consider Pep Boys house brand tires, they are made in the USA by Cooper Tire and have a great warranty at super prices, likely less than $90 a tire, on the rim and out the door.
Sheldon
#1. Septic system: $1,600 for new tank, new field lines, having the old tank pumped out and disposed of, having the ditches dug, pipe laid, gravel brought in and ditches filled in.
#2. Having roof repaired after Rita came through: $700.
#3 Getting brake booster and master cylinder on car replaced, having transmission replaced.
#4 Getting 30 year old van ready for the road again because it's in better condition than 16 year old car that's falling apart faster than I can put it back together.
jwhitten
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Well, given that the Deere is in its 7th season, I can't complain too much. It's not like I had to do it every year and it's been pretty reliable otherwise. Had it not needed new blades, I doubt I would have caught the problem with the weld or the bearing. Mowing nearly two acres at a time does cause some wear and tear.
If they're grown, why are they still costing money? My kids don't cost me much. The grandkids, however, are a whole other story.
As for the tires, I'll check out Pep Boys. However, the nearest one is nearly 60 miles away. Can't complain about the Odyssey. It's got 145,000 + miles on it with only normal maintenance.
I just sat down yesterday and figured out the cost of running the John Deere to cut my one acre of lawn. Including purchase, servicing and fuel it work out to $28.00 every time I cut the lawn over the last twelve years.
Other things; New furnace with electronic air cleaner and computer control $8000.00. But boy did natural gas consumption plummet. That was a good investment.
New Samsung front load steam washer and dryer $3500.00. The first time I ever hooked up a water hose to a dryer.
Four new snow tires for the Honda $427.00
The real kicker is a $6000.00 a year increase in tuition for the hoydy toydy school my wife insist on sending the kids to. No shops in the school just science and computer labs. I don't think there's a kid in the school who could hammer a nail if their life depended on it. I did just fine in public school and so did my wife but can the kids go there?????
Anyway I started my blue collar, union scale, career working for various governments when I was sixteen. I followed my long departed dads advice on investing 10% of everything I earned and as a result at 53 I am retired and have a very comfortable life.
Oh ya, I didn't get married until nine days before my fortieth birthday. This was a conscious choice. I was to busy having fun or working seven days a week.
The down side. At 53 I have an 8 year old and an 11 year old and sometimes run out of gas before I should. The upside. By having them late in life I have a lot more money to spend on them and can show them the world.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
selector Had to have the plumbers in twice this past year to fix problems related to well pump cut-off switch and filters. Recovered the roof last year (that was fun....I had to lift and remove all the asphalt shingles myself), had to replace the weed-eater last month...need paint for the exterior trim and doors at $24 a pop. Property taxes, vehicle insurance and maintenance. Yes, I am on an austerity programme. -Crandell
I forgot about the roof. We replaced ours this year. With any luck, it'll outlast us.
Two years ago, it was a complete window replacement, retiliing the bathroom, tiling the kitchen and adding a toilet and sink to the laundry room.
Living in a cave and being a hunter/gatherer is starting to look awfully attractive.
Things that get in the way of spending beaucoup bucks on trains.
1) Not having beaucoup bucks.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Okay, I'll give you that one, Chip.
andrechapelon1. Septic systems.: $180 to get the thing dug out. $200 for a new sewage pump (the old one gave up the ghost after > 20 years in that filth), $185 for the pump out (and cheap at that), and $180 for the plumber. Total:$ 745.
Lawn tractors:
New tires. The Odyssey will need new tires by the end of summer. Estimated cost: around $450. P225/60R16's ain't cheap.
You did not mention car insurance. $650/month.
I'm sure there'll be more, but I don't even want to think about it.Oh crap. Sometime this summer, the furnace needs to be serviced.
But my biggy that has eaten up all the train budget this year is hospital bills. Despite good insurance constant doctor, nurse, hospital care for a cancer victum adds up. $40 co pay here, $300 surgery copay there, $100 hospital admision there, $75 emergency room visit, $10 perscription copay there, etc, etc.
BATMANI just sat down yesterday and figured out the cost of running the John Deere to cut my one acre of lawn. Including purchase, servicing and fuel it work out to $28.00 every time I cut the lawn over the last twelve years.
I did just fine in public school and so did my wife but can the kids go there?
The down side. At 53 I have an 8 year old and an 11 year old and sometimes run out of gas before I should.
andrechapelon Andre, you should have bought a GRAVELY instead. My 15 year old 16G GRAVELY has only cost $127.00 a year to maintain. It pushes snow and cuts grass, and nothing on it has ever needed to be rewelded. My Uncle still has the 1963 Model L walk behind my father bought new, its only been rebuilt once and still cuts his lawn. Well, given that the Deere is in its 7th season, I can't complain too much. It's not like I had to do it every year and it's been pretty reliable otherwise. Had it not needed new blades, I doubt I would have caught the problem with the weld or the bearing. Mowing nearly two acres at a time does cause some wear and tear.
I cut about one acre, plus push the snow. This past winter was a workout, we got 60" in about 1 week.
It took a while, but the GRAVELY was able to "bully" it out of the way. I now wish I had bought the 48" snow blower rather than the snow blade!
andrechapelon 1. Children - I know, this fails the politically correct test, but its the truth. Anyone want to adopt 6 grown children? If they're grown, why are they still costing money? My kids don't cost me much. The grandkids, however, are a whole other story.
Actually they have reached that point of self reliance, but there were times when I wondered if they would. The biggest lesson I learned from having three children and three step children, is that I'm not really a "child" person.
The grandchildren are fun, and you can send them home when you get tired.
We are currently shopping for a large basement covered by less house than we have now so that there will be more time and money for trains. The current house is a 4000 sq ft (not counting the train unfriendly basement) 1901 Queen Anne and the trains are in the 800 sq ft bonus room over the detached garage.
The new plan is for a 2500 sq ft basement with a 2500 sq ft rancher above it that will require much less maintenance/operating expense than the 1901 Queen Anne does.
If nothing suitable shows up soon, I will design and build one.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL 1. Children - I know, this fails the politically correct test, but its the truth.
1. Children - I know, this fails the politically correct test, but its the truth.
Amen. In my case, after a 42% drop in income and the kids finishing college, money available for discretionary purposes rose significantly. Hey, there is a hidden advantage with progresssive income taxes! Working/earning less saves one beaucoup tax bucks.
Mark
I have had a beaucoup year in terms of my financial sitchumication---my stocks went up---heeheehee
However, wife told me of the drier having gone on the fritz--------yay
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
andrechapelon 3. New tires. The Odyssey will need new tires by the end of summer. Estimated cost: around $450. P225/60R16's ain't cheap.
Sounds like a bargain. Purchased 4 tires last month from Goodyear for my Ford Explorer. Cost me 800+ bucks.
selectorRecovered the roof last year (that was fun....I had to lift and remove all the asphalt shingles myself),
That's one worry we don't have, our roof which is now 109 years old, is slate and we did the major "tune up" of the roof 15 years ago. That made it good for another 50-75 years.
If I build a house, or have to put a roof on where we move to, it will be man made rubber slate, which lasts 50-75 years. Way longer than I'm going to last.
Think how environmentally friendly my house is, it has never put an asphalt shingle in a land fill in its 109 years!
markpierce In my case, after a 42% drop in income and the kids finishing college, money available for discretionary purposes rose significantly.
blownout cylinder I have had a beaucoup year in terms of my financial sitchumication---my stocks went up---heeheehee
Can't sell my Bank of America and British Petroleum stocks because I don't have the correct income to offset the loss now.
The problem with some of you guys is that you have too much stuff that "owns" you.
1) Having a kid
2) Having another kid
3) Having another kid
4) Having another kid
5) Struggling to keep the refrigerator from constantly and completely emptying out (see items 1 through 4 above)
"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley
I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious. -Stephen Wright
mononguy63 1) Having a kid 2) Having another kid 3) Having another kid 4) Having another kid 5) Struggling to keep the refrigerator from constantly and completely emptying out (see items 1 through 4 above)
Especially when they become teenagers----
Texas ZepherI did just fine in public school and so did my wife but can the kids go there?Public schools are way different than they were when we were there. I was amazingly distressed at the number of things they aren't being taught anymore. Even with all these In-service days and early closes for class prep time, the teachers' do almost nothing compared to what my teachers did. I could never understand how my son could not do the homework without help and yet pass the tests. I finally found out (just a month ago) that the teachers were letting the kids correct answers - on tests! If they didn't I don't think any of the kids would be making passing grades. Needless to say we are moving to charter schools next year.
Public schools are way different than they were when we were there. I was amazingly distressed at the number of things they aren't being taught anymore. Even with all these In-service days and early closes for class prep time, the teachers' do almost nothing compared to what my teachers did. I could never understand how my son could not do the homework without help and yet pass the tests. I finally found out (just a month ago) that the teachers were letting the kids correct answers - on tests! If they didn't I don't think any of the kids would be making passing grades. Needless to say we are moving to charter schools next year.
Actually I was being a little tongue in cheek about the school. For $30,000.00 a year I'm allowed to complain. Truth be told, I would sell the house to keep them in private school it is worth it in the long run.
They also know that the two of them are buying me a new truck when they get their hoydy toydy jobs.
I forgot about the new roof. We went for steel. What da ya think? It was $ 60,000.00 for that. And that's why the kids have to buy me my new truck.
Getting married:
Celebrant; $550
Venue for ceremony; $300
Reception (catering, venue, etc.); $125/person - we're thinking around 80 people.
And this doesn't include the costs of the honeymoon.
The Location: Forests of the Pacific Northwest, OregonThe Year: 1948The Scale: On30The Blog: http://bvlcorr.tumblr.com
Things that get in the way of spending beaucoup bucks on trains???
It's called: LIFE
{Think of it this way: If we all lived in dung huts with only 4 articles of clothing as some people in this world do, we would not have model trains to worry about}
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
A ford truck. To be more precise, a 1ton 4x4 diesel crewcab. Tires run me $1k per year since this thing eats em. Fuel is going up again, so $30-$40 a day is normal, and Ford parts are quite pricey anymore. Then theres a couple BIG dogs who are always hungry, and whatever other maintenance is required around the property (20acres, 5 mowable). Taxes, ----don't even want to go there.
With all the talk about wives and kids, I'm thinking I should stay out of it.
This year:
Last year:
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
galaxy{Think of it this way: If we all lived in dung huts with only 4 articles of clothing as some people in this world do, we would not have model trains to worry about}
When my friend David and I graduated high school some 35 years ago, he immediately left for Africa to work as a missionary and ended up drilling wells and showing the farmers how to irrigate their fields. About 5 years later he came home for a visit and I suggested I take a year off and come lend a hand for a while. He laughed at me and said I would hate it. When I asked why, his exact words were " because there are no outlets in the dung walls to plug your train into".
Even though I looked into a job as a pilot for one of the relief organizations, I never did make it there. The last I heard he was still in Africa doing great work.
blownout cylindermononguy63 1) Having a kid 2) Having another kid 3) Having another kid 4) Having another kid 5) Struggling to keep the refrigerator from constantly and completely emptying out (see items 1 through 4 above) Especially when they become teenagers----
Of course while they're teenagers you don't need the refrigerator - you're lucky to get the car unloaded before it's all gone.
Enjoy
Paul
I must confess, I feel little sympathy for anyone who complains about having kids who has more than two kids.
Two kids is Zero population growth and cheaper, too.
I consider buying a new hopper car to be big spending. Maybe once or twice a year I can treat myself to a new loco or two (like tax time, loan refund time) and other than that, im usually broke. Gotta love bein in college.