Post by UnderProtest on Sept 13, 2017 12:12:59 GMT -5
This isn't leading at all.
My parents built a home from scratch (found land, picked an architect, no built in builder) and it was a lovely home and suited them perfectly. I think my mom still regrets moving away from it, even 30 years later.
I've only done renovations, but the one on my previous house was pretty extensive. We did go over due to labor costs (one of his guys was later fired) and we had to have some hard conversations with the contractor. Open communication with the builder is key for me.
Do put in an allowance for overages and check with the builder about if he allows you to purchase materials, such as tile, cabinets, etc, directly so that you have your perfect choice and the best deal you can find. That will be more work on you, but could save money.
It allows you to keep them together when you want, but take it apart when you don't want it to hit your knee. I had a nicer one from Coach years ago that had a clip which also worked.
Post by UnderProtest on Aug 2, 2017 15:45:14 GMT -5
Susie, I feel your pain. This is the first year that we have to file estimated taxes and then add in foreign tax credits and payments back to the company for some of the tax credits and its crazy. Plus, we keep getting adjustments to our previous return (which were professionally prepared) so that is adding to the confusion.
MM wins and losses for us. We are getting a nice settlement from insurance company for the break in, but of course the loss is all my jewelry.
Post by UnderProtest on Jul 26, 2017 13:51:33 GMT -5
Good choice @shoegal! I never had any blisters or any problems with those flats in all the walking I did in London! And they are cute enough to wear with ankle pants and a nice shirt for a nicer casual but comfy look.
And since you are the queen of deals, may I ask where you got them from? I'd like another pair!
OMG this would be my worst nightmare. I have been having some tooth sensitivity and the dentist put some bonding on the exposed surface where I'd brushed away some of my gum (I am a hard brush-er). But I have a 50/50 chance of this working and if it doesn't, I should look into the endodontist and a root canal
All that to say, I feel you. I hope it goes as smoothly as possible.
I had some issues with gums receding due to hard brushing. I switched the the sonicare toothbrush and its much better.
Team Kitchen - you're going to see the kitchen everday multiple times a day and it's going to be used far more than the deck. To me it's going to increase the value much more and if you're going to be for the for a while I'd put the money there.
If the deck just needs to be freshed up what about doing one of those Deck Over things from Behr? Our neighbors did that on their deck and it looks brand new. DH and I just replaced our deck (20x20) and the total was just over $20k to go with partial composite (trex). Ours was a complete tear down though.
Wow! I suppose if it was a complete tear down, $20k isn't that bad. The quote we got this AM for the patio was $7500. Which is a lot, and so that's what started this "would you rather" conversation with MH. We've thought about the deck over from HD, but we like the look of the natural wood, which is why we've stuck to stain this long. MH is reasonable handy though, so maybe we could do the partial Trex ourselves...that's something else to research.
There is another Trex like product (the name is escaping me) that is significantly less than Trex. Also, do NOT follow the manufacturer's directions and place the boards right next to each other. Both mine and my parents have expanded a bit and butting the boards up to each other doesn't allow water to drain.
I'd keep the same set. He designed the ring, and it was blessed by our priest. So, I'm sentimental about it. I'd like to add another matching channel set sapphire band, a top the e-ring for year 10 anniversay, next year. This is the wedding band I have below my e-ring.
I wasn't asking about upgrading. Pretend your actual ring blessed by the priest is gone. What would you do then? Get the same ring you got ten years ago or go for something different as your style or life has changed?
Like if I lost my set? I would probably replace my set with a bigger solitaire "engagement" ring (maybe with small accent diamonds down the band) and a wedding band with small diamonds in it (currently it's just a plain gold band).
Post by UnderProtest on May 31, 2017 8:45:34 GMT -5
If you had to buy a ring now to wear on your left hand to indicate you are married, what would you buy? Would you buy a typical engagement ring and wedding ring combo or a single non-traditional ring? Or something else? And what would it look like? Share pics!
Post by UnderProtest on Apr 10, 2017 8:43:07 GMT -5
Ha, thanks RockNVoll, I actually just got back from Bonaire on Saturday. I can't really comment to the accommodations as I stayed at a friends house, but I love being on the beach there. There are so many amazing shells and coral to see.
Food- All in Kralendijk Capriccio- Italian place -amazing food, get the local wahoo if its on special. Also the parma ham and melon is wonderful. We had standing reservations Luciano- great gelato and looked like great coffee and cocktails La Creperie- great savory and sweet crepes Karels (?)- the bar on the pier in town.....we only had coffee and juice, but the view is amazing....take bread (or Cheerios in our case) to feed the fish It Rains Fishes- I didn't go there, but my hosts did on the one night they didn't go to Capriccio, so I trust their judgment
Between 2 Buns- a great little sandwich shop just outside of the town Spice at Eden Resort- resort restaurant, has great drinks at the outdoor bar and a decent buffet breakfast Beach bar at Lac Bay- not Jive City, the other one next to Bonaire Windsurf place, good burgers, fish nuggets and salads, also good drinks
Activities Ferry to Kleine Bonaire- take snorkels and a picnic lunch. Great quiet day. There is a ferry from close to town and from Eden Resort Lac Bay- windsurfing lessons, try not to go when there is a cruise ship in town, great place to watch the locals windsurf just around to the left, they are known for their windsurfing Market in Kralendijk- stalls in the town center with some pretty stuff.....only open when cruise ships are in port
Strollers are just a pain in general in London, but FYI, you can put them in black cabs with the kid in them. That does help some. Be careful of Tube stations, most don't have elevators, but with a single stroller and multiple adults you should be able to put it on the escalators. Oh, and be careful in Paris with what you put where, pick pockets are HUGE there.
The Mumderground app is great for this, you can see which tube stations are the best with strollers. I can't tell you how many times I would get off at a tube station, look at the stairs, and want to cry - but someone always came along, without a word, picked up the front of the stroller, and helped me up or down. And then walked away without a word, very British lol.
Yes, I saw that a ton when I lived there. Unfortunately no one offered to help me with my double stroller.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 27, 2017 12:58:51 GMT -5
Strollers are just a pain in general in London, but FYI, you can put them in black cabs with the kid in them. That does help some. Be careful of Tube stations, most don't have elevators, but with a single stroller and multiple adults you should be able to put it on the escalators. Oh, and be careful in Paris with what you put where, pick pockets are HUGE there.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 23, 2017 7:55:55 GMT -5
I was in Stavanger and Bergen this past summer and both were GORGEOUS! We stopped in those cities as part of a cruise so they were just day trips. Things (like food) were expensive but I can't comment about hotels. Flights in Europe are cheaper than in the US, so you could possibly fly in and out of London from the US and take trips from there to Norway or wherever. I also really liked Iceland so add that to your list.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 22, 2017 13:04:24 GMT -5
Pay off the car loan and then wait to do the deck until you can pay cash. With the remainder of the tax refund and the cash freed up from the car payment, it shouldn't take long. Stop going into debt if you can.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 14, 2017 12:24:24 GMT -5
You can get pretty much anywhere in the Caribbean in 4 hours with a direct flight so its all open. Another consideration is Bermuda. I would pick based on direct flight availability from your preferred airport. I liked the customer service in Bermuda and Grand Cayman, but I think Grand Cayman had some flooding issues lately. I had huge issues in Antigua so that clouds my opinion.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 14, 2017 10:18:23 GMT -5
tacom, I grew up in the Midwest and only once lost power due to a really bad snowstorm. Apparently it is quite common up here (all overhead lines) and a ton of people have generators at their house. Its backward to me too! My only hope is that because we are close to two schools, we might be high on the priority list if it does go down.
UnderProtest I hope we don't lose power either but am charging everything I can tonight. I hope your husband doesn't try to drive in!
Oooh, good call on the charging. I'm not used to dealing with snow and definitely not snow with wind as they are predicting. I did drag the outdoor furniture back to its storage spot after my overzealous husband had already dragged it out. Hopefully that won't go flying.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 13, 2017 16:57:09 GMT -5
Went to the grocery store earlier just to make sure since tomorrow is usually when I go. School was cancelled already and kids came home thrilled for yet another snow day. Just hoping we don't lose power and that my husband doesn't try to drive into the office (or drive us nuts here).
Whatever, whatever, UnderProtest , I do what I like! And no bus strikes or wheels falling off like on the tube
You never had the grumpy bus driver that won't open the doors for your double stroller or being kicked off multiple times on the same trip because wheelchairs have priority over strollers.