debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 9, 2023 17:39:22 GMT -5
startsmart tomorrow should be your mom's last day of treatment!!! What a milestone! Sharon I hope you are happy with your new sheets! Thank you Iggy aka IG !!! I was SO thrilled last night knowing I didn't have to go in today!!! Alas I'm less thrilled tonight since I have to go in tomorrow and Wednesday LOL. I don't know how long I will continue to work at 66% but I'm hoping to do it through 2023. Obviously the income is very welcome, especially since we want to replace most of the windows this year. I'm obviously committed for Spring Semester, but hoping to do Fall Semester too.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 9, 2023 14:01:12 GMT -5
In the end we decided to get 3 estimates for the windows/shutters. The third company is coming tomorrow.
I'm guessing the estimates will all be pretty similar. We should have them all by next week. I may tweak my savings goal at that point.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 9, 2023 5:40:13 GMT -5
Third and last company coming for a window estimate tomorrow afternoon.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 8, 2023 5:28:20 GMT -5
You should be able to wipe out the SMCU with this year's bonuses chiver78 !
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 8, 2023 5:12:55 GMT -5
So much for a quiet Saturday ... we took DD to the airport in the morning, then took DS3 to lunch and to the Eurostar in the afternoon. The kids have been coming and going since 21 Dec. I'm not leaving the house today. I went through DD's sheets since I bought two new matching sets from Ikea. I put the old ones in the basement for DS1 to look at when he's here in February. I'll donate what he doesn't want. We're also working on getting 2 more estimates for new windows. DH sent the measures to a second company today, so I just need to get one more. I start my new reduced schedule this week ... two days/week at school, one day WFH.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 6, 2023 14:44:06 GMT -5
Current completely liquid savings sits at $50k in usbank earning nothing. Need to figure out a better place for majority and decide how much we need to keep liquid and how much could be locked up in Ibonds and/or CDs for true emergencies.azucena are you already saving 10K for college per DD? If not, you could use 20K of that 50K for that.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 6, 2023 13:38:41 GMT -5
We got the estimate for the windows... 24/25K (euros) in aluminum. I know we should get another estimate but our good friends did that homework before they recently hired this company, and they were very happy with them.
That's for 4 enormous sets of French doors downstairs (3 and 4 panels each), plus automatic shutters, plus 3 4 large upstairs windows plus 1 small window.
So I know what my savings goal is now. Saving 32K would still leave me 20K after paying for half of the windows.
Debthaven: 6 Jan 2022 23,250 euros (Goal: 30,000)
My goal is to save 1K/month starting in February (when I start getting my pension). I don't know if that's feasible (I also want to live on/travel with some of my income from continuing to work.)
We also need to get the outside of our house repainted. We don't yet have the estimates for that.
We can't pay for both items in cash. The plan is to pay for one and borrow for the other. We'll figure it out, but at least we got the ball rolling.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 6, 2023 8:53:36 GMT -5
How is your mom doing startsmart ? Today DS3, DD and I put Christmas away. We put away the lights and ornaments, and DS3 put the tree by the woodpile. The LED seal hangs around through January. I also ordered a birth gift for our cleaner's grandson (he's due to arrive any day).
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 6, 2023 8:43:06 GMT -5
Debthaven: 6 Jan 2022 23,250 euros (Goal: I need to figure it out)
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 5, 2023 17:30:41 GMT -5
I took a nap this afternoon and slept like the dead.
We have a quiet weekend planned. The only goal is to keep up with kitchen/laundry/work and get through DH's surgery next week.
I need some quiet after the stress about my papers. SO happy to finally be working less.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 5, 2023 2:03:20 GMT -5
That's so good to hear stillmovingforward ! Thank you! I'm glad it went so well for your DH! I had the appt to get my "green card" renewed this morning, and all is well!!! I have a temporary 6-month card while they make the real one. I am SO RELIEVED!!!
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 4, 2023 17:30:10 GMT -5
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 4, 2023 15:49:39 GMT -5
laterbloomer you did mention how well it turned out! Sorry I've never heard of anyone doing that besides you lol. Iggy aka IG very interesting facts! Sharon my DH prints out sudokus from his favorite newspaper. Yet more paperwork!!! My old job contracts ended when I retired, and now I have a new ones. Job 1 expedited my new contract so that DH is covered before his surgery. I sent all the paperwork in today (despite working all day). I am already regretting continuing to work! But I had a lovely day with my students who were happy to see me after the break. DS3 said, you just need to get back into the swing of things after Christmas break. I'm sure we'll all feel better after DH gets home after his surgery (knee replacement). He was in the hospital for 5 weeks after his grave bike accident in 2011, and we have PTSD from that.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 3, 2023 18:17:39 GMT -5
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 3, 2023 18:12:49 GMT -5
Debthaven: 1 Jan 2022 22,750 euros (Goal 17,000 euros)
I too am thinking about next year's goals. I was SO AMAZED by my retirement bonuses ... turns out it's the law LOL.
I'm getting estimates to replace our huge single-pane glass French doors with double-glazing. The cost has always been prohibitive, but we'll see.
I am officially retired as of 31 Dec, but I'm continuing to work (less). I already regret agreeing to work as much this semester (2-3 days/week at school instead of 3-4).
But this is a unique opportunity for me to save. I've never earned much, so I was never able to save much. Now I'm getting a modest pension AND working. I saved ALL of the retirement bonuses I received in December, and more!!!
My goal is to save as much as I can in 2023. I don't want to do this forever. I'm committed to the Spring semester. I'm planning to do Fall semester too, but we'll see.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 3, 2023 18:09:29 GMT -5
Rukh O'Rorke looks great! But I'd take out the end of your second post about the smileys, since nobody will be doing them (which is absolutely fine!!! We can support each other!)
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 3, 2023 16:47:22 GMT -5
Yes that would indeed be me whose tenant trashed a 1BR apartment to the tune of 42K, many (15?) years ago. Thanks @athena53 and Bonny for the memories LOL. Bonny and I met for the first time just after it happened. In retrospect, the tenant probably didn't trash the place, her pimp/dealers probably did. What a nightmare!!! We have since sold most of our rentals. They were hard work, but most of them did pay off in the end, and give us some extra cash when we sold, except for the last one which we sold at a loss. That one was actually purchased by the RE agent we hired to sell it. He had connections, he created a one-man volunteer HOA (himself), and he gutted and rebuilt it. Last I heard he was living in it while saving up for a bigger place. He converted it from a big studio to a small 1BR. That's much easier to do if you can do the renovations yourself or if your contacts give you a great price, since he's in the business. It was probably the deal of the century for him, but he had the connections and the knowledge to bring both that apartment and the building into the 21st century, and make everything legal (it hadn't been for many years). We (and the other owners) had never managed, although we tried VERY hard, for MANY years. RE is not for the faint of heart. Best of luck to you whatever you decide!
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 3, 2023 14:50:32 GMT -5
I think we can just ad hoc our way through posting and acknowledging everyone. ...what is everyone else's thoughts?I agree Rukh O'Rorke . Would you mind creating a new thread when you have time seriousthistime ? I think everyone will understand that you're no longer "supervising" us and doing the smilies. Again, thanks for having done it for all these years.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 3, 2023 12:07:33 GMT -5
I should really order a dishwasher today.With a family of four raeoflyte , yes you should. It'll make all your lives easier. The daily and weekly chores sound like a good system! Hang in there Knee Deep in Water Chloe . You can do it. I've dealt with tons of paperwork today ... It wipes me out and it never ends. I'm dreading going into school tomorrow. (Job 2 starts this week, Job 1 starts next week.) PS I just booked one night in a hotel near the hospital where DH is having his surgery, because the hospital is at least an hour away. It's free cancellation. It's a splurge but going back and forth for 5-6 days is going to be exhausting.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 2, 2023 12:17:47 GMT -5
seriousthistime thank you so much for being such a fabulous cheerleader and organizer of this thread over the years! I know the smilies are fun, but we can still save without them. Personally I'd be happy just to have a new 2023 thread to post on.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 1, 2023 16:38:05 GMT -5
I am following. You are truly amazing laterbloomer . Wishing BW the best.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 1, 2023 15:37:25 GMT -5
I am officially retired as of today, but I'm continuing to work (less). I regret agreeing to work as much this semester (2-3 days/week at school instead of 3-4).
But this is a unique opportunity for me to save. I've never earned much, so I was never able to save much. Now I'm getting a modest pension AND working. I saved ALL of the retirement bonuses I received in December, and more!!!
My goal is to save as much as I can in 2023. I don't want to do this forever. I'm committed to the Spring semester. I'm planning to do Fall too, but we'll see.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 1, 2023 15:27:16 GMT -5
Debthaven: 1 Jan 2022 22,750 euros (Goal 17,000 euros)My interest posted (it posts annually). I added 30 euros to get it to the next 250 mark. azucena you work so hard, and you earn great money. Good for you for splurging. Knowing you, I'm guessing it's to make your home/lives even better and easier. I too am thinking about next year's goals. I was AMAZED by my retirement bonuses ... turns out it's the law LOL. So I'm getting/organizing estimates to replace our huge single-pane glass French doors with double-glazing. DH has to measure them for 2 of the estimates. I'm hoping he'll do that this week. The cost has always been prohibitive, so we'll see.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 1, 2023 15:17:30 GMT -5
Sounds like you're making good progress catsareme ! I am a bit of a pyromaniac ... I get motivated to burn paper clutter. We now have a fireplace insert, so I can't burn papers in the fireplace anymore. But I can still burn them in the fire pit LOL! TheOtherMe I subscribe to two local Facebook groups. There are often people who are looking for people to do small jobs ... they ALWAYS get several responses. Personally I'd try that, and ask for photos/references from past jobs/an in-person meeting. A lot of people are looking for (extra) work these days, and a bathroom is indeed a small job (although of course you want it to be done well!) Other thought ... have you asked your contractor? He may know somebody who either lives nearby or is doing a job near you who'd be happy for the extra work. laterbloomer is GW2 the one with the baby? Does that mean the baby is still living with you? Is the handy young man still living with you too? (Please feel free to ignore these questions ... I just find your fostering young adults and chill attitude about people coming and going fascinating and extremely admirable!)
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 1, 2023 4:26:34 GMT -5
Nidena if you put it towards the Visa, could you do a BT for the rest? Or use your regular income to pay off more? Because 12.65 is much higher than 7.4, and 156 isn't a huge monthly payment. Just my thoughts.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 1, 2023 4:15:03 GMT -5
Happy New Year friends!
DH had promised to clear out the basement by Christmas ... never happened.
E and I sleep in DD's room when they're here. The room is a bit of a mess. DD has (neatly stacked) totes from when she moved out of her ex's place over a year ago. She comes back in January, so I'm hoping she'll sort through those things. Her desk was a mess when she arrived, and she took care of it.
There's a trundle bed in that room. I want to get new, matching sheets for those 2 beds because one day I will be in that bed rather than in a crib. I'd like to do that in January.
We're also looking into double-glazing for the French doors but I fear the cost will be prohibitive. I have someone coming for an estimate this week, but of course I need a few. DH has to measure them this week.
DH is having knee replacement surgery mid-January, so that will be the priority.
I feel like I didn't reduce my hours enough. I have to go into Job 1 one day/week (except for one week in Jan when I have to go in twice.). I have to go into Job 2 one (shorter) day/week. I generally WFH on Thursdays. I'm off Mondays and Fridays but that may change during DH's surgery/convalescence.
PS I just ordered the new sheets for DD's room from Ikea. I paid 6e delivery, but we spend more than that when we go there.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 31, 2022 11:19:32 GMT -5
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 31, 2022 5:56:35 GMT -5
So much for not leaving the house this weekend ... I went to the post office to return a package and buy stamps. At least the package is out of the house.
I also: - Vacuumed (quickly) - Finished/put away all the laundry - Washed the collapsable laundry basket (in the dishwasher) - Did Shitepile (quickly) - Created 4 online class spaces - Cleaned out the fire pit - Put some boxes in the basement - Sorted the shopping bags
That's all for today. The house is back to normal. It could be cleaner but hey.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 31, 2022 3:45:09 GMT -5
Plus, you take beautiful photos finnime , so it's probably even harder to choose.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 31, 2022 2:57:26 GMT -5
Lots of progress being made, but not by me lol. All the kids have left (for now ... DS3 comes back on Tues for a few more days. ) I have a mountain of laundry to do. DS1's van broke down (on Christmas Day) so they had to leave it at the garage and go home by Eurostar. DH took them to the station early this morning. As always, we had a wonderful time, but I am exhausted. I go back to work on Tuesday (on a reduced schedule). I'm dreading it but I'll probably feel better after a quiet weekend. My goal for this weekend is to put the house back together, remake the 3 beds, and not leave the house. We were invited to a NYD gathering tomorrow, I declined. PS The 3 beds were remade 2h after they left this morning ... that's a new record.
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