tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post243858006068329508..comments2024-03-28T09:27:28.962-07:00Comments on creative savv: How We Decide Which "Optional" Projects Get the Go-Ahead in Our BudgetLilihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-90376392501473869772019-11-08T13:52:00.563-08:002019-11-08T13:52:00.563-08:00Your living room and its view sounds beautiful, Ru...Your living room and its view sounds beautiful, Ruthie! I agree with how good for your soul all of the light brings. I feel the same way. I can never get enough sunlight.<br />Thank you. <br />Have a wonderful weekend, Ruthie!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-2452562537220651692019-11-08T13:50:34.040-08:002019-11-08T13:50:34.040-08:00Hi Conni,
I can't imagine what it's like t...Hi Conni,<br />I can't imagine what it's like to have 3-5 day power outages. That must be very trying on everyone's nerves. I can see why a large generator would be important, just to keep basic appliances going, like a refrigerator/freezer and a stove/oven. Good luck with this decision.<br />Ha ha. Yep! That will be the downside. Good thing I actually like window cleaning! (instant visible results)<br />Thank you for your very kind words. I appreciate them. Good luck with your lentil sprouts.<br />Have a great weekend, Conni!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-50161044072671828842019-11-08T07:04:54.408-08:002019-11-08T07:04:54.408-08:00So beautiful! I love large windows. Our living r...So beautiful! I love large windows. Our living room has one wall of windows and I don't have blinds or anything because I love looking out over the backyard. And the light it gives is so good for my soul. I don't even mind cleaning them. Enjoy your new, sparkling view!ruthiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15701879133355448216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-4880002765643180472019-11-07T21:36:34.242-08:002019-11-07T21:36:34.242-08:00Excellent post, Lili! Well thought out and clearl...Excellent post, Lili! Well thought out and clearly said - thank you! We are in the decision-making process for a generator (gggrrrr...California and our, at this point, 3-5 day power outages). We have small generators presently but, since we are in our early seventies and are planning (as much as one can plan!) on ‘aging in place’ here on our mountain property, we are carefully considering set up and ease of use. We are in no hurry because, as you have pointed out, ‘optional’ upgrades allow the time needed to make clear decisions.<br />You forgot one downside to your new window: now you have to wash it occasionally (hehe)!<br />I ALWAYS enjoy and look forward to your writing. Thank you for sharing your gift - tomorrow I start some lentil sprouts!Connihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18029708102651366892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-89913875577832915512019-11-07T15:59:41.498-08:002019-11-07T15:59:41.498-08:00Hi Melissa,
I sometimes find it hard to see which ...Hi Melissa,<br />I sometimes find it hard to see which project gets priority, especially when most of them feel optional. One great part about doing the ones with the greatest pay-back first is you will save money at a faster rate than you had before. At least that's been our experience with a couple of projects. Good luck to you as you and your husband make these choices.<br /><br />Thank you -- I'm already really enjoying a clean and clear window! <br />Have a nice evening, Melissa!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-21962189862036761052019-11-07T15:56:31.860-08:002019-11-07T15:56:31.860-08:00Oh my, Kris! That much snow already?! Glad you mad...Oh my, Kris! That much snow already?! Glad you made it home safely and I hope the roads can be cleared now.<br /><br />I'm so glad for you to have been able to replace your windows. I think especially where you live, with such cold winters, you must have seen quite a drop in your utility bills and increase in overall comfort. Yep! I totally get your wanting a bay or bowed window. That's me and my French doors. It just made sense, right? I was able to rehang the old drapes right after the workmen left. I did notice how quiet it was in the morning yesterday. I usually hear rush hour road noise from about 6 AM. Not now, or at least it's greatly diminished. <br /><br />Stay safe and warm! (Good thing you've got those good windows, right?)Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-69360862540671064932019-11-07T14:26:07.792-08:002019-11-07T14:26:07.792-08:00This is a really good way to think about weighing ...This is a really good way to think about weighing purchases. Right now, we have several big expenses on the horizon, but your pointers will help us make these decisions about where we should put our money first. Thanks for this post, Lili. And enjoy that new window! melissaMatt Macduff Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11043554569369923416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-81763313998593980522019-11-07T13:15:02.398-08:002019-11-07T13:15:02.398-08:00Oh, you will love your new window! We replaced ou...Oh, you will love your new window! We replaced ours a few years ago when there was some sort of tax break to do so. There was no question in our minds about doing it--the windows were original to the house, most were single paned, and drafty. I was shocked with the noise reduction. Along similar lines to your wants vs needs--I "wanted" a bay or bow window but we stuck with the "need". We would have had to completely redo our window treatments (and it's a big window!! Read: expensive). I hope you enjoy your new-to-you space. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on expenses.<br /><br />BTW,yesterday you said you hoped we were having good weather .... um, no. Six inches of snow fell overnight. Icy roads. 1 1/2 hour commute. But I made it safe and sound! The sun is out now!Krisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-31219970082868018132019-11-07T10:34:18.905-08:002019-11-07T10:34:18.905-08:00Hi live and learn,
ha ha, am I that transparent? M...Hi live and learn,<br />ha ha, am I that transparent? Maybe it's true, though, that you and I have similar approaches to our financial lives.<br /><br />That is very good to hear about your windows. I'm so glad that you can now enjoy a nice view, have quiet, and more comfortable indoor temperatures. That's what I'm hoping for in this room, too. I love sitting here looking out my new window and seeing how pretty it looks to have clear glass. Another thing I didn't realize had been an issue -- I don't have any lamps on during the day in this room, now. I know that will be different on very dark and dreary days. But I used to always keep 2 lamps on in this room during the day when I was working. I can't believe that just not having condensation between the panes of glass made the room so dim. I guess what we had in this room before was something along the lines of frosted glass, although the glass itself wasn't textured.<br /><br />Thanks for your comments, Live and Learn.<br />Have a great afternoon!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-5069405745210146772019-11-07T10:26:51.898-08:002019-11-07T10:26:51.898-08:00Hi Alice,
4 cars in one year -- that's a huge ...Hi Alice,<br />4 cars in one year -- that's a huge chunk of change! The mental picture of your hubby's van, dropping pieces on the roadway reminded me of my husband's previous car. It was rather annoying at the time, to lose pieces of trim, bit by bit along bumpy roads, but in hindsight, I think my memories are a little funny. I'm glad for you, though, that you've been so careful with money that you were able to replace all of your family's cars, especially nice that you could buy one for your daughter and her new husband at this tough financial time in their life together. <br /><br />Your choice to downsize and move closer to a city is a sensible one. I'm sure you'll be very happy that you've made this move, later on.<br />I hope your day is off to a great start, Alice!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-85102509983298077462019-11-07T04:33:27.565-08:002019-11-07T04:33:27.565-08:00You are going to love your new window for all of t...You are going to love your new window for all of the reasons you mentioned--climate control, noise reduction, and most of all, the view. Our new house needed new windows when we moved in because of leaks, rotten wood, single pane glass, etc. It was a big expense, but one we put near the top of our list. And now, it's amazing how much better things are with them. The insulation alone is helping a lot. We have to run our heater and air conditioner less and don't hear much from outside (we have some road noise). And we can enjoy our nice views because we aren't hiding behind our insulated, black out curtains all of the time.<br /><br />Lili said, "You wouldn't know this about me, but this project is something for which I took a very long time to decide."<br /><br />Of course, we knew that you didn't make this decision quickly. If you have shown us nothing else over these years, you have shown us that you are a very careful spender and are most comfortable when you think things through very thoroughly.<br /><br />Or maybe I recognize all of that in you because, it is very much like me. We have been very careful with our money over the years and have had the good fortune of one of us always having a decent job. And even though we only had one salary for many years, our finances are in reasonable shape. (not rich, but okay). And even then, I have a hard time spending money even when we have plenty in the budget to cover things.<br /><br />Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-34728610435330342102019-11-07T04:13:16.766-08:002019-11-07T04:13:16.766-08:00Lili,
That was nicely said. That is so true about ...Lili,<br />That was nicely said. That is so true about wanting so much more than needing. My husband always says that wanting and desiring is a downfall as is comparing what you have to want you want or what others have is a downfall. <br /><br />I dream a lot of what I could have and would like but rarely act the purchase except for the newer van I now drive. We drove all of our vehicles until they literally fall apart and unfortunately our two vehicles and the kids' two vehicles ALL NEEDED REPLACING WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. Now that is a problem because replacing 4 vehicles in one year is never in anyone's plan. Hubby's van was dropping frame pieces into the roadway due to all the rust. So last November he got a newer vehicle. My son's car (we owned it) was always needing some kind of repair so when he became fully employed he bought a newer car and we sold and pocketed the money for his old car. Then our other kids car lived in Ohio with my daughter and a day before her wedding the car smelled of gas so we took it to the mechanic who deemed it dangerous. Gas line could not be replaced and motor mounts lost two of its four mounting abilities due to rust. It was brought to the junkyard. We bought them a car because they were in no financial position to do so. They can pay us back later. Then my car was beginning to show signs of some expensive repairs (nothing happened yet) so we sold it and bought a newer vehicle for me. But we should be set for many many years to come.<br /><br />We moved to a smaller house 6 years ago which is closer to town for the reason of growing old. We want to be close to town for hospitals, grocery stores and not so far out in the country as we get older. But this house needed a lot of repairs. We decided to them this first 6 years while we are employed so that they didn't all hit when we are retired. Well, hubby is retired but he still works part time jobs.<br /><br />AliceAlicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12660543650879805736noreply@blogger.com