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My 14 y.o. has what we call the "shrug and roll" down to a science...you know the look, roll the eyes, shrug the shoulders and slink down the hall...all with the most dismissive body posture possible. I have assured her that this is a family tradition, my mother screwed up my life, I'm screwing...

Just recently appraised a house, 5500sf on the upper 2.5 floors with another 1600sf finished in the bsmt - including movie theater! Price $1.5...I'll have to go back in a couple weeks to verify the ELEVATOR is complete...$65K in case you are wondering. The hot property in our market is the...

I'm in mid-MO at this time with housing and cost of living very affordable....in some areas. Rural/suburban houses on 3-20 acres, nice house, usually around 2000 sf. AND with that testosterone-magnet outbuilding...prices range from $100K to $150K. I just appraised a 200sf 4 BR/2BA house, barn...

How about a correction out east? Just returned from family reunion where VA sibling-in-law reported friend recently purchasing a $750K home with a 15 yr. interest-ony mortgage!! yikes.

At least your parent(s) has/have some savings vehicles....mine anticipated my income to provide for all. Needless to say, my Christmas list is a few names shorter these days. Sarcasm aside, my parental units engaged in zero planning, despite a generous income and below average expenses. I'm not...

I had alot of windshield time yesterday - which is my best thinking time - and have come to terms with work being my vehicle to ER. Naturally, this was always my plan but my little vacation from the daily grind showed me just how bad it all had become. Peace has descended back into my abode....

Hello all - back again for a short visit. TH - something you said in one of your posts just verbalized all that has been running thru my head for the last 6 wks. Thank you. I'll give you the short version... Spent 3 wks in Italy in March - just me and the kids - oy. Since returning, I have...

Re: The sky is falling Wabmester - re:home pricing - the cost of materials fluctuates with the interest rate as well. Rates low, materials high when rates rise, the cost of construction dips. I am seeing a marked increase in foreclosure properties and we are not in a metro market. Another...

Funny that I just ran into the same neighbor this morning and she said they were having a hot tub delivered, compliments of their tax return. Of course, it wouldn't make any sense to them to pay on the loan we are carrying on some add'l acreage they bought from us. Trust me, I'm not complaining...

There's a great deal to be said for the lack of stuff. My early 20's are referred to as the "I remember when" days and the only thing I miss, other than being just 22, is the simplicity of daily life. I was sooo broke, working 2 jobs but the days were full of simple pleasures and simple choices...

My former neighbors had 2 new vehicles ($50K) in the driveway, not in the garage, due to boxes of clothes, etc. BIG hail storm...2 more new vehicles ($60K this time) still in the drive with maybe $500 worth of stuff in the garage. Not the brightest bulbs in the pack.. This same neighbor...

Re: Red Wine Drinkers - Save Money!!! I will always have room in my budget for my coffee and my red wine...and both are a necessity with my kids & schedule. Now tho' I have to drink the coffee in order to be awake for wine-time! Really am glad I stumbled onto this site with all the experience...

Re: Red Wine Drinkers - Save Money!!! Black Swan Shiraz is very nice - more flavor than the Yellow Tail-IMHO. John - don't give up those Frappucino's...you're funding my ER.

Rewind 20 yrs. and everything I needed would fit into my Volvo...fast fwd w/2 kids and I have it down to one large U-haul. Had a yard sale last year and netted $1300..my daughter was thrilled until I pointed out that it probably cost us $5K to purchase. "Stuff" gets in the way and requires...

Don't get me going on the refi-frenzy....I'm a real estate appraiser and I see some people so often I'm invited to their kids b-day parties. I have lots of opinions..only some of which my husband says are interesting....but IMHO most people don't understand or care about anything other than "how...

Definitely not legal advice, just things I've noted in my own no-compete studies....courts seem to frown upon no-competes signed after employment, everyone of similar position must sign the same no-compete, companies must prove that employee has significant knowledge/expertise that could do...

I opted to NOT start a college fund for my kids. I don't want the kids to consider college an entitilement since they have this cash-cow fund to use on education. We have our rental props and can borrow against them to help w/college costs. If the kids don't choose college or don't apply...

Another reference to used up dryer sheets - John Galt, you really are working on that book?! Skylark - you posted re:guy who made more but saved less...isn't that amazing? I think the spendthrifts are really uncomfortable being reminded that they could do better. I have a sibling who is like...

re:handyman stuff - the best $$ is in the little jobs. When we were in construction we wouldn't touch it since it took away from the big job. Re:liability - nothing is reasonable or common sense anymore. Do the work, have the homeowner sign an invoice/work order, whatever you want to call it...

Jack - you don't have a chance as she's on to you....has been on to you...and she's not gonna buy it. But if she's hung on this long, she'll indulge you. I'd give you some hints but if my husband were to read my postings, I'd lose all my power! You'll do just fine in ER as you've been hungry...

Wonderful stories but now I feel terrible...I have to admit my co-workers will have the party when I'm gone. Why may be sooner than planned as rumor is that boss doesn't like my working from home...

I don't dust...I just roll tinkertoys on the floor and my 3 y.o. chases 'em....with wood floors, I save TONS of time. I'm willing to rent him out to fund his ROTH... John - let me know if you change your mind....your next venture may be 101 uses for dryer sheets...

Chris - something add'l that I just remembered while "helping" my daughter clean her closet...years ago I had her start a goal book. We used a plain scrapbook and labeled it "Near & Far Goals." She cut out photos of everything from skateboards to castles and ID'd 'em as near or far (short or...

Use 'em for TP? That's beyond my level of comfort but I'll be happy to fwd my stack to you.....

After you guys get done cutting the dryer sheet in half, then using it again....use it as a dusting cloth-works great.