Blow That Dough 2025

[Dtail]

I hadn’t counted on a project of this size, but DH is very motivated, and he’s right, it’s now or never,

And knowing how you calculate WR%, there is no effect. lol

 

[er33]

We blew some dough last week on your 4 day trip to SD Black Hills and ND Teddy Roosevelt Park. Was a great time and rented a house for the days while we were there. Everything we did was 100$ give or take but was worth seeing a lot of the sight and area. We stayed in a 2 million dollar home with attached garage that would fit ~ 15 cars in it. I was amazed at the size of this three door, two sided, attached garage. I never slept in that expensive of home in my life time. It was like living like the rich and famous. Lol

Still have my hopes on a big BTD land purchase at sometime. I made any offer late last year and have talked to owner again a few months back about my interest in buying. It is any offer that is very intriguing and unheard of deal and I would ovah pay if I could get it done. My fingers are crossed.

I want to visit all national parks if possible. Olympic national park is next on my list.

 

[audreyh1]

I want to visit all national parks if possible. Olympic national park is next on my list.

Fantastic park. It’s enormous with lots of completely different areas, so allow plenty of time. Crescent Lake Lodge is a good base area inside the park although the spectacular Hurricane Ridge is easily accessible from Port Angeles.

 

[audreyh1]

And knowing how you calculate WR%, there is no effect. lol

Not this time. When we bought our fancy motorhome way back when, we did pull some funds from our long term retirement investments.

 

[street]

I hadn’t counted on a project of this size, but DH is very motivated, and he’s right, it’s now or never,

Please keep us posted on this BTD event. That is Great!

 

[Badger]

We are finalizing the plans for a "patio cover" to shade our cars. I was going to build it but getting too old and tired to tackle the project. So it's BTD time to the tune of $20k. The materials should arrive in about 12 weeks and then construction starts.

 

[Teacher Terry]

You are gonna love 'em! So glad you have made your choice. Keep us posted how they w*rk out for you.

This was you responding to my post that I was copying your good taste and going to get a tilt in window for each of my bedrooms. The quote was 2K and I thought that was fine since the windows aren’t that big and I only have two bedrooms.

A month later after they send somebody out for the final measurements, I learned that the 2K was only for the cost of the windows. The window company hires, a construction company to install them which doubles the price. Needless to say that’s ridiculous and no new windows for me. I could check back with the other two companies, but I’m guessing it’s the same way since everybody’s quotes were similar.

 

[AudiDudi]

This was you responding to my post that I was copying your good taste and going to get a tilt in window for each of my bedrooms. The quote was 2K and I thought that was fine since the windows aren’t that big and I only have two bedrooms.

A month later after they send somebody out for the final measurements, I learned that the 2K was only for the cost of the windows. The window company hires, a construction company to install them which doubles the price. Needless to say that’s ridiculous and no new windows for me. I could check back with the other two companies, but I’m guessing it’s the same way since everybody’s quotes were similar.

I just ordered some new windows (Anderson 100 series) and the price of installation is just about the same as the price of the windows. 2 guys for 2 days with travel miles about 120 both days. I don't believe they will use very much of the 2nd day..

 

[Teacher Terry]

I just ordered some new windows (Anderson 100 series) and the price of installation is just about the same as the price of the windows. 2 guys for 2 days with travel miles about 120 both days. I don't believe they will use very much of the 2nd day..

Did you end up paying 2k per window that aren’t very big? I have read that Anderson charges the most.

 

[AudiDudi]

6 windows, 2 3x3, 2 4x5. 1 4x4 and 1 4x6 = $6800 installed. In 2019, I had 2 3x4 Andersen windows installed in a bedroom and it was $1300 and even then, the labor was the same as the window cost. I had a quote from Renewal by Andersen for the same 6 windows for over $25k.

 

[Winemaker]

I had a 4 unit townhouse style apartment building with Andersen windows through out. A tenant broke one of the windows. and I called Andersen Renewal to come and fix the window. They wanted both DW and I both present for a presentation. NO, I want a Andersen window replaced with another, I don't want a tenant's window open for thieves or weather to come in. Their shop is in the same town. No dice unless DW and I are present for a presentation. NO, I just wane a window replaced or repaired. I hung up. Six hours later they called and said they'd look at it. They came out and gave me a price around $2k! I told them to shove it!

In the meantime, I had lucked out and visited the local Restore store, a store operated by Habitat for Humanity. They had 4 Andersen windows the exact same for $25 each. I bought all 4, despite only needing one. i watched a You tube video to replace the same kind of window. Easy peasy, I was done an hour after they left. I used one of the other windows later, and when we sold the building they took the other two.

 

[Teacher Terry]

6 windows, 2 3x3, 2 4x5. 1 4x4 and 1 4x6 = $6800 installed. In 2019, I had 2 3x4 Andersen windows installed in a bedroom and it was $1300 and even then, the labor was the same as the window cost. I had a quote from Renewal by Andersen for the same 6 windows for over $25k.

Yes that’s a huge difference than what I am being quoted. It sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[street]

Yes that’s a huge difference than what I am being quoted. It sounds like a good deal to me.

If you haven't given them the okay I would shop around some. Your price seems high to me. Maybe location in HCL area maybe the X factor though.

 

[Teacher Terry]

If you haven't given them the okay I would shop around some. Your price seems high to me. Maybe location in HCL area maybe the X factor though.

I’m not replacing my windows at that price. My windows are probably original to the Condo building which are 48 years old. I wanted new windows because I wanted to be able to wash them from the inside.

There’s nothing wrong with them and our HOA does not wash the outside of the windows. I am not willing to pay more than 1 K per window and that includes installation.

 

[DrRoy]

I want to visit all national parks if possible. Olympic national park is next on my list.

We are working on this also. Up to 55 as of now. Redwood and Lassen in October. Only 7 left after that.

 

[DrRoy]

6 windows, 2 3x3, 2 4x5. 1 4x4 and 1 4x6 = $6800 installed. In 2019, I had 2 3x4 Andersen windows installed in a bedroom and it was $1300 and even then, the labor was the same as the window cost. I had a quote from Renewal by Andersen for the same 6 windows for over $25k.

We are getting our french patio doors and our single front door replaced by Provia for $19.5K. Andersen wanted $22K just for the patio doors.

 

[Koolau]

We are working on this also. Up to 55 as of now. Redwood and Lassen in October. Only 7 left after that.

Now might be a good time to visit Hawaii Volcanos National Park on Big Island.

 

[Midpack]

"only", hehe! True BTD. I can't imagine a hotel that had anything I want that's worth that much. Exclusivity, I suppose. I'm actually uncomfortable with too much attention from "servants." I stayed at my nieces wedding hotel in Lighthouse Point, but probably 1/3 of $ of the CHI. Even then, quite a few family members stayed across the bridge at 1/10 of the $ of the CHI. That niece's sister has a wedding planned soon, probably the same place. It was kind of fun there because all the beach toys (Hoby Cat, sail board, paddle board, etc) is part of the deal, so I wore myself out at the beach.

I agree, we're very uncomfortable when anyone acts subservient, and we make it a point to make sure anyone in that role knows it - now matter how low on the totem pole society may place them. We've had great relationships with housekeepers and busboys many times for example, they seem to be trained to avoid interacting with customers IME.

IME most people only act like "servants" if you treat them like servants. I've found most to be very down to earth, and more honest, if you establish a level relationship right off the bat.

I consider BTD appropriate on an exception basis, not a regular habit. YMMV

 

[sengsational]

^ I try to do that too. Sometimes successfully. It depends on the business, I think. If they hire real professionals at all levels, that is, they can interact as well as vacuum. On cruises, it's often a challenge because the default is "playing to the survey," which is both a carrot and a stick. True interaction means them having an opinion, and they don't want to say anything you could possibly disagree with. But that makes interesting conversations! In a place like your wedding hotel, they probably have pretty secure jobs and good management, so it won't come down to a number on a survey that could sink them.

 

[EastWest Gal]

Unexpected BTD: A power outage last weekend caused shorted out our 17 year old AC compressor. Cost to replace the system: $16K. So all of last week, when the temperature was 97-101 degrees, we had no AC. Fortunately we already had one portable unit for DS's bedroom which gets hot due to its position over the garage. And fortunately we have a service contract with a local company. They loaned us portable AC units until the new install, and we were moved to the front of the line. New AC goes in tomorrow. One of the reasons to accumulate some wealth in retirement (and before). It's such a pleasure to simply write a check to pay for the unit. The same with what we did to pay for the new car last year.

 

[target2019]

Going to Barcelona in October for a wedding. What's our cost? I have no idea!

 

[EastWest Gal]

We are working on this also. Up to 55 as of now. Redwood and Lassen in October. Only 7 left after that.

Both are gorgeous. Be watchful of the weather in Lassen. It's one of the snowiest places in California. Snow can start falling in October.

 

[audreyh1]

Going to Barcelona in October for a wedding. What's our cost? I have no idea!

View attachment 56701

Is the wedding out in the countryside/mountains? That will be nice. Weather should be nice. Your photo reminds me of the winery area outside of Barcelona.

Barcelona itself is a huge sprawling city overrun by tourists, but the tapas restaurants are great and terrific museums, and if you visit Montjuic (in city) or go out to the countryside like Montserrat, awesome views.

 

[CO-guy]

We just returned from four weeks in Italy; mostly hiking, biking and exploring various Borghi piu belli and other towns. For our visit to Santo Stefano di Sessanio we splurged on a stay at the Sextantio Albergo Diffuso, a boutique hotel with a a few dozen rooms distributed throughout the medieval town.

The rooms have antique furniture and everything right down to the mattress and covers were made locally. Thankfully the bathroom area was fully updated and had a giant egg shaped tub. There was also wifi and outlets tucked away in convenient locations. Dinner and breakfast, and strolling the empty streets at dusk and dawn was the stuff of fairytales. However, my "fairytale" does not involve sleeping on a lumpy wool sack. Either way, it was our only BTD for the month.

 

[Winemaker]

Spent $18k for DW, DD, Daughter's sister in law , her 2 kids and friend of the family and her 2 kids for Disney World for 8 days. In the meantime, DW's 2007 daily runner failed inspection for a cracked frame. So we bought a 2025 Buick Encore GX today for $34k. An expensive daily runner.