Blow That Dough 2026

Sigh. I've been putting off upgrading my phone (iPhone 8, circa 2017) but more and more of my apps don't work because a required upgrade doesn't work with the operating system. (Thanks, Apple, for your planned obsolescence.) The latest was my Moen Flo app- it shut off the water to the house when they were testing the sprinkler system because it detected abnormal water flow. It used to be a simple matter to switch it back on in the app. Couldn't find the reset function this time. Couldn't download the current upgraded app. I finally got it restarted from my laptop.

That Moen valve saved me a ton of trouble when it detected a leak while I was away last year- shut it off after 20 minutes and I arrived home 24 hours later. It saved the insurance company a ton of money, too, and they don't even give a credit for having the device.

Just ordered an iPhone 17 ProMax because I want the better camera.
 
DJRR said:
At the beach with the whole family and Papa sprung for 3 days of cabana rental for $1,000. Good time being had by all.
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Heh, heh, that's what "Papa" is for!
 
I've gotten bids, had ideas, talked to contractors, made plans to landscape our back and side yards. Never could pull the trigger for a variety of reasons. Too expensive, wrong contractor, ideas that didn't quite work.

I think we're finally going to do it. Our metal gate and fence must be replaced so that is the impetus. Talked to our designer friend and she is very good at spending money. She suggested a new beautiful gate, a plunge pool (or spool, I learned a new word) along with hardscaping and creating a courtyard out front. Should be do-able for $100-120K.
 
I finished setting up my new audio system yesterday. Built by the previous owner, 6 pair ceiling speakers and one outdoor. He left the amp/preamp when he sold. The components were 25 years old and failing, so I had everything replaced, including the wiring. I first went for some lower priced components but then realized the kids are paying for it so why not and bought some nicer equipment. Speakers and wiring were replaced in March and yesterday I installed the new amp. I had forgotten just how pleasurable it is to listen to music with good components , even these old ears of mine are enjoying this new sound.
 
I woke up one morning at age 79 and realized I have saved far too much money. So bought the house next door solely for privacy purposes as well as I needed more garage space. Turning the water permanently off and the house will sit there vacant till I pass. May eventually buy the house on the other side and turn the three lots into my own hiking compound. Also sending money regularly to my daughter’s mother who has health issues. Should have sent her more when I was younger but was always dead broke back in the days,
 
Gary Smith said:
I woke up one morning at age 79 and realized I have saved far too much money. So bought the house next door solely for privacy purposes as well as I needed more garage space. Turning the water permanently off and the house will sit there vacant till I pass. May eventually buy the house on the other side and turn the three lots into my own hiking compound. Also sending money regularly to my daughter’s mother who has health issues. Should have sent her more when I was younger but was always dead broke back in the days,
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Good.
I like it when wealthy eccentrics expose their plots to us...
 
The beach lot money wants to help expedite the house build :)
I am thinking of subbing out the whole flooring job now. I have too many boxes to check off to do them all.
 
iloveyoga said:
I booked a nice trip for us in November to Key West. Staying at two nice place, first class airfare. We like it there and it will be a nice getaway as winter comes back to Iowa.
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We just got back from Key West! Stayed at Ocean Key. Took a day trip to the Dry Tortugas, ate and drank too much!

Have fun!
 
A mini BTD here. Got 9 tons of pea gravel aka 6+ yards delivered today, not quite $700.
I will get the sweat equity / exercise of moving it where I want it.

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Pointby2 said:
We just got back from Key West! Stayed at Ocean Key. Took a day trip to the Dry Tortugas, ate and drank too much!

Have fun!
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I think we walked by that resort on our last trip. Dry Tortugas sounds so cool, don't think DH would like the boat trip, but I sure would.
 
When I had my balcony in my condo enclosed a few years ago, I had a big tree in front so I didn’t need any shades since I’m on the third floor and the tree provided plenty of shade.

Fast-forward to the tree was in bad shape and had to be cut down and now without anything on that window it is making my condo too hot. So I had a company come over to measure for honeycomb blinds and I am $1300 poorer.
 
Took a short trip to London. Stayed in Mayfair, had a nice evening with a friend, we went to a couple of museums, spouse did some BTD damage at a boutique, went to a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant and went to a show in the West End. The prices in London have become eye watering with the exchange rate and their inflation.
 
I just got back from staying at a timeshare as a guest of the owner. Since I wasn’t paying for lodging, I spent about $1K on local experiences and good food (not at the timeshare property) for DH and I, plus gas. DH didn’t want to take the EV because he was worried about parking. He needn’t have worried, after the 3rd day there was no one else staying in that building. We had the nicely appointed, staffed Fitness Center all to ourselves.
 
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