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Monthly Archives: July 2022
Project Catch Up with Financial Implications.
We are currently about halfway through the summer. I start back to work on August 17th with the kids all going back to school on August 29th. We had a list of projects that we wanted to tackle this summer. Some of the items on the list have been postpone due to financial implication and or time constraints. We have been working hard on some of the projects, so this is a mid-summer update.
Kitchen Floor– This was our second project with the first being having the shower room floor replaced and repaired. The kitchen was last replaced in March of 2020. At that time, we chose a laminate floor that we had hoped would last 20 plus years. This floor was not what it promised. The floor started to pull apart and pop up in different areas almost immediately. It has gotten progressively worse to the point that we could not go barefooted in the kitchen due because it was snagging and tearing clothes and cutting feet. We have decided to postpone having the shower room floor completed until next summer due to time and money. The kitchen floor did not give us the option. After some discussion regarding our options, we chose to remove the top layer of flooring and return to the previous floor. The good news is that removal of the floor was fairly simple. We did need to do some minor repair work including screwing some of the floor in place to prevent gaps. I am happy to report that we were able to complete this task last week. I have ordered a couple of rugs to cover the area that was previously a wall. The total expense for the project is $120.
Chickens- After much debate and pleading on the kids parts, we have decided to get chickens as our next pet. The ultimate goal is to have enough eggs that we stop buying but they will also be an additional pet. We knew up front that this would be a rather expensive project. We are moving very close to getting the chickens which will likely be before the end of July.
Expenses so far: Clearing of land- $1000
Purchase of chicken coop- $630
Wire for additional chicken run- $20 found next door!
Wood for additional chicken run and landscaping- $372
I will be adding to this and changing as we finish up but I am expecting around $2500
Bike Rake for Trailer- We actually broken even on this as we ended up selling both our luggage box and hitch rake for $100. The bike rake was $50 and we had to spend another $25 to update the wiring on the trailer.
My other goal for the summer is food preparation for the coming school year. This will be an ongoing project so stick around for the rest of the summer!
Holiday Plans
This holiday (4th of July) weekend, we have been focusing on some project around the house. First was installing a bike rake on the trailer. We also ended up replacing some of the trailer wiring and working on a couple of the bikes. Next was finishing up the kitchen floor, we ended up removing the top layer that has been in place for 2 years. The ultimate goal is the replace this floor but first we need to have a bathroom floor replaced and we also need to decide what we want to replace the floor with. The other big project will be to finish up the chicken coop area.
While most of this has not been frugal it is needed. We have been able to cook and eat at home for all meals except one and all have been under $5 each.
Saturday breakfast– pancakes
Saturday Lunch– Steak um sandwich- pack of steak-um was $4.97 from Aldi, used a green pepper and onion already here. Zach and I ate on hot dog buns that needed to be used, Matt and Lily used hamburger buns that needed to be used.
Saturday Dinner– I made scallop potatoes and ham. The ham is from the freezer so completely free.
Sunday Lunch- We has squash from the garden, I added onion and a pack of stew beef (purchased on clearance last year) that needed to be used this week. We also cooked rice. We will sauté another squash on the Blackstone and have a second meal from these.
Sunday Dinner- BLT sandwiches, we have our fresh tomatoes from the garden again lettuce from another meal that needed to be used.
Monday Breakfast- Sausage patties (purchased for $2.34 on clearance) and eggs on bread. We also have an excess of bread this week.
The current plan is for Monday lunch and dinner to be from the refrigerator to use up left-overs. We could also have tomato sandwich or chicken salad or pimento cheese sandwiches as well.
Here to finishing up some projects!
5 Things Friday
- Today is Kendall’s 14th birthday. She spent the night with friends last night and we are going to Red Robin for dinner. She chose a pair of platform converse shoes for her gift!
- Kendall and Lily are scheduled to leave for Life (a national youth conference) in Orlando Florida, Sunday morning at 6:30am. We are working on getting everything pack for them. They will be joining us at Oak Island once they return.
- After much thought and debate, we removed the top layer of our kitchen and dining room floor. This top layer is 2 years old but a tripping hazard that was also very ugly! We spent about 3 hours on Wednesday night just with the removal. This weekend the goal is to replace the quarter round and to order a couple of rugs.
- I finally (after almost 3 weeks) picked up my car from the dealership today. It needed an O2 sensor replaced as well as the radio. However, the radio is on back order to it will be at least middle of next week before it can be totally fixed. I will have to pay $100 due to the warranty on the car.
- My other big plan for the weekend is to plant more green beans, So far we have harvested only a handful. So hopeful the next round will produce better.