This heat is awesome. It was 100 degrees, if not higher, all day today. Before visiting my parents for fathers day I went mountain biking and observed an interesting phenomenon. The ponds are full of tadpoles; so many tadpoles that all you see are tadpoles. You don't even see any fish! Anyhow, the tadpoles were jumping out of the water causing it to look as if it was raining. I'm not sure what made them do that, but it was pretty interesting.
Yesterday I went to get my bike tuned up at the place I bought my bike, a small family owned bike shop in Dracut, MA. The owner told me that he sold his shop along with his house next door, to a developer who is going to tear everything down and build a plaza. He will then have a brand new shop in the plaza. Time, he said, is the only issue. He doesn't know when everything will be done, or even when the construction will start.
During the past few days I've spent several (at least 12) hours going over my finances. I finally reconciled all my bank accounts and credit cards, a whole 6 months worth. And today I decided I'm going to sell all my stocks tomorrow. I've already lost a considerable amount (paper loss), but a feeling inside told me not to be greedy; to take my money and put it in a safe place while I still can. I would feel so much better if the money was in INGDirect, where I can be guaranteed that I won't lose money. I've also decided to get back to tracking my expenses to the penny and start budgeting everything. $25 per week on food, $80 per week on gas, $20 per week on other recreational expenses, and so on. It's going to be tough, but I need to do it. I'm riding on too much debt and I don't like it. I'm also going to start committing as much money as I can to paying off my credit cards.
I often wonder how I’m going to afford the new house… Higher mortgage payment than before and a small construction loan on top of that. If only my car was paid off, I would feel soooo much better. And as for my checkbook on MS Money… I lost my file. 2005 and 2006 are missing.
As the lonely cloud said to you…. I to know and hear ya.
After owning 7 cars (and keep in mind I’m only 24), my current vehicle is the only one I’ve had for more than 1 year. It’s also the only one I’ve owned 100% (no loan). I can’t even explain how nice it is to not worry about a monthly payment. I bought the truck for $8000, with 110,000 miles on it. It’s got 141,000 miles now, and I haven’t had any major issues. I know the transmission is on its way out, so I’m putting off buying another car until something happens to it. I don’t like thinking that way though. If I had another daily driver right now, then I could extend the life of my truck and only use it when necessary. Either way, I don’t have the money to buy another car right now, so it doesn’t make a difference.
Back in late 2002, bought the wifey a 1997 Geo with 55,000miles for $500.00. It’s a great driver for around town. Doesn’t look the best, but for 500 and drives well – who cares and the $$$ it saves on gas – WOW! I think she fills the car up ever 2 weeks. 🙂