This blog post isn't so much about my shinny new wood stove pipe it's more about the roof on my 108 year old home. The main roof to be exact. Hard to see from this angle but this former HUD home has been needing a new roof for over a decade now. Knew that when I bought the house. But between buying a home & a divorce & raising 4 children & rehabbing Our Old House a major roofing project was put on the back burner. Life got in the way.
Two years ago the portion of roof over the front pourch & kitchen were replaced with metal because of leaks. I choose metal because of the deep discount on my homeowners insurance (fire proof factor) and since I plan to be carried out feet first I didn't want to have to put another roof on when I was in my seventies. Cost was just under $1800.
Now it's time to do the main roof which has a 12x12 pitch. Cost has been estimated @ 9K.
My roof guy tells me that we can do a split job. Do one half this year and patch the other half.
From the ground and my next door neighbor's attic window it looks like the driveway side portion of roof that has the valleys is the most in need. Figure on 4k.
I'd like to be able to blog on how we are able to squeeze $4,000 out of our almost $29,000 combined income but well short of illegal enterprises that isn't gonna happen.
So I wanted to let all of my readers know that I am back to work. But since the goal of being gainfully employed to to pay for a new roof we will still be living like we're broke.
Except I will also be blogging about the deep urges to snag some of the "roof fund" money to score on this or that great deal.
It's like this - when your broke there is no inner conflict about buying this or that. No justification of why a purchase would be a good thing.
Yeah being broke has it's advantages.
Just wanted to be truthful.
Word.
~~ pelenaka ~~
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If you have rain barrels won't the water be usable for more without the asphault in it? I wish when I'd replaced my roof a few years back I would have gone with the metal but I didn't even know then it existed. And I wonder if that town where life is worth living would have even allowed it.
ReplyDeleteNoble reason to get back in the workforce.I stocked shelves for a local grocery store last year part time.My take home pay for the whole year at this job was $6000.It all went to reduce my $18,000 CC.My family and I finally got burnt out, and I resigned this past Jan.The experience was worth it.I discovered it to be great exercise,although a little hard on these 43 yr. old knees.I still have my other 24 hr. week job.I now spend my spare time studying for my life insurance exam.
ReplyDeleteYour decision to reenter the workforce with a set goal in mind can lead to many wonderful new blog posts.Looking forward to reading about your progress/or lack of.
Good luck.
GroundhogII
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ReplyDeleteDianeax00 yes, you are correct. I'm sure that these 30+ year old asphalt shingles are leeching something nasty.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about buyer remorse. If I had a clue that my front steps could have been built in vinyal instead of wood that needs to be painted every spring.
Metal roof is warrenty for 30 on the paint. By then I'm sure I will have learned the fine art of guilten grandchildren,lol.
Groundhogll, can relate to the fatigue factor. Family is already suffering from it which is sad since children are teenagers. Seems they got use to me being a SAHM and all the perks that come with that job.
Thaks for the luck I'll need it.
I also recently went back to work (due to concerns over costs of home renovations). That means I'm note entirely free to start my urban homestead full time or volunteer at my local organic farm so I can learn more about growing my own food. It's all got to be part time now. But I think it's worth it. What I don't spend on the house I'll be banking for later. Living a reasonable life with two incomes is an opportunity, but someday I hope to go back to a single income lifestyle. And when I do, it'll be easier with a bigger cushion in the bank. Wishing you the best with your new job.
ReplyDeleteTY Bethany.
ReplyDeleteI thinkj you will find that homesteading is never pat time even when you wish it was.
I started working again so we can save up for solar panels and buy acres of land!
ReplyDelete