Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

This is a follow up to my ongoing list of house projects I am prioritizing this last quarter of the year. The changes and updates since the last post are in BOLD. There are definitely some projects that are going to go a little slower due to the cost and challenge in getting certain supplies.

Here’s the first update on the project list I originally published:

1. New blinds in the front windows – DONE
2. Paint all the trim – DONE – In addition to the trim around the living room windows, I’ve painted all the trim in the main living spaces and touched up the walls. No money spent since we have paint leftover and brushes on hand, but lots of time!
3. Trim out living room doorway which we expanded – labor DIY paid $300 – I ended up outsourcing this and some work in Princess room, this total includes several projects (listed right below.)
4. Patch and paint Princess bedroom – included with #3
5. Hang blinds and curtain rods in Princess room – included with #3
   

   Princess room refreshed!

6. Install kitchen backsplash – labor DIY – planning to do in a couple of weeks
7. Center and install ceiling fan in kitchen – pay for help
8. Change out dining room light fixture – labor DIY?
9. Install kitchen light fixture – DONE
10. Paint existing switch covers and reinstall – DONE
11. Upcycle existing 5 interior doors – still researching, will be DIY but don’t have firm plan yet or know if I will need to purchase any supplies
    
12. Create some focal walls – still researching, will be DIY but don’t have firm plan yet or know if I will need to purchase any supplies
13. Clean, rearrange and decorate Princess’ room – DONE (see #3, 4 and 5)
14. Furnish deck – ON HOLD – After some research, I’ve decided to table this. I moved a lounge chair and table back (both came from VA with us) there and will just use existing plastic tables if company comes over for a meal.
15. Upcycle some old doors that I’ve had for ages to use as decoration/cast iron storage hangers – on my list to complete this week
16. Build barn door for hall bath – labor DIY, expect supplies to be around $150-200
17. Hang new curtains in the living room – labor DIY CONTRACTED OUT – I’m having trouble getting the brackets into the wall so have asked my handyman to come by and put the 3 brackets up for me
18. Complete upgrades to hall bath & hang bar door – ON HOLD – this is actually going to be done in phases due to the cost and because we don’t “need” another bathroom until next summer when I anticipate we will have a full house again. Still making decisions on design. This will not be completed this quarter.
19. Build myself a closet of sorts – labor DIY? (have a paid labor quote for this but may attempt myself) – ON HOLD – I think we are going to attempt to build this ourselves. Materials will run around $400, maybe a little less.

Total spent in the first two weeks of September = $100.

Additional monies spent (since the last update) =$50 (mentioned in last update) + $300 in labor

The Hall Bath

This is the current state of our hall bath…

We had to replace the joists under the floor and moved some walls. And have updated the electric. But then we stopped and have left it like this for a couple of months now. With just Gymnast and I here, we really haven’t missed it. (Even with the girls here, it hasn’t caused any hardship.)

I’ve changed my mind on design so many times. And then when I settle on something, ie tile, find out it’s back ordered for some undetermined amount of time. Frankly, it’s fallen further and further down my priority list. Also, as I’ve priced things out, it’s fallen even further…

So here’s where I’m at…

• Need to make a decision and purchase a tub or shower pan,
• Need to make a decision and purchase tile for the shower walls,
• Need to purchase a vanity/sink (decided and it costs $800),
• Need to purchase a toilet (decided and it costs $100),
• Need to purchase a sink faucet (decided and it costs $140).

I think everything else is already purchased and here. Labor to finish it completely will run $1,800.

I am thinking that I will get the tub/shower pan decision done and purchased and then have my contractor install the floor and toilet (he will have to set the tub/shower pan to complete the floor). And then hold on anything else until April/May-ish. I just want to 1) do it right, 2) do it cost effectively and 3) design it so I will love it 20 years down the road.

This project just falls way outside the money I wanted to spend this fall. But I do want to make some progress. So I’m thinking that my goal by end of year will be to have floors in, toilet installed and useable and door built and installed.

Hope

Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 5 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.