[Zhoen]

But also building a backyard suite, which is allowed in our area, is another.

Red, you have inspired me! I went researching just now after originally typing this post whining about how it's not allowed here... turns out the laws changed in 2021!!! I have a spot in the back I was going to use for a she-shed... now I am thinking "tiny house," which would solve the problem of Mom in the short term and DD19 in the long term... Hmmm...

 

[Zhoen]

Addendum... sure enough, my community's "covenants" do not currently allow secondary residences, but I have sent them an email asking (in light of the fact that our city laws now allow it) if there are plans in the works to allow it... we'll see what they say... and even if they say no, I might just ask for a variance... Play the "disabled adult child deserves a dignified semi-independent living space" card...

(it takes an act of God to change the covenants here... we still have it on the books that you can't sell your property to POCs... we do it, of course, but technically, the covenant still exists because it's too hard to change it...)

What absolutely SUCKS is that I could buy my dream camper for under $30k and park it on my lot (as long as it is registered.) But if anyone lives in it, it would become illegal. (And yes, my neighbors do suck that bad, and no, I don't think I could squeeze it through the fence and hide it in the backyard... and even if I did, they would rat us out.)

Isn't she beautiful? This would be the design I would give my builder as an inspiration for our "accessory dwelling unit"/tiny house... the really cool thing about it is that the entertainment center on the right swings out and there is a hidden pantry behind it. I am a sucker for secret doors!!!

 

[Spirit Deer]

Consider outbuilding kits such as single garages or garden sheds for tiny house builds. Lots less planning if you have the outer shell basically already planned, and you can often see models set up at home improvement stores. There are a lot of tiny house plans available online.

To build most economically, keep it as simple as possible. The more complicated a building is, the more time it will take. Our constuction contractor normally gets $95/hr, working alone. Multiply that times however many are on the crew. Labor is often the biggest expense. DIY whatever you can, ESPECIALLY CLEANING UP! Never let them clean anything you can possibly clean yourself, because $95/hr X # of workers is ridiculously expensive maid service.

Ask about real estate tax liability, insurance, etc, all the same questions you would ask about a larger house. Find out about financing, if needed. Consider maintenance costs.

Much to consider. I'm sure it would help your daughter, but how would it impact you?

 

[RedSpruce]

@Zhoen , I hope you find a suitable solution for everyone. It can be difficult. We have neighbours who can be very anti AirB&B, backyard suites and even basement rentals. Despite some of them having rental suites and numerous extended family living in basement suites in their homes! I also have a Hubby who can be difficult about renovations. His preference is to hide on his computer and do nothing. He really wants to hole up in an apartment.

We went to the bank today to get our personal allowances. I managed to spend less than I earned for the second month in a row. This is good. I set up my ledger with columns for each envelope, and started with what each envelope currently has at the top of the page. I’m going to try the method of subtracting as I spend to see if it helps me keep better track.

 

[KimB]

I’m excited to have a few vacation days coming up added to my days off. Will be taking a road trip and showing host son some of Wisconsins sites over his spring break. Will be spending some money but will try to recover it next week with a few extra hours of work. The predicted ice storm passed quickly as the temperatures rose today and the ice melted. I’m praying my back pain doesn’t ruin our short get away. Every few months my back gives me troubles. The joys of getting older.

 

[Spirit Deer]

Happy travels!

 

[RedSpruce]

Enjoy your trip @KimB !

 

[Spirit Deer]

Today we finally got our building permit. Along with it came a bunch of info outlining code requirements for construction. My unsolicited advice for anyone wanting to add a second residence is to talk to your local building inspector before doing anything else.

 

[Spirit Deer]

Also today, we salvaged more lumber, mostly 2x4s, from our contractor's dump trailer when they arrived this morning. We're going to burn through a ton of 2x4s when I start framing big storage cabinets in our mudroom, so we're salvaging whatever we can find.

 

[marthamfi]

Have a great trip ! I have been thinking the same thing Zhoen.. rents are nuts here so not like the kids can just move out cus wages haven't kept up or just buy something when condos start at $400k so an RV on the pad in the back or tiny home..like out of storage containers the big freight ones. We can build a laneway house w garage but then $$$ etc. so will see make a suite in the basement but then...same thing. money money money..

 

[Spirit Deer]

The least expensive and easiest due to building codes is obviously to build in an existing structure, such as a basement or second floor, or maybe an unfinished attic. That way, the outer structure is already done.

We're looking at building a garage the same size as the one we have, 26x28. We haven't gotten any bids yet because we're focused on the house interior ATM, but I estimate about $40K for a garage including concrete pad, lumber kit, a couple extra garage-quality windows, labor, and wiring. Finishing the inside with insulation and OSB or Sheetrock would cost a bunch more. My estimate includes no DIY, secondhand materials, etc, and is based on other projects we've had done and talking to inspectors and contractors lately. I always figured the cost of materials, then multiplied by 3 to get cost of materials + labor. It always came out pretty close.

Of course, the more you can DIY, the more you can cut costs. Same if you're a good scrounge like I am, have a knack for finding bargains, seek out discounts and secondhand sources, and aren't afraid to clean and paint things like cabinets. Also if you can flex on your design because something nice but not your first choice will save money.

Some things are nonnegotiable, like code requirements for things like wiring and plumbing. In those cases, there's nothing to do but shut up and pay the pros. We're going through that right now.

If you're trying to figure costs down to the penny, don't. Have a healthy cushion for cost overruns, because there will always be some. Building supply prices seem volatile right now. I was truly shocked to see the cost of the windows we bought 2 months ago had jumped from the regular price then of $260 to $400 regular price now. If we were on a to-the-penny budget, we would be in big trouble now. Luckily we had already bought the 4 windows we needed in that size on sale for $230 two months ago, but that's just one example of how easy it is to end up unexpectedly needing more money.

It's fun to think about the end result, but stuff like furniture, decor, and paint color should be the least of it, IMO. The most important things to consider are the boring things, the things we don't even notice but use every day and take for granted, like wiring and plumbing. That's where the biggest, least flexible costs usually are.

 

[RedSpruce]

No spend/no earn day.

 

[RedSpruce]

I looked back on February and was very surprised to see I only had three spend days the entire month! That is very good for me.

 

[Spirit Deer]

I think we might be coming out money ahead on the whole egress window debacle which led to changing the LR windows, too. Not counting Husby adding the second window to his office. I think he would have done that later anyway, so might as well do it now while the crew is there and place is all torn up and dusty anyway. The As Long As You're Here Factor strikes again, adding to the bill. 🤣🤣 But a second window will be nice for him. He spends a lot of time in his office. It will give him another option for desk placement, too.

We were lucky because the pantry window came yesterday, and Husby would have had to make the 2 hr round trip to Menards anyway, so no extra driving to get the new windows. That saved $30 in gas. And we were able to pick up needed sale items, too, plus Menards has finally started up their 11% rebate sales again, which helps our bottom line a lot.

 

[RedSpruce]

Spent $150 on a photographer for my artwork yesterday. That’s half the overall price. The rest is due at the photo shoot. That’s typical.

Unfortunately I didn’t earn anything.

 

[Spirit Deer]

Bought a 2 pack of ceiling lights NIB at a garage sale today, $5. Once we got back to the house, Husby said he likes them better than the ones he just bought for his bathroom. I like the ones he bought better for the main bath, so wins all around. We still need a third light for over the vanity in the main bath, but I was planning on something different for that anyway.

 

[RedSpruce]

So…time to do a February summary.

Minimum total annual personal income = $2880

Current Budget
$240/yr Savings
$240/yr Charity
$240/yr Haircuts
$240/yr Clothing
$480/yr Footwear
$30/yr Planner
$210/yr Gifts
$900/yr Business
$240/yr Recreation/Entertainment/Education
$60/yr Miscellaneous
TOTAL = $2880/yr

Money currently in envelopes as of March 4th:
$90 Savings (10% income)
$90 Charity (10% income)
$30 Planner - goal reached (mostly gift card)
$60 Haircuts (found a hairdresser who only charges $45/cut. Only have three more cuts this year.)
$0 Clothing (spent this on jeans and watch batteries)
$100 Footwear
$40 Business
$120 Gifts (mostly gift cards)
$15 Recreation/Entertainment/Education
$10 Miscellaneous
TOTAL $555 in envelopes

That’s a good start. Considering I started from nothing in January.

 

[KimB]

I picked up a new prescription of statins for my very high bad cholesterol levels. My insurance covered the cost for a 3 month supply. When in line to pick it up I noticed the young man in front of me looked ill. He was buying Covid tests. Neither of us had a mask on. 3 days later ( yesterday )I had headache, face aches. Nausea. Sore throat. Chills. Lethargy. I had my dh pick up a test from work and sure enough Covid. Much worse than 2 years ago when I got it. The fever just went to normal now

 

[RedSpruce]

@KimB , I hope you feel better soon! It took me a month to get over it.

 

[Spirit Deer]

We're still masking for that very reason. covid is NOT over and long covid is NOT a hoax. Hope you're better soon. Shame on the other person for dragging his illness into a public space without even the minimal courtesy of wearing a mask to help protect others. /end rant

Wish we were saving money, but we've never spent so much money so fast in our lives. Still salvaging lumber that's been removed from the house and trying to buy stuff on sale, but many current expenses are completely out of our direct control. Most of the demo is done for now though. We're happy to turn the page and move on to the rebuilding and upgrading.