Work started early this morning, and no, nothing on the ponds. The living room carpet needed cleaned and definitely cleaned it. That and the rest of the living room. There is a love seat in there that is in great condition - but I haven't been able to sell OR trade it for anything. I'm thinking of giving it away to get it out of here. It is out of place and I can't envision ever finding a way to incorporate it.
In reality, I need new carpet and at least one new recliner would be nice. A pipe dream, perhaps, but it gives me reason to continue saving.
I apparently forgot to pay the water bill last month (I could have sworn I did and I'm going to go looking through my checking account for such) and have been slammed with 2 months of a huge bill. Bye bye to the bonus of it's true. And, bye bye to any idea of getting a new computer. Or not, who knows. Tenants are pretty much paying regularly now so it is feasible that I can still get ahead enough to get some of the stuff done that I need done.
I could also pay off the 401k loan and get another. It has around $600 left on it. Pay it off - have to wait 30 days to get another one but a couple of grand right now would be extremely helpful. At 4.25% interest it's the best deal around. Excepting, of course, compromising my retirement account. Haven't given any real thought to it, would rather not, don't know. Again, wait and see what happens with tenants and if the check from the insurance company comes in - even if only $400 or $500 - it will still be a big boost.
Electric use IS on the way down, hopefully it will really take a plunge with getting some of these people and using Ben's Laundromat far more than necessary for one person to either stay within my new limits or - pay for the excessive use above and beyond rent. I threw this idea around with several people I know and I continued to get the same answer: with the rent you're charging and the fact that you don't ask extra for utilities, yes, by all means, do charge extra for laundry. In fact, the consensus was to not give ANY freebies away. I DID stop saying in my ads that laundry was also included in the cost of rent because I was getting tired of footing that bill.
As for the house, I still have quite a lot to do, but I also have to get some stuff on the ponds done as well. I have to switch the 3 filters around and that will take at least an hour. I want to clean the carpet in the hallway and my bedroom and give my bathroom a spic and span cleaning as well as my bedroom.
Yes, it will be a full, long day to say the least. Gotta run up to the store and get some more paper towels, laundry detergent and softener..................and with that, I'm outta here.
Happy Sunday.
ben
