Saving Money as Prices Increase

[Diggin It]

^^^ As he said when he locked the last thread a short time ago:

MikePA
Super Star Member

Please take COVID discussions to TNT.

Maybe the tide is turning?

Remember, I said maybe... I live just a bit north and west of New York's Capital Region. This morning, driving along one state highway, I passed three dealers of compact tractors. I saw a few Yanmars at the smallest of the dealerships; there was a pretty good selection of LS on one lot that's a...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[Diggin It]

A simple partition wall made from things I had on had.

Stairway to the second floor that I rarely use anymore (mostly storage now) was open on two side. There's a small landing and a turn before entering the main room. I had put a door up there long ago, but there was still a lot of open space and a large window (5' x 6' or so) at the top of the stairs. I could feel the heat rushing up into that cavity before it came back down and spread to the rest of the house.

Over the last week or so, I figured out I had enough material to close in most of one side of the stairwell 'permanently' and the rest of it with a removable section. That portion is acrylic roof panels that allow light from the big window. Plan is to remove this whole section in summer to allow heat to rise and go out through that huge window.

I had a spare door I was going to put at the bottom, but wasn't sure how to rig it to remove and store it easily. I also didn't want a full door frame that would block carrying a larger item like a mattress up/down the stairs if I ever needed to. Decided to go with a thermal curtain I already had and a simple spring loaded curtain rod. That let me use a 1x10 secured with an angle bracket into the ceiling and two screws into the banister post.

About four screws and the whole mess comes out, curtain, supports and panels.

It's only been a couple of days and this is the first day really using heat, but I can feel the difference in how air is flowing through the house.

I may never really know if it's really saving me a lot of money, but it cost me almost nothing to do other than a few hours of time.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ That has worked out MUCH better than I though it would.


I have a couple of projects that will need roof metal. Color won't matter. It's currently in the $3.50+ per linear foot range at various suppliers. One supplier has a surplus pile, misorders, overstocks, minor damage, customer returns, etc.


Today I picked up 160 feet (two colors in about 4 lengths) and paid $1 per linear foot or less than a third of retail. Not a bad mark on any of it. Not colors I would have ordered, but colors I can use without issue.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I picked up 2600 (divide by 3 = 870 lineal feet) square feet once for about $600 CAD. It was all random lenghts but the same color. I had tin for building projects for years.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Well, we decided not to save a dime, and build a 40x56 shop. Build begins this spring.

 

[ultrarunner]

Wow... I like it and it will bring a smile for years to come!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Wow... I like it and it will bring a smile for years to come!

Thanks. I decided the price hikes are here to stay, so I live now, or never. Full concrete floor, 40x20 pad out front... oh the projects I will build!

 

[ultrarunner]

At least I get to live vicariously through my TBN friends!

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Well, we decided not to save a dime, and build a 40x56 shop. Build begins this spring.

I built a 36x60. I was looking at where to put money that was a safe investment, and decided to stick with something I could use.

 

[Alan W.]

I bought my jug of glyphosate for $46 last year, same jug is now $140. Luckily a jug will last me for years.