Strange the way different people think.

[tractorshopper]

Different strokes for different folks, I watch many adults at restaurants around here drinking free water with their meals these days, but then their kids are walking out of the convenience stores with 3 dollar energy drinks. Then theres the guys with young kids that are living paycheck to pacheck in some rental mobile home but they are able to spend a couple grand on a set of big tires and wheels for their jacked up 4x4.

Yup, different strokes. We all have our things. I run my AC cold in my house, but I don't run the heat hot. Give/take to what I feel comfortable at. I have replaced all my light bulbs with CFC's originally and now am converting those to LED's as they are going out. If I had gas, I'd switch the dryer to gas probably due to the efficiency and also switch to a tankless water heater, but the cost to get on gas or have a huge tank installed and buy the new appliances all at once is very prohibitive, so I haven't switched and probably won't if all else remains about the same with electric rates. I have an old vehicles for the most part because I tend to buy new and keep them a long time, but I like tractors so have upgraded in the last 2 years.

I used to be shocked at folks that drive F-350's living in a rented trailer and could not understand why they didn't buy a house instead first, then save and buy the truck, but as I got older, I realized, they were just spending their money how they wanted to and I spend mine how I want to. They seem just as happy, so I am now happy for them.

 

[shooterdon]

I see a lot of people not thinking ahead. Operating costs are normally pretty minor compared to the capital costs of improvements. But too many get into debt to buy things they "need" when it is really things they want.

I recently replaced and upgraded my furnace and like a previous poster noted I will be set for the rest of my life...or close to it. I did not get AC as, at least until this **** year, the heat is not that bad and we can sleep in the basement on those few days. Over the last month or so I have regretted that decision but we shall see.

I was brought up old school. The only item you borrow for is the house, and then you pay it off as quickly as you can. I have been debt free for a long time and that helps afford some of the luxuries I indulge in. One is my Mercedes...paid cash for it in 1999 and still drive it regularly expect in the winters here...276k miles so far.

I see many young people who have no chance of ever getting ahead. Women with mixed race kids and/or kids from multiple men. Couples living together who cannot make the rent payment but smoke, drink, do dope, buy a lot of take out food, etc etc. Most were raised in homes without Christ, little discipline, little work ethic, and "loser" parents. The acorns do not fall from the oak tree.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I'm awake and bored, so I've been reading a few threads on topics and projects I may never do myself.

I see people talking about installing things in homes, shops, outbuildings and whatever. I see people talking about the various costs to install those things with a few options mentioned. What I don't see is any talk of the cost of operating those things. I'm being vague because I don't want to point fingers or call attention to anyone. Installation is only part of the cost of things. It may or may not be the highest cost over time. And then there are the potential costs of repair or replacement.

People seem concerned about internet costs even though they can't really do much about it since most rural areas don't have more than one option, if that. Some areas don't have cell service at all and are blocked from a sufficient satellite view to go that route.

But I don't see any discussion of electric rates or usage despite people installing all sorts of high wattage devices. Nor do I see discussion of other heat source costs like LP or NG.

I do everything reasonably possible to keep operating costs down. I've switched to mostly all LED lights and put them on timers or photocells. I try not to use A/C to cool the air as much as just to dry it to make it more comfortable. I keep windows upstairs open as much as possible to let the heat rise from downstairs and vent. I've gotten to where I really don't like overly cooled air when I go into businesses. Some places almost seem cold.

I remember when I used to leave my air compressor 'on' all the time and it would cycle as it needed pressure. No more.

I limit my laundry loads and hang clothes to dry. I don't even have a dryer. Water heater is electric. Stove/oven is LP.

In winter, the t-stat that runs a LP forced air furnace is set at just around 60 degrees. I use sweat shirts and pants in the house most of the winter along with heavier socks, blankets, etc. I also use a small cast iron wood stove which coupled with a small fan or two does much better in keeping the house warm that I expected it could when I first got it. Even in cold spells, I can keep the furnace off for days at a time if I keep the stove stoked up. I open or close doors as necessary to 'zone' heated areas. Typically we don't get too far below freezing for more than a few days at a time, but it can (and has) gotten below Zero with snow and ice. I can get through a year on one fill of the 500 gallon LP tank if I pay attention to what I do.

Last winter, LP was around $1.80/gallon as I recall.

Electric is around 10 cents per kilowatt-hour plus some facilities charges. My usage is generally under 500 Kwhrs/mo with the bill coming in around the $60-70 range most months.

If I begin to think about making changes or installing something new, I always look at what it will cost to operate before I go further. In some cases 'new' means less cost to operate even if it costs a bit more initially (like the LED lights), so you end up saving over time.

Yeah, I'm kind of rambling.

Are you an Engineer...or maybe an Accountant? :laughing:

 

[BHD]

I used to be shocked at folks that drive F-350's living in a rented trailer and could not understand why they didn't buy a house instead first, then save and buy the truck, but as I got older, I realized, they were just spending their money how they wanted to and I spend mine how I want to. They seem just as happy, so I am now happy for them.

many years ago, I lived in a town on the texas side of the Rio grande river, for a winter, and worked for a place that was a school and many south of the border persons came to school there, many on scholarship, (thus poorer than a church mouse), those kids took great pride in there clothes, even if they only had one or two changers of them and there shoes, when I came back to the middle of the US, I noticed that many of the lower income persons took much pride in there cars or trucks, more affluent persons , in there houses or homes, RV's and it even could be there travel or vacations,

the ones who could afford the homes all ready could afford the clothes or cars or trucks or whatever, and at times that was not there status symbol, but the things that were almost out of reach was there status symbol,

the guy living in a rented trailer, I may say why not get a house, instead of a truck that cost 35 to 50 grand, in his mind he can not get the house and the truck with his paycheck, so he goes for the more obtainable prize, and one does not need as good of a credit rating for a automobile, and in many instances or a sizable down payment,

and if he busy a home then there are Taxes, and maintenance as well,

I think most stretch it to the biggest status symbols they can "obtain".

the very affluent persons have clothes, houses, RV's, Cars, land, travel, air planes, and the list goes on and on,

many on here have there house, and there truck/car, and of course there TRACTOR