Your time is not free

[Reverend Blair]

Well, today I have to build a temporary step for the back door. I like doing that kind of thing, so it's free. Then I have to do some electrical. I enjoy that in the summer, but it's cold out so I'm not going to enjoy the outside part of the work. The inside part will be fun though.

Then I can insulate. I hate insulating. It's dull, repetitive, and itchy.

I would never even consider paying somebody to do these things for me though. I know how to do them and my time is free. What else is there to do, watch TV? There's also the matter of being able to say, "I did that," when the job is done.

While I'm doing that, Mrs. Rev will be cleaning the kitchen, which she hates, and putting up Christmas decorations, which she enjoys.

 

[harpoonalt]

The point that is missed is we don't tell you to value your time as free, but you. Insist on telling us how to value our time. Everyone is acutely aware of the tradeoffs they make of time vs money. If lostcause builds something for ten bucks and ten hours it's his right to say the cost was ten bucks, without someone questioning that. You're sucking the fun out of life with your pointless argument. Exactly what is accomplished by questioning peoples cost claims? Spend your time wisely was your point. My point is that is up to each individual and them alone. If they value it as free , let them, without argument.

 

[captaincrab55]

I see so many threads where the poster claims they only have a few bucks worth of materials in a project. I always calculate my own "shop hourly rate" into my projects to see whether I am actually saving money by doing some of these things myself. My personal rate is $90/hr.
My current wind powered pond aerator project is rapidly nearing the cost of the commercially available ones using this calc, but I'm in too deep to stop now so I will just go on and see it through.
It's an old habit and hard to break as the urge to do it myself is very strong. I am learning slowly that everything you bring home takes a little piece of your life away from you, whether it is a dozen eggs, a TV or a tractor. Spend your time wisely.

o2batsea, Are you working on that aerator project after hours, Saturdays and Sundays? If so, one needs to figure Overtime and Doubletime.... If my wife ever reads this Thread, I'll never hear the end of what she's worth for the household chores and not to mention her time compared to them Vegas gals.....

btw, Merry Christmas

 

[two_bit_score]

I agree.

 

[Mounted Madness]

Since everyone seems to have one, might as well throw mine in as well.

As was said earlier on, we have a finite time on the planet, various opportunities and abilities to enjoy the life granted to you, and the general freedom to do so.

Life is an experience, and from my perspective, the more experience one gains, the greater the value in the end.

When that last moment arrives, I'd rather be totally engrossed in the 'flashback' instead of drifting off before it ends due to boredom.

I enjoy reading these posts, playing on my BX, driving my wife to work, and having a nap in the afternoon, and lots of other things as well. The value of these things to me is priceless. I'll pay someone to do those jobs I don't want to do, postpone those that can be postponed until I want to do them, and do those jobs I enjoy doing.

Let the lawyers and insurance companies determine what my time is worth... I'm just here to enjoy it as best as I can, and I suspect most everyone else is as well.:thumbsup:

 

[Reverend Blair]

Okay, done for the day. I did manage to get a bit of a shock while doing the electrical though.

So my question is: Do I charge myself for the related pain and suffering (this might take as many as three beer and four cigarettes to fully recover from), since I'm the main contractor, or do I charge my wife for the pain and suffering, since she threw the wrong breaker? Is my wife considered a sub-contractor in this case?

Also, my neighbour came over to ask me if I could clear a bit of snow for him. He looked thirsty so I gave him a beer. Is this a business expense? If so, how much should I claim for the beer? It was home-made, part of my special batch of black caramel and almond Christmas beer that I started back in September, which is quite labour intensive to produce.

 

[captaincrab55]

Okay, done for the day. I did manage to get a bit of a shock while doing the electrical though.

Sound like One needs to file an OSHA report for that Electric Shock accident ??? R B, Do you have Workers Comp Ins ???

 

[Reverend Blair]

R B, Do you have Workers Comp Ins ???

Not on myself, although I do carry comp for casual labour in the summer. I figure if some yahoo manages to shovel his own toe off, I don't want to be giving him my house.

I'm personally insured through my small business policy, so if I shovel my own toe off, I can give myself my house and it won't cost me anything I wouldn't have paid anyway.

I'm not sure if Mrs. Rev has a policy at all. Which raises the question if I should sue her as the sub-contractor or myself as the general contractor, or us as the homeowners.

 

[captaincrab55]

I'm not sure if Mrs. Rev has a policy at all. Which raises the question if I should sue her as the sub-contractor or myself as the general contractor, or us as the homeowners.

R B, That's funny..... Merry Christmas

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Unsolicited advice to Reverend Blair. Don't take your case to a lawyer, you'll make his head explode.