A couple of weeks ago we got hit with a hail storm that left lots of damage all over the place. It's the first time I ever had to call the insurance to file a claim. Although I had no idea what to expect next, I am pretty surprised about the whole mess.
First it took the adjuster 2 weeks to get out here to check the damage, which I guess is understandable due to the number of homes that were hit during the storm. Except she had called me earlier in the day to postpone the appointment. So you can imagine my surprise when I get home to find her sitting in my driveway. All went well until she gave me a check for only about 2/3 of the estimate holding back "recoverable depreciation" for which I will be reimbursed as the work is completed. My question is what difference does it make how old the existing roof is, costs the same to replace whether it is 5 or 15 years old?
Next the check is made out to my wife and I, as well as the mortgage company. So I need to contact them to find out what the process is with them to get the check turned into repairs. well as we all know by now all I get on the phone is a machine! A week later, after sending them a fax, I get a response from them and now know what is needed to get the check returned.
When I call the contractor I had an estimate from, he informs me that he doesn't have the insurance that is mandatory for the mortgage company to release the check.
So now I need to find another contractor, get an estimate, make sure he has the necessary documentation so we can move forward.
Thanks Mother Nature. Wish it would all just go away!
Oh what a big, fat pain in the butt!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Weekend DIY Project
Had a great weekend with the family. It was the Saturday my son and I scheduled to install a fence around my side yard. This fence is vitally necessary since I can't catch my soon to be 3 year old grandson if he decides to split on me. We live on a corner lot with one road being really busy so we just feel better if we have him corralled.
As far as a DIY project goes it wasn't too hard. Just sinking some 4x4 and attaching the fence sections. We went with a picket instead of privacy cause we just don't care for the look of the privacy. We started about 9:00 and finished up about 5:30, actually sooner than I expected cause past experience has taught me that it would take me more than one day. Thanks to my son for handling the brunt of the work. Never could have done it without him, at least not under a week.
That is exemplified very well by my actions prior to him arriving. I had borrowed a gas powered post hole digger from my neighbor. I made sure Friday nite that I could get it running and familiarize myself with the operation. Shortly before my son arrived I decided to dig one hole just to get started. Past history should have made me think twice, however, I didn't. While on my own I managed to almost break half the bones on my left hand. Today I have this swollen, bruised, twisted thing that generally resembles a hand and 5 fingers. How it happened is a long story, why is simple: that's just me. It ain't the first time and won't be the last, but you would think I a guy would learn sooner than later. Guess I'm just power tool challenged!
Anyway, special thanks to my great son for all his help(but after all it is his kid we're trying to protect) and my lovely wife for feeding us and keeping an eye on the grandson all day.
The bottom line is the fence is up, we feel more secure about taking him outside to play, and I haven't gotten any smarter in my old age.
As far as a DIY project goes it wasn't too hard. Just sinking some 4x4 and attaching the fence sections. We went with a picket instead of privacy cause we just don't care for the look of the privacy. We started about 9:00 and finished up about 5:30, actually sooner than I expected cause past experience has taught me that it would take me more than one day. Thanks to my son for handling the brunt of the work. Never could have done it without him, at least not under a week.
That is exemplified very well by my actions prior to him arriving. I had borrowed a gas powered post hole digger from my neighbor. I made sure Friday nite that I could get it running and familiarize myself with the operation. Shortly before my son arrived I decided to dig one hole just to get started. Past history should have made me think twice, however, I didn't. While on my own I managed to almost break half the bones on my left hand. Today I have this swollen, bruised, twisted thing that generally resembles a hand and 5 fingers. How it happened is a long story, why is simple: that's just me. It ain't the first time and won't be the last, but you would think I a guy would learn sooner than later. Guess I'm just power tool challenged!
Anyway, special thanks to my great son for all his help(but after all it is his kid we're trying to protect) and my lovely wife for feeding us and keeping an eye on the grandson all day.
The bottom line is the fence is up, we feel more secure about taking him outside to play, and I haven't gotten any smarter in my old age.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Next Chapter
April 1,2011 proved to be an April fools joke on the rest of the world. That's the day I retired!! I had turned 62 the previous fall and had planned to make it official the first of the year, however, the last in my long list of employers had just announced that they were going to trim the operation by the end of March, and as luck would have it I would be one of those trimmed. So I trudged on for three more months only to qualify for a severance package. The night I left the building for the last time it was like a huge burden had been removed from my back. I certainly miss lots of folks I worked with but the idea of not working full time again eases the pain quite well.
If you are reading this in hopes of learning some fabulous secret about how to retire with millions, sorry to disappoint you but this isn't what I'm about. I am so relieved and feel so much better not only health wise but my mental well being has improved out of this world. I had no idea how much stress a job weighs on the average person, and contrary to the opinion of some, I consider myself to be average.
The knowledge that every day is what I decide it is going to be makes me smile every time I think about it. I'm not saying that when you retire you can or even should sit around and get fat. You can find plenty to do with your day. The difference is you decide what to do with it!
I tell anyone who will listen that retiring early (at 62 or before the full retirement age) will cost you some money in the long run but unless you love what you do for a living, the sooner you can get out the better you will feel.
If you are thinking, he probably has this million dollar portfolio so he can afford it.....wrong! I barely have a pot to piss in. Well, that's not exactly right. My wife and I own a house that we still make payments on, I have no portfolio, and because of health and other setbacks over the years, I have no 401k or pension. I receive SS benefits and have a little part time job where I net $75.00 a week. My wife also works, which by the way she isn't very happy about. So you see it isn't about the money. It is about enjoying the precious time we have left.
My Dad passed away 8 years after he retired. If he had not retired at 62 he would've had alot less time to enjoy. So I decided not to wait 5 more years so I could get an extra $800 a month from SSI.
So glad I did!!
If you are reading this in hopes of learning some fabulous secret about how to retire with millions, sorry to disappoint you but this isn't what I'm about. I am so relieved and feel so much better not only health wise but my mental well being has improved out of this world. I had no idea how much stress a job weighs on the average person, and contrary to the opinion of some, I consider myself to be average.
The knowledge that every day is what I decide it is going to be makes me smile every time I think about it. I'm not saying that when you retire you can or even should sit around and get fat. You can find plenty to do with your day. The difference is you decide what to do with it!
I tell anyone who will listen that retiring early (at 62 or before the full retirement age) will cost you some money in the long run but unless you love what you do for a living, the sooner you can get out the better you will feel.
If you are thinking, he probably has this million dollar portfolio so he can afford it.....wrong! I barely have a pot to piss in. Well, that's not exactly right. My wife and I own a house that we still make payments on, I have no portfolio, and because of health and other setbacks over the years, I have no 401k or pension. I receive SS benefits and have a little part time job where I net $75.00 a week. My wife also works, which by the way she isn't very happy about. So you see it isn't about the money. It is about enjoying the precious time we have left.
My Dad passed away 8 years after he retired. If he had not retired at 62 he would've had alot less time to enjoy. So I decided not to wait 5 more years so I could get an extra $800 a month from SSI.
So glad I did!!
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