Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT My Mini Garagemahal

[zmotorsports]

Shop is looking very nice and organized Mike.

 

[fouckhest]

Looking good. Glad to see the toys back in the lift spot.

Shop is looking very nice and organized Mike.

Thanks Gents!

It is a good feeling to see a clean shop with a project begging for attention!

 

[fouckhest]

Busy weekend of house project clean up...I need to get better about doing the finishing touches rather than let them linger...but I digress LOL

Did some yard work Saturday morning, the had a little car meet/gtg going on in the afternoon, was nice to knock out some chores then spend a sunny afternoon relaxing! Took the white rabbit out for its longest yet test drive, unfortunately I am still chasing a "soft limp mode" condition, also it has developed a diesel leak I need to investigate, but yesterday was filled with more house projects, so the car didn't make into the shop for troubleshooting yet...

But here was a photo from the meet, it looks good IMO!
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


Sunday Funday Project(s)
I had committed to the boss to make some shelves for laundry room and our master bath for quite some time. Finally got around to making good on that, we discussed a couple weeks ago about a concept, I found some brackets, they arrived last week, so this weekend it was shelf time.

Found these floating brackets on amz they looked decent and upon arrival I was not disappointed! Plan for the laundry was two shelves, lower larger than the upper for ease of reach and not letting the top turn into a "black hole." Fortunately the boss wants to paint them, so lumber choice didn't need to be anything fancy, so a 2x12 & 2x10 fit the bill.

Tasked the boss the marking the height of the shelves and bracket install began
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Decided on 3 for each shelf, likely overkill, but that is what we do! (in @zmotorsports we trust!)
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I wanted to try and hide the brackets as much as possible, so broke out the router and made some pockets for the brackets
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Installed and ready for use....
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Test run
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


Next up was the little shelves in the master bath...

Brackets
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

This time, new wood selection, reusing butcherblock leftovers from the laundry.....routed was not as happy about these pockets unfortunately, but will rarely be seen...
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

All buttoned up and awaiting the wife to pick her finish...went with a double stagger on these shelves, shorter and narrower for the top
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[zmotorsports]

Car looks good Mike, as do the floating shelves. Nice touch recessing the brackets.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Glad to see the car out of the road. It's a bummer that there are still some issues to wrap up. It looks good, though. The shelves came out great.

 

[fouckhest]

Not much for updates this week, I am not really sure where the week went in general....weather was kinda meh, sold a spare engine I had laying around, which was a nice shot into not-so-responsible account!

While doing some you-tubing recently i was reminded that I've always wanted a set of these little sheet metal cutters, so finally pulled he trigger and they arrived. Excited to give these a try
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

In the same vein of not working, but collecting things for projects, I convinced myself I want to see about building the low-buck version of the @zmotorsports paint can shaker......I'd like to try and put some thinking into it this weekend and maybe start on it next week in evenings

Same shaker, but HF drill and amazon timer
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[zmotorsports]

I'm interested to see what you come up with for the paint can shaker Mike.

Also, you'll love the Rotabroach cutters. I've been using them for quite a few years now and love how precise and uniform they are.

 

[fouckhest]

I'm interested to see what you come up with for the paint can shaker Mike.

Also, you'll love the Rotabroach cutters. I've been using them for quite a few years now and love how precise and uniform they are.

Mike - good to hear on the rotabroach cutters, they look super nice.

I've got a few things brewing in my head for the paint shaker, waiting for something to really strike me.

 

[zmotorsports]

I completely understand Mike. I too tend to "mull" things over quite a lot in my head before actually beginning the construction phase of various projects.

 

[Xti04]

I have that same set of annular cutters. I thought they looked cool when I bought them , had no use in mind, but they proved their worth when I installed a trailer hitch on an F550 and they chewed through the frame effortlessly and made a perfect round hole too.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Never seen those cutters before. Now I feel like I need a set.

 

[zmotorsports]

Never seen those cutters before. Now I feel like I need a set.

You won't be disappointed. I use them a LOT. Creates perfectly round holes and with a little lubrication, they last a long time as well.

 

[fouckhest]

Hope everyone had a good weekend, we enjoyed a productive weekend here with some fantastic weather on Saturday and Sunday was one of those, not as nice, but a good day to be out working w/o the sun beating down on you.

That being said, after our deck build last summer we had discussed some type of privacy fence between the neighbors house that essentially looks down on/into our back yard....well fast forward to our ski trip this year, my step-daughter was house/dog sitting for us and apparently the neighbor wife decided to take to the internet to complain about "her neighbors and their dogs." Upon returning home there was now a camera pointed out of their bedroom window directed at our house/back yard, which I deem as "not cool." Thus, accelerate the plan for a privacy fence.

This was my inspiration'ish....similar to how I sided the shed





Now onto execution, early trip to Lowes on Saturday morning for some 4x4 to start the posts, fired up the post hole digger and went to work
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


Bonus of this is we will be able to hide some of that not maintained garage that is another eyesore....sistered these posts onto the existing posts and attached with 5" timber lock screws/lags
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Let the concrete set overnight, back at it Sunday morning with the next round of lumber purchases....nothing like having to load lumber twice before even starting work LOL. My goal was to set the top of the fence as close to the eve/soffit of our house, then will start to step down past the second existing fence panel, this will cover line of sight past their deck, so we can sit comfortably on our deck and not look up and be looking at them on their deck

Took my time to get the top row as level as possible, unfortunately looking down the line the posts aren't perfect, I was running into some rock in the ground that the auger and shovel were touching.
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Once the top row was done, I made my self a template to keep the spacing consistent, I installed temporary screws to allow an easy, lift, set, mark and them removal for any cutting, then back up for install....rinse and repeat many many times and we have the start of a privacy fence.....This was the end of my lumber supply for the day, it was close to 5pm by the time I got cleaned up so figure it was a good stopping point for the weekend. Hopefully the weather cooperates and can get back at it this week or weekend

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


Once the fence is done, I will move onto a new gate for the driveway to get rid of the temporary chain link setup. Also thinking about doing a sun shade between the house and fence so we have a spot to park under with a little protection

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

The fence addition looks good. Any plans to convert the existing sections into the new style?

Also, be sure to hang this on the other side of it in view of the camera. Can't stand people that take to things that way vs just coming next door and talking about their potential issues.

 

[fouckhest]

The fence addition looks good. Any plans to convert the existing sections into the new style?

Also, be sure to hang this on the other side of it in view of the camera. Can't stand people that take to things that way vs just coming next door and talking about their potential issues.

HAHAHA! Funny, my wife wants/wanted to research if there are any laws about recording people/neighbors, if there was/is to print that out and post it on that side of the fence

Yes, I am going to finish all the way down and cover the existing fence, it will run all the way back down to where the side fence meets the "middle fence" then I'll just leave the way back as it is

 

[Xti04]

Never seen those cutters before. Now I feel like I need a set.

You need a set. They arent terribly expensive either.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

HAHAHA! Funny, my wife wants/wanted to research if there are any laws about recording people/neighbors, if there was/is to print that out and post it on that side of the fence

Yes, I am going to finish all the way down and cover the existing fence, it will run all the way back down to where the side fence meets the "middle fence" then I'll just leave the way back as it is

Unfortunately, I don't think there are rules against cameras recording as exterior space is considered public view. I would likely be in violation with a lot of that with some of my cameras as I don't bother to aim them super lower where they face the street as I don't want to have the bad part of the sensor actually covering what I am looking for. That said what they are doing is a little more direct. My side cameras I aimed best as they can be to not get the side neighbors property.

I still vote for the sign since they couldn't be bothered to talk to you and posted on social media instead.

 

[fouckhest]

Unfortunately, I don't think there are rules against cameras recording as exterior space is considered public view.

I still vote for the sign since they couldn't be bothered to talk to you and posted on social media instead.

Pretty much what I would have expected to find, that there isn't a very definitive law, just like you said b/c it is public space.

But at the end of the day its just people being petty, so I'll likely just leave it alone and continue to live our lives. My bandwidth is limited as it is, no way I'm going to dedicate any more energy than building the fence.

 

[Xti04]

No height restrictions on fences in your neighborhood?

 

[fouckhest]

No height restrictions on fences in your neighborhood?

No, its an OLD neighborhood, no HOA!

 

[Xti04]

Cool! My buddy had a tiny backyard and didnt buy the lot behind his house and had a house plopped right on top of him. He had a 6ft fence height restriction. I offered a workaround of a 6 ft fence at the top of a 4 ft hedgerow. He didnt go for it but would have been funny to see. His wireless network was Smithbilt *****. His passive agressive way of calling out the builder.

 

[fouckhest]

I am a big advocate of the saying, "Its easier to ask for forgiveness than permission," so knowing what I know at this point, I chose to build and see what happens. BUT, on the back side of my neighborhood there are some questionable construction projects that have happened over the past couple years, so I doubt anyone is worried about much.

All TBD, but for now....."BUILD A WALL, BUILD A WALL!!" LOL

 

[Xti04]

You could always have a local artist do a mural on the side facing the neighbors maybe something like this?

 

[fouckhest]

I'm so glad my wife doesn't read this thread, you guys would be fueling her fire!

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

I'm so glad my wife doesn't read this thread, you guys would be fueling her fire!

Alright guys, we now have our mission.

 

[Bob Heine]

If they are OK with a camera aimed at you, how about a few mini telescopes aimed at them? Maybe attached to the fence at appropriate locations between the fence boards or even through holes in the boards...

Mini Telescope

These mini telescopes are 2 inches long but can expand making a perfect travel toy for anyone. Each plastic telescope is sold separately - black, white, red or blue. For Age 5 +

shenanigans.toys

 

[fouckhest]

If they are OK with a camera aimed at you, how about a few mini telescopes aimed at them? Maybe attached to the fence at appropriate locations between the fence boards or even through holes in the boards...

As fun as it would be to "poke the bear" I am of the mindset that this should be a daily reminder to them that we are neighbors and that is it, not friends, co-workers, acquaintances, etc., if not for our houses being next to each other, I really have no need to interact with them. So lets keep it that way!

 

[SilverJimmy]

I had neighbors for over 13 years that I called “The Friendlies” cuz they were anything but! I am a car guy, so I have “stuff” and they called in complaints to Zoning on me over twenty times, even though I had built a 6‘ high solid privacy fence to screen my stuff. It finally ended when once again they called the County on me for one of my project cars being parked outside of my 2000 sq ft shop overnight! When the Zoning Enforcement Officer came to investigate the call he asked them where the violation was.
Mr Friendly walked over to my fence and told the Zoning guy that if you looked thru a crack in my fence you could see it plain as day! At this time the Zoning guy asked him if he made it a habit to peek thru people‘s fences and if he understood the law on Peeping and if he was willing to have to register as a *** Offender for the rest of his life?! Then he explained that Mr Friendly had filed over 20 complaints against me and that none had ever resulted in a citation. He then informed him that he could file another complaint but that if it didn’t result in a citation he was going to be charged with criminal harassment!
I never had another complaint filed against me. Thankfully the County sent the right guy!

 

[fouckhest]

I never had another complaint filed against me. Thankfully the County sent the right guy!

Sterling, thanks for sharing that story, certainly makes me feel much better!

My wife is all over the fact that they have a camera pointed essentially at our back deck that if push came to shove we could play the voyeurism card since in theory, she could, and has every right to lay on our back deck where as much or as little as she wants.

 

[zmotorsports]

As fun as it would be to "poke the bear" I am of the mindset that this should be a daily reminder to them that we are neighbors and that is it, not friends, co-workers, acquaintances, etc., if not for our houses being next to each other, I really have no need to interact with them. So lets keep it that way!

Mike, sorry to hear you are having to deal with this **** from a neighbor. I lived with a neighbor from hell at our last home for the last 3+ years or so that we were there, and I know all too well how bad it can be and what an energy sucker it is. Mine was so bad that I could feel my demeanor change and my blood boil just turning down my street. The first 20+ years we lived there it was great and had awesome neighbors. Even when some of them started moving out and some not-so-great ones were moving in, it wasn't terrible because everyone just kept to themselves. That is until Sanford & Son moved in next door and his **** started migrating my way. After number conversations and getting nowhere we ended up moving. I felt like I was run out of my home, but looking back now, I can say it was the right move for us, and I wouldn't have the home we have now if that ****** hadn't moved in.

That being said, we have some great neighbors now, but I think what makes them great is for the most part everyone keeps to themselves. We stop and say hello as we are out walking or doing yardwork and occasionally one will stop by to BS, but that's about the extent of it.

Like you said, we are neighbors, we live next to each other but don't necessarily have to be friends or even do things together, but a little friendly neighborhood comradery sure goes a long way, and I love it compared to what we had in the past. Pulling into my neighborhood and driveway now is nothing like the old neighborhood.


***** you're having to deal with this.

 

[fouckhest]

Like you said, we are neighbors, we live next to each other but don't necessarily have to be friends or even do things together, but a little friendly neighborhood comradery sure goes a long way, and I love it compared to what we had in the past. Pulling into my neighborhood and driveway now is nothing like the old neighborhood.


***** you're having to deal with this.

Thanks, Mike - luckily for us, our annoying neighbors have kind of made a name for themselves and the rest seem to be pretty good at this point (knocks on wood), so I haven't got to the point of dreading pulling the neighborhood. Should it come to that point, we would/will do the same, just up and move, but right now, we owe so little on the house at such a low rate, financially its almost silly. We actually talk about that a lot, go from looking at raw acreage to build, to $750k properties that have potential, and it always comes back to, do we want to have "EF-you" money and be able to play, travel, etc., or be tied to a house year round

As we sat on the back deck last night decompressing, the fence is already making it feel like our own little sanctuary which is a nice feeling! Plus, those neighbors are older'ish, have a grandkid, so I'd expect there is a chance they will end up moving, they almost did that once last year, so hoping the daughter and kid move which will entice them to do the same!


....Taking a half day today to see what kind of dent I can put in the 40'ish boards I bought the other night!

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks, Mike - luckily for us, our annoying neighbors have kind of made a name for themselves and the rest seem to be pretty good at this point (knocks on wood), so I haven't got to the point of dreading pulling the neighborhood. Should it come to that point, we would/will do the same, just up and move, but right now, we owe so little on the house at such a low rate, financially its almost silly. We actually talk about that a lot, go from looking at raw acreage to build, to $750k properties that have potential, and it always comes back to, do we want to have "EF-you" money and be able to play, travel, etc., or be tied to a house year round

As we sat on the back deck last night decompressing, the fence is already making it feel like our own little sanctuary which is a nice feeling! Plus, those neighbors are older'ish, have a grandkid, so I'd expect there is a chance they will end up moving, they almost did that once last year, so hoping the daughter and kid move which will entice them to do the same!


....Taking a half day today to see what kind of dent I can put in the 40'ish boards I bought the other night!

I completely understand the above Mike, more so than you can imagine. We had our previous home paid off for 11 years and the plan of retiring around 55-57 years old. I was hell bent that I wasn't going to get run out of my home by some ************* neighbor, but unfortunately, that is exactly what happened. We had to go back to a mortgage for a short time because we weren't even considering dipping into the retirement portfolio, and we are now nearing having this one paid off. I just turned 56 so it did postpone our retirement by a few years, so I have to look at it that it was worth it to have what we have now as far as a home and not having to deal with the ****** neighbor, because I don't think he will ever move.

***On edit, I also wanted to say that I am glad you and the wife can sit and relax in your back yard and enjoy it. I'm sure the fence helps but it's also a mindset to enjoy your own space. Plus, fences can make even the best of neighbors even better.

 

[fouckhest]

. I just turned 56 so it did postpone our retirement by a few years, so I have to look at it that it was worth it to have what we have now as far as a home and not having to deal with the ****** neighbor, because I don't think he will ever move.

Funny, after 2yrs of marriage we finally sat down with someone to help with some real "financial planning," and quickly found out that our conservative approach had been working rather well, and all the sudden that exact same scenario was discussed, I'm about to turn 45 and its crazy to hear someone say, you could retire at 55 (now current global economics may derail that somewhat), but definitely makes you think about wanting to go take out a new mortgage and start all over.

...I'm going to stay optimistic that these neighbors will need/want to move, well before we want to

 

[zmotorsports]

Funny, after 2yrs of marriage we finally sat down with someone to help with some real "financial planning," and quickly found out that our conservative approach had been working rather well, and all the sudden that exact same scenario was discussed, I'm about to turn 45 and its crazy to hear someone say, you could retire at 55 (now current global economics may derail that somewhat), but definitely makes you think about wanting to go take out a new mortgage and start all over.

...I'm going to stay optimistic that these neighbors will need/want to move, well before we want to

Your path sounds all too familiar Mike. We never really sat down with a "financial guy" and did any formal planning until we were in our mid-40's, about ten years ago. We had just used the "common sense" approach to managing our money and have been quite debt adverse most of our life. I say "most" because we didn't start out that way, but we quickly realized that we didn't like that debt monkey on our backs, so we worked to get out of debt and focused on staying out of debt. We drove older used vehicles and kept them maintained and lived below our means. Don't get me wrong though, we played quite heavily along the way as well, but we worked hard, saved and we paid our first home off in 15 years, then during the next 11 years just stockpiled money away the best we could. Granted we have made ok money in our careers, but not what I would call great, especially by today's standards, but we've built up a nice portfolio and had done so before we even started talking to a professional finance person. By the time we sought out a financial planner we had no mortgage or no other consumer debt, other than a small amount remaining on our coach. We figured that we needed a certain amount in our portfolio to be able to retire and we also knew that without some sort of plan that was not going to happen. We originally had pensions at our company, but when I was 30, wife 29, the company was bought out and they did away with pensions but opted to contribute to a 401k as a small match. Many of my coworkers were so pissed they did nothing. We at least decided that we were still young and had time on our side so we figured we would start out with a small amount each pay period and then increase it over time. The first bit of money seemed like it took forever, but after a while we quickly discovered the benefits of compound interest and the benefits it provided. Now after only about 25 years of contributing we are setting ourselves up for a nice retirement, yet some of my coworkers who chose to do nothing are stuck because they don't have early retirement as an option.

When we were talking about moving, we discussed with our financial planner and we were given excellent advice. We thought for sure he would tell us to stick it out and not go into debt for another home, but due to our prior conservative behaviors we were sitting in a very good position and figured we would only delay or postpone our retirement by a few years so we may as well make the move and get it paid for and done before retirement and enjoy it. Now with everything on target the stress factor has been lessened, we have a plan and we are just working the plan.

I think that you and your wife having a plan is the key. I love hearing stories such as yours as it proves that there are still people that are living the American Dream and believe that it is possible, despite the economic roller coaster we go through decade after decade. I feel those that plan can succeed and failing to plan definitely leads to failure and a pessimistic point of view. I commend you and your wife on your journey and wish you the very best.

 

[fouckhest]

When we were talking about moving, we discussed with our financial planner and we were given excellent advice. We thought for sure he would tell us to stick it out and not go into debt for another home, but due to our prior conservative behaviors we were sitting in a very good position and figured we would only delay or postpone our retirement by a few years so we may as well make the move and get it paid for and done before retirement and enjoy it. Now with everything on target the stress factor has been lessened, we have a plan and we are just working the plan.

I think that you and your wife having a plan is the key. I love hearing stories such as yours as it proves that there are still people that are living the American Dream and believe that it is possible, despite the economic roller coaster we go through decade after decade. I feel those that plan can succeed and failing to plan definitely leads to failure and a pessimistic point of view. I commend you and your wife on your journey and wish you the very best.

Always great to hear success stories like yours, and very much appreciate the kind words!

It is funny how you mention your financial planner not discouraging your reset, going into our early meetings I expected they would have the mindset of hunker down and live at the bare minimum, but it was quite the opposite. They are rather encouraging to help you achieve our goals whatever it be, but quite simply, its all about planning and setting the right expectations!

Thanks again, so good to hear that others have taken the same approach and that after only 10yrs, that retirement age is achievable!

 

[Xti04]

I got a late start on my retirement game and while its not much, I have my wife contributing to an account, and I contribute 20% to my work 401k and roth plus a separate ira I maintain at home. I am following a debt stacking program which currently shows I should be debt free by age 46( almost 40 now) so that is my goal and my big push. I figure by the time I hit that my oldest will graduate high school and I can help him pay for college and stash the rest for retirement. Its taken a lot of mental restraint to not let my debt get out of control and I settled on doing the shop minus a few things I now wish I had like water and natural gas. The shop has been the biggest setback financially but its a blessing to have this space. Keep workin the plan and before you know it its all paid for and you can kick back amd chill!

Also I have some crappy neighbors as well but its because I live in a very nice part of town and I am the white trashy one they look down on. I try to keep my junk hidden and contained so they dont have to view a mess, but I am sure my big *** shop towering over their property is less than ideal to them.

 

[fouckhest]

I got a late start on my retirement game and while its not much, I have my wife contributing to an account, and I contribute 20% to my work 401k and roth plus a separate ira I maintain at home. I am following a debt stacking program which currently shows I should be debt free by age 46( almost 40 now) so that is my goal and my big push. I figure by the time I hit that my oldest will graduate high school and I can help him pay for college and stash the rest for retirement. Its taken a lot of mental restraint to not let my debt get out of control and I settled on doing the shop minus a few things I now wish I had like water and natural gas. The shop has been the biggest setback financially but its a blessing to have this space. Keep workin the plan and before you know it its all paid for and you can kick back amd chill!

Also I have some crappy neighbors as well but its because I live in a very nice part of town and I am the white trashy one they look down on. I try to keep my junk hidden and contained so they dont have to view a mess, but I am sure my big *** shop towering over their property is less than ideal to them.

20% will add up fast, and right now with the market reseting, its a great time to buy more. When I married my first wife, I went from the poor single guy approach of use the match plus some time bumping it to 15%, did that for the ~18months we were married, then just let it ride, then when the market tanked during covid, I bumped it to 20% and it was crazy how fast it grew, just like Mike Z said, its nuts when money starts compounding.

Its never too late to start for sure!

Neighbors wise, ef'em! As long as you didn't violate and rules county/city/HOA, enjoy what you work for! With a wife (and kids) I cant imagine she lets you have too much mess! I know my wife doesn't, and honestly, I hate mess, clutter, junk (beside the mk1 in the side yard )

 

[zmotorsports]

I got a late start on my retirement game and while its not much, I have my wife contributing to an account, and I contribute 20% to my work 401k and roth plus a separate ira I maintain at home. I am following a debt stacking program which currently shows I should be debt free by age 46( almost 40 now) so that is my goal and my big push. I figure by the time I hit that my oldest will graduate high school and I can help him pay for college and stash the rest for retirement. Its taken a lot of mental restraint to not let my debt get out of control and I settled on doing the shop minus a few things I now wish I had like water and natural gas. The shop has been the biggest setback financially but its a blessing to have this space. Keep workin the plan and before you know it its all paid for and you can kick back amd chill!

Also I have some crappy neighbors as well but its because I live in a very nice part of town and I am the white trashy one they look down on. I try to keep my junk hidden and contained so they dont have to view a mess, but I am sure my big *** shop towering over their property is less than ideal to them.

My neighbor behind us was worried when we started construction on the shop but once he saw how it turned out and how much we improved the overall property, he has actually been our best neighbor and most cordial in our interactions. He just got remarried about a year ago and his new wife really helped him to be more social and they are probably the ones we interact with the most in our subdivision.

As for being able to kick back and chill, I don't think we'll have that kind of money, but we should be fairly well off. I had this discussion with a coworker a few weeks ago. He said he'd never have a million dollars and didn't see what all the fuss was about. I gave him examples and told him that if he can save a little each paycheck and over a 25-30 year period he could become a millionaire. He then stated that being a millionaire is not that big a deal anymore. I questioned his reasoning because being a millionaire is quite an accomplishment at any point in history, especially where less than 10% of Americans can reach such a goal.

He mentioned having F**K You money and I commented that in my mind that is a completely different level, and achieving millionaire status is not the same as "F you" money. Having the kind of money to do whatever you want, whenever you want is even more rare than being a millionaire. I explained that even once you reach that $1M mark, it's not like all your problems go away and you have this new feeling of being able to do whatever you want. I don't think we'll ever have that kind of "financial freedom", but I would like to think we will have "financial peace". Difference being that even though we should be sitting at a good place for retirement, we will still have to budget and manage our money from day to day, I don't see that part changing. I guess financial freedom can have different meanings for different people, but I think my wife and I will always have to be purposeful with our money and mindful of where it is going, regardless of whether we check a box or not.

I think the bottom line is to have a plan to succeed and start small to end medium. When I say "end medium" I feel that's still pretty damn good in my book. I think those few that have the balls to remove all barriers, take all the risks and break away to create and run their own businesses and put in the time can have the opportunity to go above and beyond even the higher percentage of the population, but then again, they are taking much higher risks and therefore should have the opportunity for higher rewards if their plan pays off, not all do. I don't feel like I am one of those willing to risk everything as I tend to think through scenarios too much and there's not enough guarantee for me, especially at this later point in my life. So, if I have to watch my spending the rest of my days and still be able to live a comfortable and happy life, I'll take that as a win.

 

[fouckhest]

I like the term "financial peace," Mike, which in my mind, "F**K you," is all relative to what you want.

A younger me would have aspired for endless cars, boat(s), etc., getting older all the sudden you realize that there isnt enough time to deal with all those things and all the money in the world can't buy time.

To me, "f**k you" money is how you define it, my wife are striving for, no mortgage, no car payments, taking a few nice trips a year, and the right about of toys we can enjoy, maintain and still relax when we want. In many cases, I firmly believe, more money, more problems is true, b/c people continue to chase an image or something like that.

 

[Jagmandave]

I feel like we've been lucky, neighbors wise.....we don't go play cards or have dinner parties with them, but I know them by name, and all their kids and we chat over the fence from time to time. As I'm quite a bit older than the rest posting in this thread, it's been interesting to watch the changes in how we all interact. Back when everyone had a big front porch to sit on and people walked the neighborhood to the store or even to work, folks spent a lot more time interacting face to face. Now we all stay in our own spaces and just wave as we pass.....

As for the camera, I expect they were planning to go to the authorities over your dogs and were gathering evidence.....that's what I had to do when my neighbor wouldn't quiet his dogs, who barked all day and all night. I had a number of conversations with him about it he swore it was someone else's dogs, not his and that I was making things up. At some point I explained that I had been videoing them at all hours of the day and night, and would be happy to share those vids with him before I went to the authorities. THAT shut him up!

He sent the dogs off to his kid's houses and while there are still barking dogs in our suburban neighborhood, it's nothing like it was and I can sleep now.

It's too bad it had to come to that, but it turned out the reason the dogs lived outside was he and his wife were hoarders, every bit as bad as the show on TV, and it finally got so bad that the kids put them in assisted living. It took two weeks and 5 full length dumpster loads to clean out the house.....the family that live there now are younger with three kids and are great neighbors.

Most of the folks in my neighborhood were original owners of their homes when we moved here 30 years ago, there are about half of them still living here, but that is really going to change in the next 10 years, including us I'll bet!