Tuesday, June 12, 2007

tuesday update

i went to a pampered chef party last night ... and didn't spend a dime. yay me! it's a small success in my "seriously, 'becca, stop spending money when you don't need to" campaign. i really want their adjustable measuring spoons/cups. and their green knives. and that tray that stays cold for hours. and they had a really cute serving set with a wire rack that holds three trays. yeah ...

speaking of personal campaigns, i'm going back on my "stop eating sugar" program today. i'm cutting out processed sugars that are avoidable. as in, there's processed sugar in my light multi-grain english muffin, i'm sure, but i can't avoid that. it's still part of my healthy breakfast. but i CAN avoid the processed sugars in snickers bars & cupcakes. i would've started back onto this yesterday, but knew the pampered chef lady would be making a fabulous dessert - a cherry chocolate skillet cake. devil's food cake, a can of cherry pie filling, hot fudge sauce ... yumm-o. so yeah, no more sugar for me. :)

i'm going shoe shopping tonight. i'm hoping for an inexpensive pair of black sandals for this summer's weddings. if all else fails, i'll wear my black flip flops, but they hurt my feet. and i really don't like the sound flip flops makes.

can anyone convince me that buying a condo is better than buying a detached home? i like the idea of not having to mow my lawn, but i can't get past the association fees. it's not like the association fees replace an expense i'd have in a detached home. unless i was paying someone to cut my lawn, i suppose, but even then it wouldn't cost me $125 a month, every month of the year. it does seem i'd get more square footage for my money if i got a condo. but do i really want to share walls? and not have a yard?

10 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not sure if this will convince you but here's my little list of pros and cons of owning a condo:

Pros: You tend to get to know your neighbors more which = security.
Its secure, with having to buzz people up, and some have security guards
No mowing, or shoveling snow! which means you don't have to fork out $ for a mower et al
Some have swimming pools, gyms, clubhouses.....

Cons: Some feel like ur in a box. Windows on only 1-2 sides. (i love windows)
You'll hear your neighbors more than if you have a house.
You have to pay assessment fees and association fees.
Condos are more sensitive to real estate markets and resale can be hard (friend just went through this).
condos have rules to abide by, pet policy, noise levels...
parking can be crappy if you were to have a bunch of friends over.

December 16, 2008 at 9:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I will adopt the policy that since you want us to convince you to get a condo.....i won't say anything.

December 16, 2008 at 9:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

you want your first house to be a house. you want the experience of having a yard and decorating and not worrying about pissing your neighbors off if your tv is on a little too loud or anything. save the dues money, girl.

December 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was giving you a pro/con list for the condo. But I do agree that a house is the way to go!

December 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think if you are going to purchase a Condo look into a townhouse, then you have a small yard at least less rules and at least where my Mom lives you never hear her neighboors. But you still get your lawn mowed and such. Just a thought.

December 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have a condo, and there are 2 things I don't like -- the high association fees, and some of the association rules.

I like not having to do any outside maintainance and having flowers and mown grass and a little pool. I like having spent less to get the space I have at the distance I'm at from chicago.

I haven't had much problem with noisy neighbors or parking at my place, but I was looking at both of those when I got the place. I don't mind not having my own yard because mostly I wouldn't use it anyway.

December 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I second Bethany on the townhouse. I know several people who have those, and they are really nice. They still have the house feel, and only share one wall (which in all of their's is the garage wall, so you don't even hear the other people) Plus they have a yard that they don't have to mow, and their own driveway and garage.

That being said, houses are really nice too! But if you don't want the work, I'd go with a townhouse!

Btw, a yard is a nice option to have especially with all of the big parties that we are going to have over there! =)

December 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

True. And its hard to put 12 pink flamingos on your lawn if you live in a condo and have no lawn. You really need to think of us during this time as well. :o)

December 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

house, house, house.

December 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm with Dug...."house, house, house..." The only thing I'll add (or should I say, Dan and I will add) is that it could be a house in Louisville?!?!? Dan says, "that would be fantastic!" I know...you have a lot of friends up there and only 2 here....it's ok.....don't forget about James and Damien, too.....

December 16, 2008 at 9:16 PM  

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