March 2011 MONEY magazine

[JDgreen]

Has an article telling homeowners "How to do it yourself and save". This is a direct quote from the issue that arrived today:

How you will save over 10 years,

DIY maintenance

Mow lawn $12,000
Prune, mulch, edge $10,000
Fall, spring cleanups $7,750
Ferilize lawn $6,000
Dump runs $3,750
Clear snow $3,250

Subtotal $42,750 over 10 years, or $4,250 a year

Notes: Savings calculated from mid-range estimates of costs by industry pros and include deductions of $1,000 for high powered snowblower, $1,500 riding mower, and $300 gas powered backpack blower.

Dump runs refer to taking your rubbish and yard waste to the dump.
That is WEIRD...they say $375 PER YEAR to dispose of waste yourself? I pay $170 a year for full trash removal, yard waste goes on my burn pile. But it sure makes me feel good I am saving over 4 grand a year doing things myself...problem is, I purchased a 25 grand tractor to mow with, not a $1500 one, so I am probably still in the red....:laughing::laughing:

 

[RobertBrown]

I purchased a 25 grand tractor to mow with, not a $1500 one, so I am probably still in the red....:laughing::laughing:

What you paid is only relative to what you sell it for, less the work you've done with it. The way the price of dtell is escalating you will be in the black when you decide to move to the condo.

 

[JDgreen]

What you paid is only relative to what you sell it for, less the work you've done with it. The way the price of dtell is escalating you will be in the black when you decide to move to the condo.

It would probably cost me upward of $5000 per year to hire someone just to mow and trim our place and another grand for snow removal during winters like this one...so I am probably even on the cost of the tractor by now, and it's worth about 12-14 grand still. I wish our vehicles would retain value like the tractor does.