When Have I Crossed The Line?

**Fern** · 12-21-2005, 11:15 AM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

Some people enjoy devoting long hours to their work, especially if they enjoy it. Others find it more important to have a balance between work and family life. Only you can really decide if your current workstyle/lifestyle is worth it for long-term rewards.

Sounds like it's the cold house that's bothering you more than the long hours?

Most of us, I guess, started "with nothing" at some point. I went through years of low income and just scraping by. All that hard work and discipline has paid off as I am debt free save for a low mortgage and decent net worth in my mid-forties.

I say, work while you can. Don't know how old you are, but you never know what tomorrow will bring. Given today's economy, job outsourcing, energy costs going up along with everything else, I don't think many today can afford to coast.

**brandondrury** · 12-21-2005, 11:22 AM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

Good points.

I'm 25 years old with no kids, but I am engaged. I feel required to have a nice chunk of cash in the bank before I can move on to kids. In fact, I'm pretty sure a baby would die if he lived in our current home. I just left my living room / office and I am still shivering.

I enjoy the work I do and doing long ours of it isn't a problem. You are right though, the cold is bothering me much more than the hours. It's clear that I need to keep busting my tail so I can build a warm home.

Brandon

**Fern** · 12-21-2005, 11:35 AM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

Well, other things to consider...

do you plan to stay in this house for the long-term? If so, maybe replacing the windows with energy efficient ones would be worth it. If not, there are still short-term things you can do that don't cost a lot of money, like weatherstripping doors and windows, using insulated curtains on the windows, taking advantage of any solar warmth you get (opening curtains by day, closing them as sun goes down), getting used to sleeping in sweatpants. An auto thermostat makes it a breeze to set temps to go down when you're at work, and cycle on when you're home. I also have a timer on my electric hot water heater; no use keeping all that water heated all day long for a single person. I have it go one for just 3 hours a day, and never have a problem with no hot water.

If you want to find other ways to save on fuel bills, check out:

http://www.energyguide.com/default.asp

It's a great site that lets you "analyze your use" (2nd tab at the top).

You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders; i'm sure your fiance is lucky to have you.

**sweeps** · 12-21-2005, 11:39 AM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

Also consider replacing the furnace with an energy-efficient one. Granted it's not cheap, but it starts paying for itself quickly, especially in a drafty house. Also it will increase the value of your house if and when you decide to sell.

**flash** · 12-21-2005, 01:29 PM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

Yes, my husband and I lived in a total dump and both worked 36 hour shifts at least twice a week. Rented places while we were each working over 200 hours per two week period. Since I wasn't home much, the dump didn't bother me as much; I felt guilty about the rental since I wasn't putting money towards a mortgage immediately.

The rewards of retiring debt free with a nice home when I was 40 was nice, the fact that I found both myself and my husband retiring at 40 due to family crises was without a doubt worth the hours we put in and what it took to save from poverty to comfort.

A question, does the "dump" bother you because you are there all day, or because you feel like you SHOULD have something better, or that your mother is paying for it? Are you feeling burnt out?

**brandondrury** · 12-21-2005, 01:41 PM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

No, my mother is not paying for it. I took over the payments on the house. I'm expected to give her half when I sell it as well, whatever price that may be.

The dump doesn't necessarily bother me. I guess it's one of those deals where you feel tense in a room because it's just not a pleasant place to be. That's the best way of describing this entire home. The temperature is a much bigger problem than the "dumpness" of the home. I just can't handle cold weather.

I'm just going to keep working like a dog and not think about it. If I run myself into the ground, I'll take a day off and hit it again the next day. Honestly, I think I'm just having issues because it's the holidays and it's obvious that I've put all my time into my businesses and have not had time for friends, family, or even my girlfriend. This is the first year I've totally dreaded Christmas. I spent an hour on Amazon and bought presents for just about everyone and other than that, I've not even thought about Christmas.

Brandon

**pyotr** · 12-21-2005, 02:05 PM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

how about getting a used woodstove? Or do you have a fireplace? You could sleep/live mostly near the fireplace as long as you be careful.

**katwoman** · 12-21-2005, 02:36 PM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

I have an issue with heat, too. I'm just plain miserable when I'm cold!

Get an electric blanket (or electric throw) and use it as a mattress pad. Set it on low. In other words, sleep on top of it and make sure you have a nice down comforter. This will keep all the warmth in, at least, while you sleep. Using flannel sheets will also add to the warmth factor.

See about getting a new furnace. If your credit is good you can get a 0%/12 months no payments, no interest deal @ Home Depot or Lowe's. If your mom is a senior I believe there are tax credits and such for these kind of upgrades. You just have to put the time into some research on this. It will make for increased home value and a happier you.

**kashi** · 12-22-2005, 06:18 AM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

Heated mattress pads and heated blankets are on sale this time of year. I just picked two up at JcPenney for gifts. I sleep with a heated blanket and a down alternative comforter (purchased on overstock.com) and it is heaven. I hate the cold too!

**Fern** · 12-22-2005, 06:30 AM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

NOOOOO, don't sleep on top of electric blanket!
My mother gave me an old one when i was living in Vermont; in the middle of the night, I woke to a chemical, acrid smell. It was the electric blanket, which was under several other layers of sheets and blankets, starting to burn. Fire chief said 1. always put the electric blanket on TOP and 2. throw it out if it's more than 1 year old.

my entire apt.w as filled with smoke and a large hole was burned thru all layers of blankets. Not worth the risk.

**kashi** · 12-22-2005, 07:12 AM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

How old was this heating blanket, Fern? I find it hard to believe that I need to throw out my heating blanket every year. Seems a little absurd. Besides, they manufacture heated mattress pads, which is not that different from what katwoman described. I'm sorry you had that experience, but I am not throwing out my heating blanket every year. I do inspect it every season to make sure it is still in good shape. Mine should be, it is only one year old.

Sunbeam links:
Safety
Care: "As a rule of thumb, you should replace your product at least every five years."

**miclason** · 12-22-2005, 07:53 AM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

I know cold weather makes me feel more like hybernating than anything else...it's nice for a few days, but then I feel just miserable (I'm really NOT used to the cold, I suffered last year in SFO in October and the year before that in NJ in March....luckily, I was only there for 1 week...I don't think I could survive a real winter...)

Sending you all lots of heat from El Salvador - we are at 82 degrees today!!

**Ima saver** · 12-29-2005, 12:43 PM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

I would say to work as many hours as you can and save your money. My husband is a worka holic but it has paid off. Even tho he started building houses at only $7.50 an hour, he put in a lot of hours and usually worked 7 days a week. I was able to save money and invest it every pay day.Now, 20 years later, we have a good deal of money in savings and he is still working 60 hours a week.

**brandondrury** · 12-30-2005, 11:10 AM

Re: When Have I Crossed The Line?

The house is a very short term solution. As soon as I have the cash, I'll be building my first home and then selling it in two years. I'm in a position where building and then selling is much, much cheaper than buying an already built home.

It looks like I'm just going to tough it out even if cold weather makes me a mean person.

Brandon

When Have I Crossed The Line?