Aww....
You shouldn't have...
Okay! Yes, you should have!!!!!
Momma Like....
Monday, 19 December 2011
Friday, 16 December 2011
"Insurance Tales"
So the Insurance Company's preferred vender has finished their quote last week. 4 weeks from when they came out to do measurements. 3 weeks from when they said it should be done. 2 weeks from when I had expected it to be done.
About $10 000 less than my contractor's quote. I regret not knowing a contractor before all this started. I would have gone with my own from the beginning. Frustrating that they requested a second quote from their preferred vender. Wonder if they'll let me get another quote from another company? Probably won't matter, as they'll go with the cheapest quote anyway. Conflict of Interest don't you think? How is this fair? Too many people in between to 'help" navigate through the Insurance Tango. People in between to keep you away from the real decision makers.
Anyway, I approved my adjuster to take the quote forward to the insurance company for approval. Now to wait a few weeks until they okay it. They better!
I also asked about the rental income I have lost over the many months that this has been going on, a loss of about $5000. Well, a new adventure begins. Sending off the copy of my lease agreement and proof of payment. Fingers crossed for some compensation. Better to ask than to not.
9 months later and getting close to somewhere...not close to a finished basement however.
About $10 000 less than my contractor's quote. I regret not knowing a contractor before all this started. I would have gone with my own from the beginning. Frustrating that they requested a second quote from their preferred vender. Wonder if they'll let me get another quote from another company? Probably won't matter, as they'll go with the cheapest quote anyway. Conflict of Interest don't you think? How is this fair? Too many people in between to 'help" navigate through the Insurance Tango. People in between to keep you away from the real decision makers.
Anyway, I approved my adjuster to take the quote forward to the insurance company for approval. Now to wait a few weeks until they okay it. They better!
I also asked about the rental income I have lost over the many months that this has been going on, a loss of about $5000. Well, a new adventure begins. Sending off the copy of my lease agreement and proof of payment. Fingers crossed for some compensation. Better to ask than to not.
9 months later and getting close to somewhere...not close to a finished basement however.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
"Momma's Away"
So, my mother is off in India visiting all our extended family. It has been 30 years since she last visited. Last time she was there I was in her womb, and my sister was with her, age 7.
Good for you Mom!
She has wanted to return to visit for years now, and things haven't worked out the way they were initially planned, but she made it happen. Out on her own (of course until family met her at the airport).
I am so jealous. And I so would have taken her up on her offer to go with her, if it wasn't for the permanent position I now hold. Not enough vacation time for sure. 3 months she is gone for. She left November 16th and should be back before V-Day.
What a trip that would be. To go to India and meet family I have never met. To get the inside scoop. Heck, even to just go to India.
Internet access isn't the best out there for mom, so I hope she sees this post, as communication has been relegated to quick messages on facebook. Go Figure!
So in hopes of that, I say:
Mom,
I hope all is going well, that you are having an amazing time. I can't wait to hear your stories and see your pictures and videos taken. I hope the family album we made has worked out well for all the Aunties, Uncles, and cousins.
And please do not bring me back a husband, just sandalwood, so my nostrils will be greeted by the wondrous smell whenever I open my linen closet.
I hope the immense heat is treating you well. Happy Christmas, New Year's, and I shall miss the tradition of your angel food cake on my Birthday. But I shall survive, you deserve your trip!
Take care.
Love you,
Jess
Looks like she picked the best time of the year to go there: Weather in India: When is the best time to travel?
iPhone weather shows Highs of 26 - 32 degrees Celsius and Lows of 14 - 23 degrees depending on where she is. Not too shabby I say!
2 more months to go...
XOXO
Good for you Mom!
She has wanted to return to visit for years now, and things haven't worked out the way they were initially planned, but she made it happen. Out on her own (of course until family met her at the airport).
I am so jealous. And I so would have taken her up on her offer to go with her, if it wasn't for the permanent position I now hold. Not enough vacation time for sure. 3 months she is gone for. She left November 16th and should be back before V-Day.
What a trip that would be. To go to India and meet family I have never met. To get the inside scoop. Heck, even to just go to India.
Internet access isn't the best out there for mom, so I hope she sees this post, as communication has been relegated to quick messages on facebook. Go Figure!
So in hopes of that, I say:
Mom,
I hope all is going well, that you are having an amazing time. I can't wait to hear your stories and see your pictures and videos taken. I hope the family album we made has worked out well for all the Aunties, Uncles, and cousins.
And please do not bring me back a husband, just sandalwood, so my nostrils will be greeted by the wondrous smell whenever I open my linen closet.
I hope the immense heat is treating you well. Happy Christmas, New Year's, and I shall miss the tradition of your angel food cake on my Birthday. But I shall survive, you deserve your trip!
Take care.
Love you,
Jess
Looks like she picked the best time of the year to go there: Weather in India: When is the best time to travel?
iPhone weather shows Highs of 26 - 32 degrees Celsius and Lows of 14 - 23 degrees depending on where she is. Not too shabby I say!
2 more months to go...
XOXO
Monday, 12 December 2011
"CMHC refund on your premium!"
I love coming across things that give me free money for what I am already doing...
Check out this link if you are planning on buying a new energy efficient home or have bought a home and are making it more energy efficient:
Check out this link if you are planning on buying a new energy efficient home or have bought a home and are making it more energy efficient:
I heart Canada!
Monday, 28 November 2011
"Government Rebates"
A few days ago, I put in my claims for the Provincial rebates on my new furnace and new tankless water heater. I should be due back $750 from the Provincial Government. Yay!
I would have been entitled to more, at least $800 more from the Federal Government, except my install date was exactly one month before they reinstated their rebate program. One month. Argh!
I was told that the Feds were going to restart it, but in May, no one had any clear ideas. I did do my Pre Energy Evaluation, and got the $100 rebate for that from the Province. Once I do my Post Energy Evaluation, I'll get another $100 from the Province, and the rebates for insulation, etc offered, as well as the same from the Feds plus their rebate for the Pre and Post Evaluations.
It all has to be done before the March 2012 deadline. This basement thing sure threw a wrench in that. I've gone backwards in the insulation parade. A major rebate winner if I had my basement back to normal. The time line doesn't look so forgiving.
On the bright side, I'm looking at at least another $300 back, for a lovely total of about $1000 back. Would have been nice to have that extra $800 tacked on. I may have to do some calling, since the furnace and water heater were paid for after the reinstated rebate program started.
Check out the links to the Provincial and Federal rebate programs:
www.climatechangecentral.com
www.nrcan.gc.ca
I would have been entitled to more, at least $800 more from the Federal Government, except my install date was exactly one month before they reinstated their rebate program. One month. Argh!
I was told that the Feds were going to restart it, but in May, no one had any clear ideas. I did do my Pre Energy Evaluation, and got the $100 rebate for that from the Province. Once I do my Post Energy Evaluation, I'll get another $100 from the Province, and the rebates for insulation, etc offered, as well as the same from the Feds plus their rebate for the Pre and Post Evaluations.
It all has to be done before the March 2012 deadline. This basement thing sure threw a wrench in that. I've gone backwards in the insulation parade. A major rebate winner if I had my basement back to normal. The time line doesn't look so forgiving.
On the bright side, I'm looking at at least another $300 back, for a lovely total of about $1000 back. Would have been nice to have that extra $800 tacked on. I may have to do some calling, since the furnace and water heater were paid for after the reinstated rebate program started.
Check out the links to the Provincial and Federal rebate programs:
www.climatechangecentral.com
www.nrcan.gc.ca
"Ah, The Joys of Budgeting"
Back in April, I made myself a little document with my income from all sources vs. all my expenses, except for food, gas, and clothing (all of which I have cut back on). Sigh, the pain of not having new clothes, or shoes!
Over the year, new expenses have cropped up and increases in some bills, and decreases in income (Bye-Bye Renters). So tonight, I revamped my document to include all of the above changes, and I am glad to say I have about $400 a month left for said cut back items.
Now, that is only if I do not charge anything to my credit cards ever! Ha! Good thing I pay them off every month, and yes it does count to use my line of credit to do so, because it's a way lower interest rate.
I have to get my basement back in swing, or at least the apartment garage I have floating around my mind right now. Renter, I need you, so I can buy clothes again.
The joys of home owning. A year and a half ago, I would have had $2,300 a month left to spend at will, and SAVE. Oh, Saving, how I miss thee. And travel. Oh travel, I will still have you. I will find a way.
Equity. They say it's a good thing. It's times like these a second income would kick ass. Odds are the mortgage would be around longer than the person with the second income. I prefer a renter.
Now to get a rentable place ready....
Donations in the form of skilled labour, cash, and empty bottles accepted to Jessica's House Fund.
Over the year, new expenses have cropped up and increases in some bills, and decreases in income (Bye-Bye Renters). So tonight, I revamped my document to include all of the above changes, and I am glad to say I have about $400 a month left for said cut back items.
Now, that is only if I do not charge anything to my credit cards ever! Ha! Good thing I pay them off every month, and yes it does count to use my line of credit to do so, because it's a way lower interest rate.
I have to get my basement back in swing, or at least the apartment garage I have floating around my mind right now. Renter, I need you, so I can buy clothes again.
The joys of home owning. A year and a half ago, I would have had $2,300 a month left to spend at will, and SAVE. Oh, Saving, how I miss thee. And travel. Oh travel, I will still have you. I will find a way.
Equity. They say it's a good thing. It's times like these a second income would kick ass. Odds are the mortgage would be around longer than the person with the second income. I prefer a renter.
Now to get a rentable place ready....
Donations in the form of skilled labour, cash, and empty bottles accepted to Jessica's House Fund.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
"What was once My Basement..."
Before:
Claim made at the end of March.
First tear out soon after.
Foundation repair done at beginning of July.
Moisture still there 2 months later. Further tear out requested as original place of leak (under the sub-floor of closet to next room) was not torn out as agreed upon by myself and original adjuster (who does not work there anymore...interesting).
One month, no word from Insurance Company's contractor of choice to come back and assess.
Got independent contractor's opinion with new adjuster present and approval for further tear out needed and quote sent in same week. Thank You Time Line. www.timelineconstruction.ca
Insurance Company wants second quote from preferred vender. Further tear out still required.
Last days of October, further tear out completed in 2 days, by subcontractor of Insurance Company's preferred vender.
Day 1:
Yup, that sure is the walls built on top of the floor. And yup, that is a new wall built in front of the old rotting one. And when I say rotting, I mean I touched it and it disintegrated.
Day 2:
Bye bye original hardwood in both bedrooms and living room. Hello floating walls, now that rotting floor has been removed. Hello huge crack in my foundation wall, finally uncovered.
November 14, Insurance Company's preferred vender comes by to get measurements again to do up quote to send to adjuster.
Quote to be done this week. Supposed to be.
Comparison of quotes needed and decision of Insurance Company to hopefully come soon. Experience tells me otherwise.
9 months so far. Too bad claim has to be taken care of within 12 months of claim date. 3 months left. Do they expect construction to be done within that time period? 'Cause it's so not going to happen.
Let the work I had done outside (weeping tile, sump pump, waterproofing, new eavestroughs, new downspouts, and proper grade) prevent any further water damage and further cracking of foundation wall.
The tale continues...
Claim made at the end of March.
First tear out soon after.
Foundation repair done at beginning of July.
Moisture still there 2 months later. Further tear out requested as original place of leak (under the sub-floor of closet to next room) was not torn out as agreed upon by myself and original adjuster (who does not work there anymore...interesting).
One month, no word from Insurance Company's contractor of choice to come back and assess.
Got independent contractor's opinion with new adjuster present and approval for further tear out needed and quote sent in same week. Thank You Time Line. www.timelineconstruction.ca
Insurance Company wants second quote from preferred vender. Further tear out still required.
Last days of October, further tear out completed in 2 days, by subcontractor of Insurance Company's preferred vender.
Day 1:
Found mouldy insulation and an old gas line hidden in the wall. Not secured so well and rusty, hmmm....
Yup, that sure is the walls built on top of the floor. And yup, that is a new wall built in front of the old rotting one. And when I say rotting, I mean I touched it and it disintegrated.
Day 2:
Bye bye original hardwood in both bedrooms and living room. Hello floating walls, now that rotting floor has been removed. Hello huge crack in my foundation wall, finally uncovered.
Hello efflorescence, evidence of water damage and left behind salt slowly flaking away layers of my concrete wall making it less and less structurally sound.
Inside the closet. Left side white, right side not so much....
Read me:
How many years has this been going on? I'm guessing at least 6 years, but more like over a decade. Damn it people, if you own a house take care of it, and know what that means. Making it pretty on the inside and sparkly on the outside means nothing if you ignore what keeps it functioning. Mine now to make it right.
November 14, Insurance Company's preferred vender comes by to get measurements again to do up quote to send to adjuster.
Quote to be done this week. Supposed to be.
Comparison of quotes needed and decision of Insurance Company to hopefully come soon. Experience tells me otherwise.
9 months so far. Too bad claim has to be taken care of within 12 months of claim date. 3 months left. Do they expect construction to be done within that time period? 'Cause it's so not going to happen.
Let the work I had done outside (weeping tile, sump pump, waterproofing, new eavestroughs, new downspouts, and proper grade) prevent any further water damage and further cracking of foundation wall.
The tale continues...
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