Learned'd VIII: Less Bewbs, Same Nonsense

[WDRacing]

Oh she's just retired from the Military. She's going to work as a civilian.

I'm the only one that is "hard retired" around here. I'll probably have a business on the side, buying and selling used cars I fix up or perhaps I'll do something altogether different and board horses. The plan is to buy as much property as possible so.

As far as driving distance goes, I'm probably closer now dude. It takes only takes me 6hrs to get to Boston from here.

[Hijacker]

Awesome news, Brian! Put that VA Loan to use!

[WDRacing]

Totally! No PMI for this kid! Also thinking about tapping into a farming grant from the ole Gov. Pay for a nice organic greenhouse!

[Hijacker]

Word of advice, be careful taking out subsequent VA loans. We've gotten a lot of backlash over the new house we're buying because we just took a VA loan out last year to buy the current house. It raised a lot of flags and put us under some serious financial scrutiny. We're mostly through it and should have final loan approval, but it's been 40 days of bank hell making it happen.

[WDRacing]

Werd, I don't think they come from the same source. The house will come first, anything else will be grants not loans. There are lots of agriculture grants to be had.

[Hijacker]

you were talking about buying up property. Wasn't sure if you meant just flat out land or housing loans. I think the VA loans only work towards houses, not land.

[WDRacing]

The VA loan will be applied to a house that comes with land. The grant will be used to build my greenhouse.

[frapjap]

Land....house....food....horses.....Sounds like we're all going to Brian's farm come post-apocalyptic time!

[Hijacker]

s***. Let's go pre-apoclypse and party!

[Dattebayo]

Any plans for a little brew operation in the mix? The extra co2 would help with the plants, if you need an excuse....

[nissangirl74]

Only 80ish days left until Kate retires and we move to PA!

That's awesome.

[Bubba1]

s***. Let's go pre-apoclypse and party!

Heck, we might even start the apocalypse at that party....

[frapjap]

s***. Let's go pre-apoclypse and party!

Heck, we might even start the apocalypse at that party....

NOW you're talkin'! Rob every firework stand you see on the way up.

[WDRacing]

Land....house....food....horses.....Sounds like we're all going to Brian's farm come post-apocalyptic time!

If the end comes, I hope it's zombies.

s***. Let's go pre-apoclypse and party!

If I have a big enough chunk of land, I WILL have a dirt track and a couple of old Chevettes or something we can race with.

Any plans for a little brew operation in the mix? The extra co2 would help with the plants, if you need an excuse....

I did my own beer for awhile in TX. Sadly none of it came out very well. If anything, I'll be growing my own happiness

That's awesome.

Thanks! We're very much looking forward to it.

Heck, we might even start the apocalypse at that party....

Indeed!

[sx moneypit]

Mornin' Ray,Brian !

[WDRacing]

Morning Ben!

[Hijacker]

s***. Let's go pre-apoclypse and party!

Heck, we might even start the apocalypse at that party....

Wolfpack, yo!

[frapjap]

How are you doing Ben? Hanging in there?

The janky Miata is getting less janky. New bushings and shocks are going in (hopefully) this weekend. Also found what might be a lightly used ZZ4 for my T/A, which would really wake it up and be a pretty quick modification to complete and enjoy the hell out of.

Lawn tools are expensive guys! Annoying thing is I don't know if we're always going to have a yard so buying a riding mower (yard is WAY to big for a push) isn't the smartest investment yet. A friend is letting me borrow his mower/trailer/car to use when I'd like on the condition that I mow his lawn on occasion. Downside is going to get and returning the mower/trailer/car. The $40 quote to have the lawn mowed every other week is looking a bit better- albeit a waste of money. What do ya'll think? What would you do?

[WDRacing]

Couple of questions.

Would you want to live in a place with no yard?

Do you need to move?

For me, I love a nice yard. The more the better. So I'd buy the mower and then sell it if you need to later. Mowing the yard while sipping a cold beer is very much relaxing.

[frapjap]

I definitely don't want to live in a place with no yard. .75-1+ acre is preferred, but won't be financially possible for another 1-2 years unless my pay drastically changes in the very near future.

I just moved to this place, so no need to move yet, unless an interview pans out.
Buying a new mower is about as tough as a car. Most of the mowers in my price range will 1. have to be financed since buying outright (even used) puts me off my plan of paying down debts and 2. have some awful consumer reviews. I'm tempted to rig up a bicycle to a push lawn mower.
http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/the-cut ... owing.html

The angle of the blades isn't right, and the rear tire probably loses traction a lot. Corners would be a chore.

This looks like a good buy. Appears well maintained. Decent shape, no rust. Price is right.
http://southcoast.craigslist.org/grd/3931533853.html

[Kompresshun]

Lawn equipment is expensive, but is well worth the investment. I started with a push mower at our current house, then bought an electric weed-eater and hedge trimmer. Now I have added a riding mower and a gas weed-eater to the mix and it makes life A LOT easier with the latter. When it works that is.

I have .75 acre right now and it sucks with a push mower. I would like more land next time if we don't live in the city. If we live in the city, I want a tiny yard because I don't want an HOA or neighbor up my a** about it being too tall

At least I finally identified what is wrong with the riding mower, but it's going to be expensive as heck to fix. I always end up with the most difficult thing to repair and work on somehow...

Ray, that riding mower in the link looks like a great deal and looks pretty clean. That model should be fairly simple to maintain and work on too. You should go grab it before someone else does.

[WDRacing]

Why not just attach your push mower to the back of your bike, done and done.

I guess though, if it's too much to mow by walking behind a push mower, why is riding a bike any better? Faster doesn't really equal a better job.

I've mowed some big lots with a push mower in my time.

If it's not in your budget, just use the push mower. Quit being a puss!

[Kompresshun]

The push mower sucks to use, but B is right - use it until you can afford a rider. I mowed my lawn for 3 years before I could pull the trigger on a rider. I could've afforded it way before now, but it wasn't a necessary expense, so I put it off.

Once I started this job though and started making more money, I told the wife I was buying one because I was tired of wasting an hour or more just mowing grass in the evening - not even including edging and trimming the landscaping. When the rider works, it takes me 10-15 min to mow my lawn now.

Also, look at it this way - Buying a used riding mower is A LOT cheaper than hiring someone. You said $40 in your post for a lawn care guy. If you hire them for the season and they come every 2 weeks at minimum, that's around $800-840. Most lawn care companies like to come weekly, especially during the spring, so that would nearly double that price. I know the season is almost over, but that's the way I looked at it when I bought mine in the spring.

[frapjap]

Lawn equipment is expensive, but is well worth the investment. I started with a push mower at our current house, then bought an electric weed-eater and hedge trimmer. Now I have added a riding mower and a gas weed-eater to the mix and it makes life A LOT easier with the latter. When it works that is.

At least I finally identified what is wrong with the riding mower, but it's going to be expensive as heck to fix. I always end up with the most difficult thing to repair and work on somehow...

Ray, that riding mower in the link looks like a great deal and looks pretty clean. That model should be fairly simple to maintain and work on too. You should go grab it before someone else does.

The mower in the link sold yesterday, goddammit.

Why not just attach your push mower to the back of your bike, done and done.

I guess though, if it's too much to mow by walking behind a push mower, why is riding a bike any better? Faster doesn't really equal a better job.

I've mowed some big lots with a push mower in my time.

If it's not in your budget, just use the push mower. Quit being a puss!

Walking behind the mower is hardly the issue- I like exercise. Its the time invested in mowing the stupid lawn when I could be washing my car or something more important.

Heres the yard: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=146+Stat ... 02790&z=19
Its the big a** one with all the green around it. Note the small plots of land my neighbors have.

Also, look at it this way - Buying a used riding mower is A LOT cheaper than hiring someone. You said $40 in your post for a lawn care guy. If you hire them for the season and they come every 2 weeks at minimum, that's around $800-840. Most lawn care companies like to come weekly, especially during the spring, so that would nearly double that price. I know the season is almost over, but that's the way I looked at it when I bought mine in the spring.

This is very true. The only reason this is really even a question is because of your last sentence- the season isn't that much longer. Do I spend big bucks on a mower for whats left of the season? would it be wise just to pay whoever for what little time is left? Waste my time investment driving my friends mower to/from his house or walking with a push mower? Its a big, time consuming yard.

[Kompresshun]

I wouldn't pay anyone to finish out the season, even though there isn't much left. I would keep looking for a good deal on a rider and keep using your friends mower until then, as long as they continue to not have a problem with it. I would buy one, even if the season is already over, because it's not going to hurt for it to sit until next year. You'll also likely get your best deals between now and the off season. Once spring approaches, people will suddenly thing they have gold and prices will shoot back up on them.

Trust me, I have the same frustration with my yard as you do. I have no issue with the exercise either, it's just the time it takes out of my day. I have a lot of things to keep up with and spending a couple of hours trying to maintain the lawn even 1-1 1/2 weeks is not something I care for. My lawn is also very thick and it's frustrating to mow with a push mower, because it just doesn't have enough power to get through some of it without shutting down. The rider zooms right through it like it's nothing.

[frapjap]

You're right Chris. On all accounts. I'll keep vigilant and be on the lookout for deals.
Ever hear of a 'White' branded mower?
http://southcoast.craigslist.org/grd/3903397749.html

[Kompresshun]

Nothing wrong with them. Just another generic brand name. Most everything you see is made by MTD, with whatever brand name stuck on it aside from John Deere and a couple of other big names.

Basically all you need to worry about is that it has a reputable engine on it and that everything is in good shape. You shouldn't have to worry about anything related to the brand name.

[WDRacing]

Also, lawn mower repair is wicked easy dude. Totally within your realm of doable. Maybe find one that doesn't run well and fix it up over the winter.

That is a pretty big yard. If you have the cash and don't mind blowing it, have somebody mow it. No shame in that.

[Kompresshun]

Also, lawn mower repair is wicked easy dude.

Except for my Murray 42" rider

I bought it in April and have been through 3 drive belts, then had to put on a new breather tube right after I got it. Now I just found out that the drive belt variator assembly was toast on Tuesday, which is what has been chewing up the belts. Go figure that it's impossible to find it used and it costs $200 for a new one

Don't let my lawn mower woes scare you though Ray. I just bought one with a stupid automatic drive system that sucks and I didn't know it at the time. Most mowers are really easy to work on and maintain.

[frapjap]

EEESH That's a nightmare, Chris.

Is this the mower you have?
http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/3934399391.html

The guy refurbishes them for a hobby and resells at a reasonable price. Major maintenance done- belts, oil, plugs, blades sharpened, fuel/oil filters, throttle linkages, etc. This specific mower has an engine from another that had bad steering system hardware. Has the hydrostatic accelerator and reverse (the two separate pedal thing), and turns over after 1 rotation (its a V twin).

I'm going to go and see it and give it a run and test cut tomorrow after work. He offered to deliver for free, too.